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Arduino - Log Data with Timestamp to SD Card
In this tutorial, we are going to learn how to write log with timestamp to the Micro SD Card using Arduino. In detail, we will learn:
- Arduino - How to log data with timestamp a file on Micro SD Card
- Arduino - How to log data with timestamp a to multiple files on Micro SD Card , one file per day
The time information is get from a RTC module and written to Micro SD Card along with data.
The data that is logged to the Micro SD Card can be anything. For example:
- Data read from any sensor
- History of door look access
To be simple, this tutorial reads value from two analog pins as an example of data. You can easily to adapt the code for any kind of data.
Hardware Required
Or you can buy the following sensor kits:
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (30 sensors/displays) | |
| 1 | × | DIYables Sensor Kit (18 sensors/displays) |
Disclosure: Some links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Additionally, some links direct to products from our own brand, DIYables.
Additionally, some links direct to products from our own brand, DIYables.
About Micro SD Card Module and RTC Module
If you do not know about Micro SD Card Module and RTC module (pinout, how it works, how to program ...), learn about them in the following tutorials:
- Arduino - Micro SD Card tutorial.
- Arduino - Write Variable to SD Card tutorial.
- Arduino - RTC module tutorial.
Wiring Diagram
This image is created using Fritzing. Click to enlarge image
※ NOTE THAT:
If you use an Ethernet shield or any shield that has a Micro SD Card Holder, you do not need to use the Micro SD Card Module. You just need to insert the Micro SD Card to the Micro SD Card Holder on the shield.
Arduino - Log Data with Timestamp to Micro SD Card
/*
* Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com
*
* This example code is in the public domain
*
* Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-log-data-with-timestamp-to-sd-card
*/
#include <SD.h>
#include <RTClib.h>
#define PIN_SPI_CS 4
#define FILE_NAME "log.txt"
RTC_DS3231 rtc;
File myFile;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
// SETUP RTC MODULE
if (!rtc.begin()) {
Serial.println(F("Couldn't find RTC"));
while (1);
}
if (!SD.begin(PIN_SPI_CS)) {
Serial.println(F("SD CARD FAILED, OR NOT PRESENT!"));
while (1); // don't do anything more:
}
Serial.println(F("SD CARD INITIALIZED."));
Serial.println(F("--------------------"));
}
void loop() {
// open file for writing
myFile = SD.open(FILE_NAME, FILE_WRITE);
if (myFile) {
Serial.println(F("Writing log to SD Card"));
// write timestamp
DateTime now = rtc.now();
myFile.print(now.year(), DEC);
myFile.print('-');
myFile.print(now.month(), DEC);
myFile.print('-');
myFile.print(now.day(), DEC);
myFile.print(' ');
myFile.print(now.hour(), DEC);
myFile.print(':');
myFile.print(now.minute(), DEC);
myFile.print(':');
myFile.print(now.second(), DEC);
myFile.print(" "); // delimiter between timestamp and data
// read data
int analog_1 = analogRead(A0);
int analog_2 = analogRead(A1);
// write data
myFile.print("analog_1 = ");
myFile.print(analog_1);
myFile.print(", "); // delimiter between data
myFile.print("analog_2 = ");
myFile.print(analog_2);
myFile.write("\n"); // new line
myFile.close();
} else {
Serial.print(F("SD Card: error on opening file "));
Serial.println(FILE_NAME);
}
delay(2000); // delay 2 seconds
}
Quick Steps
- Make sure that the Micro SD Card is formatted FAT16 or FAT32 (Google for it)
- Copy the above code and open with Arduino IDE
- Click Upload button on Arduino IDE to upload code to Arduino
- See the result on Serial Monitor.
COM6
SD CARD INITIALIZED.
--------------------
Writing log to SD Card
Writing log to SD Card
Writing log to SD Card
Writing log to SD Card
Writing log to SD Card
Writing log to SD Card
Writing log to SD Card
Autoscroll
Clear output
9600 baud
Newline
- Detach the Micro SD Card from the Micro SD Card module
- Insert the Micro SD Card to an USB SD Card reader
- Connect the USB SD Card reader to the PC
- Open the log.txt file on your PC, it looks like below
If you do not have an USB SD Card reader, you can check the content of log file by running the below Arduino Code.
