Target Capture

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL & COMPUTER ENGINEERING

Preliminary Design Document for

Target Capture

Submitted to:
Professor Joseph Picone
ECE 4512: Senior Design I
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mississippi State University
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762
January 20, 2002

ECE 4512 February 11, 2002

Target Capture

Submitted by:
Heath Causey <hvc1@ece.msstate.edu>
Nobu Fuji <nf1@ece.msstate.edu>
Renae Webb <rrw1@ece.msstate.edu>
Josh Wooten <jlw20@myrtle.its.msstate.edu>
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Reese <reese@ece.msstate.edu>
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Mississippi State University
Box 9571
Mississippi State, Mississippi 39762

ECE 4512 February 11, 2002

Target Capture

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

In today’s society time management has become a priority of most people. Many people enjoy
shooting rifles but do not have time to practice target shooting. Walking to the target consumes
most of the time spent at the rifle range. The Target Capture System will display the target and
bullet strike position to the shooter. With the use of this system, shooters will be able to
eliminate unproductive time while sighting in rifles. A conveniently located target display will
be viewable from the shooters location. Accessibility of target information will allow the
shooter to remain in their position for extended periods.

Several design constraints will exist during the construction of this system. The rifle shooter will
require accurate target information. Our system will be able to determine the location of a bullet
strike within 0.5 inches of the actual location. Computer graphics will be required to display the
target to the user. A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) was chosen because of the units’
inexpensive price, compact size, and battery life. The PDA software will accurately represent
the bullet strike position in reference to the target. Cost of the parts for the Target Capture
System should be less than $150, which makes the system affordable to most shooting
enthusiasts. The system will consist of a collapsible shooting stand, an electrical component box
at the target, and an electrical component box at the shooting station. The target stand should be
collapsible and functional for a wide range of shooting environments. The battery life of the
system should be substantial for several one-hour visits to the shooting range. Electrical boxes
located at the target and at the shooters location should operate using a 9-volt battery for at least
four hours.

The system is implemented by utilizing the leading edge of the shock wave from the bullet. The
shock wave will be sensed using an array of microphones. Once the wave has been detected, the
signal will be amplified to 5V TTL logic with the use of operational amplifiers and comparators.
This logic will then be read by a microprocessor, which determines the order of the sound wave
arrival times at each microphone. A microprocessor determines the difference of the shock wave
arrival time of each microphone from the trigger microphone. Bullet position will be determined
by triangulation using these time differences. Time differences will be sent from the target base
station to the shooter base station via wireless RF communication. A Personal Digital Assistant
will plug into a serial port of the shooter base station for accessibility of the time differences.
System software will then be used to compute the appropriate calculations for displaying a
graphical location of the bullet strike on the target to the shooter.

Simple setup and accurate target information will make the Target Capture System a necessity
for all rifle shooters. With the increasing abundance of PDA users, the target capture system will
be the most convenient method to determine bullet strike positions. At an affordable price, the
shooter can reclaim lost time on the shooting range.

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1. Problem

Shooting rifles is an activity enjoyed throughout the world. This activity is particularly popular
in the United States. Determining the location of bullet strikes is one of the most important
activities in rifle shooting. Bullet strike locations are used for a variety of reasons. Aligning
rifle sights is the most common need for bullet strike position. Scopes or fixed sights of the rifle
are adjusted to strike the target at a desired position. Each time the rifle is shot, accurate bullet
location must be determined for sight adjustment. Improving shooting skills is another reason
for the interest of bullet strike location. Many people enjoy rifle shooting as a recreational
activity. Their goal is to obtain consistency in their shooting patterns. Sighting in rifles and
recreational shooting both have a common problem when bullet strike information is desired.
During shooting range visits, most effort and time is used to determine the bullet strike location.
The time spent determining bullet strike locations is valuable to the shooter. Decreasing this
time spent determining bullet strike location would allow the shooter to visit the rifle range more
frequently.

