Week 14

Title: Budget for the project
Date: 3/5/2012

Objective:

• To estimate the project cost
• To make sure the cost of the project is not too expensive
• Decision making on which product need to be use

Content:


Budget Estimation

Hardware /component

No	Component	Quantity	Cost(RM)
1	RFID sensor	1	200.00
2	Remote control car	1	100.00
3	Electronic component	12	60.00
4	Raw material		50.00
Total			410.00

Analysis:

According to this budget estimation, the project should finish within RM410, this price is quite reasonable for the project. If everything will goes according to plan, this budget will be use for the project.

Conclusion:

This research is very important in costing the project. I will practice the student to the project which will lead to profit. All the hardware and the component will be buy on the next semester.

Week 13

Title: Work plan of the project
Date: 3/5/2012

Objective:

• To do the project planning
• To identified what must do to finish the project
• To make sure the project run according to plan

Content:

The time frame allocated for this research study is 10 months. It will start in January 2012 and is projected to be completed in October 2012. The Gantt chart for the project and its milestone are shown as in Table 1.

Practically, reliability is often more difficult to specify than many major performance characteristics and is certainly more difficult than most to measure. The accurate assessment of the reliability of a product in use is often difficult because of the long period needed or the large number of samples required in order to gain statistical confidence in the assessment. In reliability estimation, the failure rate models are approximations to reality. The failure rate models are normally based on the best field data that could be obtained for a wide variety of parts and systems. This data is then analysed, with many simplifying assumptions applied, to create usable models. Thus, one should not treat a reliability estimation numbers for the system as an absolute prediction of field failure rate. Generally, it has been agreed that these estimations can be very useful when used for relative comparison, such as comparing design alternatives, or comparing products.

Prototype of automatic car lock/unlock system for data centre application will be built to enables the community to visualise the impact and application of the proposed methods in determining the best solutions in solar tracking design with respect to reliability and cost. This prototype will be presented in the FYP Presentation Day.

Project Gantt Chart

First Semester

Second Semester

Analysis:

From the gantt chart, the first semester I concentrate on the research. Within the second semester I will start on buying until finishing the project. 

Conclusion:

With this work plan that I have prepared, hope this project will run as plan and no problem while doing it. This is the importance on preparing the work plan, to make sure the project run as planned.

Week 12

Title: Software development
Date: 3/5/2012

Objective:

• To clarify about the software that will use in the project

Content:

This whole system is control by the PROTEUS software which is can interface with the microcontroller. Proteus 7.5 is a Virtual System Modeling (VSM) that combines circuit simulation, animated components and microprocessor models to co-simulate the complete microcontroller based designs. This is the perfect tool for engineers to test their microcontroller designs before constructing a physical prototype in real time. This program allows users to interact with the design using on-screen indicators and/or LED and LCD displays and, if attached to the PC, switches and buttons. The software design will be started on the next semester.

Analysis:

This software can interface with the PIC16F877A. C language can be use in this software, so it quite convenience because it is quite easier to understand and I have been learning it on the last year.

Conclusion:

The programming design must be follow the flow chart, so this research is related with the flow chart research and both are very important for the project.

Week 11

Title: Flow chart of the project
Date: 3/5/2012

Objective:

• To clarify how the system works
• To show flow of the system
• To identified the scope of the system

Content:

Project Flow Chart

Analysis:

As in figure, RFID sensor is used as the main sensor to operate this system. This system is comprehensive, because it also cover function on engine, lamps and window. The flow of the operation as in figure

Conclusion:

This part of research show the flow of the system. It might be change later on, but this is the basic plan for this project. If everything goes smoothly, the project will use this as final flow chart for the system.

