Athletics Chronometer

Being passionate about athletics and with the desire to contribute something to the college I decided to work on this project. I made this Athletics Chronometer so that the time taken by the athletes to run the race can easily be determined with greater accuracy. Instead of clicking stopwatch buttons it automatically determines the time taken using an algorithm of Laser, Light Dependent Resistors and timer.

It is not only applicable in the athletics grounds but also in the physics lab. It can be used to determine the time taken by an object to fall a particular distance, making experiments easier.

Supplies

Arduino UNO x1

OLed Display x1

Push Button x1

LDR Modules x1

Tripod Stands x2

Laser x1

Jumper Wires

Balsa Wood

Step 1: Circuit Schematics

Push Button:

Pin # 1>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>D8

Pin # 2>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>GND

OLed Display:

SDA>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>A4

SCL>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>A5

GND>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>GND

VCC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>5V

LDR Module:

AO>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>A3

GND>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>GND

VCC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>5V

Step 2: Understanding Algorithm

When the laser is aligned so that it strikes the LDR, press the push button so that the timer starts. When an obstacle comes in the way of laser an obstacle is detected and the timer stops, which is displayed on the OLED display.

Step 3: Additional Tip

Before uploading the code for the timer, upload the code to find the address of the OLED display connected to the Arduino Board.

Moreover, you can attach more LDRs onto the LDR Module so that the surface area available to the laser is more, making the laser easier to align.

Step 4: Uploading Code

Step 5: Testing

The chronometer would not function until the laser is completely aligned with the LDRs.