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Unread 29-02-2004, 21:28
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Re: Optical Sensors Used as Encoders?

Quote:
Originally Posted by uvabrad825
I'm sure on past robots teams have tried to use their optical sensors as an encoder by placing bits of reflective tape on a wheel/sprocket and counting the number of times a sensor mounted to read the pieces of tape was 'activated' (I'm not a programmer so I don't exactly know the correct terms).

Our team is considering pursuing this idea once we uncrate our robot at regionals, having the programs pre-written. We are planning on putting 8 evenly spaced pieces of reflective tape on the rims of our back wheels, and mounting two optical sensors to appropriately interact with the pieces.

I was wondering if any teams in the past have had success (or lack of) with this procedure, and if so, what the optimal setup(s) are (tape spacing, distance from sensor to wheel, etc..). Our programmers are very good at what they do, so I don't think that will be a problem. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
RAGE used optical sensors and retroreflective tape pieces for their autonomous last year and it worked well enough (watch video of 2003 UTC Regional and 2003 Newton Division Elims for a demo).. the optical sensors are very hard to deal with at times (they have random spats during which they don't work).. Good luck with them.
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Joel Johnson

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