Arduino-Controlled Radar
System
Object detection using ultrasonic sensor and servo motor 4 visualized through
Processing IDE
BHAGALPUR COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
Introduction
A RADAR system detects objects using
radio waves to determine range, height,
heading, or speed. Our proposed system
uses an ultrasonic sensor connected to an
Arduino UNO and a servo motor that
rotates 0°3180°, displaying distance and
angle data on a computer screen via
Processing IDE.
Main applications include
navigation, positioning, object
identification, mapping, tracking,
and indoor use.
History of Radar
1886
Heinrich Hertz observed that electromagnetic waves could be
reflected from objects.
1904
Hulsmeyer patented an electromagnetic obstacle detector for ships.
1922
Marconi urged the use of "short waves" for radio detection.
WWII
Radar equipment produced in great quantities for practical military
use.
Project Aim
Objective
Design and develop an object detection
system that determines the presence of
objects in its vicinity using an ultrasonic
sensor, servo motor, and Arduino UNO, with
graphical output via Processing IDE.
Detect Display Track
Objects within defined range Angle & distance graphically Position via Processing IDE
Hardware Requirements
Arduino UNO HC-SR04 Sensor Micro Servo Motor Wires & Display
ATmega328P, 14 digital I/O Ultrasonic range: 2 cm 3 400 Rotates 0°3180°, connected to Jumper wires, connecting wires,
pins, 16 MHz clock, 5V cm, 40 kHz frequency, 15° Arduino digital output pins and laptop for Processing IDE
operating voltage measuring angle output
Arduino UNO 4 Deep Dive
Why Arduino UNO?
Cost-effective 4 under $25, open-
source hardware
Large community 4 extensive online
support and forums
No external programmer 4 uploads via
USB cable
Sufficient GPIO pins for servo and
sensor
Runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux
Programming language is similar
to C/C++ with built-in Arduino
library functions for simplicity.
HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor
How It Works
Uses sonar to determine distance 4 like
bats or dolphins. Transmits 8 cycles of
ultrasonic burst at 40 kHz, then measures
time for the echo to return.
Trig Pin Echo Pin Range
Receives 10 µs HIGH pulse to initiate Outputs TTL signal proportional to 2 cm (nearest) to 400 cm (farthest),
measurement range 0.3 cm resolution
Software Requirements & Methodology
Arduino IDE Processing IDE Working Principle
Write and upload sketches to the Provides graphical representation of Servo rotates 0°3180°; ultrasonic
Arduino UNO via USB. Code is radar scan 4 displays object angle and sensor measures distance at each
compiled and linked against Arduino distance in real time on the computer angle. Data sent to Processing IDE via
libraries. screen. serial communication.
Servo Sweep Radar Display
Rotate servo 0° to Processing IDE plots
180° graphical radar
Distance Read
Ultrasonic measures at
each angle
The system scans from 0° to 180°, measuring distance at each angle, and displays a real-time graphical radar output on the computer
screen.
Applications, Pros & Cons
Applications Pros & Cons
Navigation & positioning systems
✅ Pros: Low cost, easy to build, non-contact detection,
not affected by sunlight or dark materials.
Object identification & mapping
⚠ Cons: Cannot continuously track moving objects;
Tracking & surveillance soft materials like cloth are difficult to detect.
Indoor obstacle detection
Conclusion &
Acknowledgement
This project successfully demonstrates a low-cost radar system using Arduino
UNO, HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor, and servo motor 4 providing real-time
graphical object detection via Processing IDE.
Thank you to our professor Pushpendra Dwivedi for his guidance, and to
Bhagalpur College of Engineering for providing the resources and
opportunity to pursue this project.
REFERENCES: RADAR METEOROLOGY (HISER, 1970) APPENDICES A & B