How generate a random signal using mbed NXP LPC1768

Questions » How generate a random signal using mbed NXP LPC1768

11 years, 4 months ago.

Hello please could anyone give me an hint on how to start. i need to generate a random signal using mbed which should work like this:

it should be between 0-3.3volts. with offset of 0.1volts.

that is, the highest voltage should be 3.2volt and lowest 0.1volts, anything above 3.2v or below 0.1v should be read as noise.

thanks in advance

1 Answer

11 years, 4 months ago.

Try this:

#include "mbed.h"

AnalogOut signal(p18);      //Only for p18
Serial pc(USBTX, USBRX);    //Debug

int main()
{
    float min = 0.1 / 3.3;  //Define 0.1 V as ~03% from 3.3 V
    float max = 3.2 / 3.3;  //Define 3.2 V as ~97% from 3.3 V

    while(1) 
    {
        signal = min + ((float)rand()/RAND_MAX) * (max - min);  // Generate random voltage output from 0.1 to 3.2
        printf("Voltage: %1.2f [V]\n", signal.read()* 3.3);     // Debug
        wait(1);                                                // Time to keep random voltage before next change
    }
}

EDIT: Repair rand() and added debug messages

Did you try if this code is really working?

I thought AnalogOut has a range of 0.0 to 1.0 where 0.0 = 0.0V and 1.0 = 3.3V. Am I wrong?

Also I am missing an initialization of random. Normally you use srand(time(NULL)); for this purpose.

posted by David Golz 12 Jul 2013

Yes it really works, but I programmed this on paper without testing. The only thing I changed is small mistake at rand() (added devide by RAND_MAX), because I thought that rand() returns 0.0-1.0. And added debug messages for comparison with measured data.

posted by Martin Wolker 12 Jul 2013

I tested it also. It's really working. I am a little confused, because the class reference tells me that the range is 0.0 to 1.0.

Look here: https://mbed.org/users/mbed_official/code/mbed/docs/b3110cd2dd17/classmbed_1_1AnalogOut.html#a04593bbcefdddb53406c0943a711f293

Anyway your code looks better now.

posted by David Golz 15 Jul 2013

Reference is okay. I apologize if this isn't obvious at first sight, but i realy use range 0.0-1.0. There is a hidden conversion from real volts to percentages of 3.3V (0.0-1.0).

posted by Martin Wolker 15 Jul 2013

Oh yes, now I get it. I think I missed the divisions at line 8 and 9. I hope the questioner could solve his problem with your helpful code.

posted by David Golz 17 Jul 2013

Alhassan umar

Important changes to forums and questions

11 years, 4 months ago.