Optimizing Laser Sensor Performance:

Calibration and Implementation in Arduino

1st John Carlos Arivado 2nd Lorenz Gerard Batusin 3rd Kent Joseph Cloma
Electrical Engineering Department Electrical Engineering Department Electrical Engineering Department
Cebu Technological University Cebu Technological University Cebu Technological University
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

4th Mathew Donor 5th Niña Leizyl Mendez 6th Ranilo Zata
Electrical Engineering Department Electrical Engineering Department Electrical Engineering Department
Cebu Technological University Cebu Technological University Cebu Technological University
[email protected] niñ[email protected] [email protected]

Abstract— the laser module. Additionally, it’s crucial to store the

Index Terms— module in a secure location inaccessible to children, as
it is not suitable for unsupervised use by individuals
I. I NTRODUCTION lacking the necessary understanding of laser safety
Calibrating the laser diode module in the Arduino precautions. By prioritizing safety and responsible
Uno results in a well-functioning system that provides handling practices, users can harness the full potential
accurate and reliable laser output for various applica- of the 100mW laser module while minimizing the
tions. Calibration allows the laser diode module to be associated risks.
fine-tuned to meet specific requirements, optimizing its
performance according to desired parameters (Haitjema,
A. Significance of the Study
2020). Furthermore, calibration enhances the credibility
of data collected using the laser diode module, making Calibrating a laser sensor within an Arduino Uno
it suitable for scientific research, industrial processes, project represents a pivotal step toward ensuring
and other precision applications (Agrawaal et al., 2020). dependable and accurate measurements. Consider the
Successful calibration leads to improved performance, scenario of a line-following robot equipped with an
increased accuracy, and enhanced usability of the Ar- uncalibrated laser sensor. In this instance, the sensor
duino Uno system across various fields of technology may yield inaccurate readings, leading the robot off
and science. course instead of precisely detecting the line’s position.
The 100mW laser module is designed to emit a Calibration serves to fine-tune the sensor, guaranteeing
small, yet intense beam of visible red light, making it pinpoint accuracy in detecting the line.
suitable for a variety of applications. When paired with
an Arduino and a photoresistor module, this versatile In the context of this study, the focus lies specifically
module enables basic remote signaling functionalities, on activating the laser sensor module with the assistance
providing an efficient solution for projects requiring of the Arduino Uno. The objective is to evaluate the
precise light-based communication. precision of the laser sensor module in conjunction with
the Arduino setup while scrutinizing the effectiveness
It’s essential to exercise caution when handling this of the provided code in achieving optimal performance.
laser module, despite its low power rating. Direct Through meticulous calibration and assessment, the aim
exposure to the emitted beam can pose a significant is to enhance the accuracy and reliability of the project,
risk of eye injury or permanent damage. Therefore, it paving the way for successful implementation and oper-
is imperative to avoid looking directly into the beam ation.
or pointing the laser at anyone, as even momentary
exposure can have severe consequences. II. M ETHODOLOGY
This section will discuss the process of calibrating the
To ensure safe usage, it’s recommended to adhere to sound sensor and deliberate the materials used during the
strict safety protocols and guidelines when operating experiment. The set-up of of the experiment will take
place at Cebu Technological University-Main Campus, affordability and accessibility make it an appealing
College of Engineering room 405 under the supervision choice for individuals interested in hobbies, students, and
of Engr. Jayson C. Jueco. Moreover, the students will professionals, thereby promoting experimentation and
understand this activity comprehensively through collab- innovation in a broad range of sensor-based applications.
orative learning of the members.
C. Experimental Setup
A. Software Utilization
This activity cannot be accomplished without using The experiment was conducted in room 609 on the
software applications to calibrate the sensor. Therefore, 6th floor, utilizing the following materials:
the students established useful software to operate and • Laser Sensor Module
run the experiment cost-effectively. The significance of • Arduino
utilizing software for this activity lies in programming • Jumper wires
activities like Arduino IDE software. In the next section • Laptop running the Arduino Integrated Develop-
we will discuss the useful impact of Arduino software ment Environment (IDE)
in calibrating the ultrasonic sensor.
B. Arduino IDE
Arduino software refers to the integrated development
environment (IDE) used for programming Arduino mi-
crocontroller boards. It is a platform that allows users to
write code, compile it, and upload it to Arduino boards.
The Arduino IDE provides a simple interface for writing
code in the Arduino programming language, which is a
simplified version of C/C++. It includes features such
as syntax highlighting, code completion, and a serial
monitor for debugging purposes. Additionally, the IDE
comes with a vast library of pre-written code examples Fig. 2.2: Laser Sensor Module
and libraries that users can leverage to quickly get started
with their projects.

