Project
# | Title | Team Members | TA | Documents | Sponsor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
14 | Enhanced Golf Rangefinder |
Peter Maestranzi Emma DiBiase Jacob Hindenburg |
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**Team Members:** Peter Maestranzi (petervm2) Jake Hindenburg (jacobh6) Emma DiBiase (emmamd2) **Problem:** Golf is an extremely difficult game that requires a great deal of precision. There are a multitude of factors that can affect a single golf shot such as distance, weather conditions, and club choice. Modern rangefinders gauge distance well, with some even able to show yardage adjustments for changes in elevation. However, rangefinders still lack many features that could help average or new golfers improve quickly. **Solution:** The solution to the problem would be to create an enhanced rangefinder that adds several new features. The distance would be measured through a time-of-flight sensor, a commonly used component in rangefinders. To make our project unique, we would integrate several other components to help measure a more precise distance. This would consist of more sensors measuring factors such as wind speed, humidity, and temperature. The adjusted distance due to these factors would be updated on the rangefinder and shown through an LCD display. Another component that would be utilized in our device would be a Bluetooth user interface. Based on the readings from the rangefinder, a Bluetooth component on the user’s phone can supply all the necessary information for that specific shot and provide a club recommendation. Using a microprocessor with Bluetooth capabilities, this subsystem would be achievable and crucial to making our device unique. All our devices’ components would be secured within a 3D-printed enclosure that is both safe and easy to handle. **Subsystem 1: Microprocessor** For our microprocessor, we will use an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16 as it supports Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. We will have added room for any additional UI features, GPIOS, and programming capabilities with plenty of extra power. **Subsystem 2: Distance Tracking System** The main component of the Distance Tracking System is a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor such as the JRT D09C Laser Distance Sensor. ToF would help measure the distance to any object that the golfer points at. These are very common in normal rangefinders, so the crucial part of this system for our project would be the interfacing that occurs with other systems that would provide an adjusted distance based on measurements of the environment. **Subsystem 3: Environment System** For the environmental system, we will detect ambient conditions that will directly affect the golf shot. This includes a hot-wire wind sensor with analog output for wind speed (Modern Device Wind Sensor Rev. C), as well as the Bosch BME280 to detect humidity and temperature as these directly correlate to increasing/decreasing yards. This subsystem is essential because it provides the additional assistance/feedback that golfers need to improve, giving us the “enhanced” rangefinder. **Subsystem 4: Power System** A Lipo battery such as the EEMB 3.7V Lipo Battery 500mAh should be sufficient to power each component. **Subsystem 5: User Interface + Bluetooth Application** A physical LCD display will be used to display distance measurements and wind speed which will be triggered by a push button on the mechanical enclosure. Using Bluetooth capabilities, an application on a phone or pc will be able to give users more information on club selection based on the conditions read. **Subsystem 6: Mechanical Enclosure** The enclosure is an important component to our project because it needs to safely contain all our systems while also being user-friendly. The enclosure would be 3D-printed and would properly mount all sensors and displays accordingly. **Criterion for Success** This project will be successful if we meet the following criteria: - The rangefinder measures the correct distance from the user to the flag pin. - Environmental sensors provide proper feedback to the user regarding wind, humidity, and temperature conditions - The UI recommends a suitable club based on the distance to the pin and the environmental conditions |