🛰️ 360° Stepper Motor Radar Scanner

📖 Project Overview

I helped develop the code for GROUP 1 of PHISLCA FAB BSAET 3-2 SY 25-26 This project demonstrates the construction of a 360-degree scanning sonar system using a 28BYJ-48 stepper motor for precise rotation and an HC-SR04 ultrasonic sensor for distance detection.

An Arduino Uno coordinates both components—rotating the motor incrementally and measuring distance at each step. The Arduino transmits these readings as angle,distance pairs via a serial connection to a host computer.

A Processing 4 visualization script receives this data and renders a live radar-style interface, complete with a fading green sweep and red echo indicators that represent detected objects.

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⚙️ Hardware Requirements

• Arduino Uno (or compatible board)
• 28BYJ-48 Stepper Motor with ULN2003 Driver Board
• HC-SR04 Ultrasonic Sensor
• Jumper wires (male-male, male-female)
• Mount or holder to attach the ultrasonic sensor to the motor (3D print, cardboard, or glue)

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💻 Software Requirements

• Arduino IDE (v1.8.x or v2.x)

• Processing 4

• Project files:

  • stepper_radar_final.ino – Arduino code
  • stepper_radar_visualization.pde – Processing sketch

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🧩 Step-by-Step Setup Guide

🪛 Step 1: Hardware Assembly

Connect all components to the Arduino as follows:

Ultrasonic Sensor (HC-SR04)

HC-SR04 Pin	Arduino Pin
VCC	5V
GND	GND
TRIG	A0
ECHO	A1

Stepper Motor Driver (ULN2003)

ULN2003 Pin	Arduino Pin
IN1	8
IN2	9
IN3	10
IN4	11
Power	5V
Ground	GND

💡 Mount the HC-SR04 securely on the stepper shaft so it rotates with the motor.

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🧠 Step 2: Upload the Arduino Code

1. Connect your Arduino Uno via USB.
2. Open stepper_radar_final.ino in the Arduino IDE.
3. Select Tools → Board → Arduino Uno.
4. Select the correct Tools → Port for your device.
5. Click the Upload button (arrow icon).
6. Wait for the “Done uploading” message.
7. Close the Serial Monitor — only one program can access the serial port.

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💽 Step 3: Configure the Processing Sketch

1. Open stepper_radar_visualization.pde in Processing 4.

2. Click Run ▶️.

3. Check the Processing console — it will list all available COM ports (e.g., [0] COM1, [1] COM5, [2] COM7).

4. Identify which COM port your Arduino uses and note its index number.

5. Stop the sketch ⏹️.

6. Find and edit this line in the code:

   String portName = Serial.list()[0]; // Change index if needed

   Example: If your Arduino is on COM5 and appears as [1], modify it to:

   String portName = Serial.list()[1];

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🧭 Step 4: Run the Radar

1. Ensure the Arduino is connected and powered.
2. Run the Processing sketch again.
3. A radar window will appear showing a rotating sweep with live distance readings visualized in real time.

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🧰 Troubleshooting

❌ Error: “Error opening port...” in Processing

Possible Causes & Fixes:

• The wrong COM port was selected — verify and update the index.
• The Arduino Serial Monitor is still open — close it and restart Processing.
• The Arduino board is not connected — check the USB cable or power.

🌀 Radar sweep stuck at 0°

Fix: The Processing sketch isn’t receiving serial data. Re-upload the Arduino code and ensure the correct port is specified.

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🧪 Summary

This project combines Arduino-based sensor control and Processing-based visualization to simulate a real-time radar scanning system. It demonstrates data acquisition, serial communication, and graphical representation of sensor input — an ideal foundation for robotics, automation, or surveillance applications.

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