Hey guys,
I'm currently a senior computer engineering major at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. For my senior design project we are in need of a method of tracking distance up to around 50 meters. Right now, we are doing X coordinate (left to right) as well as depth tracking using blob detection and a somewhat powerful webcam.
However, we would like to use something a bit more accurate/powerful. We have thought of using RFIDs, ZigBee, laser range finders, active radar, ultrasonic and FM/AM transmitter/receivers. So far we haven't found a cost effective/accurate/easy solution to try ( everything must be < $400).
Our advisor suggested that we try to use radio equipment. Our basic idea would be to setup 1 transmitter on the moving object, as well as 2 stationary receivers at a known distance apart. If we could find out the distance between the transmitter and each receiver, simple triangulation could be used to calculate distance from a reference point.
So my question is this: is there a relatively simple way to calculate distance using radio waves (or other methods)? I've seen a couple threads on here but came to no conclusions. I was thinking instead of measuring time which could be hardware intensive, distance could be calculating by using signal strength (heat dissipation or diode?).
Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions for calculating distance, I would be very appreciative!
Thanks again
I'm currently a senior computer engineering major at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. For my senior design project we are in need of a method of tracking distance up to around 50 meters. Right now, we are doing X coordinate (left to right) as well as depth tracking using blob detection and a somewhat powerful webcam.
However, we would like to use something a bit more accurate/powerful. We have thought of using RFIDs, ZigBee, laser range finders, active radar, ultrasonic and FM/AM transmitter/receivers. So far we haven't found a cost effective/accurate/easy solution to try ( everything must be < $400).
Our advisor suggested that we try to use radio equipment. Our basic idea would be to setup 1 transmitter on the moving object, as well as 2 stationary receivers at a known distance apart. If we could find out the distance between the transmitter and each receiver, simple triangulation could be used to calculate distance from a reference point.
So my question is this: is there a relatively simple way to calculate distance using radio waves (or other methods)? I've seen a couple threads on here but came to no conclusions. I was thinking instead of measuring time which could be hardware intensive, distance could be calculating by using signal strength (heat dissipation or diode?).
Anyways, if anyone has any suggestions for calculating distance, I would be very appreciative!
Thanks again
Last edited: