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Paper Plane Radar

Introduction

What is the project about? Paper Plane Radar is a distance-based tracking system using an ultrasonic sensor and a microcontroller. It detects the flight of a paper airplane and calculates both its speed and angle of movement, displaying them on a simple LED matrix. A warning LED simulates radar alert behavior when a target is detected.

What is the project's purpose? The purpose of this project is to simulate a minimalistic radar system using low-cost components and to practice real-time measurement and feedback systems in embedded environments.

What inspired the idea? The idea came from the fascination with radar systems and motion tracking. By adapting this concept to something as lighthearted as a paper airplane, the project makes radar concepts tangible and interactive while remaining technically relevant and accessible.

Why is this project useful? It offers a hands-on experience with sensor data acquisition, time-based calculations, and visual output. It is useful for learning embedded system design principles, especially in motion tracking and data visualization scenarios, and could serve as a fun educational tool or demo.

General Description

Block Diagram

Hardware Design

Bill of Materials

No. Component Description Quantity Unit Price Total Price Product Link / Datasheet
1 HC-SR04+ Ultrasonic Sensor Measures distance to the paper airplane 4 14.99 lei 59.96 lei https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/senzori-senzori-ultrasonici/2328-senzor-ultrasonic-de-distana-hc-sr04-compatibil-33-v-i-5-v.html https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/index.php?controller=attachment&id_attachment=1
2 Arduino UNO Main controller for the system 1 34.99 lei 34.99 lei https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/compatibile-cu-arduino-uno/1678-placa-de-dezvoltare-compatibila-cu-arduino-uno-atmega328p-i-ch340.html?search_query=0104110000016997&results=1 https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/index.php?controller=attachment&id_attachment=143
3 USB AM-BM Cable 30 cm Power and programming for Arduino 1 3.60 lei 3.60 lei https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/cabluri-cabluri-usb/3146-cablu-albastru-usb-am-la-bm-30-cm-pentru-arduino-mega-i-uno.html?search_query=0104210000027792&results=1
4 LCD 1602 with I2C Interface Displays the angle and speed of the detected plane 1 16.34 lei 16.34 lei https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/optoelectronice-lcd-uri/2894-lcd-cu-interfata-i2c-si-backlight-albastru.html?search_query=0104110000003584&results=1 https://www.handsontec.com/dataspecs/module/I2C_1602_LCD.pdf
5 3V Passive Buzzer Emits sound signals corresponding to speed 1 0.99 lei 0.99 lei https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/audio-buzzere/12247-buzzer-pasiv-de-33v-sau-3v.html?search_query=0104210000081527&results=1
6 Breadboard Platform for prototyping 1 5.99 lei 5.99 lei https://www.ardumarket.ro/ro/product/mb102-830-puncte-fara-lipire-breadboard?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22143406947&gbraid=0AAAAA-sic2Qy5WlpW8UZhshGdjeDt_0bB&gclid=CjwKCAjw_pDBBhBMEiwAmY02NrRroS2dcSfVs21vfF9XxgUneWVe4JZKB8yHjd2H2oCEbdrqoYLFdRoCFPoQAvD_BwE
7 Male-to-Male Jumper Wires (10 pcs) Connects components together 4 1.70 lei 6.80 lei https://www.optimusdigital.ro/en/wires-with-connectors/885-wires-male-male-10p-10cm.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20868596392&gbraid=0AAAAADv-p3C89WEw3rF-wI7dDqJt-i0N-&gclid=CjwKCAjw_pDBBhBMEiwAmY02Npb7nCPuqIHwiz-_cs0YWy_ZaNdVtxZ7UWB_XRVT6aMvVtQpgd9ZhxoC0nsQAvD_BwE

Total Cost: 128.68 lei

Electrical diagram

Software Design

Results

Describe the results you obtained after building the project.

Conclusions

Download

An archive (or more if needed) containing the project files: sources, schematics, etc. A README file, a ChangeLog, and a script to compile and copy to the microcontroller always make a good impression ;-)

Files should be uploaded to the wiki using the Add Images or other files feature. The namespace for uploads is typically :pm:prj20??:c? or :pm:prj20??:c?:student_name (if applicable). Example: Dumitru Alin, 331CC → :pm:prj2009:cc:dumitru_alin

Journal

You may include a journal section to help your lab assistant track the project's progress.

Bibliography/Resources

List of documents, datasheets, and Internet resources used — optionally grouped into Software Resources and Hardware Resources.

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