FINAL YEAR PROJECT 2 (WEEK 2): LCD Display Programming

Objectives:

1) To construct circuit of  LCD display.

2) To build a program using C++ language 

Method:

1) using Proteus 7 Professional software to construct circuit

2) using KeilVision4 to write the program

The program has been written and compiled. The HEX file is loaded to the circuit. The simulation is running to demonstrate the system operation. Below is the circuit which had been running the program:

Conclusion: 

This week I learn how to do the program for  LCD display. I learned that the program need to start by declared the input pins that had been used in the circuit. To display the word or character on the LCD display, we need to know the position of the character based on the LCD command codes table. The LCD pins also plays an important because if it not connects well to the microcontroller, it will not display the word on the LCD.

FINAL YEAR PROJECT 2 (WEEK 1): Hardware Materials and Budget

 For this semester, the hardware material of this project need to buy to implement this project. Firstly, we need to find the hardware materials and compare the prices to buy it. The project materials are:

• Microntroller AT89S52
• Vibration sensor
• Alcohol sensor
• Pressure sensor
• Temperature sensor
• LCD Display
• GSM Module
• GPS Module
• ADC 0809
• RF Module
• Helmet

The budget for this hardware material is at around RM500. So, these are the budget of each components that had been searched below:

No.	Item	Price (RM)
1	Microcontroller AT89S52	10
2	Vibration Sensor	20
3	Alcohol Sensor	22
4	Pressure Sensor	90
5	Temperature Sensor	4
6	LCD Display	12
7	GSM	65
8	GPS	120
9	ADC 0809	17
10	RF MODULE	46
TOTAL		406

   As for me, I hope the project budget is not overlapped and I hope all these should be enough to implement my project. I will be continue to do this blog as it is my log book which can be as my reference when doing this project. 

FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1 (WEEK 13): Presentation Day and Proposal Report

Objective:
1) Preparation of Presentation Day
2) Preparation of Proposal Report

Method:
1) By making research in the internet

This week I will show about my proposal presentation and proposal report that will need to be assessed. 

The motorcycle do not start if the rider violated the rules when wearing the helmet

The work plan for Final Year Project 1 

The work plan for Final Year Project 2

References for research articles

The work plan is put in the proposal so that I can plan my work for this semester and the next semester. The improvise section shows that I need to do more researches about my project so that I can analyzed the outcome of this project.  I hope I can manage to design this project. 

FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1 (WEEK 12): LCD Display

Objectives:

1) To study about LCD display

2) To know the application of LCD display

Method:

1) By making research in the internet

A liquid-crystal display (LCD) is a flat panel display, electronic visual display, or video display that uses the light modulating properties of liquid crystals. Liquid crystals do not emit light directly. LCDs are available to display arbitrary images or fixed images with low information content which can be displayed or hidden such as preset words, digits and 7-segment displays as in a digital clock. they use the same basic technology except that arbitrary images are mafe up of a larger number of small pixels while other displays have larger elements.

There are important factors to consider when evaluating an LCD:

• Resolution vs. Range: Fundamentally resolution is the granularity with which a performance feature of the display divided. Resolution is often confused with range or the total end-to-end output of the display. Each of the major features of a display has both a resolution and a range that are tied to each other but very different. Frequently the range is an inherent limitation of the display while the resolution is a function of the electronics that make the display work.
• Spatial performance: LCDs come in only one size for a variety of applications and a variety of resolutions within each of those applications. LCD spatial performance is also sometimes described in terms of the diagonal distance from one corner to its opposite. The spatial resolution of an LCD is expressed by the number of columns and rows of pixels. 
• Temporal/timing performance: As compared to spatial performance, temporal performance is a feature where smaller is better. The range is the pixel response time of an LCD or how quickly a sub-pixel's brightness changes from one level to another. REfresh rate or the temporal resolution of an LCD is the number of times per second in which the display draws the data is being given. Since activated LCD pixels do not flash on/off between frames. 
• Color performance: Color performance include color gamut which is the range of colors that can be displayed and color depth which is the color resolution or the resolution or fineness with which the color range is divided. 

