Laser Tag System

Slack Link: Build
Github Link: LaserTag
Drive Folder: Lug_Build

Hardware Schematic and Design

Laser Tag Code

Blaster requirements
• Require reload after 9 shots
• Connect to vest or whatever target the user will wear
• Shut down blaster based on signal
• Audio or visual display of reload requirement or disabled
• Ability to send score to server
Wearable target requirements
• When shot light up and send signal to blaster and server
Server/display requirements
• Keep track of players and their scores
• Keep track of shots fired and shots that hit (accuracy)
• Create display for active games and display score and stats

• Determined needed to increase organization and planning
• Need to investigate Lenses to increase range on infra red LEDs

Blaster planned first prototype features
• IR LED - attempt to supply it the maximum current to test farthest range
• Button - basic button for activating LED
• Ammo Tracker - use SMD LEDs + engraved clear acrylic to represent rounds
• Microcontroller - Esp8266 (ESP-12E board)
Microcontroller details
• Esp8266 functions the same way as Arduino; program it using the Arduino IDE
• Awesome Capabilities: Connect to wifi, create an access point, run as a server, run as a client
• Super cheap: costs under $3 each on Aliexpress; you all should try to get one

Project Updates:

• Circuit board for ammo tracker completed

Meeting Notes:

• Discussed prototype components again
  • New component: shift register
  • SMD LED colors: red, green, blue, yellow
• Plan for guns and number of guns
  • Pistols and rifles; separate ammo count each
  • Enough guns for 5 v 5 (10 guns)
• Demonstrations:
  • Using a shift register to control LEDs
  • Esp8266 running as a webserver
  • IR receiver taking remote control IR signals as input
• Plan on doing some sort of fundraiser if more funds are needed

New tasks:

• Planned: use convex lens for IR LED; try 3D printing them or buying
• Testing: figure out how to use a transistor to supply IR LED with ~40ma
  • Possible tutorial
• Testing: experiment more with IR LED on sending and receiving signals

• Welcomed new members
  • Discussed software used
  • Discussed meeting times: team & sub-teams
    • Monday: 11:00AM - 12:00PM [CAD]
    • Tuesday: 5:00PM - 6:00PM [Circuitry]
    • Wednesday: 12:00PM - 1:00PM [Arduino]
    • Friday: 5:00PM - 6:00PM [Team, ServerDev]

• NodeJS Tutorial:
  • Install software
  • Http/Websocket server example
  • Github intro

• Github/Git Tutorial:
  • Git commands
  • Github projects
  • Branch management
• Lasertag Guidelines
  • Github projects for tracking progress
  • New branch for each new issue/task
  • Review and merge branches
• Link to Presentation

• Arduino/ESP8266 Tutorial
  • Selecting boards
  • Uploading code
  • Examples: button press, PWM, websockets
• Link to Presentation
• LaserTag Progress
  • CAD group
    • Basic frame for blaster prototype established, still work in progress
    • Using temporary dimensions for now

• Many people absent, new tasks pushed to next Friday
• Discussed how to start wifi access point using Arch Linux, other distributions work too
  • create_ap package
  • Arch: Software Access Point
• Establish connection between microcontroller and server using access point

• Went over once again the things covered last week
• Introduce the tasks to the first implementation project
  • CAD: Determine measurements/store into variables; prepare the design for first prototype
  • Circuitry: Create the main board where the microcontroller will be mounted
  • Arduino: Send IR signals using ESP8266; connect ESP8266 to server using websockets

• Microcontroller circuit board created and milled; can now start attaching components together
• Moved incomplete issues to the second implementation project
• Spent the remainder of the day figuring out how to send IR signals from ESP8266

• Introduce new issues for implementation 3 project
  • Circuitry: Create battery contacts
  • Arduino: Incorporate Websockets and IR signal sending to one program
  • All tasks for prototype one created; likely have no more new tasks/issues
• Tried working on Arduino code, couldn't get much done cause microcontroller was not outputting to serial monitor

• Nearing first prototype completion; no new tasks
• Experimented with wiring to confirm that circuit works; was able to send signal from across a room
• All that's left is the enclosure

• Discussed various use cases of system to better understand requirements on IR protocol and server

Other Laser Resources: Build a Laser Communication System