Software defined metal detecting?

[Hephaestus]

So, I was pondering a metal detector the other day, seeing that others find them effective on the NSR helping to find the flake we get around here...

Then I looked at the prices

Then brain said "I have wires, I have op-amps, resistors, capacitors, and a dozen or two microcontrollers floating around." This is never a good solution I should know better!

So I started eyeballing the example circuits, well shoot - 20$ in shipped discrete components in that circuit could be replaced by an Arduino...

More google, I'm not the first one to have this idea.
(deleted by mod for rule violation, link to another detector forum)

So, question for you guys here... If one was going to DIY a metal detector, for prospecting - knowing it's going to be software definable - meaning I can set individual/multiple frequencies, use processor horsepower to interpret signals, activate / deactivate coils as desired... So what would I be better to use as a starting point.

Thanks in advance,

 

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[WesP]

Have you looked at (link deleted by mod for rule violations, cant post link to another treasure forum) ? These guys are into all sorts of metal detectos and I know there was a big thread on software controlled m/d's.

 

[Hephaestus]

Didn't know there were so many MD geeks out there... A lot of those projects died mid build sadly.

 

[63bkpkr]

Hephaestus, very interesting postulating you've begun! Not knowing really what I'm talking about but - the chosen frequency vs the coil type/coil size, the type of signal sent to the coil and how it reacts to all types of naturally existing minerals & rocks in the ground and how to categorize/sort all the return signals and how quickly the detector can sense the signals from one to another could be important to understand. Also, how much energy will it take to do all of this as backpacking in a 7 to 12 pound detector will not be very popular. Again I find your inquiry into the subject interesting though I hardly grasp the subject myself but, keep going and good luck!!........................63bkpkr

 

[Treasure_Hunter]

Please remember it violates our rules to post links to other treasure forums.... Any links will be deleted.