I have a student who wants to perform a school project with RF? **The project entails using two RF interrogators/receivers to detect a RF transmitter. **Each receiver will be positioned towards the transmitter based on signal strength. **The student wants to attempt a triangulation calculation to locate the RF transmitter.
Can you provide any guidance on parts or methods to setup this project?
Stephen Hopkins
Electrical Engineer, BSEE, MSSE
Hey Stephen!
That is an interesting project. You will need at least three receivers which should not be placed in a straight line in order to perform localization in 3D (assuming perfect spherical antennae). Ideally, you should get more in order to increase accuracy.
You will need programmable transceivers that can adjust or expose signal strength to the user such as this one: robotshop.com/ProductInfo.aspx?pc=RB-Pol-139
WiFi is another option but is more expensive. You could also opt to use RFID and control the power of the antennae.
In any case, make sure you take into consideration the antennae signal pattern since it will affect your prediction of the position of the object.
