microSD ATmega32 Data-Logger

Hi friends,

aim of this project is to present a way to store a large quantity of data into microSD card in files with FAT32 format. Here, ATmega32 is used for data collection and microSD interface. The data is received from in-build 8-channel ADC of ATmega32. One channel is used for reading temperature from LM35 sensor and remaining channels are used for simply reading voltages and storing them.

This project can be used to interface 8 different sensors with ADC of ATmega32, similar to the LM35 used here. The data is stored in CSV (comma separated values) format, which can be read using a PC/Laptop with Microsoft Excel or other compatible software. A snapshot of the excel file is given later in this post.

This project is an example of how to use the microSD FAT32 library presented in my earlier post. In that post, the files were created using hyper-terminal and entering data with the PC keyboard, since that demonstrates the file creation and it's easy to debug. But many users have requested to make the file creation independent of the terminal, done inside the microcontroller, so I'm showing here how to use those functions independent of terminal. If you have directly landed on this page, it would be more helpful if you visit the original post first as it would be a better starting place for learning SD or FAT32 functions.

Here is the schematic (click on the images for larger view or download PDF):

The project contains RTC interface (for date and time storage), RS232 (for connection with PC) and a microSD module. Here, the hyper-terminal connection is required only for setting RTC date and time. Once the date/time are set, the RS232 connection is not required anymore for normal data-logging operation (It can be used for debugging purpose if there is a problem).

The microSD module used here is from eXtreme Electronics.
The module is shown in the figure here. Other than the microSD socket, this low-cost module also contains on-board 3.3v regulator for the microSD card, a 5v-3.3v level converter and other safety features required for the card. This module is used here as it provides a stable interface and makes the the card compatible with 5v supply and 5v signals of microcontroller.

The module is available at: http://store.extremeelectronics.co.in/MicroSD-TF-Module.html

The schematic also shows two LEDs and a push-button. The LEDs are used for indications of power and recording and the push-button is used to start-stop recording.

Operation of the circuit:
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For setting RTC date/time (or for debugging mode):

• Connect the microSD module, insert the microSD card
• Connect the RS232 cable with the circuit. Set-up hyper terminal with 19200 baud, no parity, 8-bit data, 1 stop-bit and flow-control as 'None'
• Connect the power cable and power on the circuit while keeping the push-button pressed
• Green LED will glow in the circuit board
• A menu will be displayed on the Hyper terminal as shown in the figure below. Select desired option and follow the displayed instructions
• When date/time is set or debugging done, select option '0' to come out of the menu and start functioning a s data-logger
• At this point, the RS232 cable can be removed

Operation as Data-Logger:

• Connect the power cable and power on the circuit
• Green LED will glow
• Whenever the data-logging is required, press the push-button
• Red LED will glow, indicating that the recording has started
• To stop recording, press the push-button again, recording will stop and red LED will turn off
• Files stored in the card can be read using a PC card-reader or using hyper-terminal with the circuit started in debugging mode

The operation is very simple as it uses just one push-button and an LED indication. In case of any error in accessing the card, red LED will blink continuously. In such a case, you can start circuit in debug mode (with terminal) and see the error messages.

Files are stored with the date as a name and .CSV extension. For example, data-logging done on 10 May 2011 would be stored in "10052011.CSV" file. Since the date is the name of file, everyday a single file is created and all the data recording done in a day goes into single file, no matter how many times the recording is stopped/started. First column of the file shows date, second shows time and next 8 columns show data from the 8 channels.

A file created during testing is shown in the figure below, where 5 sec interval was set for measurements (click on the image to enlarge it). Here channel-0 was used for LM35 temperature sensor, and remaining channels measure voltage. 5v was connected to channel-1 and 3v Li cell was connected to channel-3 (Channel 2 & 4 show some small voltages due to noise from voltages connected to nearby channels, which can be corrected by using bypass caps).


The interval between two measurement cycles is defined in main.c file, which can be set as per the user requirement. Basically, the program forms a dataString in every measurement cycle and appends this string to the file, if the file already exists or it creates a new file (for example, during the first recording in a day). You may go through the comments in the source code file for more info.

Note: Make sure that RTC circuit is properly connected, otherwise the code will simply hang waiting for receiving date & time from RTC

Download project files
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The source code is written in AVR-GCC format using winAVR with AVRStudio-4, complete AVRStudio project folder can be downloaded from here:

- Download Source Code

Download schematic:
- Schematic (PDF)
- Schematic (EAGLE)

References:
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Visit my earlier post for the references on SD card & FAT32 which are given at the end of the post