Hello , first of all i am new to this arduino world and programming. I am trying to build an AGV (automated vehicle) that is guided by a magnetic tape on the ground. I did my own research about sensors but i really need your help . So far i found some chinese sensors(i will post some pdf's below) that are similar to roboteq's famous magnetic guide sensor and also the Hall Effect sensors. Can the chinese sensors be incorporated with Arduino Mega for example and read the specific value of each sensor it has so i can tell the agv which way to go? Also do you think i can make the same type of sensor if i put 6 Hall effect sensors perpendicular to the magnetic tape and read the signals from each? Can Hall effect sensors read magnetic tape? I will post below some photos+pdf's about sensors(so beacuse im a new member i cannot upload here) .
You can also give me some suggestions about the hardware that i need to buy for this project.
Thank you
Much better, thanks. Hall sensors would certainly respond to that type of magnetic tape if the orientation is correct and the distance is small enough.
In order to predict success in advance, you need to know the sensitivity of the Hall sensor and the field strength of the tape as a function of distance and geometry. The fact that these items are designed for the purpose strongly suggests that you can make it work, so again, try it and see.
Spend some time studying the sensor manual to see what recommendations are made for operating conditions.
Thank you for your answer, i will first try with some Hall Sensors like these . I will connect 2 sensors for the begining to try and test them with the magnetic tape. It is a safer start rather than ordering a chinese sensor with RS232 interface from which i cannot read the signals.
Probably. However, I tend to avoid buying modules from unknown sellers on Amazon, etc. as there is usually little documentation, no product support, and in the case of chips and sensors, lots of counterfeits.
yes , you are right! First of all i will order few Hall sensors and an Arduino Mega and try to see if they work with the magnetic tape. Do you know where i can buy a good starter kit with breadboard and wires etc ? Thank you for your answer!
I'm located in the U.S. and usually buy from Sparkfun, Adafruit and Pololu, as they all provide excellent product support. However, if you are in NZ, shipping might be prohibitive. Perhaps Jaycar?
Also i found these sensors and they advised me to check the spec sheets for MTTA and MTTD. Which one do you believe it will work with an Arduino?
This is what they said:
“MTTD gives a digital output letting you know if you are left right or centered on the magnetic tape
MTTA gives an analog output of the proximity.”
They could not give me a clear answer if these sensors are compatible with Arduino. Thank you
Those are industrial grade sensors, designed for running on on 12 or 24V. I would use analog sensors as they provide much more information than left/right/centered digital sensors.
Use a voltage divider to bring the output down to levels suitable for an Arduino analog input.
