Week 18 (FYP II): Submission of FYP Report

This the last post of this blog. 

Tomorrow, 13th June 2014, I will submit the following:

1. The softcopy files related to the GSM Based Speed Monitoring and Detection System to the Supervisor.
2. The softcopy files related to the GSM Based Speed Monitoring and Detection System to the FYP online website.
3. A hard cover of the final year project report to the library.

If all goes well, the FYP subject will be completed. 

Nuruddin Ali bin Johari

Student of UNIKL BMI

BET in Mobile Communications.

Week 15 - Week 17 (FYP II): Final Exam S1'2014

Due to the final exam of s1'2014 semester, I have to halt the final report of the FYP. I will continue writing and finishing the report until the exam has ended.

Week 14 ( FYP II): Final Year Project Presentation

Objective: To create a poster of the project for the Presentation Day

Analysis/Procedure:

I have finished creating the poster for my project. After the numerous tests made to the prototype are positive and work successfully, together with the poster, I have present to my supervisor to make sure both of them have been satisfied. 

The Presentation Day has been a success. I have presented my project to both of the assigned accessors and they are satisfied with my project. 

Now I have to write the FINAL REPORT for the Final Year Project which I must submit before Friday of week 18.

Week 12 - Week 13 (FYP II): Prototype Testing

Objective: To integrates all circuits into a prototype.

Analysis/Procedure:

There are four circuits placed in a box. The box is drilled and cut to display the LCD, to mount the push switches and for cables to connect with the power supply source. The box comes with four screws at the bottom to make sure the circuits are secure.

Four circuits inside the box are:

1. PIC Circuit
2. 80 KM/H LDR circuit
3. 110 KM/H LDR circuit
4. RS232 to TTL circuit

After numerous tests has been done, the objectives of this project has been achieved. The prototype successfully monitors and detects a speed exceeding the limit (as set using SMS). It successfully and effectively transmit and receive the data (alert) via SMS.

The prototype has been implemented using the circuitry knowledge of the author. Lastly, the system has successfully integrates a mechanical device (DC motor of the speedometer) and an electronic device (GSM modem).

Week 10 - Week 11 (FYP II): RS232 to TTL

Objective: To create a RS232 to TTL converter circuit

Analysis/Procedure:

RS232 is an asynchronous communication protocol that lets you transmit and receive data between DTE (Data terminal Equipment) and DCE (Data Circuit Terminating Equipment) such as modem.  It  is  the  EIA/TIA  (Electronic  Industries  Alliance/  Telecommunications Industry  Association)  that  defines  physical  and  electrical  characteristics  of  the  RS -232 interface.

RS-232 is active low voltage driven interface and operates at between  -12V and +12V for which  signal  is  LOW  or  0  when  voltage  is  higher  than  +3  Volt  and  signal  is  HIGH  or  1 when voltage is lower than -3 Volt. For any voltage falling between +3 Volt and -3 Volts are considered „dead area‟ or indeterminate value. TIA defines the power level for short circuit protection  to  be  100mA,  however  most  RS-232  drivers  will  provide  lower  short  circuit protection. 

Week 7 - Week 9 (FYP II): The Microcontroller Circuit

Objective: To create a microcontroller circuit.

Analysis/Procedure:

The Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) is the heart and the brain of this project. The PIC16f877A is a component which easy to install to a circuit board. It can be operational with voltage source from 4.0V to 5.5V. The component is very sensitive towards heat especially when soldering which could lead to component damage. Hence, a PIC housing is used. When soldering the component into a circuit board, the PIC housing must be soldered first since it is able to withstand the heat. Other electronics component needed are;

1.  Voltage regulator
2.   22pF capacitor
3. Crystal (XTAL) oscillator
4. LED
5. Male pin 

After the circuit has been completed, the Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) need to be coded. It takes almost 2 weeks to write the coding since I have a very basic knowledge of programming. After three weeks, the microcontroller circuit is completed. However, the circuit is still need to be tested when integrating with other circuit.

