berry_gator

I am trying to use an infrared LED and photodetector to make a crude obstruction sensor. The problem is that it has to work outside and the infrared radiation from the sun is causing false readings (non-blockage when there is a blockage.) I had an idea of maybe using a polarized film to block out most of the sunlight. I've read that most reflected sunlight (off of the ground is my main problem I believe) is polarized horizontally. So I would install my film (right in front of the detector) so that it is vertically polarized. Is my thinking correct or is it flawed? Any other ways to deal with the sun? Thanks in advance for your help!