Reconnaissance Radar Robot

Abstract: Educational tools in the Army can be challenging due to their size and the fact that they are often set up and used outside of traditional classroom settings. This can make it difficult for students to explore and understand the technologies they are learning about fully. One of the most important subjects taught at the Swedish armed forces technical school (FMTS) is radar technology, which is essential for students to master to be prepared for future use in the field. The problem with using a real military unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with radar attached to it, is that it is very expensive and hard to get a hold on. Despite these challenges, it is essential to find ways to effectively integrate these educational tools into the curriculum to ensure that students are well-prepared for their future roles in the Army. For the project presented in this thesis, radar technology has been placed on a vehicle controlled by a single-board computer (SBC) and handheld controller for educational purposes. The focus of this thesis is the construction and design of the UGV with Ackermann steering mechanics and Bluetooth as remote control communication. The radar is attached to a 3D-designed stand and has been simulated in SolidWorks SimulationXpress to show the Von Mises stress. The maximum turning angle has been tested to be 28.34◦ and the steering consistency has been tested by autonomous driving. Due to hardware restrictions, the driving was somewhat inconsistent. The Bluetooth communication’s range and signal strength are tested with the log-distance path loss model and show a path loss of 85.24 dB inside and 123.38dB outside. The range has been working up to 25m outside, with interferences as people, bikes, and cars. The UGV was successfully constructed by completing all the specified tasks and reaching the specifications for its intended purposes.