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Week 5 - Week 6 (FYP II): The LDR Ciruits

Objective: To create a circuit for the light dependent resistor

Analysis/Procedure:

The light dependent resistor (LDR) is used to be the sensor of this project. Initially, the chosen sensor of this project is the proximity sensor. However, after mounting it to the speedometer, it generates an inductive kick back current by the DC motor. 

Inductive kick is very common in motors because of the coils in them. When there is a change in the current of the coils, for example, when the motor being switched off, a high voltage spike will develop. The result makes the proximity when ON and OFF in a wild manner. But in reality, the needle of the speedometer will rotate due to the air pressure from the axel of a vehicle’s tyre rotating. The faster the tyre rotate per revolutions, the faster the needle will rotate (increase of KM/H). Thus, the proximity sensor will work in a speedometer in a real vehicle.

LDR is a passive electronic component, basically a resistor which has a resistance that varies depending of the light intensity. A photoresistor is made of a high resistance semiconductor that absorbs photons and based on the quantity and frequency of the absorbed photons the semiconductor material give bound electrons enough energy to jump into the conduction band. The resulting free electrons conduct electricity resulting in lowering resistance of the photoresistor. The number of electrons is dependent of the photons frequency.

After circuit has complete, the LDR must be mounted to the speedometer display.

Week 3 - Week 4 (FYP II): The DC Motor Circuit

Objective: To identify the DC motor to be used

Analysis/Procedure:

The main purpose of the DC motor used in this project is to rotate the needle of the speedometer. There are few problems to choose the DC motor. The first problem is that certain DC motor can only rotate in one direction. Besides that, most DC motors available in the local market have high revolutions per minute type. Furthermore, each type of DC motor have different power supply voltage. 

After searching almost a dozen shops in Jalan Pasar, I have the correct DC motor. Below are the pictures of the DC motor.

The chosen motor has the ability to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise. The small but with high torque gear motor which makes it great for applications that require extremely low motor speeds. With 6V power supply, the motor can rotate at a pace of 30 revolutions per minutes. The slow rotation is to simulate the actual speedometer. 

After acquiring the DC motor, now to create a simple circuit to rotate the motor clockwise and counter-clockwise in direction. 

In this project, two push switches needed for clockwise and counter clockwise rotation of the DC motor. A Push Switch is a switch that allows electricity to flow between its two contacts when held in. When the button is released, the circuit is broken, so it is called a non-latching switch. Other forms are push to break which does the opposite, that is, when the button is not pressed, electricity can flow, but when it is pressed the circuit is broken.

Week 2 (FYP II): The GSM Modem

Objective: To investigate the GSM modem

Analysis/Discussion:

Today, I have purchase the TC35i GSM modem for only rm 220. It is the most suitable and compatible to this project. The device is ideal for any kind of applications that involves transmitting and receiving SMS and voice calls. 

The device includes an antenna and a power supply cable. The modem implements the highly reliable Siemens TC35i GSM Engine. This ensures high quality and reliable operation along with compatibility with all standard GSM networks. The modem is supplied in a rugged extruded aluminium enclosure making it suitable for use in a wide range of industrial and demanding environments. The unit connects directly to a Personal Computer (PC) or terminal device via theRS232 Cable interface. The integral SIM card holder accepts standard SIM cards of all  network  operators  in  Malaysia  and perhaps all over  the  world  with network provider.  The  only  other  connections required are  to  6-40Vdc  power  supply and Antenna. 

Week 1 (FYP II): The FYP II Begins

Objective: To introduce the second semester of the final year project

Analysis/Discussion:

The first week of the 7th semester has just begun. At the end of the previous semester, I have successfully submitted the proposal report. Now that the proposal has been approved, now I can start with the prototype. Currently, the equipment I have obtained is only the speedometer. 

Before creating the prototype of this project, I need to plan and try to create circuits needed and then simulate them. This part may be difficult since creating circuits will takes a large portion of my time. 

However, by referring the block diagram of this project, it will makes creating overall circuits of this project clearer. 

List of circuits needed: 

1. 2 switches to rotate the needle of the speedometer clockwise and counter clockwise
2. Two sensor circuits. 
3. 1 micro controller circuits
4. RS232 to TTL converter