Inefficient methods are used to obtain bullet strike position. Most shooters walk to the target and
view the bullet strike location. This method requires leaving the shooting position many times
during a shooting session. Each time the shooter must spend several minutes walking the
distance to the target. The elimination of walking to the target would reduce time spent at the
range. Another method of viewing bullet strikes is by binoculars or small telescopes. The small
telescopes are commonly referred to as spotting scopes. This method is more convenient than
walking to the target; however the shooter must reposition themself to look through the spotting
scope. Yet some scopes do not provide the necessary resolution to view the bullet strikes. A
method is needed that will allow the shooter to remain in the shooting position and provide
acceptable target resolution. These conveniences could be provided by remote acquisition of the
bullet strike location and digital representation of the target area to the shooter.

The Target Capture System will provide a time saving method for obtaining bullet strike
locations to the rifle shooter. Our project will use a microphone array positioned around the
target area to detect passing shock waves caused by bullets. The first rising edges of the
shockwaves will independently trigger each of the microphones. This signal will be amplified
using analog circuitry and connected to a micro controller. Before connecting the output to the
micro controller the signal must be conditioned to 5V TTL logic. The micro controller is used to
determine the time differences between the first microphone affected by the shockwave and the
other affected microphones. The time differences will then be used to triangulate the position of
the bullet strike. In addition, the Target Capture System will determine the velocity of the bullet.
The system target stand will have a box that contains the circuitry for bullet strike acquisition.
This box will be known as the target base station. Our major design constraint will be the ability
of this circuit to accurately determine bullet position. Time delay in the circuits for each
microphone must be kept to minimum to provide the most accuracy. A circuit method must be
developed to filter any low frequency noise that could be confused for a passing shockwave.
Battery life for this circuit needs to last for several range visits. Implementing these design
parameters should enable us to accurately predict the location of the bullet strike.

The shockwave time differences must be transmitted to the shooter. Transmitting these times
using RS232 is an inconvenient method. The shooter would have to unroll the cable on each
visit to the range. Wireless transmission of data would be the most convenient method for data
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transfer between the target and the shooter. An operational distance of 100 yards will be
sufficient for the most shooters. The microprocessor can be used to transmit the appropriate data
to the shooter base station. RF data transmission is an appropriate selection for this wireless link.
A method of encoding this data must be determined for wireless transmission. An antenna will
be used to direct this RF signal.

The shooters base station will contain an RF receiver. A receiver will decode the information
that is being received from the transmitting target station. Battery life of the shooting base
station needs to last for several range visits. The shooting base station will plug into the serial
port of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA). The PDA will use the data to triangulate the position
of the bullet strike. Accurately calculating the position will depend on our implementation of
algorithms for bullet triangulation. Wireless data transmission will enable the convenient
transmission of data times to the PDA. Correct bullet strike representation will rely on the
ability to transmit data and the triangulation algorithm.

The small size, low price, and battery life of the PDA was perfect for the target capture system.
Resolution of the target screen was a major concern before the selection of this device. The PDA
has 160 by 160 pixel resolution, which should be adequate for representing bullet strike
locations. The target will be displayed on the screen of the PDA along with the most recent bullet
strikes. Shooters will want to see the location of their shot on the target. Precise bullet strike
location will also interest the shooter. X-Y plane coordinates of the bullet from the center of the
target need to be provided to the shooter. Several consecutive shoots will have to be recorded for
the user to view. The number of shots should allow for a shooting pattern to be determined. If
the shooting system is used on a rifle range, other rifle shots will affect the system. Software of
the PDA must be able to distinguish between shots intended for the corresponding target stand.
These shots could pose a potential source of false information displayed to the user. Being able
to accurately display the data to the user will complete the function of the Target Capture
System.

The system must be compact but functional for the shooter. The target stand base has to provide
support when wind is encountered at the shooting range. Target area of the stand must provide
an adequate shooting area. Stand heights must be adjustable to account for the height of
different bullet traps. Bullet traps are used to catch the bullet after it hits the target. Most of
these traps are mounds of dirt pushed into a row at the end of the rifle range. Stand size will be
dictated by its purpose at the shooting rang. Therefore, the stand must break into several pieces
to be compact.

