I am looking into making myself a timing system based on Arduino. Ultimately I would like intermediate/split times as well as the overall time, with wireless communication between the main system and the beams/gates. Initially though, just two beams and a wired connection would probably suffice.
I am completely new to Arduino and wondered which board I should use for the project. While the Uno be sufficient or should I look at something with more inputs, such as the Mega 2560?
I suspect an Uno (or two) would be sufficient. But you have provided very little info about your proposed project.
Accurate timing over a distance is not a trivial problem - but the complexities do not relate to the choice of Arduino board.
...R
Thanks for the response.
Intention is that timing events (start, split, stop etc.) are triggered by breaking a beam. By having intermediate points means that there would be more than just a start and finish, so I was concerned about the number of inputs required. Initially the beams would be physically connected to the timer but, long term, would want to investigate wireless option. As for distances, typically up to 30 metres between beam and timer.
As my background is mechanical, rather than electrical, and with limited programming experience (mostly LISP), I wanted to at least start in the right place, rather than go down the wrong route from day one.
DaveWhite:
so I was concerned about the number of inputs required.
You still have not told us how many you need. That seems to be essential data.
It did not occur to me, when reading your original post that "split times" meant measuring at intermediate places. I had imagined that it meant reporting the time of every lap in a multi-lap race.
What do you mean by "up to 30 metres between beam and timer"? Do you mean that a single Arduino will detect several beams being broken, each at a different location but none of the locations will be more than 30 metres from the Arduino?
I presume there is no possibility of two "contestants" passing a beam at the same time?
As usual, you will get much more useful advice if you explain what your project is all about.
...R
"You still have not told us how many you need" - I presume that you are asking how many inputs to the Arduino. If so, I don't know. As I said my background isn't electronics but to my way of thinking each beam that is broken, therefore sending a signal back to the timer, requires it's own channel/input. If that isn't the case then guidance welcome.
Potentially several beams being broken, but not at the same time, each beam no more than 30 metres from the timer. In simple terms "Go through Start (timer starts), go around course then go through Finish (timer stops) and display time". Next timing event begins automatically next time the start is triggered. The simplest scenario would have the start and finish as the same beam, then expand to have a separate start and finish, followed by introducing the split i.e. at some point around the course/route, giving intermediate times.
There isn't the possibility of two "contestants" passing the (any) beam at the same time. The scenario is essentially a single lap/transition (of a course) sporting event.
DaveWhite:
If so, I don't know. As I said my background isn't electronics but to my way of thinking each beam that is broken, therefore sending a signal back to the timer, requires it's own channel/input.
My problem is that I have no idea what equipment you propose to use for the beam-break and I have never tried to create a beam that would cross a few metres of race track. The beam I am using at the moment travels about 1 millimetre.
If, for example, it would be sufficient to have a high-powered Infra Red LED on one side and a photodiode on the other side as the detector then there would just be a single connection to the Arduino. But I don't know if the signal from a photodiode would be strong enough, without amplification, to travel 30 metres over a cable.
Another important issue is the maximum acceptable error in the timing?
...R