Let's Workshop: Keyes MLX90614 IR Temperature Module

Here is a quick introduction to using the Keyes MLX90614 IR Temperature module. Hopefully it will provide you with the confidence to intergrate rotary control into your projects.

This example will demonstrate the use of an Arduino UNO reading the temperature from a MLX90614 sensor. Once connected and the program loaded, it will read the ambient and target temperature every second. This will use the Adafruit_mlx90614 library created by Limor Fried/Ladyada for Adafruit Industries.

Components

• 1pcs Arduino UNO or Compatible - LCAA100005
• 1pcs MLX90614 IR Temperature Keyes Red - BDAA100068
• 4pcs Male to Female Jumper Cables - GBAA100002

Wiring

Wire the two boards together as can be seen in the image below, taking care to match the pin numbers.

Coding

The code consists of an include, definitions, 2 functions, setup and loop. First the Adafruit_mlx90614 library is linked to the code. This is followed by the initilisation of the temperature sensor object used by the library. The setup initilises the serial connection and begins communication with the library. The loop calls the ambient and target temperature from the library and ouputs it to the serial connection, pausing for a second and repeating.

Load the code below into the Arduino IDE and upload it to your board.

/*
  A simple program designed to setup and demonstrate the Adafruit_TempSensor190614 library and 
  TempSensor190614 IR Temperature module - BDAA100068

  The program uses the Adafruit_TempSensor190614 library to interface with the temperature module
  and return the temperature to the serial monitor. Then repeat the request. 
  
  modified 12 March 2019
  by Sebastian Karam - Flux Workshop
  
  The Adafruit_mlx90614 library created by Limor Fried/Ladyada for Adafruit Industries
  https://github.com/adafruit/Adafruit-mlx90614-Library
*/ 
 
#include  // include the Arduino wire library
#include  // include the Adafruit_TempSensor190614 library

Adafruit_MLX90614 TempSensor1 = Adafruit_MLX90614(); // create a TempSensor190614 object

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600); // initialise the serial connection
  TempSensor1.begin(); // begin monitoring the sensor object as connected through the SCL and SDA pins
}
void loop() {
  Serial.print("Ambient: "); // print to the serial terminal
  Serial.print(TempSensor1.readAmbientTempC()); // request and print the ambient temperature
  Serial.println(" degC"); // print to the serial terminal
  Serial.print("Target: "); // print to the serial terminal
  Serial.print(TempSensor1.readObjectTempC()); // request and print the ambient temperature
  Serial.println(" degC"); // print to the serial terminal
  delay(1000); // pause before looping
}

Running

With the board loaded with the program and all the connections made, start the serial monitor. An initial value for the ambient and target will appear. Now target a particular object with the sensor. The output should be as seen below (in this instance, it was pointing at a cup of tea).

What to try next?

• Output the temperature in farenheit using '.readObjectTempF()'.
• Use the output to control a relay