The cost of our system should be $150 or less. Quality spotting scopes used by shooters are well
above this price. Most avid shooters will be willing to pay in excess of this price for the system.
Quality spotting scopes used by shooters are well above this price.

The Target Capture System will be challenging. Our project has design components from
several different areas. We will integrate wireless data transmission, analog circuitry design,
micro controller programming, signal detection, mathematical algorithms and PDA
programming into a single project. This project will provide an assortment of skills essential to
electrical engineers.

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2. Objectives

The Design Constraints for this project are as follows:

1. Resolution: The microphone array should accurately triangulate the location of the
passing bullet. Bullet strike location will be measured within 0.5 inches of the actual
location.

2. Wireless Data Link: Wireless data transmission between the target and shooting station
should be operational at a distance of 100 yards.

3. Graphical Representation: A Personal Digital Assistant will be the user interface for
the Target Capture System. Graphic capabilities of the PDA will be used to visually
display the target and bullet strikes. The graphics must be able to accurately represent the
triangulated bullet strike position.

4. Position coordinates, order, and number of bullet strikes: Numerical x-y coordinates
triangulated for each bullet strike will be available to the user. These coordinates will be
displayed in text when the user touches the bullet strike on the screen. The program will
provide the order of the bullet strikes. A grouping of five shots will be recorded for the
user.

5. Bullet Velocity: The velocity of each bullet will be displayed to the user. Bullet
velocity will be accurate within +/- 200 feet/second.

6. Bullet Strike Validation: The system will be able to distinguish between valid bullet
strikes and bullets not intended for the target. If the triangulated position of the bullet
strike is not concurrent with the size of the target, an error message will indicate that the
recorded position is not valid.

7. System Time Delay: The system will update the target within five seconds of the bullet
strike. This constraint provides a reasonable response time for the system.

8. Collapsible System: The system will consist of a collapsible shooting stand, electrical
component box at the target, and electrical component box at the shooting station.
Factors used to determine size are stability of the stand, appropriate target size, height
necessary to control the bullet trajectory, and easy assembly. Height of the target stand
should be adjustable from 72 – 57 inches. The base of the system should be 35 x 35
inches. The target frame will be 29 x 29 inches. An extended arm will project 11.5
inches beyond the base of the target and will be used to measure the bullet velocity.

9. Power: Most shooting range visits are one hour or less in length. The electrical boxes
located at the target and shooter should operate using a 9-volt battery for at least 4 hours.
Four hours of battery life allows the shooter to visit the rifle range several times before
changing the system batteries.

10. Price: All of the parts for the target capture system, without the PDA, should not exceed
$150.
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2.1. Resolution of Bullet Strike Position

Reliable methods must be used to determine bullet strike position. Past studies have located
object positions using emitted wave sources detected by microphones. Our system will use
an array of several microphones to detect shock waves produces by a passing bullet. Each
microphone will detect arrival times of the shock wave, which will be used to determine the
bullet position.

An analog circuit will be used to process these waveforms. This circuit will amplify the
signals detected by the microphones. Low frequency noise must be filtered out of the circuit.
The circuit must provide accurate arrival times of the shockwaves. The time delay
differences of the circuit will have a large impact on the target accuracy. The analog
circuitry will provide a 5V TTL signal to the microprocessor. A microprocessor will then be
used to process the shockwave arrival times provided by the analog circuitry.

2.2. Wireless Data

The system should incorporate a wireless transmission link between the shooter’s position
and the target display. Transmission should be valid to a shooting distance of 100 yards. FM
radio transmission will be used to transmit the data. The microprocessor will be used to
provide the time differences to the RF transmitter. A method for encoding must be employed
with this transmitter.

2.3. Graphical Representation

The bullet strikes should be graphically presented to the shooter. Accuracy of this device
should match the triangulated position. A PDA will provide this ability to the system. Size,
power consumption, and price were factors in selecting this device. This system will accept
data from a FM receiver through a serial port.

