Ragpad Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Hello, folks! Firstly, forgive me if I am asking a question that has already been asked and answered. I searched the forums here, to no avail. I am currently in the market for a humidity/temperature sensors ( e. g., Sensiron SHT75, Honeywell HH9121, etc., but I have not yet settled on any). Most of them use digital (PC, I2C, SMBus (?)), although some use analog (voltage)). I prefer to use the digital-output type. Does AIDA64 "read" these outputs, and what needs done? Could you guys help me? Thanks in advance for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 Such devices typically use I2C connection. With most PCs it's not possible to connect your own I2C devices. That's because most PCs do not feature an I2C bus that would be available for the user to connect his own I2C devices. But, in case you find a solution to connect your I2C devices to your PC in any ways, please let us know the exact solution and provide us with an API or other documentation on how to talk to your I2C devices. We can implement virtually any kind of sensor devices in AIDA64, as long as the communication protocol is well documented, and reading out sensor information doesn't take ages. A couple of potential candidates on connecting I2C devices to your PC via USB port: http://www.harbaum.org/till/i2c_tiny_usb/index.shtml http://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/htm/usb_i2c_tech.htm http://mmdolze.users.sourceforge.net/use-a-lcd-with-twi.html http://www.sprut.de/electronic/pic/projekte/usb4all/usb4all_en.html But, you have to be careful with those: you have to verify how many devices you want to connect to the I2C bus, and whether a specific I2C --> USB converter could support that many devices. Or, you can see whether there're any ready-made solutions offered by the following companies: http://yoctopuce.com http://phidgets.com Yoctopuce has very interesting devices that could measure all sorts of things. AIDA64 already supports their OLED displays, as well as Phidgets LCDs -- but not those companies' sensor devices at this time. Another solution might be building your own USB-connected interface board, based on a Microchip or Atmel microcontroller, and hook up your I2C devices to that board. That solution would provide the most flexibility, but may also be the most expensive solution as well. And then there's using a Raspberry Pi as a slave device connected to your PC via USB port, etc. etc. It all depends on how serious are you about this project, and what exactly would you like to achieve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragpad Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 Such devices typically use I2C connection. With most PCs it's not possible to connect your own I2C devices. That's because most PCs do not feature an I2C bus that would be available for the user to connect his own I2C devices.But, in case you find a solution to connect your I2C devices to your PC in any ways, please let us know the exact solution and provide us with an API or other documentation on how to talk to your I2C devices. We can implement virtually any kind of sensor devices in AIDA64, as long as the communication protocol is well documented, and reading out sensor information doesn't take ages.A couple of potential candidates on connecting I2C devices to your PC via USB port:http://www.harbaum.org/till/i2c_tiny_usb/index.shtmlhttp://www.robot-electronics.co.uk/htm/usb_i2c_tech.htmhttp://mmdolze.users.sourceforge.net/use-a-lcd-with-twi.htmlhttp://www.sprut.de/electronic/pic/projekte/usb4all/usb4all_en.htmlBut, you have to be careful with those: you have to verify how many devices you want to connect to the I2C bus, and whether a specific I2C --> USB converter could support that many devices.Or, you can see whether there're any ready-made solutions offered by the following companies:http://yoctopuce.comhttp://phidgets.comYoctopuce has very interesting devices that could measure all sorts of things. AIDA64 already supports their OLED displays, as well as Phidgets LCDs -- but not those companies' sensor devices at this time.Another solution might be building your own USB-connected interface board, based on a Microchip or Atmel microcontroller, and hook up your I2C devices to that board. That solution would provide the most flexibility, but may also be the most expensive solution as well. And then there's using a Raspberry Pi as a slave device connected to your PC via USB port, etc. etc. It all depends on how serious are you about this project, and what exactly would you like to achieve. @Fiery! You are the best! How have you been? Yes, I did come across USB-based interfaces that would allow me connect I2C devices (and of course, you have Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and other micro controllers, even Intel has one - Galileo). The USB one that I came across is made by Code Mercenaries out of Germany ( IOWarrior