Assignment

Propose a final project masterpiece that integrates the range of units covered Your project should incorporate 2D and 3D design additive and subtractive fabrication processes, electronics design and production, embedded microcontroller design, interfacing, and programming, system integration and packaging Where possible, you should make rather than buy the parts of your project Projects can be separate or joint, but need to show individual mastery of the skills, and be independently operable

Project: TrailNAV

1. What the project will do:

The TrailNAV project is a solar powered offline navigation device that helps outdoor users explore safely by tracking their location, storing and guiding waypoints, and providing real-time directional feedback even in remote, off grid areas without internet or mobile network access

2. Who has done what beforehand

dedicated GPS navigation devices that work offline for hiking and outdoor navigation. Mobile apps such as Google Maps and Maps. me provide offline maps and route guidance on smartphones, but they depend on phone batteries and are not always rugged for extreme outdoor use. In addition, hobbyists and researchers have built Arduino or ESP32-based GPS trackers, often combining a GPS module with simple displays to show location and waypoints, but these systems are usually basic and not fully integrated or optimized for long outdoor trips. Some outdoor gear makers have also experimented with solar-powered charging systems to extend device life in remote areas

3. What will design?

• Structure: Rugged handheld body to hold all parts
• PCB: Custom board connecting all electronics
• Enclosure to hold electronic components
• 3D-printed mounts: Parts holders and connectors for assembly

4. What materials and components will be used?

Item	Quantity	Price/unit	Total price	Link
Seed Studio XIAO ESP32C6	1	20,000 rwf	23,600 rwf	https://www.nyerekatech.com/shop/seeed-studio-xiao-esp32c3/
u-blox Neo-m8n GPS	1	19,682 rwf	19,682 rwf	https://www.faranux.com/product/gps-reciever-neo-6m/
QMC5883	1	4,500 rwf	5,310 rwf	https://www.faranux.com/product/gy-271-qmc5883l-module/
Waveshare 264x176, 2.7inch E-Ink display	1	27,080 rwf	27,080 rwf	https://www.faranux.com/product/3-5-inch-tft-lcd-display-touch-screen-uno-r3-board-plug-and-play/
Battery, 3.7 V1 MPPT	1	9,000 rwf	10,620 rwf	https://www.faranux.com/product/3-7v-801350-500mah-lithium-polymer-ion-battery/
Mini Solar Panel - 12V @100mA	1	8,900 rwf	10,502 rwf	https://www.faranux.com/product/12v-mini-solar-panel-1-5w-mod35/

5. What parts and systems will be made?

• CAD with SolidWorks Used to design the structural parts of the TrailNAV device
• 3D Printing Used to fabricate custom parts such as the screen enclosure and solar
• PCB Design and Milling Used to create and manufacture the custom control board for connecting electronic components
• Soldering and Circuit Assembly Used to assemble electronic components onto the PCB and complete the electrical connections
• Embedded Programming with Arduino IDE Used to program the microcontroller for GPS navigation, power management, and user interface control

6. What questions need to be answered?

• The GPS gives correct location during outdoor travel.
• The microcontroller can send and receive data correctly.
• The solar panel can charge the device well.
• The battery can last for a long time outdoors
• The TrailNAV body is strong and safe for outdoor use
• The device can save and show locations without internet

7. How will it be evaluated?

• Give accurate GPS location during navigation.
• Save and show waypoint locations correctly
• Work properly without internet connection.
• Charge well using solar power
• Run for a long time with the battery
• Survive outdoor conditions safely and reliably

8. What tasks still need to be completed?

• Designing the final TrailNAV body and enclosure
• Connecting and testing all electronic components
• Programming the microcontroller and GPS system
• Testing the solar charging and battery system
• Calibrating and testing the navigation accuracy
• Assembling the final device and doing outdoor testing

9. What has worked?

• The GPS system is working and giving location information
• The microcontroller is working and processing data correctly
• Communication between components is successful
• The power system (battery/solar) is able to supply energy
• The basic TrailNAV prototype is functioning in simple tests

10. What has not worked yet?

• The GPS accuracy is not fully stable in all locations
• Some sensor readings are not always consistent
• The solar charging may be slow in low sunlight

11. What have you learned?

• How to connect and use GPS with a microcontroller
• How to design and test an off-grid system like TrailNAV
• How solar charging and battery systems work together.
• How to collect, store, and display navigation data

12. Gratt chart