LCD display applications:

• Computer monitors
• Televisions
• Instrument panels
• Aircraft cockpit displays
• Signage
• DVD players
• Clocks
• Watches
• Calculators
• Telephones
• Gaming devices

For this project, the LCD display that will used is 16x2 LCD display. This LCD display is much more informative output device than a single LED. The LCD is a display that can easily show characters on its screen. They have a couple of lines to large displays. Some LCDs are specifically designed for specific applications to display graphic images. These modules are replacing 7-segments and other multi-segment LEDs. LCD can be easily interfaced with microcontroller to display a message or status of the device. It can be operated in two modes: 4-bit mode and 8-bit mode. This LCD has two registers namely command register and data register. It is having three selection lines and 8 data lines. By connecting the three selection lines and data lines with the microcontroller, the messages can be displayed on LCD.

LCD display

LCD instructions set for controlling the LCD display using microcontrollers

PIN description

Interfacing 16x2 LCD display with 8051 microcontroller

In the above figure, 3 selected lines EN, R/W, RS will be used for controlling the LCD display. EN pin will be used for enabling the LCD display for communicating with microcontroller, RS with be used for register selection. When RS is set microcontroller will send instructions as data when RS is clear microcontroller will send the instructions as commands. For writing data RW should be 0 and for reading RW should be 1.

Conclusion:

This week I am going to learned about the LCD display as it is the one of the component which is used in my project. The type of LCD display and the application of of it need to take note so that it is suitable to use in this project. This project will used the 16x2 LCD display. The LCD display is used to display the location of the accident, the information whether the rider is drunken or not and display the motorcycle will start or not if the rider does not violated the rules when he or she wearing the helmet.  This will help the rider to get a help in a very short time. Hence, lives can be save.

FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1 (WEEK 11): Alcohol Sensor

Objectives:

1) To know the operation theory of alcohol sensor

2) To find suitable alcohol sensor

Method:

1) By making research in the internet

There are a number of alcohol sensors on the market. Police use them to estimate blood alcohol concentration (BAC) although this is more accurately determined through a blood test. Alcohol gas sensor detects the concentration of alcohol gas in the air and output its reading as an analog voltage. On the market there are different types of sensors to detect gas alcohol such as ethanol. There are five common families to detect the alcohol which are:

1) Catalytic combustion sensors

2) Sensors semiconductor flat surfaced (advanced flat surfaced alcohol sensor)

3) Sensors semiconductor specific

4) Electrochemical sensors(fuel sensor)

5) Infrared sensors

For this project, semiconductor sensor is chosen to detect the alcohol gas and the type that had be chosen is MQ-3 semiconductor sensor. Sensitive material of MQ-3 gas sensor is thin oxide (SnO₂)

which with lower conductivity in clean air. When the target alcohol gas exist, the sensor's conductivity is more higher along with the gas concentration rising. The change of conductivity is converted to correspond output signal of gas concentration. MQ-3 gas sensor has high sensitivity to alcohol and has good resistance to disturb of gasoline, smoke and vapor. The sensor could be used to detect alcohol with different combustion, it is with low cost and suitable for different application.

Configuration 

Features

• Good sensitivity to alcohol gas
• Long life and low cost
• Simple drive circuit

Application

• Vehicle alcohol detector
• Portable alcohol detector

The alcohol sensor MQ-3 suitable for detecting alcohol concentration in breath like a common breathalyzer such as portable alcohol detection. It provides an analog resistive output based on alcohol concentration. The resistance of the sensor reduces when alcohol concentration increases. The sensor gives output as per the condition of the breath through the logic circuit which is sent to microporcessor. This power supply needs for this sensor is 5V. 

