Week 13: The Submission

Objective: To finish and submit the proposal report and blog to the supervisor.

Analysis/Discussion:

This is the last week for me to finish up my proposal report and blog because this week is the submission date. The last day to submit is on Friday. This week I need finish up the small parts in the report. The sections left are the 

1. Abstract
2. Table of Content
3. Limitations 
4. Conclusion
5. Formatting the report

Conclusion:  

By Friday,13/12/2013, I should have submitted my proposal report and this blog. Though this maybe the end of FYP I course, but a much harder and difficult course of FYP II is waiting next semester. I should continue my research on the GSM Based Speed Monitoring and Detection system.

Week 12: The Proposal Report Part II

Objective: To finalize the proposal report.

Analysis/Discussion:

This week I need to finalize my proposal report and the blog. The proposal report is almost 80% finished. But, this week I am a little bit busy with other reports I have only a little time to work on the proposal report. Fortunately, the proposal report is due next week.  

Discussion: A very small progress this week. I need to make it up in week 13.

Week 11: The Budget

Objective: To list the price for all the components and instruments in this project.

Analysis/Discussion:

All the components needed in this project are sold separately. I took the liberty to survey the price of each components available in electronic shops in Kuala Lumpur. After days of research, I have enlist the components and instrument. Below is the table of budget:

PART A – HARDWARE & SOFTWARE
No	EQUIPMENT	PRICE /UNIT	UNIT	TOTAL PRICE
1	Speedometer	RM 50.00	1	RM 50.00
2	Sensor	RM 10.00	2	RM 20.00
3	Printed Circuit Board	RM 5.00	2	RM 10.00
4	GSM Module	RM 430.00	1	RM 380.00
5	RS232 to TTL	RM 40.00	1	RM 40.00
6	LCD  2 by 16	RM 35.00	1	RM 35.00
7	PIC	RM 35 .00	1	RM 35.00
PART B – STATIONARY
No	EQUIPMENT			TOTAL PRICE
1	Papers			RM 10
2	Photocopy			RM 10
3	Binding			RM 15
4	Poster			RM 20
PART C – OTHERS
1	Prepaid			RM 20
2	Travelling expenses (Petrol and Taxi)			RM 50
TOTAL				RM 695.00

From the table, the most expensive instrument is the GSM modem/module. Total budget for this project is RM 695.00. 

Conclusion: Though the budget is quite is almost RM 700, but I can claim it through MARA.

Week 10: The FYP Presentation

Objective: Debriefing about the Final year presentation I (FYP I).

Analysis/Discussion:

The Final Year Presentation I (FYP I) took place in the Dewan Gemilang, Unikl British Malaysian Institute (BMI) on 22nd of November 2013. The presentation started at 3:00 in the evening. I was assigned to two assessors from the FYP committee whom are lecturers from the communication Section. The assessors are Sir Razif and Madam Lili. 

The first assessor is Sir Razif. I presented my proposal project presentation to him. He listened through the presentation until the question and answer (Q&A) session which he asked a few questions. Fortunately, I answered all his question. In the end of the first presentation, he suggested that I should clearly state my work plan for the FYP II and should be in the Gantt Chart form. 

The second presentation with Madam Lili also went well. Again, I successfully answered her question during the Q&A session. She does not suggested anything which in my opinion, she implied my presentation went with full satisfaction. 

Conclusion: Though the presentation has ended and went with flying colours, I still need to finish up and I also need to correct a few parts in the proposal report.

Week 9: The DPDT Switch

Objective: To investigate about the Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) Switch.

Analysis/Discussion:

A Double Pole Double Throw (DPDT) switch is an intermediate switch placed in a multi-way switching system in order to control lamps operated by more than two switches. They are crossover switches that have four terminals. Two of these terminals are inputs, and the other two are outputs. Below is a DPDT component and how it is connected:

The DPDT switch is used in this project solely to increase and decrease the needle of the speedometer. This switch have three position which in this project are to:

1. Increase
2. Stop
3. Decrease

Below is a video showing an application of DPDT switch:

Conclusion: In my opinion, this switch is suitable and it will be connected to the speedometer.

Week 8: The GSM Network

Objective: To analyse and to know Global System For Mobile (GSM)

Analysis/Discussion: 

The GSM applications in our daily life are very essential. Take a mobile phone for an example. We used it almost everyday and almost everywhere. The GSM is very suitable for this project. The GSM system on mobile devices has it advantages and its drawback such as:

Advantages:

1. Extensive Coverage
2. Security
3. Affordable devices and services
4. Wide spectrum availability

Disadvantages:

1. Can cause electronic interference
2. Bandwidth lag
3. Radiation
4. Every device uses a simcard provided by Telco. Service is terminated if simcard is not reloaded/Topup

Below is an example of a GSM network architecture.

The GSM network can be divided into four main parts:

1. The Mobile Station (MS).
2. The Base Station Subsystem (BSS).
3. The Network and Switching Subsystem (NSS).
4. The Operation and Support Subsystem (OSS) (BSS and NSS together).

TYPE	FULL ACRONYM DESCRIPTION
BTS	BASE TRANSCEIVER STATION
BSC	BASE STATION CONTROLLER
HLR	HOME LOCATION REGISTER
VLR	VISITOR LOCATION REGISTER
AUC	AUTHENTICATION CENTER
OMC	OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CENTRE
MSC	MOBILE SWITCHING CENTRE
PSTN	PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK
ISDN	INTEGRATED SERVICES DIGITAL NETWORK

In this project, I need to find a suitable GSM device to send and receive a Short Messaging Service (SMS). In my opinion, I think a GSM modem would suffice as the GSM device. Currently, there are many choices of this type of modem in the market. The SIEMENS company offers variety of product which i think suitable with its reasonably priced product. Below are the example of a GSM modem:

A GSM modem is a specialized type of modem which accepts a SIM card, and operates over a subscription to a mobile operator, just like a mobile phone. From the mobile operator perspective, a GSM modem looks just like a mobile phone.When a GSM modem is connected to a computer, this allows the computer to use the GSM modem to communicate over the mobile network.  While these GSM modems are most frequently used to provide mobile internet connectivity, many of them can also be used for sending and receiving SMS and MMS messages.

Conclusion: 

The GSM modem the most expensive component in this project. I need to save up a sum of money before FYP II course start. Also, I also need to learn how to program the GSM modem and how to integrate it with the circuit.