My Projects
Smart-Vendor
DESCRIPTION:
This smart machine was built as a final project using combination of knowledge from two courses: Digital Computation and Introduction to Mechatronics Engineering. Smart Vendor was built using NXT Mindstorm Brick along with optical, ultrasound, buttons sensors as well as several encoders. A X-Y gantry system was designed and fabricated to deliever the selected item to the customers.The machine would use the button sensor to calibrate itself in ordr to eliminate any inaccuracy caused by the encoders. Using the optical sensor, the Smart Vendor would calculate the amount of credit inserted in the machine and determine if it was enough. The project recieved excellent remarks.
SOFTWARE: Robot C
HARDWARE: NXT Mindstrom Brick, optical sensor, push-button sensor, ultrasonic sensor, encoders
Fuel Cell Car
DESCRIPTION:
For learning purposes, a car was designed and built using a Fuel Cell as the main power source. Throughout the project the mechanism and the applications of the fuel cell were investigated and in-depth knowledge on the topic was gainned. The car followed a designated path autonomously using optical sensors and encoder motors. MSP-430 microcontroller was used to program the vehicle using IAR Embedded Workbench to change the course of vechicle depending on the line it was following.
SOFTWARE: C, IAR Embedded Workbench
HARDWARE: Optical sensor, Encoder motor, Fuel Cell
Truss Design
DESCRIPTION:
Carried out theoritical calculations and crcitical analysis to desgin a Cantilever beam truss structure that could hold over 130 times more weight then itself. Used elemental analysis methods to improve the design and obtain a better weight-to-load ratio. Carefully machined materials provided to implement the theoretical design. Gained pratical experience with finite element anaylsis.
SOFTWARE: Autodesk Force Effect
Displacement Measurement Device
DESCRIPTION:
A device was built to measure length of any object. The challenge was to design the device using first principles, so my team decided to build a device using principles of potentiometer. The device worked using the characteristic of a wire that resistance is directly proportional to the length of the wire. The device consisted of two wires and a slider which connected the two wire. Depending on the length of the object being measure, the resistance induced by the wires changed. The voltage drop caused by the wire was measured and converted to corresponding length value. An Arduino was used to read the voltage drop and interpret the voltage to length. Using statistical analysis the length values were adjusted to eliminate uncertainties.
SOFTWARE: C
HARDWARE: Mechanical Tools, Arduino Uno Microcontroller
Memory Allocation
DESCRIPTION:
Implemented a dynamic memory allocation algorithm: Half-fit. The algorithm discretized the entire pool of memory into chucks of different values and assigned each chuck into appropriate bucket, such that each bucket consisted of all chucks that fell under a specific range. When the user requested for a certain amount of memory, the algorithm would initiate the search from the bucket with all memory chucks greater than the requested value. If a bucket didn't have any free chucks, the algorithm looked in the next blocks. Once a suitable memory chuck was found, the algorithm returned the starting address of the block and assigned the memory block. If the suitable block was significantly larger than the requested block, then that block was cut into two pieces and the unused portion was reassigned to appropriate memory bucket. Additionally, when user decided to free a block of memory, the algorithm would free the chuck by putting the chuck back into memory pool and flagged it unallocated. While, the memory was being freed, the algorithm also checked for free neighboring chucks and coalesced them if possible. The algorithm was implemented on Keil board with ARM Cortex M3 processor.
SOFTWARE: C, Keil uVision4
HARDWARE: Keil Board
Pong
DESCRIPTION:
Implemented a multiplayer game, Pong, in C on the Keil development board. Used a joystick and potentiometer as the controller for each player. Implemented multi-tasking ability so that all the perpherials could be monitored synchronously. Gained hands-on experience with synchronizing and scheduling tasks.
SOFTWARE: C, Keil uVision4
HARDWARE: Keil Board
OTHERS: Scheduling, Multi-tasking
Autonomous Car
DESCRIPTION:
In a circuit design lab, built an autonomous car from ground up. A PCB was provided with schematic design and other necessary datasheets. Me and other fellow classmate populated the PCB using schematics and analyzed the design thoroughly. Photodiodes and IR LED's were used to detect a black line and follow it. A hall-effect sensor was also added for detection of magnets and their polarity. The car was programmed using C to pass an obstacle course at the end of the term.
