Joseph Gorak

Smart Golf Hole

For an embedded systems course, the final project was to create some kind of product that utilizes a microcontroller. For this project, my team and I decided on creating a smart golf hole to aid in practice. The idea is relatively simple: use a force sensing resistor to detect whenever a golf ball enters the hole. In an idealistic scenario, this system would be hooked up to bluetooth and can connect to the users phone through an application. As there was little time and resources for development, the team had to settle with detection through an LED screen.

An example prototype model that I had developed is seen below. The system utilizes a cup within a cup with a detachable handle. The outer cup will hold the hardware in its bottom where the inner cup will have a point concentrated on the force sensing resistor. The microcontroller is programmed to detect any spike that occurs from the sensor. This means, any time the ball will enter the cup, the force of it hitting the bottom will trigger a spike in the sensor.

I had also developed a PCB board diagram for the electrical wiring of the system. It is extremely simple as it just requires a singular input and singular output wiring. The input would be the sensor whereas the output would be the LED. In an ideal system, the output would be a bluetooth device that is connected to an application.

3D model prototype

Testing and Implementation

Once the microcontroller was programmed, it is important to go through testing to ensure the system works properly. A lightweight cup was loosely held above the force sensing resistor. Gravity had most of the initial force against the sensor. Whenever a golf ball would enter the hole, it appeared that the sudden force would increment the LED by one. This was tested on more golf balls at the same time, and each time, there would be a proper increment. Although, when there were more than 3 balls in the hole at once, the system appeared to become less accurate and may miss an increment or double increment.

If there was more time for development, then a proper model would have been designed and 3D printed for testing. Blueooth capability would also be integrated for a more complete and comprehensive system. A simple phone application would also go under development.

Testing the sensor and cup

Lessons Learned

This project offered a wonderful opportunity to develop an embeded system. It honed my skills in c++ programming, product planning, and wiring and electrical diagram creation. As it was a multi person group, each person was able to contribute in sharing ideas, prototype development, and general programming. As a majority of the course was programming the microcontroller for blinking LEDs, this allowed for a real world development of a product.

Skills Learned:

  • Microcontroller programming through C++
  • Prototype planning and development
  • Construction of electrical diagrams and PCB boards
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