Our project can ultimately be decomposed into a number of components. First, there is the control unit, which must determine the direction of the beacon based on the ultrasonic sensor array, control the steering and control the speed of the vehicle. In order to do this, the control unit must be capable of controlling both the steering servo and the drive motor, as well as reading the analog signal from the ultrasonic sensor array.

The logic for implementhing this is fairly straightforward, requiring that the car turn when the beacon is either to the left or right, and go straight when the beacon is ahead of the car. When the beacon is detected to the rear, the car should turn either right or left, based on the relative strength of the sensor signals.

Second, there is the ultrasonic sensor array itself, which must be capable of putting out an analog signal indicating the direction of the beacon relative to the direction of the car. The sensor array must be arranged such that one sensor will (should) always output a stronger signal than the others-- this allows for the determination of the direction of the beacon.

Finally, there is the car itself, containing both its drive motor and steering servo-- these must be controlled based on the position of the beacon. As the car will be mobile, it and the elctronics units must be capable of driving under battery power.