19. Project development¶
This week I worked on defining my final project idea and started to getting used to the documentation process.
This week tasks:
1: what tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?
2: what has worked? what hasn’t?
3: what questions need to be resolved?
4: what will happen when?
5: what have you learned?
what tasks have been completed, and what tasks remain?¶
I have divided my final project into 8 aspects, they are as following.
1: Computer controlled machining
2: Electronic production and design
3: Input devices
4: Output devices
5: Networking and communication
6: Interface and application programming
7: Embedded programming
8: 3D printing
I will explain each aspects separately as follows:
1 Computer controlled machining¶
For the aspect, I have learned how to CNC device to cut something. This is the basic knowledge for me to create PCB board.
I have used this knowledge to create a PCB.
Details of how I learnt this knowledge are in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week04/).
What tasks remain
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained 1 : I need to create my second PCB which I will describe it in the following aspect.
2 Electronic production and design¶
I need to create a PCB board for the final project. I have created the board on the week 7 (electronic design). I will reuse it for the final project.
In this aspect, I have used Eagle to design the board. This board have several feature which is useful. They are a button and LED. Therefore I have used the button for testing and using the LED to indiciate the reaction for the board.
Details of how I created the PCB are in this - page.
What tasks remain
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained 1 : I need two boards totally. Therefore I will create my second PCB which is used for communcation between two PCB which is used to demostrate the skill of networking.
Task remained 2 : Also, I have found that the ATttiny 44 is not enought for my final project. Therefore I need to use Attiny 84 which have larger memory size. Therefore I will need to replace the Attiny 44 with Attiny 84.
3 Input devices¶
I need to create a temperature sensor for the final project. I have created the input circuit on the week 11 (input devices). I will reuse it for the final project.
The input sensor is called DS18B20 which is used to measure temperature. Therefore I add a sensor to a microcontroller board that you have designed and read it.
I am going to use temperature sensor DS18B20 to measure the room temperature.
In this aspect, I have read the detailed spec of DS18B20 to understand the pin configurations.
Also, I tried to used ardunio UNO for testing also my borad for testing. it is shown that it is sucessfully show the temperature.
Details of how I created the input circuits are in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week11/).
What tasks remain
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained 1 : I need to connect the input devices circuits to my new board (which is Attiny 84). Also, I may need to connect the pin correctly from the input circuit clearly.
Task remained 2 : I have to study the spec of Attiny 84 clearly . In order to ensure the connection is correct between my input circuit and my new board.
4 Output devices¶
I need to connect my board to a relay and a fan. By programming the board, the chip can turn on or turn off the fan by measuring different temperature. Therefore it is the output circuit for my final project. I have created the output circuit on the week 13 (output devices). I will reuse it for the final project.
The output parts contains several parts:
Output part 1: A power supply (GX550), I have used GX550 for providing me different power which is 12V and 5V separately.
Output part 2: A relay, I have used a sonole relay for using smaller voltage (5V) to control larger voltage (12V).
Output part 3: A fan is used to cool down the system.
Details of how I created the output circuits are in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week13/).
What tasks remain
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained 1 : I need to connect the output devices circuits to my new board (which is Attiny 84). Also, I may need to connect the pin correctly from the output circuit clearly.
5 Networking and communication¶
This is one of my favourite aspect. I like to write the code for communicate between two board.
In week 14, I have designed a prototype for communicating between two PCB which enrich my knowledge about how to communicate between two PCB. I will reuse this knowledge and idea for my final project.
Details of how I learnt the communicate two PCBs (circuits) are in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week14/).
What tasks remain
Since I will create a input circuit and output circuit.
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained : I need to design a new prototype for communicatge between two PCB. I need to test if the message is completed created from first board and send to my second board.
6 Interface and application programming¶
In week 15, I have created a simple interface for showing the temperature by text. I will reuse this knowledge and idea for my final project.
Details of how I learnt the interface is in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week15/).
What tasks remain
However, I wish to enrich the interface. I wish to add the graphic interface which is a rectangle for showing the index of temperature.
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained : I need to write a code in python which I will refer the idea from the internet. Therefore index of the temperature will show in a graphic rectangle.
If the rectangle is longer which meant it is higher temperature.
Else if the rectangle is shorter which meant it is lower temperature.
7 Embedded programming¶
In week 9, I have learnt how to write arudino code which is C language for receivining input signal from a button and controlling LED as output device.I will reuse this knowledge and idea for my final project.
Details of how I learnt the embedding programming langugae is in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week09/).
What tasks remain
However, I need to modify the code in both of my PCB boards.
However I need to do remaining jobs. They are following
Task remained : Writing a suitable code in input circuit, output circuit. Therefore the right communcation is created between two PCBs.
8 - 3D printing¶
In week 6, I have learnt how to use 3D printer for printing an object.
I will reuse this knowledge and idea for creating a box for my final project.
Details of how I learnt the 3D printing knowledge in this - [page]http://fabacademy.org/2021/labs/taipei/students/chunkit-leung/assignments/week06/).
What tasks remain
Task remained : I need to use 3D printer to print out an object (box) for the project. Therefore all of the electronic and cables can be put into the box.
what has worked? what hasn’t?¶
In the above 8 aspects. I have created parts of the work and also missing part of the work.
Therefore I need to finished all work and connect all of them together in order the whole final project can work.
I still need time for replacing the chip Attiny 84 for Attiny 44. During this process, I　need to ensure the new chip - attiny 84 is correctly conncted to the board to make it worked.
what questions need to be resolved?¶
The major question that I need to resolve is putting this final project into my computer cabinet to lower the temperature in the cabinet.
However, I need to complete my final project first and then put it into the notebook cabinet for testing.
what will happen when?¶
I have already finished half way throught the final project. It will be almost finished when every parts are completed.
When I start to manufacture it, I assume some coding and electronic erros. This may takes time for me to fix any errors which will raise when programming.
Then I will assemble input circuit and output circuit together.
After that, the assembled coding is completed, I will test the interface part and networking communication.
Once everything are correctly, I will put it into computer notebook cabinet for testing.
what have you learned?¶
I have learned many knowledge in this final project especialy the electronic design and production. I have no idea about PCB , milling and CNC before. I also did not know G code. Therefore I have learnt these.
Electronic part is very difficult, during this project, I found that it is difficult for me to fix hardware level bugs. I always did not know the problem source .
I have learnt i need to be clam down when I facing problem. It is recommended to analyse the project step by step in order to trace the problem.