FPGA based navigation platform for fixed path navigation with distance estimation using rotation encoder

Navigation ability is an important factor for any mobile device. To traverse a particular environment a device needs to know its destination and also avoid dangerous situations like obstacles and collisions. The purpose of this paper is to design an FPGA based navigation platform using a rotation encoder to guide any navigation device through set distances in both forward and reverse directions and to control the directions. The device should utilize the parameters from the rotation encoder and effectively traverse a given location by following predetermined paths loaded in the controller. The rotation encoder calculates number of pulses per rotation which can be used to calculate distance travelled in a given time, provided speed is known. To design a rotation encoder we have used an optical detector IC MOC7811. This helps to move the device forward and backward according to the number of pulses which gets translated into distance. In case of directions during the course of the project it was found that the same properties of the rotation encoder which enables a device to move forward and backward can also be used to make turns. With continuous trials recorded accuracy was also fairly high.