Mirko Pavleski
Published © GPL3+

Ultrasonic Radar Can Detect Multiple Objects at Each Ping

With a small modification of the ultrasonic sensor module, this radar can detect multiple objects at each ping.

BeginnerFull instructions provided5,626
Ultrasonic Radar Can Detect Multiple Objects at Each Ping

Things used in this project

Hardware components

Arduino Nano R3
Arduino Nano R3
×1
28byj-48 Stepper motor
×1
BOOSTXL-ULN2003 ULN2003A Dual Stepper Motor BoosterPack
Texas Instruments BOOSTXL-ULN2003 ULN2003A Dual Stepper Motor BoosterPack
×1
Ultrasonic Sensor - HC-SR04 (Generic)
Ultrasonic Sensor - HC-SR04 (Generic)
×1
Microswitch, IP67
Microswitch, IP67
×1

Software apps and online services

Arduino IDE
Arduino IDE

Hand tools and fabrication machines

Soldering iron (generic)
Soldering iron (generic)

Story

Read more

Schematics

Schematic

Code

Arduino Code

C/C++
// ======================
// globals
// ======================

// ----- serial port
#define Baud_rate 9600          //communication speed


// ----- serial input
char Char;

// ----- micro-switch
#define Micro_switch 4
bool Switch_present = true;       //no micro-switch = false

// ----- HC-SR04 / HY-SRF05 ultrasonic transducer
#define Trig 5
#define Echo 6
#define RawEcho 7                 //extra wire connected to pin 10 (see text)

// ----- motor controller definitions
/*
   Connect your motor controller pins IN1..IN4 to the following Arduino pins.
   The Arduino "talks" directly to controller pins IN1..IN4 via PORTB.
*/
#define IN4  8
#define IN3  9
#define IN2  10
#define IN1  11

// ----- motor definitions
/*
    The 28BJY-48 5V DC motor has a "stride Angle" of 5.625/64 degrees per step.
    One complete revolution therefore requires 360/5.625*64 equals 4096 steps.

    This motor may be run using one of three possible modes:
    1. Wave-stepping: lowest torque, max speed, coarse movement
    2. Full-stepping: highest torque, max speed, coarse movement
    3. Half-stepping: medium torque, half speed, smooth movement

    From experiment "full-stepping" (which has the most torque) requires a minimum
    delay of 2mS for reliable starting, whereas "half-stepping" only requires 1mS.
    As a result the rotation speeds are the same. Since there is no speed advantage
    "half-stepping" has been chosen for smoothness of rotation and reliable starting.

    The required "half-stepping" motor pattern to achieve this is shown below.
*/
// ----- motor pattern
byte Motor[8] =                  //half-stepping
{ B00001000,
  B00001100,
  B00000100,
  B00000110,
  B00000010,
  B00000011,
  B00000001,
  B00001001
};

int Index = 0;                  //Motor[] array index
int Step_counter = 0;           //180 degrees requires 2048 steps
unsigned long Delay = 2;        //give motor shaft time to move
byte Pattern;                   //Motor[] pattern

// ----- acoustic "radar" display data
int Azimuth = 0;                //Azimuth (PI/128 radians) measured CCW from reference
int Distance1 = 0;
int Distance2 = 0;
int Direction = 0;              //counter-clockwise=0, clockwise=1

unsigned long
Speed_of_rotation = 30;         //controls beam rotation: 1 = fastest

// ======================
// setup
// ======================
void setup()
{
  // ----- configure serial port
  Serial.begin(Baud_rate);

  // ----- configure micro-switch
  pinMode(Micro_switch, INPUT_PULLUP);  //"wire-OR" normally HIGH

  // ----- configure arduino pinouts
  pinMode(Echo, INPUT);               //make Echo pin an input
  pinMode(RawEcho, INPUT);            //make RawEcho pin an input
  pinMode(Trig, OUTPUT);              //set Trig pin LOW
  digitalWrite(Trig, LOW);

  // ----- configure stepper motor
  Pattern = DDRB;                       // get PORTB data directions
  Pattern = Pattern | B00001111;        // preserve MSN data direction &
  DDRB = Pattern;                       // make pins 8,9,10,11 outputs

  // ----- rotate beam to start-up position
  if (Switch_present)
  {
    home();
  }

  // ----- attach the graphics display
  connect_to_display();                 //connect to the display
}

// ======================
// loop
// ======================
void loop()
{
  // ----- has the display asked for data
  if (Serial.available() > 0)
  {
    Char = Serial.read();               // read character

