HSTD SPEED MEASUREMENT DEVICE

Index
Contents
Index ....................................................................................................................................................................... 1
Proposed Idea: ......................................................................................................................................................... 2
Components: ........................................................................................................................................................... 2
Arduino Nano: ..................................................................................................................................................... 2
Laser ZH 303:...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Photo Diode (InGaAs - G10899-03K): ............................................................................................................... 2
Battery: ................................................................................................................................................................ 3
CAD Model:............................................................................................................................................................ 3
Tripod Stand with Adjustable Rod: .................................................................................................................... 3
Equipment Setup: ................................................................................................................................................ 4
Front View ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Right View ....................................................................................................................................................... 4
Top View ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Limitations: ............................................................................................................................................................. 5
IMPROVED METHOD.......................................................................................................................................... 5
Ways to measure velocity: .................................................................................................................................. 5
Using Ballistic Chronograph: .............................................................................................................................. 5
Problems faced and their solutions: .................................................................................................................... 5
Datasheets: .............................................................................................................................................................. 6
References: .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

1
Proposed Idea:
The main task was to calculate the instantaneous velocity of the drone at the time of ejection. Previously a
Doppler gun was being used which was operating at the speed of light. Although the gun indicated the top speed
achieved by the drone, it did not specify the points at which the speed was achieved. This birthed the need to
develop another speed measuring system.
We developed a laser light system consisting of a transmitter emitting the laser beam and a phototransistor acting
as the recipient of the beam. The laser module and the photodiode will be mounted at the top of a pole and will
be enclosed in a moveable bolted compartment with an adjustable angle option. We aimed to send a continuous
beam of laser light before the start of the launch which when intercepted by the drone would be cut and the
receptor would note the time the beam is disrupted.
The length of the drone would already be known and fed into the microprocessor/Arduino. The response time
taken by the receiver is 0.2 microseconds which are well within the acceptable time range. The Arduino works at
a frequency of 16 MHz giving us enough time to record ample samples to carry out calculations of the speed.
The calculation will be carried out by using the basic formula “s = v * t” where s is displacement, v is velocity,
and “t” is time. The distance will be the length of the drone that crosses the beam, when this happens, the time it
takes for the drone to completely pass through will be noted down and applied in the formula for the calculation
of velocity. By this we should be able to achieve the velocity of the drone at the instant it leaves the shuttle.

Components:
Arduino Nano:
Arduino Nano board is based on Atmega168 or Atmega328p. It is fairly similar
to the Arduino Uno board but when it comes to pin-configuration and features, this
Nano board has replaced Arduino Uno due to its small size. As we know that while
designing an embedded system small size components are preferred. Arduino
boards are mainly used to build electronic projects. The programming of Arduino
Nano can be done using Arduino Software.
Laser ZH 303:
Lightweight laser with adjustable output diameter having a power output of 0.1
Watt. It provides a continuous output beam of green color. It operates efficiently at
temperatures ranging from 15℃ to 35℃.
 Avoid direct eye exposure to the laser beam.
 Net weight of 150g.
 Output wavelength is 532 nm

Photo Diode (InGaAs - G10899-03K):

The G10899-03K is an InGaAs PIN photodiode that detects a wide spectral response
range from 0.5μm to 1.7μm. A wide range of spectrums can be detected with a single
detector. The G10899-03K also features low noise and low dark current.

2
Battery:
 9Volts.
 LIPO (Lithium Polymer).
 Capacity: 4500mAh.

CAD Model:

Tripod Stand with Adjustable Rod:

3
Equipment Setup:

Front View

Right View

Top View

4
Limitations:
 The laser may move away before the launch and result in inaccurate data or no data causing a loss of money and time.
The pole is approximately 16 feet. At such high heights, it may move away from its position or dangle just by the effect
of wind. As it will dangle so will the receptor and the transmitter resulting in inaccurate data collection and waste of
resources.
 The photodiodes mounted at the receptor end may cause inaccurate results by confusing sunlight with laser light. This
results in no useful data gained the and failure of the experiment.
 The launching pad is at an angle of 10 degrees. Due to disturbance and vibrations, the laser may move at an angle that
may not cut the drone properly. This will also result in inaccurate data reception. The drone has different thicknesses at
different points and if the beam is not well directed, the data received will not be accurate.
The launching procedure is too expensive to take such risks.

IMPROVED METHOD
Ways to measure velocity:
There are three different ways to measure velocity:

 Radar technology
 Ultra-high-speed cameras and inductive sensors
 Optical emitters with opposing optical detectors (ballistic chronograph)

Using Ballistic Chronograph:

We are using optical emitters with opposing optical detectors. Previously, we were using one laser. To further improve
accuracy, we can use the concept of ballistic chronograph which is used to measure the speed of a bullet. Now, instead of
one laser, we will be using an array of optical emitters and receivers. Two such screens will be used to avoid the effect of
vibration.
Three components are used in our method:
 The light source
 The head
 The light detection component
The optical emitters with opposing optical detectors are often described as “light curtains” or “light screens”; they consist
of a linear array of optical emitters lining a top bar and a linear array of optical detectors lining a bottom bar. The plane or
other surface defined by the top bar and the bottom bar is usually perpendicular to the drone trajectory.
Two such light screens, separated by a known distance, are required. The drone velocity is computed by dividing the
distance between the two light screens by the time interval between the drone blocking the light to an optical detector in the
first, starting, a light screen, and blocking the light to an optical detector in the second, or stop, light screen. Since the drone
begins slowing down shortly after leaving the launcher due to drag and other effects, the computed velocity is the average
velocity of the drone as it travels between the two light screens.

Problems faced and their solutions:

We are facing three major problems in our design. One of them is that we are using our system in bright sunlight so it
will affect the reception of the laser. The second problem is that we require more samples for receiving system to measure
the speed accurately. Thirdly, our poles are 16ft in height, so they will vibrate because of air pressure as well as during
launching.
To minimize the vibration effect, we damper of known weight will be placed below the poles. We can increase the
distance between the laser transmitter and receiver to minimize the vibration effect. For this, we need a high-power laser.

5
 To overcome the effect of sunlight, we will use a frame (just like a lens placed at the camera), to maximum isolate the
receivers from sunlight. Also, we require a high-power laser as shown in the figure.

As we require sampling frequency in MHz, so high processing speed is required. For this purpose, we require a
microcontroller whose response time is minimum and sampling frequency is high. We can use the ARM CORTEX
microcontroller which has a 600MHz sampling frequency, to improve the efficiency of the system.

To observe the detected output, we can use computers and oscilloscope to record the output. When the drone cuts the laser,
it will generate a low signal which will be observed on an oscilloscope.

Datasheets:
Arduino Nano Datasheet.pdf

Laser Datesheet.pdf

Photodiode Datasheet.pdf

References:
https://www.hamamatsu.com/eu/en/product/optical-sensors/photodiodes/ingaas-photodiode.html

https://store.arduino.cc/products/arduino-nano

https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=32808