Highly directional range finder

Forum 2005-2010 (read only) Hardware Interfacing
1

Hi,
for one of my application Im finding small, but highly directional rangefinder. There is absolutely no need to be precise. I just need to know, if is something directly in front of my sensor (1 meter is enough). But it should be precise from view of angle - 5 cm on 1m distance is edgewise.

There are some requirements:

  • as small as possible
  • eye-safe (so any laser apllications are out of discussion)

Im not sure, if IR rangefinder is OK, because I think it is not too much directional (it takes reflection from large area, but I need to detect edges).

I would be appreciate for every idea.

Thanks,
Marek

2

My calculations make that an angle of 2.8 degrees, as you are ruling out a laser I can't see how you are going to do it with an arduino.

You could use a web cam with the language Processing (or anything else) and examine a small slice of the image for change and gate it with a wider beam distance sensor.

3

Thanks for idea! Unfortunately, this solution breaks requirement to small size. I have space approx 3x3 cm for this and no computation capacity (no real computer, just atmega).

I know it is really hard, maybe impossible in DIY environment. Im simply not experienced too much, so Im just asking others, if they know any solution...

4

OK best of luck but given your restraints I would say it is impossible.

How about an IR laser, no visible danger as the eye can't focus it.