DIY Radar System With

Arduino Uno
DIY Radar System With Arduino Uno

• Radar System using Ultrasonic Sensor, Arduino Uno

• What is Radar?
• The Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)
• Arduino Uno: The Brain
• Servo Motor: Enabling 180° Scan
• System Architecture & Block Diagram
• How It Works: The Radar Sweep
• Hardware Setup & Wiring
• Software Logic: Arduino Sketch
• Visualizing the Radar Sweep
DIY Radar System With Arduino Uno

• Practical Applications (Part 1)

• Practical Applications (Part 2)
• Limitations & Future Enhancements
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Conclusion & Questions
Radar System using Ultrasonic Sensor, Arduino Uno

• DIY Radar System Overview: Introducing a DIY

radar system utilizing Arduino Uno, HC-SR04
ultrasonic sensor, and servo motor.
• Core Content Focus: We explore the system's
principles, essential components, construction
methodology, and practical applications.
• Value Proposition: This simple, low-cost system
provides significant educational and practical
value for hands-on learning.

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What is Radar?

• Defining RADAR: RADAR stands for Radio Detection and Ranging, a system detecting objects and
determining their distances.
• Core Principle: It transmits waves (radio, sound), analyzing reflections to determine object distance, speed,
and direction.
• Origins and Applications: Originating in the early 20th century, critical for air traffic, weather, and military
surveillance.
The Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)

• Principle of Operation: Emits 40kHz sound pulse; ToF measured for echo return; distance calculated via
sound speed.
• Performance Metrics: Provides 2cm-400cm effective ranging, achieving approximately 3mm measurement
accuracy for objects.
• Essential Pin Configuration: VCC (power), GND (ground), Trig (trigger pulse), and Echo (receive return
pulse) pins.
Arduino Uno: The Brain

• Microcontroller Core: ATmega328P powers

Arduino Uno, featuring 14 digital I/O (6 PWM)
and 6 analog inputs.
• Ultrasonic Sensor Interface: Directs ultrasonic
sensor triggering via digital output and processes
echo returns using input capture.
• Servo Control & Data Output: Manages servo
motor positioning with PWM signals and
serializes angle/distance data for visualization.

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Servo Motor: Enabling 180° Scan

• Angular Position Control: Precisely controls the angular position of the mounted ultrasonic sensor,
ensuring accurate directional readings.
• PWM Signal Interpretation: Receives a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) signal from the Arduino, dictating
the desired angular position.
• Enabling 180° Scanning: Enables the ultrasonic sensor to sweep a 0-180 degree arc, facilitating wide-area
object detection.
System Architecture & Block Diagram

• Arduino Uno as Core: The Arduino Uno microcontroller serves as the central processing unit, orchestrating
all system operations.
• Component Interfacing: Ultrasonic sensor inputs distance data via digital pins; Arduino interfaces with
servo and serial communication for output.
• Data Flow & Control: Sensor data flows to Arduino for processing; processed data directs servo movement
and transmits to PC.
How It Works: The Radar Sweep

• Servo Positioning & Trigger: Arduino precisely

positions the servo, subsequently initiating an
ultrasonic pulse for detection.
• Echo Detection & Distance: Sensor emits sound,
measures echo time-of-flight, enabling Arduino
to compute distance.
• Data Transmission & Sweep: Angle and distance
data are serially transmitted; servo sweeps,
repeating the continuous scan.

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Hardware Setup & Wiring

• Core Hardware Components: Core components: Arduino Uno, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, servo motor,
breadboard, jumper wires, USB.
• HC-SR04 Wiring Specifications: HC-SR04: VCC-5V, GND-GND. Trig to Arduino Digital Pin X, Echo to Arduino
Digital Pin Y.
• Servo Motor Wiring Details: Servo: Power to Arduino 5V, GND to GND. Signal to Arduino PWM Pin Z.
Software Logic: Arduino Sketch

• Arduino Sketch Architecture: Explains fundamental `setup()` and `loop()` functions for program execution
flow. Emphasizes the `Servo.h` library for precise servo motor control.
• Iterative Scanning Logic: Details `loop()`'s iterative servo angle control (0-180 degrees), ultrasonic
triggering, and time-of-flight measurement.
• Data Processing and Output: Describes converting time-of-flight to distance and serial transmission of
angle/distance for external visualization, including stability delays.
Visualizing the Radar Sweep

• Visualization Platforms: Dedicated platforms like

Processing IDE or Python with Matplotlib enable
real-time serial data visualization.
• Serial Data Ingestion: Software ingests angle and
distance data transmitted serially from Arduino
for continuous processing.
• Polar Coordinate Mapping: Received data is
plotted on a polar coordinate system, creating a
simulated radar display of objects.

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Practical Applications (Part 1)

• Obstacle Detection/Avoidance: Enables basic robotic navigation and collision avoidance for simple
autonomous systems efficiently.
• Proximity Sensing: Facilitates automation for automatic doors, smart waste bins, and accurate liquid level
monitoring.
• People Counting/Motion: Provides basic occupancy detection, entry alarms, and motion sensing for smart
home systems.
Practical Applications (Part 2)

• Parking Assistance: Automated obstacle detection aids drivers in precise vehicle maneuvering and parking
safety.
• Home Security Monitoring: Provides basic perimeter surveillance and intruder detection within defined
residential zones.
• STEM Education: Serves as an invaluable teaching aid for electronics, programming, and sensor integration
concepts.
Limitations & Future Enhancements

• Range & Beam Limitations: Air damping limits

ultrasonic range; narrow beam angle can miss
smaller objects effectively.
• Environmental Susceptibility & Speed:
Temperature, humidity, wind affect sound speed;
slow refresh rate hinders dynamic object
tracking.
• Advanced Enhancements: Multiple sensors,
Kalman filtering, faster servos, Wi-Fi integration,
and advanced GUIs improve system.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Ultrasonic Sensor Anomaly: Verify HC-SR04 pinout integrity (VCC, GND, Trig, Echo) and confirm accurate
corresponding Arduino sketch pin definitions.
• Erratic Servo Behavior: Assess power supply adequacy, considering external sources for high-current
servos, and confirm PWM pin signal integrity.
• Serial Data Absence: Validate COM port selection and baud rate settings consistency across Arduino IDE
and visualization application.
Conclusion & Questions

• Project Summary: This project successfully demonstrated a cost-effective, functional radar using
accessible, readily available components.
• Invaluable Learning & Foundation: Its fundamental principles provide a robust educational platform for
advanced sensor integration applications.
• Open for Discussion: Thank you for your attention; I welcome any questions regarding this radar system.