Wireless Motion Sensitive Controller Project?

Question

I have to come up with a project for one of my "project" classes. The project class deals with communications. I got the "okay" to do a wireless controller. The schematic is here: http://www.bpesolutions.com/gadgets.ws/gproject5.html#anchor123361

However, instead of A and B inputs, I would like to make a very basic motion sensitive controller (probably just detecting a left or right tilt).

Is the addition of motion detection possible for a hobbyist? Can you recommend resources for this (I tried looking but can't really find anything). Thanks!

Answer 1

The schematic you have is for a transmitting and receiving a serial based command. As an example you could use this to send commands to a small robotic platform and direct its movements remotely. (Pushbuttons which control FWD, LEFT,RIGHT,REV etc...)

You would need to build and programm a micro controller which would send a serial command when one of the above push buttons is pressed. At the receive end there would need to be yet another micro controller which receives teh serial command decodes it and activates teh appropriate output to Turn left or right or move forwards or backwards.


If you want motions sensitivity you can use an accelerometer to detect motion and compute exactly how much motion has occurred. But a simpler way wouild be to use a compass (see link) as a feed back and just read a current heading. You can then modify your commands to the robot to make turns of a specific number of degrees (Turn right 45 degrees etc) The command is sent and the receiving microcontroller will read its initial heading from teh compass then turn right to until it reaches 45 degrees from the original heading. you could also use the compass to navigate using the compass. Steer a course on a heading etc...

Answer 2

I think the previous guy has a different take than I got. I'm assuming you have some kind of platform that will be rotating about one or more axis.Something like
http://web.media.mit.edu/~emunguia/html/wsensors.htm
but simpler.

All kinds of little chips to detect this, replacing the old mercury switches, but work the same.

Check out
http://www.hitachimetals.com/product/sensors/accelerometer/

Search on:
accelerometer motion detection tilt chip

If you talk real nice to the company, often they'll send you a free sample.

I'm not sure what signal is coming across A and B, but I'm assuming it is some kind of serial data. If so, you'll need something to read the chip and create the serial data. The MSP430 makes a great microprocessor to control and read this chip. The MSP430 can also drive a radio, and may be better than the project your looking at.
http://www.softbaugh.com/ProductPage.cfm?strPartNo=MRF1611CC1100


Softbaugh.com has some really nice demo boards that would save you tons of time. They might even put your sensor chip on the board for a reasonable fee, since all it would need is power and be hooked up to the A/D convertor.

-Vern Woodward

Answer 3

Hello ..i looked at the schematic and the A_B input is pretty vague about the parameters but if you like the total build idea I'm sure you can pull this off with no problem..However i had two ways to add wireless motion detection...1. There is a device called a nanny cam its wireless 9vdc powered and can be attache to the RCA jacks on a TV..So how does the motion part work..Well here we go..There is another device you can get a any WAl-Mart its a 110vac outdoor light that is motion sensitive now if its only Ir sensitive we have a problem..so get the real cheap one...you wire the output of the yard light to a buzzer and when the motion on the remote located monitor is detected the buzzer(radio shack) will sound...The whole idea is to locate the alarm remote to the detector I assume...There's one...2. there is another product out there that is a complete wireless motion detector sender and has a receiver available also it called the X-10 system I'll give you a link to one of the sites and you can go from there..

http://www.smarthome.com/4086v2.html

If you want number three...you can use common sense to make circuit from a Ir sensitive photo transistor..it will close when light is on it ,,but you can wire a small relay in the normally open position so when light is removed the relay closes and makes the circuit..Look in any electronics hobby magazine and this circuit will be there.under photo-transistors.....Actually there is no problem to adding motion to a circuit once you get a few hints on what direction to go,,,If you have problems ask again,,,,,Good luck from the E.