Electronic – How to control 128 (or more) solenoids

multiplexersolenoid

I need to switch 128 solenoids either on or off individually, several times a second. I'd like to drive this from either a PC, or an embedded device.

How would you recommend I do this? Perhaps there is a way I can enable addressing of a group of (8 or 16) solenoids and send a turn on, or turn off command to them?

Considering what's out there, what is the easiest way to go about this? What is the best or most preferred way?

I am looking at these solenoid valves that run at about $50 each. Do share information if you know of any cheaper/better ones. The purpose is to control an indoor waterfall. It's low-pressure so all the water drips downwards.

http://www.ascovalve.com/Applications/ProductSearch/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=8262H001AC120/60,110/50D&userAction=view

Best Answer

FTDI USB chip + daisy-chained '595 shift register. Put a separate transistor on each relay.

More detail:

A chain of 74hc595 is described here: http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ShiftOut (Only two are shown, but the concept can be expanded to any number of '595s.)

To drive a the chain, three signals are needed, data, latch, and clock.

You can use an FTDI part in "bitbang" mode to generate three signals from computer control. To use the FTDI in bitbang mode, use libftdi (You could also use FTDI's official drivers, but libftdi is less hassle in my experience). A FT232R has enough pins to do this. FTDI sells a DIP breakout, and Sparkfun sells some breakouts too.

alt text

Notice you will need 128 2N2222s and 128 330 ohm resistors. (you can get resistor arrays that might be easier to manage.)

I've drawn the circuit assuming a 12V supply for your relays and no less than 24 ohm coils. If this is not the case, you might need a sturdier transistor or logic-level MOSFETs. The 2222 is about as cheap a transistor as you will find, and when you're buying 128 pieces that makes a difference.

I didn't show bypass caps or the exact 232R hookup. Read the datasheet.

OK, I just saw the solenoid you are trying to control. 2N2222 won't work. You need to switch 120VAC to the solenoid. So you can either have a small relay (with 2N2222) to switch the 120V, or use a solid-state relay that can take logic inputs and connect it directly to the '595 output.

OK, here's code to drive this using libftdi. Pin assigments in the source code. apt-get install libftdi-dev, then compile like this: "gcc test_595.c -lftdi"

/* This program is distributed under the GPL, version 2 */

#include <stdio.h>
#include <ftdi.h>

#define HC595_CT (1) // number of '595 chips

int main(int argc, char **argv)
{
    struct ftdi_context ftdic;
    int f,i;

    unsigned char buf[2*8*HC595_CT+1]; // latch pulse, 8*HC595_CT clock pulses

    if ((f=ftdi_init(&ftdic)) < 0)
    {
        fprintf(stderr, "ftdi_init failed\n");
        return f;
    }

    f = ftdi_usb_open(&ftdic, 0x0403, 0x6001);

    if (f < 0 && f != -5)
    {
        fprintf(stderr, "unable to open ftdi device: %d (%s)\n", f, ftdi_get_error_string(&ftdic));
        exit(-1);
    }

    printf("ftdi open succeeded: %d\n",f);

    // FTDI cable assignments:
#define BIT_DATA (1<<0)  // 1: orange. TXD, "data"
                         // 2: yellow. RXD, unused
#define BIT_CLOCK (1<<2) // 4: green. RTS, "clock"
#define BIT_LATCH (1<<3) // 8: brown. CTS, "latch"

    ftdi_enable_bitbang(&ftdic, BIT_DATA | BIT_CLOCK | BIT_LATCH);

    // set zero
    *buf=0;
    f = ftdi_write_data(&ftdic, buf, 1);    

    unsigned char *b=buf;


    unsigned char data;
    unsigned char state;

    if (argc == 2) {
      data=atof(argv[1]);
    } else {
      data=0x5a;
    }

    printf("sending data %d\n",data);

    for (i=0; i<8; i++) {   
      state=(data & (128L>>i))?BIT_DATA:0;
      *b++=state;
      state |= BIT_CLOCK;
      *b++=state;
    }
    *b++=BIT_LATCH;

    f = ftdi_write_data(&ftdic, buf, (b-buf));    

    ftdi_disable_bitbang(&ftdic);
    ftdi_usb_close(&ftdic);
    ftdi_deinit(&ftdic);
}

And here's a picture of my test setup:

alt text

(I used the TTL-232R-3V3 cable.)

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