/*
* Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com
*
* This example code is in the public domain
*
* Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-log-data-with-timestamp-to-sd-card
*/
#include <SD.h>
#define PIN_SPI_CS 4
#define FILE_NAME "log.txt"
File myFile;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
if (!SD.begin(PIN_SPI_CS)) {
Serial.println(F("SD CARD FAILED, OR NOT PRESENT!"));
while (1); // don't do anything more:
}
Serial.println(F("SD CARD INITIALIZED."));
// open file for reading
myFile = SD.open(FILE_NAME, FILE_READ);
if (myFile) {
while (myFile.available()) {
char ch = myFile.read(); // read characters one by one from Micro SD Card
Serial.print(ch); // print the character to Serial Monitor
}
myFile.close();
} else {
Serial.print(F("SD Card: error on opening file "));
Serial.println(FILE_NAME);
}
}
void loop() {
}
Arduino - Log Data in multiple files
Writing log to a single file results in a big file size overtime and makes it difficult to check. The below code will write log file in multiple:
- One file per day
- The filename is the date informationL YYYYMMDD.txt
/*
* Created by ArduinoGetStarted.com
*
* This example code is in the public domain
*
* Tutorial page: https://arduinogetstarted.com/tutorials/arduino-log-data-with-timestamp-to-sd-card
*/
#include <SD.h>
#include <RTClib.h>
#define PIN_SPI_CS 4
RTC_DS3231 rtc;
File myFile;
char filename[] = "yyyymmdd.txt"; // filename (without extension) should not exceed 8 chars
void setup() {
Serial.begin(9600);
// SETUP RTC MODULE
if (!rtc.begin()) {
Serial.println(F("Couldn't find RTC"));
while (1);
}
if (!SD.begin(PIN_SPI_CS)) {
Serial.println(F("SD CARD FAILED, OR NOT PRESENT!"));
while (1); // don't do anything more:
}
Serial.println(F("SD CARD INITIALIZED."));
Serial.println(F("--------------------"));
}
void loop() {
DateTime now = rtc.now();
int year = now.year();
int month = now.month();
int day = now.day();
// update filename
filename[0] = (year / 1000) + '0';
filename[1] = ((year % 1000) / 100) + '0';
filename[2] = ((year % 100) / 10) + '0';
filename[3] = (year % 10) + '0';
filename[4] = (month / 10) + '0';
filename[5] = (month % 10) + '0';
filename[6] = (day / 10) + '0';
filename[7] = (day % 10) + '0';
// open file for writing
myFile = SD.open(filename, FILE_WRITE);
if (myFile) {
Serial.println(F("Writing log to SD Card"));
// write timestamp
myFile.print(now.year(), DEC);
myFile.print('-');
myFile.print(now.month(), DEC);
myFile.print('-');
myFile.print(now.day(), DEC);
myFile.print(' ');
myFile.print(now.hour(), DEC);
myFile.print(':');
myFile.print(now.minute(), DEC);
myFile.print(':');
myFile.print(now.second(), DEC);
myFile.print(" "); // delimiter between timestamp and data
// read data
int analog_1 = analogRead(A0);
int analog_2 = analogRead(A1);
// write data
myFile.print("analog_1 = ");
myFile.print(analog_1);
myFile.print(", "); // delimiter between data
myFile.print("analog_2 = ");
myFile.print(analog_2);
myFile.write("\n"); // new line
myFile.close();
} else {
Serial.print(F("SD Card: error on opening file "));
Serial.println(filename);
}
delay(2000); // delay 2 seconds
}
After a long run, If you:
- Detach the Micro SD Card from the Micro SD Card module
- Insert the Micro SD Card to an USB SD Card reader
- Connect the USB SD Card reader to the PC
- You will see the files as follows:
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