VCNL4000

[amateurasu]

Seems to be working so far. Thanks for the fix, tangiertigers!

[amateurasu]

I turned Adafruit's sample code and tangiertigers's tweak into a library for the VCNL4000. I've included a sample program with a commented list of commands and usage notes. I've never made a library before, so I don't know if this one is all that "proper", but hopefully someone will find it useful.

[lab]

I am using the github code. Despite inserting the fix offered by tangiertigers on Feb 08 (170 microsec delay in the read8()), my serial output freezes after the first line when it prints "VCNL". My hookup is the same as reported by amateurasu on Feb. 3. I am using the Uno model board. I tried some of the earlier forum suggestions like changing the LED power (no result) and I tried a longer delay (270 microsec) also with no result. What am I missing, I wonder? Thanks in advance.

[amateurasu]

Looks like in my Feb 3 post, I had both the 5V and 3.3V lines hooked up. Shortly after posting that, I found another topic on this issue that recommended to only have the 5V or 3.3V line hooked up, but not both. So I removed the 3.3V connection and let the whole thing run from the 5V and its own 3.3V regulator. Trying that did not immediately fix the issue (this was prior to tangiertigers's post), but I left it that way through my subsequent testing, and later applying tangiertigers's fix, at which point it did work. I didn't mention removing the 3.3V line in my earlier posts, but give that a shot combined with the fix and see if it works out.

When I get some time, I'd also like to try the code without the delay in read8, but while on a better power supply than USB or a 9V battery. Just to verify that weak power is indeed the issue. If and when I do that, I'll post results here.

[lab]

Thanks very much. I tried with and without 3.3V and it looks like my problem is something different. To track why the output fails after printing "VCNL" I edited the setup as follows:
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);

Serial.println("VCNL");
Serial.println("test another line1");//added to test
Wire.begin();
Serial.println("test another line2");//added to test

uint8_t rev = read8(VCNL4000_PRODUCTID);
Serial.println("test another line3");//added to test

if ((rev & 0xF0) != 0x10) {
Serial.println("Sensor not found ");
while (1);
}

My output is
VCNL
test another line1
test another line2
...and then it stops. No error message, and the serial port is still up.
So it is held up at this line:
uint8_t rev = read8(VCNL4000_PRODUCTID);

Is this the kind of hangup I can expect to get if in fact I don't have the sensor wired up correctly? (even though I think I do). I am guessing it is something basic. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[amateurasu]

Sorry if this seems like a dumb question, but just to verify, are you sure you're on Analog 4 and 5, not Digital 4 and 5?

[lab]

Not a dumb question at all. (The more spelled-out, the better!) I have the VCNL SDA going to A4 (that's analog, in the row running from A0 to A5) and SDC connected to A5 (next to it). For power I am drawing off the USB connection to my computer. I have the VCNL ground going to my Arduino ground and VCNL Vin to my Arduino 5V.
As long as we're talking connections, I don't know if this is kosher but I used a 5-pin header and laid the VCNL4000 connections across the pins, then put my connecting wires in the same row as each pin (i.e., the pins corresponding to Vin, Grd, SDA, etc. on the sensor).
Thanks again.

[amateurasu]

Hmm... Sounds like you should be good to go, then. I'm not sure why it's not working. You might want to get in touch with Adafruit at this point. It could be a bum chip.

[adafruit]

lab, start a new thread and post a photo of your setup please

[lab]

So sorry -- I can't see how to start a new thread, only how to post a reply. Could you clue me in? (I have the picture of my setup ready.)

[adafruit]

click on the new topic button in the main forum