9th week ( 19 Mar 2012 - 23 Mar 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Project research

Basic features of PIC16F877A

•200 nanosecond instruction execution

•35 single word instructions

•CMOS FLASH-based 8-bit

•40 or 44 pins package

•Memory : RAM/ROM(EEPROM)

•Timers (2 x 8 bit & 1 x 16 bit)

•ADC (8 channels, 10 bit)

PIC 16F877 Block Diagram 

• PIC 16F877A Data sheet ( please see this link )

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/devicedoc/39582b.pdf

8th week ( 12 Mar 2012 - 16 Mar 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Project research

Microcontroller PIC16F877A

      The microcontroller is simply a computer on a chip. It is one of the most important developments in electronics since the invention of the microprocessor itself. It is essential for the operation of devices such as mobile phones, DVD players, video cameras, and most self-contained electronic systems. The small LCD screen is a good clue to the presence of an MCU (Microcontroller Unit) – it needs a programmed device to control it. Working sometimes with other chips, but often on its own, the MCU provides the key element in the vast range of small, programmed devices which are now commonplace.

 PIC 16F877 Architecture

           Microcontrollers contain all the components required for a processor system in one chip: a CPU, memory and I/O. A complete system can therefore be built using one MCU chip and a few I/O devices such as a keypad, display and other interfacing circuits. We will now see how this is done in practice in our typical microcontroller.

PIC 16F877 Pin Out

      

 Let consider the pins that are seen on the IC package, and then discover how they relate the internal architecture. The chip can be obtained in different packages, such as conventional 40-pin DIP (Dual In LinePackage), square surface mount or socket format. The DIP version is recommended for prototyping, and is shown in Figure below 

       Most of the pins are for input and output, and arranged as 5 ports: A(5), B(8), C(8), D(8) and E(3), giving a total of 32 I/O pins. These can all operate as simple digital I/O pins, but most  have more than one function, and the mode of operation of each is selected by initialising various 

control registers within the chip. Note, in particular, that Ports A and E become ANALOGUE  INPUTS by default (on power up or reset), so they have to set up for digital I/O if required.

      

        Port B is used for downloading the program to the chip flash ROM (RB6 and RB7), and RB0 and RB4–RB7 can generate an interrupt. Port C gives access to timers and serial ports, while Port D can be used as a slave port, with Port E providing the control pins for this function. 

        The chip has two pairs of power pins (VDD 5 V nominal and Vss 0V), and either pair can be used. The chip can actually work down to about 2 V supply, for battery and power-saving operation. A low-frequency clock circuit using only a capacitor and resistor to set the frequency can be connected to CLKIN, or a crystal oscillator circuit can be connected across CLKIN and CLKOUT. MCLR is the reset input; when cleared to 0, the MCU stops, and restarts when MCLR   1. This input must be tied high allowing the chip to run if an external reset circuit is not connected, but it is usually a good idea to incorporate a manual reset button in all but the most trivial applications.

7th week ( 27 Feb 2012 - 2 Mar 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Project research

Backup camera ( reverse, forward, side view )

         A backup camera is a special type of video camera that is produced specifically for the purpose of being attached 

to the rear of a vehicle to aid in backing up. Backup cameras are alternatively known as 'reversing cameras' or 'rear 

view cameras'.

         The design of a backup camera is distinct from other cameras in that the image is horizontally flipped so that the output is a mirror image. This is necessary because the camera and the driver face opposite directions, and 

without it, the camera's right would be on the driver's left and vice versa. A mirrored image makes the orientation of 

the display consistent with the physical mirrors installed on the vehicle. A backup camera typically sports a wide-

angle or fisheye lens. While such a lens spoils the camera's ability to see faraway objects, it allows the camera to 

see an uninterrupted horizontal path from one rear corner to the other. The camera is typically pointed on a downward 

angle, to view potential obstacles on the ground as well as the position of approaching walls and docks, rather than 

straight back.