MQ-3 ALCOHOL SENSOR CIRCUIT

PIN CONNECTION

MQ-3 ALCOHOL SENSOR

There are conditions that we need to follow so that the this alcohol function as we need. The conditions are:

1. Organic silicon steam cause invalid, sensors must be avoid exposing to silicon bond, silicon latex, putty or plastic contain silicon environment.
2. If the sensors exposed to high concentration corrosive gas, it will not only result in corrosion of sensors structure but also it cause sincere sensitivity attenuation.
3. The sensor performance will be change badly if sensors be sprayed polluted by alkali metals salt especially brine or be exposed to halogen such as fluorin.
4. Sensitivity of the sensors will be reduced when spattered or dipped in water.
5. Do avoid icing on sensor's surface otherwise sensor will lose sensitivity.
6. Applied voltage on sensor should not be higher than stipulated value otherwise it cause down-line or heater damaged and bring on sensors' sensitivity characteristic change badly.
7. In indoor conditions, slightly water condensation will effect sensors performance lightly. however, if water condensation on sensors surface and keep a certaion period, sensor sensitivity will be decreased.
8. The sensor resistance produce reversible drift if it's stored for long time without eectrify which drift related with storage conditions. sensors should be stored in airproof without silicon gel bag with clean air. for the sensors with long time storage but no electrify, they eed long aging time for stability before using.
9. Continual vibration will result in sensors down-lead response then repture. 
10. If sensors meet strong concussion, it may lead its lead wire disconnected. 

First test with MQ-3 Alcohol sensor

Conclusion:

This week I am going to learned about the alcohol sensor as it is the one of the component which is used in my project. The type of alcohol sensor and the application of of it need to take note so that it is suitable to use in this project. This project will used the MQ-3 alcohol sensor. The alcohol sensor sense the alcoholic content if the rider is drunken. If the driver is drunken, the LCD display will displayed to give information that the rider is drunken and the motorcycle cannot start. This will ensure safety of the rider because he or she cannot ride the motorcycle if he or she is drunken which will decrease the potential of the accident happens.

FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1 (WEEK 10): Vibration Sensor

Objectives:

1) To know the operation theory of vibration sensor

2) To find the suitable vibration sensor

Method:

1) By making research in the internet

Sometimes chaos begins with a low rumble or a small shake. If a sensor is involved, it might be measuring the first vibrational movements of an earthquake or a mechanical failure in an industrial setting. It's typically noise that gives use the first clue that trouble looms. There can be two aspects of vibration that we need to pay close attention if we want to avoid the trouble. The aspects are:

a) The monitoring of vibration

b) Maintenance based on sensor data to avoid future issues

As machines or the electronics and components machines begin to move back and forth, the vibration is preventing a smooth flow of energy. The flow is interrupted, hence the noise and the shake. It may be overload due to some sort of stress or the components themselves may have reached their useful life such as gears, teeth, bearing, or belts may be in process of failure.

Vibration is needed to monitor because in industrial machinery, the vibration produced are vital indicators of machinery health. by monitoring the vibration levels over time, it allows prediction of problems before serious damage can occur. Despite the advances made in vibration monitoring and analysis equipment, the selection of sensors and the way they are mounted on a machine remain critical factors in determining the success of any monitoring program. The key to proper machine monitoring however is the proper choice of sensor for the particular installation. The best instrumentation and software available will not provide the definitive information without using the proper sensor regarding the mechanical operating condition or deficiencies of the machine. The ability to monitor more than one machine parameter with the same sensor can give added insight to machine performance at a more economical cost. To select the vibration sensors, there are three parameters representing motion detected by vibration monitors. There are:

a) Displacement

b) Velocity

c) Acceleration

These parameters can be measured by a variety of motion sensors and are mathematically related. For instance, displacement is the first derivative of velocity and velocity is the first derivative for acceleration. The selection of a sensor is proportional to displacement, velocity or acceleration which depends on the frequencies of interest and the signal levels involved. Sensor selection and installation is often the most critical determining factor in accurate diagnoses of machinery condition. 

