HUB0000 User Guide
Getting Started
Welcome to the HUB0000 user guide! In order to get started, make sure you have the following hardware on hand:
- HUB0000 - VINT Hub Phidget
- Phidget cable
- USB cable and computer
- something to use with the HUB0000 (switches, leds, VINT device, etc.)
Next, you will need to connect the pieces:
- Connect the HUB0000 to your computer with a USB cable.
- Connect any sensors, LEDs, or other testing devices to the HUB0000's ports
Now that you have everything together, let's start using the HUB0000!
Using the HUB0000
Phidget Control Panel
In order to demonstrate the functionality of the HUB0000, the Phidget Control Panel running on a Windows machine will be used.
The Phidget Control Panel is available for use on both macOS and Windows machines.
Windows
To open the Phidget Control Panel on Windows, find the 
icon in the taskbar. If it is not there, open up the start menu and search for Phidget Control Panel
macOS
To open the Phidget Control Panel on macOS, open Finder and navigate to the Phidget Control Panel in the Applications list. Double click on the icon to bring up the Phidget Control Panel.
For more information, take a look at the getting started guide for your operating system:
Linux users can follow the getting started with Linux guide and continue reading here for more information about the HUB0000.
First Look
After plugging the HUB0000 into your computer and opening the Phidget Control Panel, you will see something like this:
The Phidget Control Panel will list all connected Phidgets and associated objects, as well as the following information:
- Serial number: allows you to differentiate between similar Phidgets.
- Channel: allows you to differentiate between similar objects on a Phidget.
- Version number: corresponds to the firmware version your Phidget is running. If your Phidget is listed in red, your firmware is out of date. Update the firmware by double-clicking the entry.
The Phidget Control Panel can also be used to test your device. Double-clicking on an object will open an example.
VINT Device
When you double click on an VINT Device, a window will open with controls and readouts for that specific class of Phidget. For instructions on how to use this example, find the user guide for that Phidget.
Digital Input
Double-click on a Digital Input object in order to run the example:
General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:
- This is an active-low device, therefore, it will be true when connected to ground, and false when connected to a high voltage.
For more information about Digital Inputs, take a look at the Digital Input Primer
Digital Output
Double-click on a Digital Output object in order to run the example:
General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:
- Toggle the state of the digital output by pressing the button.
- Use the Duty Cycle slider to start using pulse-width modulation. Rather than simply switching on or off, you can select a Duty Cycle to limit the power being supplied to a specific level. This allows you to control devices like a dimmer would.
Voltage Input
Double-click on a Voltage Input object in order to run the example:
General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:
- Modify the change trigger and/or data interval value by dragging the sliders. For more information on these settings, see the data interval/change trigger page.
- If you have an analog sensor connected that you bought from us, you can select it from the Sensor Type drop-down menu. The example will then convert the voltage into a more meaningful value based on your sensor, with units included, and display it beside the Sensor Value label. Converting voltage to a Sensor Value is not specific to this example, it is handled by the Phidget libraries, with functions you have access to when you begin developing!
For more information about Voltage Inputs, check out the Voltage Input Primer.
Voltage Ratio Input
Double-click on a Voltage Ratio Input object in order to run the example:
General information about the selected object will be displayed at the top of the window. You can also experiment with the following functionality:
- The voltage ratio is reported in Volts per Volt. For example, if the Phidget is providing 5V and the sensor is sending back 2.5V, the ratio will be 0.5V/V.
- Modify the change trigger and/or data interval value by dragging the sliders. For more information on these settings, see the data interval/change trigger page.
- If you have an analog sensor connected that you bought from us, you can select it from the Sensor Type drop-down menu. The example will then convert the voltage into a more meaningful value based on your sensor, with units included, and display it beside the Sensor Value label. Converting voltage to a Sensor Value is not specific to this example, it is handled by the Phidget libraries, with functions you have access to when you begin developing!
For more information about Voltage Ratio Inputs, check out the Voltage Ratio Input Primer.
Technical Details
VINT Ports
VINT Device Mode
This mode is for connecting to a VINT device. The VINT Hub and VINT device communicate using a digital protocol. | |
Digital Input Mode
In digital input mode, the VINT Hub port can act as an active-low digital input. This mode is great for reading the state of buttons, switches, and any other logic-level input. |
Voltage Ratio Input Mode
In voltage ratio input mode, the VINT Hub port will read the voltage on the white wire and compare it to the voltage supplied on the red wire. This mode will let you read any ratiometric Phidget sensor. |
Voltage Input Mode
In voltage input mode, the VINT Hub port will read the voltage on the white wire. This can be used to interface a non-ratiometric sensor or to measure the voltage in a 5V digital circuit. |
Digital Output Mode
In digital output mode, a VINT Hub port can behave like a 3.3V digital output. You could use this mode to blink an LED or switch on a MOSFET. |
For more information on the capabilities of the ports on the VINT Hub, see the VINT Primer.
Setting the Device Label
When opening channels with Phidgets, you can set a number of properties to make sure you match the precise channel you want. The HUB0000 has a unique serial number which can be used to find its ports or any VINT devices connected to them. If you want something more customizable and human-readable, you can use the device label instead. You can customize the device label by using writeDeviceLabel on the Hub object after it's been opened.
Once a device label has been written, you can use it to address any of the VINT Hub's channels, or the channels of any VINT device connected to the hub.
What to do Next
- Programming Languages - Find your preferred programming language here and learn how to write your own code with Phidgets!
- Phidget Programming Basics - Once you have set up Phidgets to work with your programming environment, we recommend you read our page on to learn the fundamentals of programming with Phidgets.
