User:Jshin722/ENES-100/project 2/Arduino Knock detection

Problem Statement
To get Arduino to sense a "knock" using a piezo and to produce an output.



Training and Operations
A program found on /Instructables.com/ was used to test the knock sensor's input (a knock) sensing abilities. A small speaker was used as a piezo element. Using a soldering iron, two wires were soldered onto the speaker. The two wires were inserted into the Arduino: Analog A0 and GND. When the piezo was flicked with a finger, the Arduino detected the voltage produced and produced an output which was indicated by a blink of a light (see picture: light "TX"). Then the piezo was placed firmly against the desk and a knock was produced on the bottom side of the desk, to simulate a door. As long as the knock was strong enough, the input was detected. However, if the knock was even slightly weaker, there was no output since the threshold for the voltage was too low as defined in the program.

Next Steps

 * Lower the knock sensing threshold in the program.


 * Use a radio throat microphone which will have a much more sensitive piezo-like element.