Arduino Project
Parking Sensor
Course Introduction
In this lesson, you’ll learn how to create a parking sensor system using the Ultrasonic Sensor Module and MAX7219 Dot Matrix Module.
As an obstacle gets closer to the sensor, the distance will be displayed on the dot matrix module.
Note
If this is your first time working with an Arduino project, we recommend downloading and reviewing the basic materials first.
1.1 Install Arduino IDE(Important)
1.2 Introduction of Arduino IDE
Wiring

Common Connections:
MAX7219 Dot Matrix Module
CLK: Connect to 11 on the Arduino.
CS: Connect to 10 on the Arduino.
DIN: Connect to 12 on the Arduino.
GND: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.
VCC: Connect to breadboard’s red power bus.
Ultrasonic Sensor Module
Trig: Connect to 4 on the Arduino.
Echo: Connect to 3 on the Arduino.
GND: Connect to breadboard’s negative power bus.
VCC: Connect to breadboard’s red power bus.
Writing the Code
Note
You can copy this code into Arduino IDE.
To install the library, use the Arduino Library Manager and search for LedControl and install it.
Don’t forget to select the board(Arduino UNO R4 WiFi) and the correct port before clicking the Upload button.
#include "LedControl.h"
// Initialize the LedControl object for 4 connected modules
LedControl lc = LedControl(12, 11, 10, 4);
// Define pins for ultrasonic sensor
const int echoPin = 3; // Echo pin for the ultrasonic sensor
const int trigPin = 4; // Trigger pin for the ultrasonic sensor
// 8x8 dot matrix representations of numbers 0-9
byte numbers[10][8] = {
{0x3C, 0x42, 0x42, 0x42, 0x42, 0x42, 0x42, 0x3C}, // 0
{0x08, 0x18, 0x38, 0x08, 0x08, 0x08, 0x08, 0x7E}, // 1
{0x3C, 0x42, 0x40, 0x20, 0x10, 0x08, 0x04, 0x7E}, // 2
{0x3C, 0x42, 0x40, 0x30, 0x40, 0x40, 0x42, 0x3C}, // 3
{0x20, 0x30, 0x28, 0x24, 0x7E, 0x20, 0x20, 0x20}, // 4
{0x7E, 0x02, 0x1E, 0x20, 0x40, 0x40, 0x42, 0x3C}, // 5
{0x3C, 0x02, 0x02, 0x1E, 0x22, 0x42, 0x42, 0x3C}, // 6
{0x7E, 0x40, 0x20, 0x10, 0x08, 0x08, 0x08, 0x08}, // 7
{0x3C, 0x42, 0x42, 0x3C, 0x42, 0x42, 0x42, 0x3C}, // 8
{0x3C, 0x42, 0x42, 0x3C, 0x40, 0x40, 0x40, 0x3C} // 9
};
unsigned long lastMeasurementTime = 0;
const int measurementInterval = 400; // Interval for distance measurements
const int animationInterval = 40; // Refresh interval for animations
unsigned long lastAnimationTime = 0;
int targetColumnsLit = 0;
int currentCol = 0;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
pinMode(echoPin, INPUT);
pinMode(trigPin, OUTPUT);
// Initialize all LED modules
for (int i = 0; i < 4; i++) {
lc.shutdown(i, false);
lc.setIntensity(i, 8);
lc.clearDisplay(i);
}
}
void loop() {
// Measure distance
if (millis() - lastMeasurementTime >= measurementInterval) {
lastMeasurementTime = millis();
float distance = readDistance();
Serial.print("Distance: ");
Serial.print(distance);
Serial.println(" cm");
// Update the displayed number based on the measured distance
int displayValue = constrain((int)distance, 0, 99);
displayNumber(displayValue);
// Update the target number of columns to light up based on distance
targetColumnsLit = calculateColumnsToLight(distance);
}
// Update the animation display
updateAnimation();
}
float readDistance() {
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
delayMicroseconds(2);
digitalWrite(trigPin, HIGH);
delayMicroseconds(10);
digitalWrite(trigPin, LOW);
float distance = pulseIn(echoPin, HIGH) / 58.00;
return distance > 400 ? 400 : distance; // Limit max measurement distance
}
void displayNumber(int number) {
lc.clearDisplay(2); // Clear display module 2
lc.clearDisplay(3); // Clear display module 3
if (number < 10) {
displayDigit(2, number); // Display a single digit on module 3
} else {
displayDigit(2, number % 10); // Unit digit on module 2
displayDigit(3, number / 10); // Tens digit on module 3
}
}
void displayDigit(int module, int digit) {
for (int row = 0; row < 8; row++) {
byte reversed = needsMirror(digit) ? reverseByte(numbers[digit][row]) : numbers[digit][row];
lc.setRow(module, row, reversed);
}
}
bool needsMirror(int digit) {
return (digit == 2 || digit == 3 || digit == 4 || digit == 5 || digit == 6 || digit == 7 || digit == 9);
}
byte reverseByte(byte b) {
b = (b & 0xF0) >> 4 | (b & 0x0F) << 4;
b = (b & 0xCC) >> 2 | (b & 0x33) << 2;
b = (b & 0xAA) >> 1 | (b & 0x55) << 1;
return b;
}
int calculateColumnsToLight(float distance) {
return constrain(map(distance, 21, 0, 0, 18), 0, 16);
}
void updateAnimation() {
if (millis() - lastAnimationTime >= animationInterval) {
lastAnimationTime = millis();
if (currentCol < targetColumnsLit) {
lightUpColumn(currentCol, true);
currentCol++;
} else if (currentCol > targetColumnsLit) {
currentCol--;
lightUpColumn(currentCol, false);
}
}
}
void lightUpColumn(int col, bool state) {
int matrixIndex = 1 - (col / 8);
int colIndex = col % 8;
for (int row = 0; row < (col / 2) + 1; row++) {
lc.setLed(matrixIndex, 7 - row, colIndex, state);
}
}