Week 10

Title: Block Diagram
Date: 3/5/2012

Objective:

• To declare what is the input and output of the project
• To declare what is the variable use for the project

Content:

Block Diagram of the Project

Explanation of Block Diagram

RFID

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is the use of a wireless non-contact system that uses radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data from a tag attached to an object, for the purposes of automatic identification and tracking. Some tags require no battery and are powered by the electromagnetic fields used to read them. Others use a local power source and emit radio waves (electromagnetic radiation at radio frequencies). The tag contains electronically stored information which can be read from up to several meters (yards) away. Unlike a bar code, the tag does not need to be within line of sight of the reader and may be embedded in the tracked object.

For this project, the RFID is used to detect the tag which is will be carried by the driver. When the driver walks into the range that the RFID can detect, the RFID will send high signal to the system to operate, and if it does not detect any longer it will send low signal to the system.

Microcontroller

A microcontroller (sometimes abbreviated µC, uC or MCU) is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or OTP ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications.

            For this project, microcontroller is use as a main controller of the system. When the sensor detects the tag item, the sensor will send high signal to the controller, this is where the system starts.

Motor/Electric Motor

Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force. The reverse process, producing electrical energy from mechanical energy, is done by generators such as an alternator or a dynamo; some electric motors can also be used as generators, for example, a traction motor on a vehicle may perform both tasks. Electric motors and generators are commonly referred to as electric machines.

Electric motors are found in applications as diverse as industrial fans, blowers and pumps, machine tools, household appliances, power tools, and disk drives. They may be powered by direct current, e.g., a battery powered portable device or motor vehicle, or by alternating current from a central electrical distribution grid or inverter. The smallest motors may be found in electric wristwatches. Medium-size motors of highly standardized dimensions and characteristics provide convenient mechanical power for industrial uses. The very largest electric motors are used for propulsion of ships, pipeline compressors, and water pumps with ratings in the millions of watts. Electric motors may be classified by the source of electric power, by their internal construction, by their application, or by the type of motion they give.

For this project, this motor is use as the motion mechanism. It does whatever the controller programmed. The motor receives the signal from the controller and operate as the program direct. The motor is as the engine of the car. So, when the controller sends high signal to the motor, the engine of the car started.

Power window motor

Power windows or electric windows as well as electric or power window are automobile windows which can be raised and lowered by depressing a button or switch, as opposed to using a hand-turned crank handle.

It is the same as the motor. The power window motor is used as motion mechanism for the project but in different ways. The power window motor used to open or closed the car window. In this project, the power window motor is connected with the controller. It functions as, when the driver forgot to close the window when leaving the car, the system will help to close the window automatically when the car is locked.

Analysis:

All variable used for this project is quite easy to get. The variable might be change later on, this only               just a plan

Conclusion:

This block diagram is part of methodology research, and this research is very important to doing this project. Without this research the project might be not work smoothly.

Week 9

Title: Finding suitable PIC
Date: 2/5/2012

Objective:

• To pick which controller is the best for this project
• To identified the controller

Content

 PIC is a family of modified Harvard architecture microcontrollers made by Microchip Technology, derived from the PIC1650 originally developed by General Instrument’s Microelectronics Division. The name PIC initially referred to “Peripheral Interface Controller”.

PICs are popular with both industrial developers and hobbyists alike due to their low cost, wide availability, large user base, extensive collection of application notes, availability of low cost or free development tools, and serial programming (and re-programming with flash memory) capability.

Microchip announced on September 2011 the shipment of its ten billionth PIC processor. 

For this project I have decided to use PIC 16F877A as a main controller of this system.

PIC16f877a Features

·         Analog Comparator module with: Two analog comparators & Programmable on-chip voltage reference (VREF) module

·         Programmable input multiplexing from device inputs and internal voltage reference

·         Comparator outputs are externally accessible

·         100,000 erase/write cycle Enhanced Flash program memory typical

·         1,000,000 erase/write cycle Data EEPROM memory typical

·         Data EEPROM Retention > 40 years

·         Self-reprogrammable under software control

·         In-Circuit Serial Programming™ (ICSP™) via two pins

·         Single-supply 5V In-Circuit Serial Programming

·         Watchdog Timer (WDT) with its own on-chip RC oscillator for reliable operation

·         Programmable code protection

·         Power saving Sleep mode

·         Selectable oscillator options

·         In-Circuit Debug (ICD) via two pins

·         Low-power, high-speed Flash/EEPROM technology

·         Fully static design

·         Wide operating voltage range (2.0V to 5.5V)

·         Commercial and Industrial temperature

      Analysis

      This chip is very suitable for my project, plus, I have already learn about this chip last year. So it will be a lot easier using the chip that I familiar with.

