C H A P T E R  11

Pressure Sensors

Now you are going to take a look at pressure sensors, in particular the SCP1000 absolute digital pressure sensor from VTI. This is a great sensor that is easily interfaced with an Arduino and provides accurate pressure and temperature readings. The device needs to be connected to the Arduino's SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus for data to be exchanged. SPI is a new concept for you, and although this chapter will not cover it in great detail (SPI would need a chapter or two of its own), you will learn the basic concepts of SPI and how to use it to get data from the SCP1000 sensor.

Absolute pressure sensors are ideal for making your own weather station. You'll start off in this chapter by learning how to interface the SCP1000 to the Arduino and read data from it using the serial monitor. You will then use the sensor and an LCD to display a pressure graph over a 24-hour period. Along the way, you will also learn how to control a GLCD (Graphic LCD) display.