GY-63_MS5611/libraries/ML8511

ML8511

Arduino library for the ML8511 UV sensor.

Warning

Always take precautions as UV radiation can cause sunburn, eye damage and other severe problems.

Do not expose yourself to the sun as UV source too long.

When using artificial UV light (TL LED laser a.o.) use appropriate shielding.

Description

ML8511 - UV sensor - library for Arduino UNO.

• 3V3 Sensor so do NOT connect to 5V directly.
• do not forget to connect the EN to either an enablePIN or to 3V3 (constantly enabled).

Use of an external ADC see below.

Related

• https://github.com/RobTillaart/TSL235R pulse based irradiance variant.
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/TSL260R analog IR irradiance variant.
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/AnalogUVSensor
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/LTR390_DFR UV sensor (DF Robotics edition)
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/LTR390_RT UV sensor
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/ML8511 UV sensor
• https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/ml8511-uv-sensor-hookup-guide
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index

Breakout

//        +-------+--+
//    VIN |o      +-+|  mounting hole
//    3V3 |o      +-+|
//    GND |o         |
//    OUT |o         |
//     EN |o       S |  Sensor
//        +----------+

Operational

As the sensor / breakout is 3V3 one need to connect to Arduino 3V3. The library converts the analogRead() to voltages, and it uses a reference of 5.0 Volt == 1023 steps as default.

If one wants to use another ratio e.g. 3.3 volts == 4095 steps, one can set those with setVoltagePerStep().

    ML8511 light(A0, 7);
    light.setVoltagePerStep(3.3, 4095);

It is possible to always enable the sensor by connecting the EN pin to 3V3. The value of the enablePin in the constructor should then be omitted or set to a negative value.

When connecting to an Arduino UNO one can use the 3V3 of the Arduino to power the sensor. However it is not possible to connect the enable pin directly to the sensor. Use a voltage divider (10K + 20K) to convert the 5 Volts to ~3.3 Volts.

Interface

#include "ML8511.h"

Constructor

• ML8511(uint8_t analogPin, uint8_t enablePin = 0xFF) Constructor, if enable is connected to 3V3 constantly one does not need to set the enablePin parameter.

Core

• float getUV(uint8_t energyMode = HIGH) returns mW per cm2, energyMode = HIGH or LOW. energyMode = LOW will disable the sensor after each read. Function blocks for (at least) 1 millisecond if sensor is disabled.
• float voltage2mW(float voltage) returns mW per cm2 from voltage. Can be used when one uses an external ADC e.g. ADS1115 Formula is based upon the graph in the datasheet page 4 (at 25 Celsius)
• bool setVoltsPerStep(float voltage, uint32_t steps) to calibrate the internal ADC used. If one of the parameters voltage or steps is <= 0 the function returns false. Then the previous set value or the default of 5 volts 1023 steps is used. This function has no meaning for an external ADC.
• float getVoltsPerStep() idem.

Enable / disable

These functions only work if the enable pin is set in the constructor.

• bool enable() manually enable the device. Returns false if enable pin not set.
• bool disable() manually disable the device. Returns false if enable pin not set.
• bool isEnabled() returns the enabled status. Returns true if enable pin not set as it cannot be disabled.

Experimental

WARNING: USE WITH CARE

• float estimateDUVindex(float mWcm2) input in mW per cm2. Typically returns a value between 0 and ~15(?) Returns zero if the parameter mWcm2 <= 0.0.
• bool setDUVfactor(float factor) set the conversion factor. Returns false if the factor < 0.01 (hard coded minimum). This factor can be used to sort of calibrate a system if a medium (e.g. glass) is between sensor and UV source
• float getDUVfactor() returns the set conversion factor (default 1.61)

See below (Experimental DUVindex) how to determine the DUV factor for your sensor.

Note: The UV index can be very high, in La Paz, Bolivia, one of the highest cities in the world the DUV index can go above 20. See link below. This is really extreme and it is unknown how the ML8511 sensor (and this library) behaves under such conditions, and how long the sensor would survive. Datasheet goes up to 15 mW per cm2, with a default DUVfactor of ~1.61 the measurements could handle DUV of ~24 in theory.

https://edition.cnn.com/2021/11/03/americas/bolivia-heatwave-highlands-intl/index.html

Sensor sensitivity

Indoors there is very little or no UV light so use a known UV source like a black-light or go outside in the sun.

The formula to convert the ADC reading to mW cm^2 is based upon the graph shown in the datasheet. As I have no reference source to calibrate the library the accuracy is limited at best. If you know of a calibrated source please let me know.

The sensor has its peak sensitivity ( >80% ) from λ = 300-380 nm with an absolute peak at λ = 365 nm.

Experimental DUVindex

Note: this library is NOT calibrated so USE AT OWN RISK

The DUV index can be used for warning for sunburn etc.

DUV index table

Based upon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index,

DUV INDEX	Description	Colour
0 - 2	LOW	GREEN
3 - 5	MODERATE	YELLOW
6 - 7	HIGH	ORANGE
8 - 10	VERY HIGH	RED
11+	EXTREME	PURPLE

Colour codes are indicative to be used in a user interface. A more elaborated colour scheme may be made with map2colour.

• https://github.com/RobTillaart/map2colour

Calibrate estimateDUVindex()

To calibrate the estimateDUVindex() function one needs to determine the DUVfactor. To do this you need an external reference e.g. a local or nearby weather station. You need to make multiple measurements during the (preferably unclouded) day and calculate the factor.

             DUV from weather station
DUVfactor = --------------------------
                     getUV();

You do this e.g. once per hour, so you get multiple values. You can then average them to have a single factor.

Hardcode this found value in the library (in the constructor) or better use the setDUVfactor(factor) call in setup() to calibrate your sensor.

It might be useful to calibrate the DUV factor on different moments of the day to correct for the angle of inclination. One might need to adjust this during measurements by using e.g. an RTC = real time clock.

Version info

0.1.5 and before

The formula for the experimental estimateDUVindex(mWcm2) is based on the following facts / assumptions:

• (fact) The sensor cannot differentiate between wavelengths, so integration with different weights is not possible.
• (assumption) All the UV is radiated at λ = 300 nm. This is the most lethal the sensor can sense > 80%.
• (choice) All the UV is accounted for 100% for the whole value. (Erythemal action spectrum) As we cannot differentiate wavelengths, this is the safest choice.

0.1.6

The formula is simplified to a single factor that the user needs to determine. Below is described how to do the calibration.

External ADC

float voltage2mW(float voltage) can be used for an external ADC e.g ADS1015, ADS1115 or one of the (fast) MCP_ADC's.

• https://github.com/RobTillaart/ADS1X15
• https://github.com/RobTillaart/MCP_ADC

More about UV

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ultraviolet_index

Future

Must

• improve documentation
• refactor / reorganize readme.md

Should

• test more platforms
• investigate in calibration

Could

• get unit tests up and running
• math for duration of exposure
  • Converting from mW/cm2 ==> Joule / s / cm2
  • integrate sum of multiple measurements.
  • experimental example?

Wont

• investigate serial communication with UV led and UV sensor
  • however fun experiment.
• check performance (mainly ADC dependent)
• add base class without enable code?

Support

If you appreciate my libraries, you can support the development and maintenance. Improve the quality of the libraries by providing issues and Pull Requests, or donate through PayPal or GitHub sponsors.

Thank you,