Understanding the Problem
The incompatibility of 3.3V and 5V components is a common challenge in the realm of electronics. This is especially true when attempting to integrate 3.3V parts into a 5V system, as this can lead to inconsistent performance or even damage to components. This was the case with the Reax Laura module, which I damaged when trying to connect it to an Arduino Nano.
The Solution: Level Shifters
Level shifters are the solution to this problem, as they can serve as a bridge to enable safe communication between 3.3V and 5V components. To understand how they work, let’s simulate connecting the Reax Laura module to an Arduino Nano.
Connecting the Components
First, the Laura module can be safely powered from the 3.3V pin of the Arduino. The ground of the Laura module should be connected to the ground of the Arduino. Next, the Laura transmit pin should be connected to the Arduino receiver pin. This is where the level shifter comes in, as the Laura module sends a 3.3V signal to the Arduino, which is recognized without apparent instability, despite being outside the voltage range the Arduino operates within.
What is a Level Shifter?
A level shifter is a device used to shift the voltage level of a signal from one voltage level to another. It is used to bridge the gap between two devices that operate at different voltage levels. The most common type of level shifter is the bi-directional shifter, which is used to shift a signal from one voltage level to another in both directions.
How Does a Level Shifter Work?
A level shifter works by using two transistors to shift the voltage level of a signal. The first transistor is used to shift the voltage level from the lower voltage to the higher voltage. The second transistor is used to shift the voltage level from the higher voltage to the lower voltage. The two transistors are connected in a way that allows the signal to be shifted in both directions.
Using a Level Shifter to Connect an Arduino Nano to a 3.3V Device
When connecting an Arduino Nano to a 3.3V device, a level shifter can be used to bridge the gap between the two devices. The level shifter will shift the voltage level of the signal from the Arduino Nano’s 5V output to the 3.3V input of the device. This allows the two devices to communicate without damaging either device.
Steps for Connecting an Arduino Nano to a 3.3V Device with a Level Shifter
The following steps can be used to connect an Arduino Nano to a 3.3V device with a level shifter:
Connect the Arduino Nano’s TX pin to the level shifter’s input pin.
Connect the level shifter’s output pin to the 3.3V device’s RX pin.
Connect the level shifter’s ground pin to the Arduino Nano’s ground pin.
Connect the level shifter’s VCC pin to the 3.3V device’s VCC pin.
Shifter, I will use the Arduino Nano board, which is a 3.3 volt device.
The Level Shifter
The four-channel level shifter is designed to bridge the gap between 5V and 3.3V logic devices. It has two sides, the high side representing 5V logic and the low side representing 3.3V logic, with ground connections on both sides. Additionally, there are four high-level pins, one for each channel, along with corresponding four low-level pins.
Step-Down Process for 5V Signals
The step-down process for 5V signals involves two rows of resistors, with two resistors dedicated to each channel forming four voltage dividers. This approach is demonstrated in the Lura example.
Step-Up Process for 3.3V Signals
The step-up process for 3.3V signals utilizes four MOSFET transistors, which can be seen in the center of the level shifter.
Arduino Nano Board
To demonstrate the functionality of the level shifter, an Arduino Nano board is used. This board is a 3.3V device, and is capable of controlling the level shifter.
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Level Shifter
A level shifter is a device used to bridge the gap between two different voltage levels. In this case, the Arduino Nano is running at 5 volts, while the Milat LED requires 3.3 volts. To control this LED, a simple circuit is constructed to allow the Arduino to send signals to the LED as if it were a component requiring a 3.3 voltage supply.
Connecting the Arduino
The Arduino is connected to the LED and the blink sketch is loaded. The LED starts blinking in two second intervals. To measure the voltage between the ground, pin and digital pin five, two male header pins are used. The reading falls slightly below 5 volts, likely due to the Arduino’s built-in voltage regulator tolerance.
Introducing the Level Shifter
The level shifter is then introduced and properly aligned so that the high level pins face the Arduino. The ground is connected to the Arduino ground and a reference voltage is provided on both sides. 5 volts is provided from the Arduino 5 volts pin and 3.3 volts from the Arduino 3v3 pin. The digital pin is connected to the first channel of the shifter on the high side.
