Components and Connections: LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) Resistor R2 (6.8 kΩ) NOT Gate Resistor R1 (330 kΩ) LED
Components and Connections: LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) Resistor R2 (6.8 kΩ) NOT Gate Resistor R1 (330 kΩ) LED
and a NOT gate to control an LED based on the surrounding light intensity.
1. LDR (Light Dependent Resistor): The resistance of the LDR decreases with
increasing light intensity and increases when it’s dark.
2. Resistor R2 (6.8 kΩ): Forms a voltage divider with the LDR to provide an input
voltage to the NOT gate.
3. NOT Gate: The NOT gate (inverter) inverts the input voltage it receives. If the input is
high, the output is low and vice versa.
4. Resistor R1 (330 kΩ): Limits the current to the LED to prevent it from burning out.
5. LED: Lights up when the output from the NOT gate is high.
Working
1. Light Condition:
○ When there is enough light, the resistance of the LDR is low.
○ This causes a higher voltage drop across resistor R2.
○ The voltage at the input of the NOT gate will be high.
○ Since the NOT gate inverts the signal, its output will be low, and the LED will
remain off.
2. Dark Condition:
○ When it’s dark, the resistance of the LDR increases.
○ This causes a higher voltage drop across the LDR itself, resulting in a low
voltage at the input of the NOT gate.
○ With a low input to the NOT gate, its output becomes high, which allows
current to flow through the LED, causing it to light up.
Summary
The circuit automatically turns the LED on when it is dark and off when it is bright, using the
properties of the LDR and the NOT gate to control the LED based on ambient light levels.
Sure! To analyze this circuit in detail, let's go step-by-step with calculations based on the
typical behavior of an LDR and how it interacts with the other components in the circuit.
1. LDR Resistance:
○ In bright light, LDR resistance (R_LDR) is low, typically around 1 kΩ.
○ In darkness, LDR resistance can be high, let's assume 10 kΩ.
2. Power Supply (DC): The circuit is powered by a 9V DC source.
3. Voltage Divider: The LDR and resistor R2 (6.8 kΩ) form a voltage divider that
determines the input voltage to the NOT gate.
Summary of Calculations
● In bright light, Vin≈7.85V makes the NOT gate output low, so the LED is off.
● In the darkness, Vin≈3.64V makes the NOT gate output high, so the LED is on.
● The current through the LED in darkness is approximately 21.2 μA.
This setup ensures that the LED only lights up in darkness, providing an automatic light
switch based on ambient light levels.
How to Present It
To make this project more robust and presentable, consider the following aspects:
1. Project Title
2. Project Overview
● Start with a brief introduction to the problem: Automating a light switch based on
ambient light.
● Describe the objective: To design a simple, reliable circuit that turns on an LED
when it's dark and turns it off when it's bright using digital logic.
3. Circuit Description
4. Theoretical Analysis
5. Calculations
6. Simulation (Optional)
● Discuss how this system uses analog-to-digital conversion implicitly through the
voltage divider and threshold of the NOT gate.
● Highlight the simplicity and reliability of combinational digital logic for
decision-making.
10. Conclusion
● Summarize the key takeaways, like how this project demonstrates the use of digital
logic to solve a real-world problem.
● Discuss potential applications in smart home systems, automatic streetlights, or
energy-efficient lighting.
By focusing on these points, you can make your project informative, engaging, and a good
demonstration of basic digital and analog circuit concepts!