    // ----- send data to display whenever a send character ('S') is received
    if (Char == 'S')
    {
      // ----- measure distances
      measure();

      // ----- rotate beam to next ping position
      rotate();

      // ----- send the results to the display
      Serial.print(Azimuth);
      Serial.print(',');
      Serial.print(Distance1);
      Serial.print(',');
      Serial.print(Distance2);
      Serial.print(',');
      Serial.println(Direction);

      delay(Speed_of_rotation);         //slows rotational speed
    }
  }
}

// ===============================
// connect to graphics display
// ===============================
void connect_to_display()
{
  while (Serial.available() <= 0)
  {
    // ----- keep sending synch ('S') until the display responds
    Serial.println("S");
    delay(250);
  }
}

// ===============================
// measure distances
// ===============================
void measure()
{
  // ----- locals
  unsigned long start_time;           //microseconds
  unsigned long finish_time;          //microseconds
  unsigned long time_taken;           //microseconds
  unsigned long timeout;              //microseconds
  unsigned long pause;                //microseconds
  boolean flag;

  // ----- generate 10uS start pulse
  digitalWrite(Trig, HIGH);
  delayMicroseconds(10);
  digitalWrite(Trig, LOW);

  // ----- wait for pulse(s) to be sent
  while (!digitalRead(Echo));                 //wait for high
  start_time = micros();

  // ----- set timeout radius
  timeout = start_time + 12000;               //set timeout radius to 2 meters

  // ----- measure first object distance
  flag = false;
  while (!flag)
  {
    if (!digitalRead(Echo)) flag = true;      //exit loop if object detected
    if (timeout < micros()) flag = true;      //exit loop if timeout exceeded
  }
  finish_time = micros();

  // ----- calculate first object distance(cm)
  time_taken = finish_time - start_time;
  Distance1 = ((float)time_taken) / 59;

  // ----- wait for first object echo to finish
  pause = finish_time + 1000;                 //1000uS means 17cm closest object spacing
  while (pause > micros());                   //wait 1000uS

  // ----- measure second object distance
  flag = false;
  while (!flag)                               //wait for high
  {
    if (digitalRead(RawEcho)) flag = true;    //exit loop if object dectected
    if (timeout < micros()) flag = true;      //exit loop if timeout exceeded
  }
  finish_time = micros();

  // ----- calculate second object distance (cm)
  time_taken = finish_time - start_time;
  Distance2 = ((float)time_taken) / 59;
}

// ===============================
// rotate motor to next ping position
// ===============================
void rotate()
{
  // ----- counter-clockwise scan
  if (Direction == 0)
  {
    for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
    {
      // ----- rotate motor to next ping position
      Index = Step_counter % 8;                 //calculate array index
      Pattern = PORTB;                          //get current motor pattern
      Pattern = Pattern & B11110000;            //preserve MSN
      Pattern = Pattern | Motor[Index];         //create new motor pattern
      PORTB = Pattern;                          //send new pattern to motor
      Step_counter++;
      delay(Delay);                             //controls motor speed (fastest=1)
    }

    // ----- loop control
    Azimuth++;
    if (Azimuth > 256)
    {
      Azimuth = 256;
      Direction = 1;
      Step_counter = 2048;
    }
  }
  else
  {
    // ----- clockwise scan
    for (int i = 0; i < 8; i++)
    {
      // ----- rotate motor to next ping position
      Index = Step_counter % 8;                 //calculate array index
      Pattern = PORTB;                          //get current motor pattern
      Pattern = Pattern & B11110000;            //preserve MSN
      Pattern = Pattern | Motor[Index];         //create new motor pattern
      PORTB = Pattern;                          //send new pattern to motor
      Step_counter--;
      delay(Delay);                             //controls motor speed (fastest=1)
    }

    // ----- loop control
    Azimuth--;                                  //decrement Azimuth every 8 steps
    if (Azimuth < 0)
    {
      Azimuth = 0;
      Direction = 0;
      Step_counter = 0;
    }
  }
}

// ===============================
// find zero position for beam
// ===============================
void home()
{
  // ----- rotate clockwise until limit switch operates
  Step_counter = 2048;
  while (digitalRead(Micro_switch))
  {
    Index = Step_counter % 8;                 //calculate array index
    Pattern = PORTB;                          //get current motor pattern
    Pattern = Pattern & B11110000;            //preserve MSN
    Pattern = Pattern | Motor[Index];         //create new motor pattern
    PORTB = Pattern;                          //send new pattern to motor
    Step_counter--;
    delay(Delay);                             //controls motor speed (fastest=1)
  }