6th week ( 20 Feb 2012 - 24 Feb 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Project research

http://www.honeywell-sensor.com.cn/prodinfo/sensor_ultrasonic/technical/98ib119.pdf

5th week ( 13 Feb 2012 - 17 Feb 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Project research.

ULTRASONIC DEAD ZONE 

Ultrasonic sensors have a ‘‘dead’’ zone in  which they cannot accurately detect the target. This is the distance
between the sensing face and the minimum sensing range. If  the target is too close, the tone burst’s leading edge can travel to the target and strike it before the trailing edge has left the transducer. Echo information returning to the sensor is ignored, because the transducer is still transmitting and not yet receiving. The echo generated could also reflect off the face of the sensor and again travel out to the target. These multiple echoes can cause errors when the target is in the dead zone.

MAXIMUM SENSING RANGE


Maximum sensing distance for each target and application is determined experimentally. Figures 3, 4 and 5 show sensitivity characteristics and typical sensing distance.

4th week ( 6 Feb 2012 - 10 Feb 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Summit project proposal.

Objective :

• Explain about concept of the project, material and equipment that have been use in the project.

Content/procedure :

1. ABSTRACT 
2. INTRODUCTION 
3. PROBLEM STATEMENT 
4. LITERATURE REVIEW 
5. METHODOLOGY 
6. OBJECTIVES 
7. BENEFITS / CONTRIBUTIONS
8. WORK PLAN 
9. BUDGET 
10. CONCLUSION 
11. REFERENCES 

Result and analysis :

• Explanation and briefly overview about my FYP project.

Reverse Sensor is a product that readily available in any commercial or private vehicles that alerts the driver about the presence of obstacles at the back while performing reversed. Reverse Sensor utilizes the principle of sonar or ultrasonic waves and is an ultrasonic measuring and warning system available for most cars, utilities and vans. Usually it provides the driver with an audible warning of any obstacle, unlike other audible warning devices currently used that warn the "obstacle" to get out of the way

There are many term that are describe the system that used to alert the driver when they reverse their vehicle. Some of the terms are parking radar, park distance control, reversing aid sensor system and many more. Even though their names are different, basically the aim of the device is to detect the obstacles while reversing the vehicle. The device is wired into the vehicle's reverse light circuit and is automatically powered and activated when the vehicle’s gear is shifted into reverse position. If there is any object behind the vehicle, the sensors will detect the object and bounce signals to the control unit. Audible output signals that changes in frequency will be produced as the vehicle get closer to an object.

3rd week ( 30 Jan 2012 - 3 Feb 2012 )

Tittle of activity :

• Function of Ultrasonic sensor.

Objective :

Study the circuit diagram and more about ultrasonic sensor.

Content/procedure :

1. Internet research ( google ).
2. Books of electrical or electronic system reference.

Result and analysis :

• Ultrasonic

        Sensor is a device that detects or measures a physical quantity. A transducer is a part of the sensor which converts the energy to be measured into another measurable form such as electrical signal. With the increase in automation of different processes, the need for sensors has increased dramatically. This is due to the need to measure different parameters of the process and then control the process automatically depending upon the values of these parameters. This need has also driven sensors to be located inside to the actual process enabling a real-time observation of the process parameters. In recent years, the miniaturization of sensors has also been stressed in order to make the sensors more efficient, faster and to be able to study local phenomena without affecting the actual process itself.

           Ultrasonic sensors measure the distance or presence of target objects by sending a pulsed ultrasound wave at the object and then measuring the time for the sound echo to return. Knowing the speed of sound, the sensor can determine the distance of the object.

  The way of ultrasonic sensor make a sense (1)

The way of ultrasonic sensor make a sense (2)

          The advantage of using ultrasonic sensor is that ultrasonic sensor was a non-contact sensor. It means that this sensor will not touch the target object when it operates. So it has less affected by target materials and surfaces. Ultrasonic sensor not only will measure the distance of the target object but it will also detect its presence. It also can detect and measure discrete distances of moving objects. On the other hand, the output of this sensor is analog because it uses a beam to detect an object. Ultrasonic sensor also not affected by color.