series) http://www.codemercs.com/index.php?id=141&L=1. If I were to to get this - http://www.saelig.com/I/I019.htm - then would AIDA64 display the "sensor values"? Could you please let me know? Code Mercernaries apparently have a lot of their documentation and other support materials in German, in which I am not fluent. Perhaps, you would understand German? I am pretty serious about this, because I am using a chiller loop for my two-loop water-cooling of my OCed processors. I am interested in getting the environmental dew-point values, as an added safety measure. (Sadly, my C/C++ programming skills have totally rusted out, due to disuse over 30-35 years!). In any event, I shall carefully go through your response, and I will keep you posted. As always, thanks for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Posted September 10, 2014 Share Posted September 10, 2014 If I were to to get this - http://www.saelig.com/I/I019.htm - then would AIDA64 display the "sensor values"? Have you read the customer review on that page? Also, it would be very important to check how many I2C devices can that dongle handle, and what electrical connections do you have to apply to connect those devices. Also, it would be important to check where the proposed sensor devices would get their power from. Because, unlike with USB, the I2C bus doesn't provide any power to connected devices. So the whole thing, including the hardware and software design could quickly become quite complicated. IMHO you may be better off with a ready-made solution, such a device complex that has everything already developed, and you just have to plug the pieces together. AFAIK Yoctopuce provides such solutions, but I'm not sure whether they provide all kinds of sensors that you would need for your project, like humidity and such. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragpad Posted September 10, 2014 Author Share Posted September 10, 2014 @Fiery: Yes, I did see that review, and it is no exaggeration, in my opinion. (I have a few German electronic products, sales of which would dismally fail, but for their excellent technical support people!) Sadly, that seems to be the problem with a few of the German (despite their "undisputed" engineering prowess) "technologists." I am going through the sites (and their products) that you suggested. I just want to make sure that I read them thoroughly and carefully before asking you stupid questions. Meanwhile, the IOWarrior56 has apparently been customized for this Sensirion humidity/temperature sensor: http://www.newark.com/sensirion/ek-h5/accessory/dp/20T1171?ost=ek-h5. The EK-H5 datasheet is attached hereto as a PDF. Will the data output by this USB dongle be read by AIDA64? I can do fair amount of PCB electrical wiring, and the circuits are usually provided by component manufacturers in their specifications. Apparently, this EK-H5 dongle does not need anything (i. e., it already has the required capacitor and the pull-up resistor; in any event, I intend to verify this). (This "kit" uses Sensirion SHT21; however, I am thinking of using the Sensirion SHT75 sensor; its datasheet is also attached hereto.) Kindly allow me to tell you why I am interested in AIDA64's ability to "read" these data. I am using Aquacomputer's Aquaero 6XT controller for controlling the "warm" side of the water-cooling loop. Aquaero is capable of getting the sensor information from AIDA64 (through the WMI). With this setup, I should be able to use the Aquaero 6XT to activate a relay to throttle the chiller ("cold") loop, if the environmental dew point (within the computer case) gets above a certain point. Thanks! Sensirion_Humidity_EK-H5_Datasheet_V2.0.pdf Sensiron-SHT75-317085.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragpad Posted September 12, 2014 Author Share Posted September 12, 2014 @Fiery: I went through the websites suggested by you. To be sure, I had not even heard of those, but as you said, they are pretty enterprising. Only one of them offered a temperature/humidity sensor (Phidgets at http://www.phidgets.com/products.asp?category=35&product_id=1125_0) with an analog output), but I am surprised that AIDA64 does not support even that. Is there a reason for it? Right now, I am at a loss! Any thoughts? (Did you get a chance to read the attached PDF files?) Thanks, pal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Yes, I've read those datasheets. Quite frankly, we could add almost any sensors to AIDA64 as long as you figure out how to connect them to your PC. We haven't implemented support for IOWarrior56 or Phidgets sensors simply because so far no AIDA64 user has shown any interest in them. We however have already added IOWarrior24-based ct-Mausekino LCD and Phidget LCD support in AIDA64, so we know how to handle those devices. It's just not for measuring anything, but for displaying the measured values. If you come to a decision on what stuff and how you would build it, let me know. The only