  // ----- back off slightly
  /*
     Keep clear of limit switch during normal scans
  */
  Step_counter = 0;
  for (int i = 0; i < 250; i++)
  {
    Index = Step_counter % 8;                 //calculate array index
    Pattern = PORTB;                          //get current motor pattern
    Pattern = Pattern & B11110000;            //preserve MSN
    Pattern = Pattern | Motor[Index];         //create new motor pattern
    PORTB = Pattern;                          //send new pattern to motor
    Step_counter++;
    delay(Delay);                             //controls motor speed (fastest=1)
  }

  // ----- reset the step counter
  Step_counter = 0;
}

Processing Code

C/C++
// ======================
// globals
// ======================

// ----- serial port
import processing.serial.*;             //import the serial library
Serial myPort;                          //the Serial port object
final int Baud_rate = 9600;           //communication speed
String Input_string;                    //for incoming data 
boolean Connected = false;              //flag          

// ----- display graphics
PGraphics Canvas;                       //name of drawing area to be created
PFont myFont;                           //name of font to be created

// ----- ultrasonic beam
int Azimuth = 0;                        //radians (180 degrees equals PI radians)
int [][] Ping = new int [257][2];       //257 rows of 2 columns
int Direction = 0;                      //scan direction: true=CW, false=CCW

// ======================
// setup
// ======================
void setup() 
{
  // ----- image window
  //size(900, 600, P3D);                                       //P3D parameter allows rotation around Z-axis
  //size(1200, 800, P3D);                                       //P3D parameter allows rotation around Z-axis
  size(1050, 700, P3D);
  // ----- create a drawing area for fading the beam
  Canvas = createGraphics(width, height);                          

  // ------ create the screen font
  myFont = createFont("Arial Black", 20);

  // ----- initialize the serial port
  printArray(Serial.list());                                //lists your COM ports on screen
  myPort = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[2], Baud_rate);
  myPort.bufferUntil('\n');
}

// ======================
// draw
// ======================
void draw() 

{
  // ----- define colors, scale, & text
  background(0);                                    //black background
  textFont(myFont, 20);                            //specify font to be used

  // ----- draw beam on its own canvas
  Canvas.beginDraw();
  Canvas.translate(width/2, height*0.8);            //beam origin
  Canvas.stroke(0, 255, 0);                         //green beam
  Canvas.strokeWeight(7);                           //set beam-width
  Canvas.scale(0.8);                                //think 100% but scale 80%
  Canvas.rotate(-Azimuth*PI/256);                   //rotate "sheet of paper" but
  Canvas.line(0, 0, width/2, 0);                    //think horizontal lines  
  Canvas.endDraw();

  // ----- draw the graticule
  draw_graticule();

  // ----- plot CCW data
  if (Direction == 0) 
  {
    for (int i=0; i<Azimuth+1; i++)
    {
      plot_data(i);                                    //plot data points BELOW azimuth

    }
  }

  // ----- plot CW data
  if (Direction == 1) 
  {
    for (int i=Azimuth; i<257; i++)
    {
      plot_data(i);                                   //plot data points ABOVE azimuth
    }
  }

  // ----- superimpose beam over the display canvas
  image(Canvas, 0, 0);  

  // ----- fade the beam
  fadeGraphics(Canvas, 5);                           //the number controls the beam width
}

// =======================
// serial event  (called with each Arduino data string)
// =======================
void serialEvent(Serial myPort)
{
  // ----- wait for a line-feed
  Input_string = myPort.readStringUntil('\n');

  // ----- validate
  if (Input_string != null) 
  {
    // ----- trim whitespace
    Input_string = trim(Input_string);
    println(Input_string);

    // ----- make contact
    if (Connected == false) 
    {
      if (Input_string.equals("S")) 
      {
        // ----- set flag
        Connected = true;        //connection made

        // ----- request data
        myPort.clear();            //clear the receive buffer
        myPort.write("S");         //request data
      }
    } else 
    // ----- send data
    {
      Input_string = trim(Input_string);              //remove leading/trailing whitespace 
      println(Input_string);

      int[] values = int(split(Input_string, ','));
      Azimuth = values[0];
      Ping[Azimuth][0] = values[1];
      Ping[Azimuth][1] = values[2];
      Direction = values[3];

      println(Azimuth);
      println(Ping[Azimuth][0]);
      println(Ping[Azimuth][1]);
      println(Direction);

      myPort.clear();                                //clear the receive buffer
      myPort.write("S");
    }
  }
}

