Ultrasonic Speed Gun

Abbott Analytical Products Project Main Page

Contents of Page

This web page contains a set of links leading to the details of the project's major steps, an overview, a list of features, and a short list of gotchas.

Project Macro Steps/Phases

• Supplies and materials


• Hardware Preliminaries


• Check Ride


• Software Preparations


• System Integration


• System Operation


• Extra Credit: Audio Oscilloscope


• Helpful Videos

Overview

This project extends the prior projects of Mellis/Igoe and M. J. Ladd (see Additional Information and Supporting Sources section). These prior projects provided "working" ultrasonic speed measuring capable demonstrations . Both prior projects as well as this project employ ultrasonic pinging not RADAR technology. Jumping to radar technology steps across a component/equipment "price-point" which is prohibitive for the current level of involvement. For information regarding DIY radar Doppler consult the two Andrea. Spiess presentations given in the Additional Information and Supporting Sources section. (Arduino and/or Genuino should equivalent for this project. But Genuino has not been tested)

Accepting the cost/technology limits of ultrasonic pinging this project extends prior work by adding salient new features. It serves as a great stepping-off point for future electronic/Arduino DIY soirées. This project assumes that you are familiar with Arduino libraries, basic Sloeber/Eclipse IDE (Integrated development environment) housekeeping, the individual Arduino board you have on-hand, and how to setup a session between your IDE and the Arduino board. If not search the Internet for assistance. A few Internet "Rally Points For Assistance" are provided near the end of this Instructable

Abbottanp "Ultrasonic Speed Gun" Features

NEW Employs the Sloeber (Eclipse with Arduino Plugin) IDE

See https://marketplace.eclipse.org/... for Linux, Windows, Mac download bundles

• NEW Arduino Board: mega256
• NEW Interfacing Makeblock sensor component
• NEW Interfaced with a Base Shield
• NEW LCD display of readings and speed
• NEW Alerting sounds
• NEW Alerting lights
• NEW Solderless connectivity
• NEW Slicing RJ25 cabling to Arduino header sockets
• NEW Extra Credit Audio Oscilloscope

Oops. It Seems A Little Short

Below are the shortcomings involved in this design:

• The Ultrasonic sensors of this caliber have very limited range for detection of motion.
• Sound waves are slow compared to radar (high-frequency electromagnetic waves).
• This design is not suitable for focusing on small, distant objects like a pitched baseball.
• This design needs an aiming or cross-hair enhancemnt for target acquistion.

NOTICE: This site was fabricated for best viewing using Netscape 4.x, or a functionally equivalent browser.
Please send comments or questions using e-mail, voice telephone at 919-846-7705. (Last update: Feb 29, 2020 tar)