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About Vernier Sensors: Analog (BTA) and Digital (BTD)

Compatibility

It should be noted that Vernier offers a wide array of sensor types, but this tutorial applies specifically to Standard sensors only (those with BTA or BTD connectors). Go Direct®, USB, and Wireless sensors are not addressed in this tutorial.

Standard Vernier sensors come in two basic types:

Analog Sensors (BTA)

Standard analog (BTA) sensors require a 5-volt source and produce a voltage that can assume any possible value between 0 and 5 volts. You can use the Arduino to provide the source and measure this voltage. Most Vernier sensors, including temperature, force, light, and sound, are analog sensors. Analog sensors have a 6-pin BTA connector.
Analog Sensors have a 6-pin BTA connector

Digital Sensors (BTD)

Standard digital (BTD) sensors require a 5-volt source and produce a signal that is either HIGH (5 volts) or LOW (0 volts). For these sensors, we use a BTD connector, also with 6 pins, but with the tab on the opposite side. The Vernier Motion Detector, Photogate, and Rotary Motion Sensor are examples of digital sensors.
Digital Sensors have a 6-pin BTD connector

Sensor Pinouts

The pinout specifications for both connectors are described in our sensor pinout diagram. Note that we identify the pins by number with Pin #1 being the farthest from the tab. The BTA and BTD connectors will not plug into the same socket.

Analog Sensors

  • Pin 1 = Sensor output (+/-10V)
  • Pin 2 = GND
  • Pin 3 = Vres (resistance reference)
  • Pin 4 = AutoIDENT
  • Pin 5 = Power (+5VDC)
  • Pin 6 = Sensor output (0-5V)

Digital Sensors

  • Pin 1 = DIO0
  • Pin 2 = DIO1
  • Pin 3 = DIO2
  • Pin 4 = Power (+5.3V)
  • Pin 5 = GND
  • Pin 6 = DIO3

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