// =======================
// draw graticule (horizontal text)
// =======================
void draw_graticule()
{
  // ----- setup
  pushMatrix();                                     //save screen parameters
  translate(width/2, height*0.8);                   //move the origin
  scale(0.8);                                       //scale everything 80%

  // ----- draw the arcs
  stroke(128);                                      //use gray lines
  arc(0, 0, width, -width, 0, PI, CHORD);           //CHORD draws the baseline
  arc(0, 0, width*0.75, -width*0.75, 0, PI, OPEN);
  arc(0, 0, width*0.5, -width*0.5, 0, PI, OPEN);
  arc(0, 0, width*0.25, -width*0.25, 0, PI, OPEN);

  // ----- draw the radials
  pushMatrix();                                     //save screen parameters
  stroke(128);                                      //use gray lines
  rotateZ(-radians(45));                            //rotate the screen coordinates
  line(0, 0, width/2, 0);                           //draw line at 45  
  rotateZ(-radians(45));                            //rotate another 45 degrees
  line(0, 0, width/2, 0);                           //draw line at 90  
  rotateZ(-radians(45));                            //rotate another 45 degrees
  line(0, 0, width/2, 0);                           //draw line at 135
  popMatrix();                                      //restore screen parameters

  // ----- label the radials
  fill(0, 0, 255);                                  //blue text
  textAlign(LEFT, CENTER);
  text("0", width/2+5, 0);                          //"0" degrees

  textAlign(LEFT, BOTTOM);
  text("45", width*0.35+5, -width*0.35);             //"45" degrees

  textAlign(RIGHT, BOTTOM);
  text("90", -5, -width/2);                         //"90" degrees

  textAlign(RIGHT, BOTTOM);
  text("135", -width*0.35-5, -width*0.35);          //"135" degrees

  textAlign(RIGHT, CENTER);
  text("180", -width/2-5, 0);                       //"180" degrees

  // ----- label the arcs
  fill(255);                                        //light gray text
  textAlign(LEFT, BOTTOM);
  text("100cm", +5, -width/2);                      //"100cm"
  text("75", +5, -width/2*0.75);                    //"75cm"
  text("50", +5, -width/2*0.5);                     //"50cm"
  text("25", +5, -width/2*0.25);                    //"25cm"

  // ----- restore properties
  strokeWeight(1); 
  fill(0);                                          //white 
  stroke(255);                                      //black
  scale(1.0);
  popMatrix();                                      //restore screen parameters
}

// =======================
// plot data
// =======================
void plot_data(int index)
{
  // ----- setup
  pushMatrix();                          //save screen parameters
  translate(width/2, height*0.8);        //move the origin  
  scale(0.8);

  // ----- plot array contents
  rotateZ(-index*PI/256);                //rotate the display coordinates
  strokeWeight(5);                       //set data size

  stroke(255, 0, 0);                     //set data1 color to red
  if (Ping[index][0]>100) Ping[index][0] = 1000;      //hide by printing off-screen 
  ellipse(width/2*Ping[index][0]/100, 0, 5, 5);      //plot data1

  stroke(0, 0, 255);                     //set data2 color to blue           
  if (Ping[index][1]>100) Ping[index][1] = 1000;      //hide by printing off-screen 
  ellipse(width/2*Ping[index][1]/100, 0, 5, 5);      //plot data2

  // ----- restore defaults
  strokeWeight(1);
  stroke(0);
  popMatrix();                           //restore screen parameters
} 

// =======================
// fadeGraphics
// =======================
/*
   This fadeGraphics() routine was found at
 https://forum.processing.org/two/discussion/13189/a-better-way-to-fade
 */
void fadeGraphics(PGraphics c, int fadeAmount) 
{
  c.beginDraw();
  c.loadPixels();

  // ----- iterate over pixels
  for (int i =0; i<c.pixels.length; i++) 
  { 
    // ----- get alpha value
    int alpha = (c.pixels[i] >> 24) & 0xFF ;

    // ----- reduce alpha value
    alpha = max(0, alpha-fadeAmount);

    // ----- assign color with new alpha-value
    c.pixels[i] = alpha<<24 | (c.pixels[i]) & 0xFFFFFF ;
  }

  Canvas.updatePixels();
  Canvas.endDraw();
}

Credits

Mirko Pavleski

Mirko Pavleski

113 projects • 1151 followers

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