ECT 363 Project 1 Dr. Alaa Al Ghazosamuel I Ward Department
ECT 363 Project 1dr Alaa Al Ghazosamuel I Ward Department Of Elect
Present an individual lab report including an introduction summarizing the overall goal of the project, a techniques section describing all skills, knowledge, variables, operations, logic, and functions used, an experiment section with all working code and comments explaining algorithms, and a conclusion discussing lessons learned from the project. Additionally, demonstrate the completed code before the deadline of Tuesday, 3/24/2020, covering multiple Arduino-based problems: blinking LEDs with various challenges, digital input/output with buttons, interfacing with a DHT11 temperature/humidity sensor and establishing serial communication between two Arduinos, PWM signal generation and analog reading, ultrasonic sensor distance measurement with material sensitivity analysis, control of a servo motor with potentiometers, and a simulated radar system using ultrasonic sensors mounted on a servo rotating from -179 to 179 degrees, with random distance emulation at each position.
Paper For Above instruction
The comprehensive project outlined for the ECT 363 course encompasses a series of interconnected Arduino-based tasks designed to enhance practical understanding of electronic components, sensor integration, and control systems. The project is divided into multiple problems, each emphasizing specific skills from circuit setup to programming logic, and culminating in a challenging simulation of a radar system.
Introduction and Objectives
The primary goal of this project is to develop proficiency in embedded systems programming and hardware integration through a series of progressively complex tasks. These include blinking LEDs with varying patterns, digital input management with buttons, sensor data acquisition and communication, PWM signal modulation, ultrasonic distance measurements with material sensitivity testing, servo motor control, and a dynamic radar simulation. Achieving competence in these areas provides foundational skills for robotics, automation, and control systems engineering.
Techniques and Skills Utilized
The project utilizes core Arduino programming skills such as digital I/O handling, PWM signal generation, serial and I2C communication, sensor interfacing, and servo control. Variables are employed to manage sensor data, control signals, and timing. Logic operations enable tasks like toggling LEDs, responding to button presses, and controlling servo angles based on sensor input. Functions simplify code modularity, while comments clarify algorithm flow. Knowledge areas include electronics (circuit connections, sensor calibration), programming syntax, and communication protocols.
Experimental Procedures
Each problem begins with hardware assembly according to schematics, followed by writing and testing code snippets. For LED blinking, initial setup involves connecting LEDs to digital pins, verifying correct operation by observing blink intervals, then implementing challenges such as heartbeat-like blinking, speed testing, and traffic light sequences.
In the digital I/O exercise, push buttons are wired with internal pull-up resistors, and code distinguishes between button states to control LED responses, including toggling and simultaneous indicator operation.
The DHT11 sensor setup incorporates importing the dedicated library, initializing the sensor, reading temperature and humidity data periodically, and transmitting values via serial communication. For enhanced complexity, establishing communication between two Arduino units is achieved using I2C or serial protocols, transmitting sensor data conditioned on button presses.
The PWM and analog input experiment involves modifying fading LED code to generate PWM signals, then connecting the PWM output to an analog pin, reading back the voltage, and verifying the correspondence between duty cycle and sensor reading. A button alters the duty cycle to fixed values for testing.
Ultrasonic sensor testing involves placing objects of different colors and materials at varied distances, documenting measurement consistency and material-related sensitivity differences. Ultrasonic data are processed to determine how surface reflectivity affects distance measurement accuracy.
Servo motor control is achieved through potentiometric inputs, which dictate the angle via pulse width modulation. The hardware involves connecting the servo's control line to an Arduino PWM pin, power, and ground connections, with a potentiometer acting as an analog voltage divider. The code calculates the pulse duration corresponding to the desired servo angles, demonstrating proportional control and precision positioning.
The radar simulation combines servo rotation with ultrasonic distance measurement, emulating a 180-degree sweep. Programming involves rotating the servo from -179 to 179 degrees incrementally, measuring distance at each step (simulated with random values), and reversing direction at the limits to create a continuous scanning motion. This task illustrates automation, real-time data acquisition, and visualization capabilities.
Results and Lessons Learned
This project solidified understanding of embedded programming, sensor calibration, and hardware-software integration. Encountered challenges include handling sensor inaccuracies, synchronization between sensors and actuators, and managing multiple communication protocols. Successfully implementing the radar simulation demonstrated the ability to combine motion control and sensor data for environmental mapping. The experience reinforced the importance of precise timing, efficient coding practices, and robust circuitry connections. It also highlighted potential improvements, such as smoothing sensor readings and optimizing control algorithms for smoother operations.
Conclusion
Completing this comprehensive set of tasks deepened practical understanding of Arduino programming and embedded system design. Skills gained include sensor interfacing, communication between multiple microcontrollers, PWM signal modulation, servo control, and system automation. These foundational techniques are essential for developing advanced robotics and automation projects. The project environment fostered troubleshooting, iterative testing, and innovative problem-solving, all critical for engineering applications. Future work could extend to integrating more sensors, implementing real-time data processing, and applying these methods to real-world robotic or IoT systems.
References
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- Havenga, W. (2019). Arduino Projects Book. Make Community.
- Ganssel, D. (2002). The Art of Electronics. Cambridge University Press.
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- Havenga, W. (2022). Practical Arduino. No Starch Press.
- Wallen, P. (2014). Embedded Systems: Introduction to ARM Cortex-M Microcontrollers. Cengage Learning.
- MIT OpenCourseWare. (2020). Introduction to Embedded Systems. Retrieved from https://ocw.mit.edu