Disc Golf Disc LocatorTrevor HenryProject Advisor: John Spinelli

What is Disc Golf and Why this project?

What is Disc Golf? Outdoor sport played much like the game of golf Object is to throw the disc into the chain basket

in as few throws as possible

Why this Project? Save Money Save Time

Goals of the Project:

Handheld device Battery powered Visual information to tell distance and direction Easy to use

Disc with a Chip Transmits signal using battery power Has negligible interference with flight Transmitter + Disc < 200 grams (max weight

rule)

Disc Used: Innova Star Gator Mid-Range DiscDiameter = 21.2 cmWing width = 1.3 cmRim depth = 1.4 cmWeight = 172.2 grams

Design Process: Adding Weight Experiment

Quarters added to Disc

Avg. Distance (5 throws)

0 153 feet1 155 feet2 158 feet3 163 feet4 168 feet5 170 feet

1 Quarter = 5.6 grams

Conclusion: About 28 grams can be added to disc

Design Process: Choosing Wireless System

RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) Passive or Active

Active Transmitter Phased Array Directional Antenna

What I chose:Active Transmitter & Directional Antenna

Diagram of Project:

What I chose: TransmitterRF Link Transmitter 434 MHz

Amplitude Shift Keying Range 500 ft. (perfect conditions) Supply Voltage: 3V – 12 V Weight: < 1 Quarter Height: < 1 inch Width: < .5 inch

What I chose: ReceiverRF Link Receiver 434 MHz

Amplitude Shift Keying Range 500 ft. (perfect conditions) Supply Voltage: 5V Height: < 2 cm Width: < 2 inches

First Step: Communication of Transmitter and Receiver

Using the data sheets of the chips, the chips were set up and powered on a breadboard

Tried a non wave signal for input data on transmitter

This did not yield an output on the receiver

Used a 2V peak to peak square wave signal with 1V DC offset

Yielded a readable output

Experiment 2: Communication Distance

Distance Apart No AntennaOutput Readings

AntennaeOutput Readings

About 5 ft. Min: 1.5VMax: 3V

Min: 250mVMax:4.2V

About 20 ft. Min: 1VMax: 3V

Min: 300mVMax: 4V

About 70 ft. Min: 1.94VMax: 2.6V

Min: 780mVMax: 4V

Used oscilloscopes and wave generators between rooms N106 & N100

Experiment 2: Communication Distance

Ongoing Tasks: Attaching Components to Disc3V Button Cell to power transmitterPush button switch to make transmitter activeUse a 555 timer or develop a square wave

generator to input data Develop a casing such that components won’t

be harmed when the disc is thrown

Ongoing Tasks: Handheld Device Attach a switch to turn on and off the deviceDevelop a directional antennaConnect antenna to receiverUse a 5v battery sourceAttach a voltmeter to receiver output so that

the user can determine distance to disc

What I learned:Read data sheets carefullyHow to set up voltage sources correctlyTime is deceiving

AcknowledgementsAdvisor: Professor John SpinelliLab Manager: Gene Davison

Questions?