Testing the ADP51A11 Pressure sensor

Testbed

The sensor was mounted on a breadboard, powered by 3.3v and the analog output delivered to the ADC of a Teensy 3.2 with a 10uF capacitor filtering the power rail.

Methodology

The device datasheet gives a drive voltage of 5v. However, as the Teensy is a 3.3v device the analog inputs saturate at 3.3v and so higher readings would be lost. The sensor still appears to work perfectly at 3.3v.

The device was tested using a finger pressing on the nozzle of the sensor at varying pressures. No accurate test equipment was available for this test, however as a proof of concept and implementation it is acceptable.

 

Results

As can be seen below, the sensor responds very well to pressure. The pressure provided seems directly proportional to the value read by the microcontroller.

 

Conclusion

This sensor seems to be very promising for further development into the system, the simplicity to implement and the apparent accuracy of the sensor makes it very desirable.