SIMULATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF OBSTACLE DETECTION USING IR SENSOR

ABSTRACT This project presents the design, construction, and simulation of an infrared (IR)- based obstacle detection system using an Arduino microcontroller, IR LED emitter, photodiode receiver, and an audio buzzer alarm. The system operates on the principle of infrared reflection, where an IR LED continuously emits infrared light toward the environment. When an obstacle is present, the emitted radiation reflects back and is detected by the photodiode, producing a measurable voltage change. The Arduino processes this signal through its analog-to-digital converter and activates a buzzer when the threshold value is exceeded, thereby alerting the user of the obstacle. Both the simulation and hardware construction were carried out to validate the effectiveness of the system. Proteus software was used to simulate the circuit behavior, analyze sensor response, and verify program correctness before physical implementation. The simulation helped ensure accurate wiring, correct threshold calibration, and functional buzzer activation under varying simulated light intensities. After successful simulation, the circuit was constructed on a breadboard, and the Arduino code was uploaded. Physical testing confirmed that the system reliably detected objects at short ranges and responded with an audible alert. The results demonstrate that the integrated construction and simulation approach improves system accuracy, reduces design errors, and enhances overall reliability. The project successfully showcases a low-cost, efficient, and easy-to-implement obstacle detection solution suitable for robotics, automation, and safety applications.