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.

Week 6

Title : Additional function
Date : 29/3/12

Objective :

• To find extra function for this project to make this project more interesting  

Contents:

To make the project more applicable, I find it, it's better to add up more features which is when locking the door, the open window of the car will automatically closed. So basically, the overall function is like this, when the user enter the parameter that sensor can detect, which is approximately 3 meter range from the car, the car will automatically unlock. There is no need for the key, the engine of the car will automatically start by the time interval of 5 seconds after the car unlock. For the lock operation, there is switch to stop the engine, just simply push it to stop the engine, and the user/driver out of the perimeter that the sensor can detect, the car will automatically lock and the if got the open window, the system will automatic close the window.

Analysis:

The program for this new function will be quite difficult, so I need to do more research about the program and software

Conclusion:

This is quite good idea to add the function of the project. With this the project will be more interesting and more applicable. I must think the hardware of this new features.

Week 5

Title : Hardware
Date : 29/3/12

Objective:

• to decide the hardware to use for the project
• to make sure the hardware is suitable for the project

Contents:

Every project must have the hardware and the software. For this week I going to decide which hardware or more accurately, how am I going to simulate this project on the VIVA next semester. I've been doing lots of thinking. The best idea yet, is simulate by using remote control car. And of course I gonna do some of modification of the car to make sure it fits for this project. I think its better than just using motor, because the assessor can easier evaluate my project when it's applied on the car itself, even though the size is different. This is the example of remote control car.

                                   
Analysis:

I think this is the best idea yet. But it will be I must find the remote control car with adjustable window to make my additional function of this project which is I will explain in the next week.

Conclusion:

This idea should work and the cost of the remote control car is not very expensive. I just need to find the suitable remote control car.

Week 4

Title : RF ID sensor
Date : 28/3/12

Objective :

• To check where rf id suitable for the project
• To do some research of how the sensor works

Contents :

As written in last week, i would like to use rf id as a sensor on my fyp project. But there are some problem with the sensor. The antenna of rf id is not cover for 360 range of detection, it is only covered where the surface of the antenna. This is not suitable for my fyp project. This is the example of the rf id works.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dxm7Z7F9OI&feature=related

Result:

So, i really cannot use this sensor for this project, because of the specification is not suitable for what i need to accomplish with this project.

Conclusion:

To overcome for this problem, I need a new plan. either change the sensor or change the whole operation plan for the project.