RED RADAR MK1

An ultrasonic radar that detects nearby objects in a 180 degree radius and displays them on a 1.8 TFT screen.

Introduction

After finishing my second year at university I became curious about ultrasonic sensors, as they are widely used for object detection. After learning how the sensor worked i wanted to make a project based on my new knowledge, a fun and reliable radar.

Function:

The sensor used is a HC-SR04, its an ultrasonic sonar that allows to measure distances from 2 cm to 4 meters with an accuracy up to 3 mm. it consists of two ultrasonic transducers, one its the transmitter and the other the receiver.

The transmitter send a 40KHz ultrasonic sound pulses and the receiver listens for those pulses, the distance can be calculated based on how long those pulses take to travel to an object and bounce back to the receiver.

A radar uses the same principle but since the sensor can only look in one direction a system must be designed which allows it to move.

Radar Circuit Parts:

The circuit consists of:

1 HC-SR04 Sensor ( main part of the radar)
1.8 TFT LCD Display ( displays the information from the sensor)
1 Servo Motor ( allows the sensor to look in multiple directions)
1 Arduino Nano ( controls the radar system)
1 Buzzer ( provides sound information)
9v Battery (powers the circuit)
1 Power Switch

Circuit Diagram

Fritzing RED RADAR MK1 Circuit Diagram

PCB Design

Circuit Diagram for PCB

PCB routing and Design

3D PCB Model

Physical PCB Model

CAD Model and 3D Printing

RED RADAR MK1 cover with servo and screen installed.

PCB installed in RED RADAR MK1 case

Finished model

CAD MODEL

Video Demonstration

20220623_144024.mp4

RED RADAR Loading Animation

20220623_143947.mp4

RED RADAR MK1 OPERATIONAL

The code was written in Arduino, different libraries where used, I created a custom intro animation for it to make it more unique. A mathematical formula in the code creates the lines in a circular shape.

Conclusion and Reflection

This was a fun project to work on as I was always curious to work with ultrasonic sensors, while the electronics were easy to work and develop, the CAD model proved to be a challenge due to the 3D printer malfunctions, also the box was not structurally strong which cause further problems. Based on what I learned I will create more reliable and stronger models in the future.

I plan on making RED RADAR MK2, an improved and better version, those improvements being:

Temperature sensor: sound travels at different speeds with different temperatures (Accuracy).
Better Code Libraries: There are more accurate and precise libraries for the sensor.
DC Motor: servo range is 180 degrees of motion while a dc motor can spin 360 degrees
Bigger screen: more information can be displayed on a bigger screen
Serial Communication: allow the Arduino to be connected to a computer where the information can also be displayed
Better structural design: Stronger and more reliable 3d design.

More improvements may also be added.

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