Fig. 2.3: Arduino UNO

Fig. 2.1: Arduino IDE Software

The compatibility of Arduino with sensors arises from

its adaptable hardware and user-friendly software. Ar-
duino boards are equipped with a vast array of digital and
analog input/output pins, facilitating seamless interfacing
with various sensors that support diverse signal types
and communication protocols. The Arduino IDE pro-
vides a simple environment for writing, compiling, and
uploading code, which is complemented by a vast library
ecosystem that simplifies the integration of sensors. By Fig. 2.4: Jumper Wires
being an open-source platform, Additionally, Arduino’s
D. Preparation of Materials K. Documentation and Cleanup
Before setting up the experiment, all materials were The experimental setup, calibration process, and re-
gathered and inspected for any damage or defects. The sults obtained were documented for future reference.
ultrasonic sensor, Arduino Uno, jumper wires, and bread- Any observations or issues encountered during the ex-
board were arranged on a clean, stable surface in room periment were noted. Finally, the workspace was cleaned
609. up by safely disconnecting the Arduino Uno from the
laptop and power source, and organizing the materials
E. Connection of Ultrasonic Sensor to Arduino Uno and equipment used in the experiment.
The ultrasonic sensor was connected to the Arduino
Uno according to the following wiring configuration: III. R ESULT AND D ISCUSSION
• VCC pin of the ultrasonic sensor to the 5V pin on The experimental findings validate the functionality
the Arduino Uno. and consistency of the laser sensor module within the Ar-
• GND pin of the ultrasonic sensor to any GND pin duino Uno project. Through a systematic calibration and
on the Arduino Uno. assessment process, the sensor’s operation in accordance
• Trig pin of the ultrasonic sensor to digital pin 2 on with programmed specifications has been successfully
the Arduino Uno. demonstrated, consistently illuminating and fading out
• Echo pin of the ultrasonic sensor to digital pin 3 on the laser diode with precision.
the Arduino Uno. The provided source code offers clear directives for
controlling the laser diode module, stipulating durations
F. Powering Up the Arduino Uno for both illumination and fading out of the laser diode.
The Arduino Uno was powered up by connecting it Our observations closely correspond to the anticipated
to the laptop via USB cable. The laptop was turned on, outcomes outlined in the code, with the laser diode
and the Arduino IDE was launched to facilitate code consistently lighting up for 1 second before gradually
uploading and data monitoring. fading out over an equivalent duration. This cyclic pat-
tern persists until the voltage supply to the laser diode
G. Upload of Calibration Code to Arduino Uno module ceases.
Moreover, the successful execution of the calibration
A pre-written calibration code for the ultrasonic sensor
procedure underscores the necessity of fine-tuning the
was opened in the Arduino IDE. The code was verified
sensor to ensure precise measurements and consistent
for correctness and uploaded to the Arduino Uno micro-
performance. Absence of calibration may lead to fluc-
controller. The code facilitated the calibration process
tuations in sensor readings, resulting in erratic project
and data collection.
behavior. By calibrating the sensor, potential risks have
been mitigated, ensuring uniform and foreseeable oper-
H. Positioning of Ultrasonic Sensor
ation of the Arduino Uno project.
The ultrasonic sensor was positioned in room 609,
facing the area of interest for distance measurement. IV. P RACTICAL I MPLICATION
Care was taken to ensure that no obstructions were
Laser sensors have profound practical implications
obstructing the sensor’s field of view.
across diverse industries and applications. In industrial
I. Initiation of Calibration Process automation, they are indispensable for tasks such as
object detection, precise positioning, and quality control
The calibration process was initiated according to the on production lines, boosting productivity and cost-
instructions provided in the code. Parameters such as cal- effectiveness. Robotics heavily rely on laser sensors for
ibration points and measurement intervals were adjusted navigation, obstacle avoidance, and object manipulation,
as necessary based on experimental requirements. enabling robots to interact with their environment ac-
curately, from assembly lines to logistics operations.
J. Data Collection and Analysis Construction and civil engineering benefit from laser
Distance measurements were obtained through the Ar- sensors for surveying, leveling, and alignment tasks,
duino Uno’s serial monitor interface, displaying sensor ensuring accuracy and safety on construction sites. In the
readings for various calibration points. Data collected transportation and automotive sectors, laser sensors con-
included both sensor readings and corresponding actual tribute to speed measurement, collision avoidance, and
distances. Analysis of collected data allowed for the autonomous driving technologies, enhancing safety and
establishment of a calibration curve, relating sensor efficiency in vehicles and traffic management systems.
readings to actual distances. Overall, the practical implications of laser sensors extend
across a wide spectrum of industries, driving innovation,
efficiency, and safety in diverse applications.
V. C ONCLUSION
In conclusion, the activity centered on calibrating the
laser sensor module within the Arduino Uno project
has provided invaluable insights into its functionality
and performance. As emphasized in the introduction, the
calibration of the sensor was deemed crucial for achiev-
ing precise and reliable measurements. This calibration
process aimed to ensure accurate detection and consistent
performance, addressing the challenges outlined in the
significance of the study.
The practical implementation involved utilizing the
Arduino Uno platform to interface with the laser sensor
module. Through meticulous calibration and assessment,
the sensor’s capability to respond accurately to pro-
grammed commands was demonstrated, illuminating and
fading out the laser diode with precision. These results
underline the significance of clear and concise program-
ming instructions in controlling the sensor’s behavior, as
highlighted in the introduction.
Furthermore, the successful execution of the calibra-
tion process underscores its importance in guaranteeing
dependable and predictable operation of the Arduino
Uno project. By fine-tuning the sensor, potential fluc-
tuations in readings were mitigated, thereby enhancing
the reliability of measurements. This emphasizes the
critical role of calibration in real-world applications,
where precise data is imperative for informed decision-
making.
In summary, the activity has illustrated the practical
implementation and importance of calibrating the laser
sensor module within the Arduino Uno project. By
integrating insights from the introduction, significance
of the study, practical implementation, and experimental
results, the value of calibration in achieving reliable and
accurate measurements has been demonstrated. Moving
forward, future endeavors may concentrate on further op-
timization and exploration of additional functionalities to
enhance the sensor’s performance in diverse application
scenarios.