Open Metal Detector Project

[chudster]

We have discussed a charter for an open metal detector which became the Code of Conduct. While that is being finalised and ratified its time for the next step.

Its appropriate now to discuss what such a project would look like so that we can organise to achieve it.

Ideally a project would have the following features:

1) An overarching specification
Defining the physical characteristics and scope. What might be the variants for different conditions- eg an underwater detector
2) Modular Hardware and Software with subcomponents
Like the coil front end processing, DSP board, communications module, audio module and specify their interconnects
3) Possibly subcircuits within boards and the definition of those and their interconnects
4) The hardware should all be readily available hopefully worldwide.
5) Standardisaton of engineering tools and formats that are 'free'. eg LTSPice and Eagle come to mind

It should be designed to fit into a standard box, wand and different coils with parts to be readily available. Why? Because bench designs are not good enough and detector R&D needs to go the field to develop an excellent design. We don't want to waste time redoing the work that is in common for all projects and make sure that we allow people to focus on improving the subcircuits rather than making a new detector every time.

It should include as many types of detector as possible including PI, VLF etc

This thread is opened to begin discussion of how this could be done.

How it could be technically organised and architected?
What should the subcomponents of such a detector be?

Lets start from the top down and then go from the bottom up.

Chudster

[chudster]

Without going into details it is important that we do get the architecture discussed and completed.

Such architecture and designs need to have an open hardware license http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-source_hardware.

Having researched and communicated with an international expert in the area, there are two main options for us:

The TAPR open hardware license:
http://www.tapr.org/OHL

The CERN open hardeware license:
http://www.ohwr.org/projects/cernohl/wiki

If anyone has any input I would like to hear it before I recommend one or the other for adoption for the project. I would prefer communications by PM as this involves legal matters.


Chudster

[Pete the Builder]

G'day all!

I hope this isn't inappropriate, as this is my first post here...

I've been designing a fairly modular Arduino (Due, 32-bit ARM) based detector that I was hoping to make an open source project myself.

At the present time, I'm waiting for my new Due to arrive, but the most important aspects as I was considering them were similar to those mentioned above!

In particular, I'm endeavouring to make the search coil(s) configurable in software, along with most other parameters - number of adjustments, display, and mode selection (automatic between VLF/PI/BFO for general detection/discrimination-identification/pinpointing). Since the core processor module has a plethora of fast (1uS) 12-bit ADC and 2 12-bit DAC channels, it kind of met most of my simplicity parameters.

Of course, I *could* repurpose my other PIC-based designs, and I'm not scared of fast ADCing, but my maths skills are exceptionally poor, so anything with a half-decent maths library seemed to be the way to go. And, as the Arduino is an open-source project itself, it seemed to be a good fit.

Does this sound like what you're trying to achieve, or am I missing all the important bits?

Cheers,
Pete

[cko47]

Me was developed (and used) a new principle of AD converting for PIC based PI MD. In the new PIC MCU is an opportunity of use of the CCP module, which allows considerably to increase the bit resolution (more then 12 bit). Additional the sample rate is >= 1 megasample per seconds. I use simple PIC MCU pic16f88.
If it is interesting then write to me for more info wl19141918 at gmail. com

[Tinkerer]

Licensing project materials

Posted by Andrew Back

• Design Phase
• Verilog
• VHDL
• PCB

732 views
A short guide to open source licensing for hardware, software and documentation.
When it comes to project design files, software source code and the accompanying documentation, there is no one size fits all and licences tend to be best suited to one or at most two of these.


http://www.designspark.com/eng/knowl...ject-materials

[PiLuke]

I would really love to see a easy to use Arduino based detector, I cant understand why there are not a multitude of open source Ardunio based detectors available to hobbyists
maybe I am missing something but cant seem to find any. if anybody knows of any links it would be greatly appreciated.

[cko47]

I not understand, what means Ardunio detector. If it is a code for use of the serial Ardunio display, than it is very simple. See my example of PI detector based at PIC16F88 with serial Ardunio display 16x02.

[frankly]

Are there any updates about the Arduino design?

[frankly]

cko47 do you have an email that I mau contact you at. I cannot pm here.

[6666]

Frankly see post #4

[cko47]

Excuse me for waiting with reply. I not saw your message and not received notification about your message from geotech forum. My email address was published in my previous message.
" .....If it is interesting then write to me for more info wl19141918 at gmail. com" . It is simple ---- replace at to @ and it is my email address ([email protected]) or call me in cell phone +380936981143 .
have a nice weekend

[cko47]

If you want to develop the metal detector for searching of fine-grained gold that it becomes complicated by that gold nuggets are very, very little. It is rarity. For this type of searching (fine-grained gold) is necessary absolutely another type of searching, similar to X-ray scanner. Has exclusive sensitivity.

[cko47]

Do you have your own equipment to build and to test metal detectors?

No. I not have special equipment for testing my PI MD, excluding PIC programmer and PC. All my testing I make on spring & summer during my traveling to my mountains (Ukrainian Carpathian). There I found approx. 1000 pieces of pyrites. Less then 100 were platted by gold film. Another free gold as very small nuggets I can see only in handheld microscope (60x).
At this time I try extract this free gold from pyrites by HHO burner. But not successful.
Additional my PI MD can differentiate ferrous and non ferrous targets