How to return a value from a non integer input between 0-5 from an output range of 0-320 in map() method

Question

I am experimenting using the map() method in an ArduinoIDE sketch in an attempt to obtain a pixel position for a horizontal meter in the range 0-320 from an input value in the range 0-5. However, when I do this I see in the method that the input must be 'long' type. Here's my example code:

  float voltage = 2.5;
  float meterPosition = map(voltage, 0, 5, 0, 320);
  tft.fillRect(0, 0, meterPosition, 10, TFT_GREEN);
  tft.setCursor(10, 70);
  tft.setTextSize(3);
  tft.println(voltage);
  tft.println(meterPosition);

But when I run this, despite the input value being 50% of the input range, I expected the meterPosition value to be 160, but it is 128, due I think because the values for this method must be of type 'long' and so the 'float' value is rounded and becomes a 'long' type (I think that's what is happening!!).

I am confused as to the function of the map() method if you are unable to map any range to any other range without using decimals as the input. I am obviously missing something here, so what do I need to change in my map() method code for it to work in my example please, if I am unable to use floats?

Thanks. John

Answer 1

As you already noticed, the map() function is meant to work with the long data type. Here is its implementation:

long map(long x, long in_min, long in_max, long out_min, long out_max)
{
  return (x - in_min) * (out_max - out_min) / (in_max - in_min) + out_min;
}

If you want to use floats, you could write a version of this function that works with floats. Note, however, that since you are using zeros for both in_min and out_min, the expression simplifies itself to the point of becoming trivial:

float meterPosition = voltage * 320 / 5.0;

I would suggest two small changes to this expression though:

• add parentheses around (320 / 5.0): this ratio will then be evaluated at compile-time and you will save an expensive run-time floating-point division

• round to the nearest integer in order to minimize the error: your pixel position will have to be an integer anyway.

With these suggestions, we have:

int meterPosition = round(voltage * (320 / 5.0));

Do not forget the .0 in 5.0, otherwise you would get an integer division.

Note that using map() with ranges scaled by a factor 100 is not a terribly good idea: you will waste quite a lot of CPU cycles doing useless computations, and the result will be polluted by two rounding errors instead of one.

Answer 2

Apologies for my stupidity folks! I think I have realised how to do this, it is simply a matter of scaling the input values and input range by 100.