2.4. Position Coordinates, Order, and Number of Bullet Strikes

Numerical x-y coordinates of the bullet strike will provide additional resolution for the
shooter. Estimations of distance from the graphical representation of the target will be
reinforced with the numerical coordinates. This feature must accurately give the location of
each calculated bullet strike. The chronological order of the bullet strikes should be provided
to the user. The system will be able to record a grouping of five shots. This information is
necessary to establish the rifles shooting pattern

2.5. Bullet Velocity

The system should provide the velocity of the bullet. Accuracy of this function should be
within 200 feet per second. This will be determined by using an arm extended in front of the
target stand. The time the bullet takes to travel the distance of the arm will be used to
calculate the velocity of the bullet.

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2.6. Bullet Strike Validation

Bullets not intended for the shooters target can trigger the microphone array. A system must
be developed to determine valid bullet strikes. This can be achieved by eliminating any
sound sources that originate from distances outside the target area. This function is
necessary to provide accurate information to the shooter.

2.7. System Time Delay

A reasonable update time is needed by the system. This delay should not be longer than five
seconds for the shooters convenience. Typically, rifle shots are at most one minute apart. A
time difference of five seconds will be reasonable for successive rifle shots.

2.8. Collapsible System

Several factors must be included when designing a target stand for the system. The stand
must be stable before and after the bullet impact. The target stand must be stable for
common shooting environment elements such as wind. Area of the stand should be
adequately large enough to reduce the chance of bullet impact with the target stand.
Adjustable height of the target stand should be available to the user. This functionality will
allow the user to adjust the path the bullet travels after target impact. After impacting the
target, the bullet must be directed to a bullet trap provided by the user. In addition to these
features, the stand needs to be compact for transportation. Assembly and disassembly should
be simple for the shooter.

2.9. Power

Battery life of the system needs to be adequate enough for several visits to the shooting
range. The average shooting range visit is approximately one hour; therefore we propose a
battery life of at least four hours. A 9V battery should be sufficient at both the target and
shooter base stations.

2.10. System Cost

The system cost should be affordable to most shooters. A predictable price cannot be fully
established without properly surveying the public. However, shooting enthusiasts commonly
spend in excess of $150 for spotting scopes. Parts necessary for this system should not
exceed $150.

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3. References

[1] Ajay Mahajan and Maurice Walworth, “3-D Position Sensing Using the Differences in
the Time-of-Flights from a Wave Source to Various Receivers”, IEEE
Transactions on Robotics and Automation, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 91-94, February
2001.

[2] Raymond A. Serway and Robert J. Beichner, Physics for Scientists and Engineers with
Modern Physics Fifth Edition, vol. 1, Saunders College Publishing, Orlando,
Florida, 2000.

[3] John B. Peatman, Design with PIC Microcontrollers, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River,
NJ, 1998.

[4] PICmicro Mid-Range MCU Family Reference Manual, Microchip Technology

Incorporated, Chandler, Arizona, 1997.

[5] PIC16F87X Data Sheet, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Chandler, Arizona, 2001.

[6] MPLAB ICD User’s Guide, Microchip Technology Incorporated, Chandler, Arizona,
2000.

[7] David Benson, Easy PIC’n, Square 1 Electronics, Kelseyville, California, 1997.

[8] Lonnon R. Foster, Palm OS Programming Bible, Hungry Minds, Incorporated, New
York, New York, 2000.

[9] Brian Millier, “Listen Anywhere: A Wireless MP3 Remote Jukebox”, Circuit Cellar, no.
134, pp. 26-37, September 2001.

[10] Peter Birnie and John Fairall, “An Introduction Low Power Radio”, RF Solutions
Ltd, Lewes, East Sussex, United Kingdom, 1999.

[11] Tom Dahlin and Donald Krantz, “Wireless Data Link”, Circuit Cellar, no. 131,
pp. 10-19, June 2001.

ECE 4512 February 11, 2002