Circuit Race Control System
| Author | Grigoras Vlad Andrei |
|---|---|
| Series and Group | 331CB |
Introduction
This project implements a simplified and miniaturized version of a Race Control System for a racing circuit. The system detects cars passing the start/finish line, identifies which car passed, handles lap timing, and displays race information on a 16×2 LCD display.
Some core functionalities are:
- Flag system using LEDs
- Race information displayed on a 16×2 LCD
- Track temperature measurement
- Car detection using infrared LEDs and sensors
- Lap time calculation
General Description
The core component is the Atmega328P Xplained Mini which handles the main logic.
An infrared receiver module will be placed near the start/finish line and connected to the main microcontroller. When a car passes the line, the receiver detects the emitted IR signal and the main controller updates the corresponding lap timer and the LCD display.
The main system will also have a temperature and humidity sensor to monitor the track evolution as the race unfolds.
Each car on the circuit will have a breadboard and a portable power bank attached to its roof. That breadboard will contain an Arduino Nano wired up with an infrared LED. The LED will emit light at a specific signal pattern (e.g. 38 kHz) so that it can be identified when it crosses the line.
Hardware Design
List of Components
| Components | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Atmega328P Xplained Mini | Main microcontroller |
| 2 x Arduino Nano | Microcontroller emitting IR pulse on the car |
| 2 xL ED IR 940 nm | Infrared LED mounted on the car |
| IR Sensor HX1838 | IR sensor |
| LCD 16×2 I2C | Displays lap times and track information |
| Temperature and Humidity Sensor DHT11 | Measures track temperature and humidity |
| RGB LEDs | Flagging System |
| Buttons | Cycle through display information |