     Conclusion:

      This research is very important because it is the main controller for the system. Without the controller the system wont work.

Week 8

Title : Literature Review of the project
Date: 1/5/2012


Objective: 

• To gain background knowledge of research topic
• Find out problems in the area of interest to the researcher that have already investigated in the past
• Know what other have found out about the subject and how they have done so far
• To find out various concepts relating to it and potential relationship between them.
• To identified potential areas and hypothesis for research.
• To get some support for design of research methodology and techniques of analysis.
• To identify potential sources of information for conducting the detailed research.

Content:

• History

In Malaysia, the statistic of stolen vehicle keeps rising every year. There are many causes that someone can lose their vehicle. One of the main causes is because of human nature of negligence. For example of the human negligence is, forget to lock the door while leaving the car, left behind the key at the car, did not close the window when leaving the car etc. With this kind of problem, the idea to make the system that can overcome this problem is born. It’s called Automatic Car Lock/Unlock system.

• Previous work

 There is other system which familiar with Automatic Car Lock / Unlock System where that other system is not convenience like this system. That other system used low range RFID sensor which is about 1 feet range of detection. This is absolutely not convenient where the user need to scan the tag quite close to the antenna. And the other system is not comprehensive. It just covers the door lock and the running engine only.

• Present work

Automatic Car Lock /Unlock System are comprehensive. It has the function to check the status of the window, light and engine. The system also provides the key less function, where there is no key needed to operate the car. The key is replaced by the tag item.

Automatic Car Lock/Unlock system is a system to ensure the driver leaving their car in safety condition. The meaning of safety condition is to lock the car. As human, we cannot escape the nature of negligence, by using this system; the nature of human negligence can be overcome. By leaving the car unlock can bring many inconvenient things to the driver such as lose an item on the car like car speaker, radio or any precious item that left behind on the car. Worst, it may lead to losing the car itself.

            With this system, the statistic of missing vehicle will definitely reduce because the system itself aiming for no mistake or negligence.

Analysis:

There are quite similar project that has been done before my project, but the features of the project is not comprehensive. Automatic Car Lock/Unlock System is comprehensive system. Many things I've learned from researching from previous worke. 

Conclusion:

By doing this research, the project can be compared with other project that similar with this project. By doing this, the project can be more efficient by upgrading from the defiency of the previous similar project.

Week 7

Title : Problem statement of the project
Date : 1/5/2012

Objective :

• to research about the problem regarding the project
• to evaluate the problem that can solve using this project

Content :

            Automatic Car Lock/Unlock system is a system to ensure the driver leaving their car in safety condition. The meaning of safety condition is to lock the car. As human, we cannot escape the nature of negligence, by using this system, the nature of human negligence can be overcome. By leaving the car unlock can bring many inconvenient things to the driver such as lose an item on the car like car speaker, radio or any precious item that left behind on the car. Worst, it may lead to losing the car itself.

             Sometimes, the driver also forgets to close the window while leaving the car. By doing that, the inconvenient thing might be happen. So, automatic car lock/unlock system provide and extra function to overcome this problem. The function is to automatically close the door when the car is locked.

 Analysis:

With this new system, the problem that related to the human nature of negligence can definitely be avoid because the system will function automatically and cover up what the user forgotten. 

Conclusion :

This research is very important to identified the scope of the project and the limitation of the project. After this research clear, the project will definitely run as plan.