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Digital distance measurement using wheel

Digital distance measurement using wheel

Digital distance measurement using wheel

(OP)
I am trying to make a distance measuring device using a wheel (just like a digital odometer in a car). Can I find a chip with sensors(I am sure sensors will be attached to a wheel) that outputs distance in a digital format so that it can be stored in a memory? DigiRoller II Plus is a similar device but all I need is a circuit with output pins that outputs distance measured by a wheel (no LCDs or similar components attached attached). Does anyone know such circuit or chip?

RE: Digital distance measurement using wheel

I don't know of any specific IC you can use, but why not try using a hall sensor to gear teeth like ABS in your car and set a pulse circuit up to output to a microcontroller. All you'd have to do is count the ticks, get the mcu to output:  # ticks * length of arc per tick = total length. I can only speculate how to calibrate this setup for accuracy.

RE: Digital distance measurement using wheel

Halls will work or inductive proximity switches with magnets. The hardware simply needs to count pulses. This could be done with a counter. I am sure there are IC's with counter and display driver (LCD or LED) built in. A microcontroller would work too if your familiar with programming. I have not used counters and seperate display drivers since college so I can not help you identify any. Should be fairly common IC's.
I realize you do not want any displays so how to plan to read the distance from the IC pins? The output format can be binary or BCD. Depending on the distance of each pulse and the distance you plan on measuring, the digital output might be a little cumbersome to read depending on the number of bits you need. In any case, your project has been around for a long time and you should have no problems locating counter IC's (do a search on google or just go to some large IC mfg's sites and search for counter, maximm, analog devices, TI, linear technologies, etc)

RE: Digital distance measurement using wheel

What kind of accuracy do you require and any cost target?
How many ?

<nbucska@pcperipherals.com>

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