Implementation and analysis of range-finding based on infrared techniques

This report describes the performance of using reflective photo-coupler to locate an object. In this paper, a method of range-finding based on infrared (IR) techniques is proposed. We successfully eliminate the interference of the environment by means of circuit techniques; and let the low-cost IR sensor accurately detect the position of a target. Additionally, we investigate the differences in the detectable range and resolution between using a discrete type and using a modular type. The experimental design was of using a movable work platform driven by a stepping motor, and using a data-acquisition (DAQ) interface to obtain the measured data via the Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench (LabVIEW) software on a PC. The movable mechanism which sets up the tested sensor can get a resolution of 0.1 mm in displacement. Experimental results show that the modular type is suitable for measuring in the near distance but the discrete type is used in the further distance.