The relationship of  displacement and velocity and acceleration

The vibration sensor that will applied for this project is piezoelectric sensors. The piezoelectric property is a reversible phenomenon. Whenever an electric excitation voltage is applied across the opposite faces of quartz crystal, it starts to vibrate and hence produces mechanical oscillations. Whenever mechanical vibrations are applied to the crystal, it produces electric potential across of oscillations depends on the physical size and the shape of the crystal. The smaller dimensions of crystals produce higher frequencies and bigger crystals produce lower frequencies. 

The model type of vibration sensor is the  Minisense 100 which is a low-cost cantilever-type vibration sensor loaded by a mass to offer high sensitivity at low frequencies. The pins are designed for easy installation and are solderable. Horizontal and vertical mounting options are offered as well as a reduced height version. The active sensor area is shield for improved RFI/ EMI rejection. The sensor has excellent linearity and dynamic range and may be used for detecting either continuous vibration or impacts. The mass may be modified to obtain alternative frequency response and sensitivity selection. 

Minisense 100 Vibration Sensor

The application of vibration sensors are:

a) Washing Machine Load Imbalance

b) Vehicle Motion Sensor

c) Anti-Theft Devices

d) Vital Signs Monitoring

e) Tamper Detection

f) Impact Sensing

Piezo Vibration Sensor Testing

Conclusion:

This week I am going to learned about the vibration sensor as it is the one of the component which is used in my project. The type of vibration sensor and the application of of it need to take note so that it is suitable to use in this project. This project will used the Minisense 100 which is a piezoelectric vibration sensor. The vibration sensor sense when the rider had a crashed. The helmet will hits the ground and the vibration sensor detects the vibrations that are created when the helmet hits the ground and then the microcontroller will send a SMS containing information about the accident and location of accident. This will help the rider to get a help in a very short time. Hence, lives can be save.

FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1 (WEEK 9): Pressure Sensor

Objectives:

1) To know the operation theory for pressure sensor

2) To know the suitable pressure sensor

Method:

1) By making research in the internet

Pressure sensors are based on the principle of bending a membrane caused by the pressure in a liquid or gas. Pressure is an expression of the force required to stop a fluid from expanding and is usually stated in terms of force per unit area. A pressure sensor acts as a transducer. it generates a signal asa function of the pressure imposed.  On the membrane is a very thin conductive screened layer that follows the bending of the membrane. This bending can be measured in two different ways:

a) Can measure the distance between the conductive and resistive layer on the membrane and a reference layer in the housing of the sensor. The two layers form a capacity and the change in the distance show a change in the capacitive value can be measured.

b) The resistance of the conductive layers is changed when the membrane is bended. A smart mechanical layout of four resistive structures can form a stable Wheatstone bridge, comparable with the classical strain gauge sensors.

Both ways of measuring the pressure are widely used. Pressure sensors are used for control and monitoring in thousands of everyday applications. Pressure sensors can also be used to indirectly measure other variables such as fluid/gas flow, speed, water level, and altitude. It is alternatively can be called:

a) Pressure transducers

b) Pressure transmitters

c) Pressure senders

d) Pressure indicators

e) Piezometers

f) Manometers

There are many types of pressure sensors and the type of pressure sensor is listed below:

a) Gauge pressure sensor

    The difference of the medium and the atmospheric pressure is measured. Therefore, one side of the     membrane is always atmospheric pressure. A tire pressure gauge is an example of gauge pressure       measurement. When it indicates zero, then the pressure it is measuring is the same as the ambient       pressure.

b) Absolute pressure sensor

    This sensor measures the pressure relative to perfect vacuum. So one side of the membrane is             vacuum.

c) Differential pressure sensor

    Referenced to another pressure and can measure the difference between the two pressures. So both     sides can be anything. Differential pressure sensors are used to measure many properties such as         pressure drops across oil filters or air filters, fluid levels or flow rates. Most pressure sensors are         really differential sensors in technical way.

d) Sealed pressure sensor

    This sensor is similar to a gauge pressure sensor except that it measures pressure relative to some       fixed pressure rather than the ambient atmospheric pressure which varies according to the location      and the weather.

