Hi
I am an experienced programmer however my knowledge of electronics is rudimentry (at best).
I am working on something that requires me to read the voltage in from the extender module.
I am fine with the code but not so knowledgeable about how i connect the voltage creator to the extender module.
The voltage creator with be alternating current at a random wave pattern.
Should i connect both the wires of my voltage creator to different pins and monitor them both or just one of them and mointor the minus and plus (if so what do i connect the other wire to)?
Sorry for such a noob question.
If you could just point me in a direction of some basic resources that would be awesome.
thanks
Welcome to the forum…
It is hard to give a simple answer to your question since there are several electronic issues involved.
Measurement of voltage is done across the source.
You are trying to measure AC voltage, where the voltage goes from plus to minus. AC
voltage can not be directly measured by the FEZ boards.
The FEZ board contain an analog to digital converter(DAC) which measures from
0 to 3.3Volts. So, your source must be within these ranges. Negative values will
cause problems if not smoke.
To give you suggestions, on how to proceed, it might help if you can provide some
additional information. What are you trying to measure? What is the peak
to peak voltage range? How often do you need to take a measurement?
Is the AC signal symmetrical?
Thanks for your amazing quick response.
I have some peizo-elextric film (sp) which generates a small voltage as it is moved but this voltage is not in a single direction depending on the movement.
My first use is a baby movement monitor (my first child it expected in the next few days. :s ) and then past that some kind of heart rate monitor.
I have looked into AC to DC convertering for a different project and so assume that this would be a nescesity for this project.
The voltages are very small and so would be well within the 0-3.3V range.
Thanks again.
You could easily convert your AC to DC with diode bridge (Diode bridge - Wikipedia)
Then you can use a pin and you should be able to read the pin.HIGH or pin.LOW
Lemme congratulate you in advance 
Seeing your kids growing up is the most exciting thing.
How small? If you use a diode bridge, keep the voltage drop in mind on your calculations.
And welcome to this awesome community
Weiti - Thanks for that not seen them before. I have a “teach yourself electronics” kit which has diodes in so should be able to give that a go (if not quick trip to maplins.)
However once i have converted it to DC you say i could you a pin but does the +ve go in that pin or -ve and where does the other go a different pin?
Eric - Thanks I think this project is just to stop me freeking out 
peisoelectric film :- "Produces more than 10 millivolts per microstrain. "
the voltage drop might make this difficult but cant hurt to try.
@ Malcav1an -
This will be an interesting read for ya: Rectifier - Wikipedia
Thanks for that Eric. A little more tricky to build than the diode bridge.
I am hopeing Weiti will let me know what to do with the -ve wire of my device.
Thanks
Oh snap 
Missed half of ur last post
Im not sure if I understood you,
do you want to measure the voltage or do you just wanna know there is voltage?
Malcav1an, do you have a datasheet of your device?
After converting it to DC, the +ve goes to a analog pin, -ve goes to ground (GND)
Just checked it on the wiki. of course the ground. i know the basics and as soon as you said that i felt stoopid.
Thanks very much all.
Weiti - yes i will be measuring the incoming voltage using .readvoltage().
I am thinking of doing a you tube video of it (once i have built it once )
Thanks again all.
Looking forward to it.
Cool
Share it with us once its done
And make pictures of ur bridge