ME 433 Fall 04 IR Tracker

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ME 433 Fall 04 IR Tracker

• By
• Karl Stensvad
• Allen Hurst
• 10/24/04

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Theory of the IR Tracker

• Sensor Array
• We use an array of IR sensors to sense the
  location of the IR source
• We pass the signals, partially processed from the
  array to the computer for further processing
• Controller
• The computer interprets the signal to determine
  the sources location
• The computer then uses the RC servo motors to
  steer the mechanism towards the source
• The computer then repeats the sequence again
  until satisfied that it has found the IR source

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Use of a Lens
The lens steers light according to the angle at
which it hits the lens. By using this
phenomenon, we can determine the angle we are
pointing relative to the angle the light is
coming from
4
Mechanical Design
Lens
Laser
Support Cylinder
Array, Circuitry
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IR Electrical Components

• IR Receiver
• Sensitive to 36 kHz
• Low when receiving
• Outputs a 300 Hz square wave

• IR LED
• Outputs a nested 36 kHz signal in a 300 Hz square
  wave

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IR Electrical Testing
Receiver signal
Emitter input
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Receiving Circuit Design
Detector array (45x)
Selection lines from computer
81 multiplexer (7x)
Signal lines back to computer
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Software Plans

• Will begin testing software soon
• Plan read one cell at a time, row by row, then
  determine action
• Actions continue scanning, or turn toward signal
• Control Motors, detection circuitry
• Need to test received signal
• Maybe condition signals before sent to computer
• Develop algorithm to determine what do to

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Status

• Parts
• Motors and lens arrive within week
• Put in final electronics orders
• Machining
• Main cylinder mostly done
• Rest of assembly needs to be built
• Electronics
• Can create/receive good signal
• Need to construct arrays for testing
• Software/Programming
• Will start by next week