Example Code for Arduino-Radiation Intensity Detection

Hardware Preparation

• DFRduino UNO R3 (or similar) x 1
• Gravity: Geiger Counter Module x1
• Gravity 3Pin Connector x1

Software Preparation

• Arduino IDE
• Gravity: Griger Counter Lib.
  (About how to install the library?)

Wiring Diagram

The Geiger counter library needs to use external interrupts for counting, so it can only be connected to external interrupt pins.
On Arduino UNO, the external interrupts are pins 2 and 3. For other development boards, please refer to the development documentation.

Arduino Development Board External Interrupts Reference Document

Other Preparation Work

Ensure the Geiger counter module is connected to the correct external interrupt pins of the Arduino board. For Arduino UNO, use pins 2 or 3.

Sample Code

/*!
  @file geiger.ino
  @brief    Detect CPM radiation intensity, the readings may have a large deviation at first, and the data tends to be stable after 3 times
  @copyright   Copyright (c) 2010 DFRobot Co.Ltd (http://www.dfrobot.com)
  @licence     The MIT License (MIT)
  @author [fengli]([email protected])
  @version  V1.0
  @date  2021-9-17
  @get from https://www.dfrobot.com
  @https://github.com/DFRobot/DFRobot_Geiger
*/

#include <DFRobot_Geiger.h>
#if defined ESP32
#define detect_pin D3
#else
#define detect_pin 3
#endif
/*!
   @brief Constructor
   @param pin   External interrupt pin
*/
DFRobot_Geiger  geiger(detect_pin);

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(115200);
  //Start counting, enable external interrupt
  geiger.start();
}

void loop() {
  //Start counting, enable external interrupt
  //geiger.start();
  delay(3000);
  //Pause the count, turn off the external interrupt trigger, the CPM and radiation intensity values remain in the state before the pause
  //geiger.pause();
  //Get the current CPM, if it has been paused, the CPM is the last value before the pause
  //Predict CPM by falling edge pulse within 3 seconds, the error is ±3CPM
  Serial.println(geiger.getCPM());
  //Get the current nSv/h, if it has been paused, nSv/h is the last value before the pause
  Serial.println(geiger.getnSvh());
  //Get the current μSv/h, if it has been paused, the μSv/h is the last value before the pause
  Serial.println(geiger.getuSvh());
}

Result

Upload the program and open the serial monitor to view the output results. The reading takes about half a minute to stabilize. The serial monitor will display the current CPM, nSv/h, and μSv/h values.

Additional Information

Since the Geiger counter uses external interrupts, other programs that are being executed by the Arduino are suspended when the output signal triggers the interrupt. If the I/O pin is being operated to communicate with other devices, a sudden insertion of an interrupt may cause a communication error. The Geiger counter library provides a pause counting function to temporarily turn off external interrupts to avoid the impact.

//Pause count
geiger.pause();

//restore count
geiger.start();

geiger.pause(); Keeps radiation readings in their last state before pausing until geiger.start(); is executed to continue counting.

Pausing the count will affect the measurement accuracy, please only pause when necessary.