Microcontroller-Powered RADAR System

Abstract

This paper explores the development of a cost- effective radar system using the Arduino Uno platform. The system employs an ultrasonic sensor (HC-SR04) for distance mea- surement and a servo motor for directional scanning, enabling real-time detection of objects within a predefined field of view. Unlike traditional radar systems that rely on complex and expen- sive radio frequency technologies, this setup uses ultrasonic waves to detect objects, making it suitable for low-budget and educa- tional applications. The ultrasonic sensor emits sound pulses and measures the time it takes for the echoes to return from nearby objects. The distance is then calculated and mapped as the sensor rotates in small angular steps via a servo motor. The integration of Arduino Uno ensures smooth control of sensor operations and facilitates data transmission for real-time processing. This system is further enhanced by a visual interface created using Processing software, which displays detected objects in a radar-like graphical format. The simplicity and modularity of this design make it highly adaptable for applications such as security monitoring, obstacle avoidance in robotics, and home automation systems. Key advantages include affordability, portability, and ease of implementation. The work serves as an educational platform to understand radar principles, embedded system programming, and real-time data visualization. However, the system is limited by the shorter range and sensitivity of ultrasonic sensors, and it may be affected by environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. Future enhancements could involve expanding the detection range, integrating wireless communication for remote monitoring, and using machine learning for object classification.