I will be the first to admit that I do not know much about sensors, but I have been doing some research on the internet and have not been able to find what I need exactly, so I am hoping that one of you may point me in the right direction. I need some sort of displacement sensor can detect the relative coordinates (X,Y) from a fixed location to a moving location, and have those coordinates updated continuously as one of the objects moves. I am basically trying to guide a specific point on a vehicle to a fixed point on earth using feedback control.

I just need a way to get coordinates (longitudinal and lateral in the vehicle frame), to send to the controller, which will then tell the driver to pull forward/back and turn left/right. I was thinking of some sort of IR transmitter that would pulse a signal out from the fixed point and a receiver on the car to get distance coordinates, but have been unable to find such a thing. Does anyone have any ideas about what kind of sensor that could be used to measure these coordinates? The measuring range should be >=10ft. Thanks so much in advance.

 

How about two ultrasonic or radar level transmitters one for X one for Y mounted on the vehicle bouncing off fixed targets.

Roy