thing required for us to start working on the implementation in AIDA64 is the device to be connected to PC via a standard interface (USB preferred), and the possibility for us to buy the same components from an online store. BTW, when it comes to the Phidget sensor device you've linked above, have you checked what device would you connect that thing into? I suppose either one of the following devices would work: http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1018 http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1011 We've already got the 8-8-8 device with the integrated LCD ( http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=15&product_id=1203_2 ), and it's an impressive piece of kit. Although, we haven't yet connected any sensors to it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragpad Posted September 17, 2014 Author Share Posted September 17, 2014 Yes, I've read those datasheets. Quite frankly, we could add almost any sensors to AIDA64 as long as you figure out how to connect them to your PC. We haven't implemented support for IOWarrior56 or Phidgets sensors simply because so far no AIDA64 user has shown any interest in them. We however have already added IOWarrior24-based ct-Mausekino LCD and Phidget LCD support in AIDA64, so we know how to handle those devices. It's just not for measuring anything, but for displaying the measured values.If you come to a decision on what stuff and how you would build it, let me know. The only thing required for us to start working on the implementation in AIDA64 is the device to be connected to PC via a standard interface (USB preferred), and the possibility for us to buy the same components from an online store.BTW, when it comes to the Phidget sensor device you've linked above, have you checked what device would you connect that thing into? I suppose either one of the following devices would work:http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1018http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?product_id=1011We've already got the 8-8-8 device with the integrated LCD ( http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=15&product_id=1203_2 ), and it's an impressive piece of kit. Although, we haven't yet connected any sensors to it @Fiery: Sorry for the delayed response! You have given me a lot of food for thought! Aquacomputer's Aquaero does accept data values (written through the WMI) from AIDA64 via its USB connection to the host PC. On a cursory review of the Aquaero's manual, it appears that it can only accept "temperature" values from the likes of AIDA64. Ideally, I would also like a USB interface between the sensor and the host PC, and it appears that this should not be a problem (especially with the Phidgets device that you suggested; and the IOWarrior also seems to be amenable). I will have to check with Aquacomputer guys on whether the Aquaero will accept humidity values, or just a temperature value (as "software sensors"). (On this note, is it possible to get - i. e., automatically calculate - the dew-point values, using a standard formula, within the AIDA64 from the humidity-temperature combo sensors?). I also have a question for Aquacomputer on their Aquabus's electrical interface.). (I really like Phidgets' products.). So, please bear with me as I get more information from these various sources. As always, thanks for all the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 FYI, currently AIDA64 can only measure the following type of sensor values: - temperature - fan speed (can also be used to measure pump RPM) - voltage - electrical current - power - misc, also called as "system": clocks, CPU load, memory utilization, FPS, etc So as you can see, humidity is not there yet. But we can add it, if we could find a sensor device that can be polled by AIDA64. As for calculations and applying certain formula on the measured values, well, that's not really possible with AIDA64 right now, if you mean combining multiple measured values in a formula. However, if you want to do some calculation on a single measured value, then using the Correction feature may be the way to go. With Correction you can use a ratio and an offset on a certain measured value, but you cannot do "a+b" where "a" is a measured value and "b" is a different measured value. I'm not trying to overcomplicate your hardware project, or convince you to spend more $$ on this, but there's a chance you would be better off by starting with an Arduino, Raspberry Pi or similar board. With that you can hook up many different shields or sensors, and write a firmware or application that does all the measurements and calculations you want, and then push a single value (the result) through the USB port to the PC host. You could also not only measure values but control fans, pumps and other devices with such a solution. Of course this solution may seem overkill and overly complicated at the first glance, but it would also offer you the maximum flexibility in the long run. The more generic and versatile you go, the better your chances are for future expansion. If you keep things less complicated, you may find yourself in a situation in the not so far future where you have to start all over again, due to exhausting the possibilities of the simple hardware solution. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragpad Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 FYI, currently AIDA64 can only measure the following type of sensor values:- temperature- fan speed (can also be used to measure pump RPM)- voltage- electrical current- power- misc, also called as "system": clocks, CPU load, memory utilization, FPS, etcSo as you can see, humidity is not there yet. But we can add it, if we could find a sensor device that can be polled by AIDA64. As for calculations and applying certain formula on the measured values, well, that's not really possible with AIDA64 right now, if you mean combining multiple measured values in a formula. However, if you want to do some calculation on a single measured value, then using the Correction feature may be the way to go. With Correction you can use a ratio and an offset on a certain measured value, but you cannot do "a+b" where "a" is a measured value and "b" is a different measured value.I'm not trying to overcomplicate your hardware project, or convince you to spend more $$ on this, but there's a chance you would be better off by starting with an Arduino, Raspberry Pi or similar board. With that you can hook up many different shields or sensors, and write a firmware or application that does all the measurements and calculations you want, and then push a single value (the result) through the USB port to the PC host. You could also not only measure values but control fans, pumps and other devices with such a solution. Of course this solution may seem overkill and overly complicated at the first glance, but it would also offer you the maximum flexibility in the long run. The more generic and versatile you go, the better your chances are for future expansion. If you keep things less complicated, you may find yourself in a situation in the not so far future where you have to start all over again, due to exhausting the possibilities of the simple hardware solution.@Fiery:Firstly, thanks for the detailed explanation, which has helped me understand AIDA64's capabilities, at the very least a little better. All of your points and observations are indeed well-taken, and I am seriously contemplating just such a path (i. e., going with Intel Galileo/Edison Arduino boards, Phidgets, etc.) forward, although it certainly means that I have some serious programming hurdles ahead of me! Needless to say, it will take me some time to surmount these hurdles; so please bear with me. (I am still awaiting answers from some of the prospective suppliers.). Also, it appears that it would be nigh on impossible to customize the Aquacomputer Aquaero firmware (or even the software/GUI), although I am not certain of that. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiery Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 Don't be too afraid of the programming of Arduino and such boards. Many of them offer a BASIC-like simple, easy-to-read and easy-to-follow language, or even shell scripting to drive the board. There are many tutorials available online, that start from the classic "Hello World!" example And there's always a passionate community who can help you out if you get stuck. You can find a lot of information at the mentioned sites like Phidgets, Yoctopuce and such, and also at: http://www.parallax.com http://www.adafruit.com http://arduino.cc http://www.robotshop.com http://beagleboard.org http://www.bananapi.org Truth be told, the Banana Pi may just be overkill for your purposes I just included it to have you an idea on how extreme can you go with such hobby projects Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragpad Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 Don't be too afraid of the programming of Arduino and such boards. Many of them offer a BASIC-like simple, easy-to-read and easy-to-follow language, or even shell scripting to drive the board. There are many tutorials available online, that start from the classic "Hello World!" example And there's always a passionate community who can help you out if you get stuck.You can find a lot of information at the mentioned sites like Phidgets, Yoctopuce and such, and also at:http://www.parallax.comhttp://www.adafruit.comhttp://arduino.cchttp://www.robotshop.comhttp://beagleboard.orghttp://www.bananapi.orgTruth be told, the Banana Pi may just be overkill for your purposes I just included it to have you an idea on how extreme can you go with such hobby projects @Fiery: As always, you are being kind to me. I shall do it; and thanks, again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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