Pressure is sensed by mechanical elements such as plates, shells, and tubes that are designed and constructed to deflect when pressure is applied. This is the basic mechanism converting pressure to physical movement. Next, this movement must be transduced to obtain an electrical or other output. Finally, signal conditioning may be needed depending on the type of sensor and the application. The main types of sensing elements are Bourdon tubes, diaphragms, capsules, and bellows. 

The basic pressure sensing elements can be configured as a C-shaped Bourdon tube (A); a helical Bourdon tube (B); flat diaphragm (C); a convoluted (D); a capsule (E); or a set of bellows (F).

There are many types of pressure-sensing technology. These are be divided by two basic categories of analog pressure sensors:

a) Force collector types

    These types of electronic pressure sensors generally use a force collector such a diaphragm, piston,     Bourdon tube or bellows to measure strain or deflection due to applied force(pressure) over an             area.

P= Force (F) / Area (A)

• Piezoresistive strain gauge
• Capacitive
• Electromagnetic
• Piezoelectric
• Optical
• Potentiometric

b) Other types of pressure sensor which use other properties such as density to infer pressure of a gas      or liquid.

• Resonant
• Thermal
• Ionization

Manufacturers of pressure sensors have elaborate calibration facilities to verify the accuracy of their production test equipment. These are the equipment to do the calibration of pressure sensor:

a) Dead-Weight Tester

    A dead-weight tester uses calibrated weights that exert force on a piston which then acts on a fluid     to produce a test pressure. For high pressures (>500 psi), oil is typically used. For lower pressures,     pneumatic air bearing testers are available and are much more convenient as well as less messy to       use.

Dead-weight testers is used to calibrate pressure sensors incorporate calibrated weights that exert force on a piston which in turn acts on a fluid to produce a test pressure. Oil-type testers commonly used for high pressures while pneumatic air bearing devices is used for lower pressures.

b) Manometer

    A mercury manometer is a simple pressure standard and may be used for gauge, differential, and         absolute measurements with a suitable reference. It is useful mainly for lower pressure work               because the height of the column of mercury will otherwise become unwieldy. 

Mercury manometer to calibrate pressure sensors which can be used on gauge, differential, and absolute sensors with a suitable reference. It is used mainly to calibrate sensors designed to measure in the lower pressure ranges.

c) Low-cost Calibration

    Many of the higher performance commercially available pressure sensors are furnished with               individual text data. A sensor with excellent repeatability and hysteresis makes an excellent low-         cost in-house pressure calibration reference when combined with a pneumatic pressure regulator         and a source of air pressure.

A sensor with excellent repeatability and hysteresis can be combined with a pneumatic pressure regulator and a source of a air pressure to yield an inexpensive in-house pressure calibration reference.

The factors to consider when selecting the pressure sensors are:

a) The medium for compatibility with the materials used in the sensor, the type such as gauge,                 absolute, or differential of measurement, the range, the type of electrical output, and the accuracy       required. 

b) Manufacturer's specifications apply to a particular temperature range. If the range of operation in a    given application is smaller, for example, the errors should ratio down. Total error can be computed    by adding the individual errors or by computing the geometric sum or root sum of the squares. 

The application of pressure sensors are:

a) Industrial

b) Automotive

c) Medical

d) Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning

e) Gas Boilers, Gas Ovens, Pellet Stoves

Conclusion:

This week I am going to learned about the pressure sensor as it is one of the component which used in my project. The type of pressure sensor and the application of each type need to take note so that it is suitable to use in the project. For my project, I will used the differential pressure sensor as it measure the differences between two pressures. By using this sensor, it can provide safety for the riders. The pressure sensor is connected to ADC so that the measurement can be read when both of it interface with microcontroller. This can be used to check whether the riders wear the helmet or not before they turn on their motorcycle. If they do not wear the helmet, the motorcycle will not start.