Testing the Circuit
The LED is connected with the cathode going to ground and the anode to the first channel pin on the low side. After powering the Arduino, the blink sketch still functions, but the LED is a touch dimmer. To verify that the level shifter is working correctly, the LED is replaced with the header pins connected to the shifter’s ground and LV1 pin. The voltage reading is now 3.3 volts, confirming that the level shifter is successfully bridging the gap between the two voltage levels.
Understanding the Lever Shifter
The lever shifter is a device that allows us to bridge the gap between two different voltage levels. It is used to control a 3.3V device from an Arduino Nano, which operates at 5V. The lever shifter works by taking the 5V signal from the Arduino and stepping it up to the 3.3V level, and then stepping it back down when sending a signal from the 3.3V device to the Arduino. This allows us to control the 3.3V device from the Arduino without damaging either device.
Connecting the Lever Shifter
In order to use the lever shifter, we must first connect it to the Arduino and the 3.3V device. We start by connecting all the grounds together, and then providing a 5V reference voltage to the high side pin from the Arduino’s 5V pin. The reference voltage for the other side comes from the positive terminal of the external 3.3V power supply. Next, we connect the 3.3V device, connecting the ground and VCC, where VCC receives power from the positive terminal of the 3.3V power supply.
Finally, we connect both signal pins with the TX and RX of the Arduino going to channel one and two of the shifter respectively. The corresponding pins on the other side of the shifter are connected to the RX and TX of the 3.3V device. This configuration allows us to step up the signal from the 3.3V device’s RX to the Arduino’s TX, and step down the signal from the Arduino’s TX to the 3.3V device’s RX.
Testing the Lever Shifter
Once the lever shifter is connected, we can test it by powering the Arduino and measuring the voltage between the two header pins. If the voltage is correct, we can observe that the 5V signal has been successfully bridged through the lever shifter to control the 3.3V device.
Overview
Arduino Nano is a microcontroller board based on the ATmega328P. It has 14 digital input/output pins (of which 6 can be used as PWM outputs), 8 analog inputs, an on-board voltage regulator, a USB connection, a power jack, an ICSP header, and a reset button. It is a great tool for controlling 3.3V devices, but it can be difficult to use with level shifters. This guide will help you bridge the gap between the Arduino Nano and the 3.3V device by providing step-by-step instructions on how to use a level shifter.
What is a Level Shifter?
A level shifter is a device that is used to convert a signal from one voltage level to another. It is used to bridge the gap between two different voltage levels, such as between the Arduino Nano and a 3.3V device. The level shifter takes a signal from the Arduino Nano and converts it to the appropriate voltage level for the 3.3V device.
How to Use a Level Shifter with Arduino Nano
Using a level shifter with the Arduino Nano is relatively simple. The first step is to connect the level shifter to the Arduino Nano. This is done by connecting the VCC pin of the level shifter to the 5V pin of the Arduino Nano, the GND pin of the level shifter to the GND pin of the Arduino Nano, and the SDA and SCL pins of the level shifter to the SDA and SCL pins of the Arduino Nano, respectively.
Once the level shifter is connected to the Arduino Nano, the next step is to connect the 3.3V device to the level shifter. This is done by connecting the VCC pin of the 3.3V device to the VCC pin of the level shifter, the GND pin of the 3.3V device to the GND pin of the level shifter, and the SDA and SCL pins of the 3.3V device to the SDA and SCL pins of the level shifter, respectively.
Level shifters can be used to bridge the gap between 3.3V and 5V components. This allows for safe communication between the two, as demonstrated by the successful connection of the Reax Laura module to an Arduino Nano.
Using a level shifter is an effective way to bridge the gap between an Arduino Nano and a 3.3V device. By following the steps outlined above, it is possible to connect the two devices without damaging either device. Level shifters are an essential tool for connecting devices with different voltage levels.
The lever shifter is a useful device for bridging the gap between two different voltage levels. It allows us to control a 3.3V device from an Arduino Nano, without damaging either device. By connecting the lever shifter to the Arduino and the 3.3V device, and then testing it, we can observe that the 5V signal has been successfully bridged through the lever shifter to control the 3.3V device. With this knowledge, we can now use the lever shifter in our upcoming projects to build 3.3V transmitter and receiver devices for outdoor range testing.
Using a level shifter with the Arduino Nano is a great way to bridge the gap between the Arduino Nano and a 3.3V device. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can easily connect the Arduino Nano to a 3.3V device and control it with the Arduino Nano.
