Wireless infrared badger detector with 2,4GHz datalink to PC

We have 4 badgers in our garden that digs up our lawn. I needed a way to scare the badgers off without needing to use more drastic methods.

I have modified a passive infrared detector that I purchased at Clas Ohlson for another project several years ago. The modification makes the detector more sensitive. I take out the signals from before the logic that does an AND between sensor 1 and sensor 2. The signals are scaled down to 3,3V and are sent to two inputs of an Arduino mini PRO.

DSC_2990_w800_ed
The modded PIR sensor with the uC and the radiolink mounted inside the existing chassis. (Note: the antenna is 1/4 wavelength, not 1/2 wavelength as is written in Norwegian on the picture)

The Arduino uC runs a C program that detects infrared thermal events. In case a valid detection is sensed, packets are generated and sent to a nRF2401 13 cm radiolink from Sparkfun. The radiolink sends the data to the base station in my house signalling that a badger is detected. I can then verify the operation of the sensor. Later the plan is to generate some noise to scare off the badger.

 

DSC_3016_w800
The sensor in its test configuration for detecting badgers. The sensor is mounted close to the ground to have their path in the sensors FOV.

DSC_2947_w800
Testing radiolink code with logic analyzer

DSC_2953_w800
Three wire signalling and nRF2401 chip control signals are analyzed.

DSC_3020_w800
Link check terminal. Good to check proper positioning of the RX antenna.