Are you aware? During the Second World War, radar was created for the very first time as a technique for spotting hostile aircraft. Technology has advanced, and it is now utilized in a variety of industries. Radar technology has undergone major developments during the past few decades. In this article, we’ll create the Arduino radar project that uses an ultrasonic sensor to detect objects. Electronics is more controlled thanks to the Arduino microcontroller.
The goal of the Arduino radar project is to create a working prototype of the radar system that can detect both moving and stationary objects. The performance requirement for this radar system varies, and this is also offered in a range of sizes.
In this Arduino Radar Project, we’ll demonstrate how to use Arduino as well as Processing for creating a straightforward radar application. The Processing application is used to implement the Arduino radar project.
A long-range technology for object detection called radar employs radio waves in determining an item’s range, speed, as well as position. Aircraft, marine, missiles, ships, weather forecasting, and automobiles all employ radar technology.
Despite the fact that this project’s title implies Arduino radar Project, sonar technology is actually used since we will be employing the ultrasonic sensor in detecting the availability of any item within a specific range.
In What Ways Does Radar Function?
Radio Detection as well as Ranging is what the term RADAR refers to. The object detection technique called radar employs microwaves to ascertain the speed, direction, altitude, and range of objects falling within a radius of 100 miles of the location.
Any item in its path will reflect the microwaves or radio waves that are transmitted by this radar antenna. This makes it simple for us to identify the object within the range of the radar. The fundamental operating principle is: The electromagnetic sensor called a radar is used to find and find objects.
The radar radiates microwaves or radio waves towards outer space. Reflecting objects block some of the waves. These radio waves that are intercepted, hits its target, as well as reflect off of it in numerous ways. Some of the waves could be redirected to the radar, which will then pick them up and amplify them.
If such waves are retransmitted at their source, it indicates that the object is moving in the direction of the waves. The most recent versions of radar systems are extremely sophisticated and have a wide range of uses, including air traffic management, radar astronomy, air defense, antimissile systems, and space surveillance, among many others.
What Does the Ultrasonic Sensor Offer?
The ultrasonic sensor can be described as the proximity sensor used to determine how close something is. It transmits ultrasonic waves to detect the object, and then it turns these reflected waves to electrical signal. The sound waves move more quickly than the sound we can hear.
The receiver and the transmitter are the two primary parts of it. After the sound has travelled from and to the target utilizing a piezoelectric form of crystal as the transmitter, it is heard by the receiver.
The sensor helps in measuring the amount of time that passes between the sound being transmitted by that transmitter and being reflected back toward the receiver in order to calculate the distance of the object. The formula to use for the calculation is:
D = 1/2 T x C
D is for distance, T is for time, and C is for the speed of the sound denoted by 343 meters per second.
The majority of such sensors are used in the auto self-parking as well as anti collision safety systems. This is employed in industrial technology, systems for robotic obstacle detecting, and many other fields. Consult the working principle of the ultrasonic sensor to learn more about this device.
What Does Servo Motor Mean?
A servo motor can be described as a straightforward DC motor which may rotate at a particular angle with the aid of supplementary servomechanism.
Only the amount of rotation we specify will cause this motor to halt. Positional feedback is used by the closed-loop servo motor to regulate position and speed. A servo motor, control circuit, shaft, potentiometer, amplifier, driving gears, as well as either a resolver or encoder are components of the closed-loop system.
This servo motor does not operate like a typical electric motor that begins and stops depending on the amount of power applied. The signal would cause the servo motor to operate.
Servo motors now are often employed in industrial and robotics applications. Additionally, they are frequently observed in DVD or CD players, RC automobiles, and RC planes. Servo motors are used in thousands of other applications in the daily lives of humans in addition to these.
Read the working principle of servo motor to learn more about it.
Arduino Radar Project Overview
This Arduino Radar Project can majorly be described as a unique visual project rather than one that uses circuitry. Of course, you may make use of a variety of hardware, including the Arduino UNO, the HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensors, as well as the servo motor; however, the Processing application’s visual representation is what’s most important.
If you recall, one of our earlier Arduino Radar projects that utilized the MPU-6050 Sensor made use of a Processing Application. I advise you to check over your project before moving on; you are not required to actually execute it; just be aware of how it is done.
I utilized Arduino for reading the data out from MPU-6050 Sensor then deliver it to the Processing Application via the serial communication or COM Port for this MPU-6050 Project. A sketch for the Processing would modify the model aircraft’s orientation in response to the data received.
Using the same idea, I will use Arduino to gather data from this ultrasonic sensor and transfer it to the Processing, where a straightforward graphics program will be used to simulate a radar screen.
Getting the Fixture Ready
After connecting everything, I utilized a unique mounting bracket, for fixing of this ultrasonic sensor before building the fixture for this structure.
This mounting bracket then is secured to the servo motor using screws. Please firmly attach your servo motor to the surface using double sided tape, denoted as DST in order for it to support the bracket’s weight as well as that of the ultrasonic sensors.
The step is not required. You may also mount this ultrasonic sensor using the servo motor as well as a straightforward cardboard frame.
What are the Components Required for the Arduino Radar Project?
Below are the necessary components required for the Arduino Radar Project.
- Arduino UNO
- Hardware
- Connecting wires
- Servo Motor (TowerPro SG90)
- Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)
- Jumper Cables
- Mounting Bracket (this is optional) – for the Ultrasonic Sensor
- Power supply of 5V
- USB Cable (this is meant for Arduino)
- Circuit Design
- Processing Application
- Arduino IDE
- Software
If you check the project’s circuit diagram, then you can see how basic the project’s circuit is designed. The ECHO and TRIG Pins of this Ultrasonic Sensor will be connected to the Pins 10 and 9 of the Arduino respectively, while the Servo’s Control Pin will be connected to the Pin 11 of your Arduino.
Hardware Connection
This connection of a Arduino radar project can be explained with a figure. Connections are extremely straightforward. Here, the Arduino Uno has been used to connect a servo motor including an ultrasonic sensor.
You have to complete one crucial stage in the build or construction after connecting the connections (this is not mandatory though). I have utilized a mounting bracket because the ultrasonic sensor needs to sweep a 1800 arc (with assistance from the servo).
This mounting bracket gets fastened to a servo motor once the sensor has been fixed. Use the double-sided tape for securing the servo onto the surface securely because the bracket as well as Ultrasonic Sensor will add weight to your device.
The step is not mandatory, and you may hold this ultrasonic sensor tightly to the servo using a straightforward cardboard structure.
A Word about Processing
Processing can be described as a visual arts-based coding program for those who are just new to programming. Just visit the link then select your platform to download the app.
For 64-bit Windows computers, you can extract the zip file’s contents after downloading it to locate the .exe file processing application.
The following step is to utilize this URL to get a unique library referred to as “Toxi.” Extract all zip file’s contents of the “toxiclibs-complete-0020” to a folder with the same name after downloading it, then move this folder to your Libraries directory for processing.
Conclusion
This Arduino Radar Project can majorly be described as a unique visual project rather than one that uses circuitry. Radio Detection as well as Ranging is what the term RADAR refers to. The object detection technique called radar employs microwaves to ascertain the speed, direction, altitude, and range of objects falling within a radius of 100 miles of the location.