Weekly Reports

Week 2: Sept 9-12

This week, the two of us met to discuss our first and second choices for the class project. We did some initial research in terms of pricing, components, feasibility, and optical design for each of the project choices. Based on this research we have decided our first choice will be the Traffic Observer. For this project we have investigated possible optical sources, as well as ideal microcontrollers available for data logging. Premilimary designs and cost allocations have been made according to parts found on websites such as digikey.ca and globalspec.com. We are continuing to research the feasibility of the remaining two topics to decide which one will be our second choice.

Week 3: Sept 13-20

As the topic selection was this week, Leigh and I extensively researched our first and second choices, which were the Traffic Monitoring System (TMS) and the Free Space Optics System, respectively. Our design proposal was written and a detailed initial design with initial budget approximations were completed as well. For the upcoming week, as we will be putting in our first order for initial components, we have already researched and obtained part numbers and prices for microcontrollers, lenses, LEDs, and other key parts for our design. We have learned today that our first choice was accepted, and will now begin further work on the TMS design - starting with the 555 timer modulator circuit.

Week 4: Sept 21-27

This week Michael and I further researched components and their prices for our design. We were introduced to our third “group member”, Roy, who is a graduate student with Dr. Fang and obtained his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. We discussed our design with him and he gave us some feedback, especially with regards to the selection of the microcontroller. He explained to us how microcontollers work, and also how he has selected microcontrollers in the past. In the end we took his advice and decided to select a microcontroller that is well supported, meaning that many people use it. We have decided to hold off on purchasing a lens until we have tested our initial design (infrared LEDs) using spare lenses in the lab. In the event that our original design does not work, we will save money having not purchased the lens. If it does work we will purchase a lens immidiately. On Monday September 29, we submitted our order request to Ana. The parts we have decided to purchase from Digiky are: a 555 timer (LM555CNNS-ND), 2 infrared LEDs (1N6264), an infrared receiver (TSOP852) and a microcontroller (PIC32MX3XX). In the next week we will be working on our final design, including the 555 timer circuit, improved logic for detection and system mounting. We will also begin research on programming microcontrollers.