Week 15. System Integration¶
One of the most important parts of the project is system integration, because it connects all the parts of the project into one working system. At this point, it is important to check that the hardware (mechanical and electronic parts) and the software work well together. If there are any mistakes from before, they will appear during this step.
In my project, I use two Heltec V3 boards. One is on the submarine. I made a custom board (like a shield) for it, where all input and output devices are connected — like sensors, motors, and communication lines. The second Heltec board is outside the submarine. It receives LoRa signals and uses serial communication to send and receive data to my Windows Forms application.
During integration, I will check:
- If the LoRa communication works between the two Heltec boards,
- If the submarine reacts correctly to the commands from the Windows Forms app,
- If the stabilization system works using sensor data,
- If all motors and sensors are connected and working correctly,
- If the data from the submarine is received and shown in the app without delays.
Wiring¶
On my custom board connected to the first Heltec, I made pins for:
1. controlling servo motors (using PWM),
2. connecting sensors (for example, an accelerometer via I2C),
3. connecting the ESC for the main motor,
4. buttons and LEDs,
5. communication with the second Heltec board using LoRa (with built-in antenna on Heltec).
Because my submarine has many parts (I mean the body parts), the most important thing is waterproofing. I will use seals everywhere — for example, O-rings with springs (for motor shafts) to stop water from getting inside.
Also, the water tank for diving is placed in the center of the submarine. But I need to have wires going to the front and back. To solve this, I put a tube inside the water tank, and I will pass the wires through the tube to connect everything.
This way, I can keep everything connected and still protect the electronics from water.
Project Management¶
Project Plan
I organized my submarine development into three clear phases:
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Research & Concept Defined requirements, studied designs, created sketches, and began 3D modeling.
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3D Modeling Designed nose/tail sections, tube holders, and internal mounts.
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Refinement Assembled full model, added details, checked tolerances, and prepared final files.
Key milestones marked progress at each phase completion.
Conclusion¶
System integration was a key part of my submarine project because it brought together all the hardware and software into one working system. By testing communication, motor control, sensor readings, and app interaction, I was able to find and fix issues that appeared during integration. Careful wiring and waterproofing helped keep the electronics safe. Overall, this step showed that the different parts of my design could work together reliably, and it was exciting to see everything function as one complete system.