week no: week 11
Objective: Video

Circuit RS 232

Week no: week 5 (4/9/2012)

Objective:  Investigate the circuit of RS232

Content:

Serial port RS 232 is a standard for serial binary data signals connecting between Data Terminal equipment (DTE) and a Data Circuit terminating equipment (DCE). It is commonly used in computer serial ports. Details  of character format and transmission bit rate are controlled by the serial port hardware often a single integrated circuit ca;;ed a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) that converts data from parallel to asynchronous start stop serial form. Details of voltage levels, slew rate, and short circuit behavior are typically controlled by a line driver that converts from the UART logic level to RS 232 compatible signal levels, and a receiver that converts from RS232 compatible signal levels to the UART logic levels.

From the figure above show the circuit RS 232. RS 232 should have the MAX 232 to convert the signal from RS 232 serial port to signal suitable for use in TTL compatible digital logic circuits. The MAX 232 is a dual driver/receiver and typically converts the Rx, Tx, CTS and RTS signal. The driver provide RS 232 voltage level outputs (approx +- 7.5 V) from a single +5V supply via on chip charge pumps abd external capacitors. This makes it useful for implementing RS 232 in device otherwise do not need any voltage outside the 0V to 5V range, as power supply design does not need to be made more complicated just for driving the RS 232 in this case.

Conclusion:
As a conclusion the circuit will construct to my project.

LCD 4 x 16

Week no: week 4 (23/8/2012)

Objective: Investigate LCD 4 x 16

Content:

 This LCD has 4 rows and each row has 16 columns for symbols, characters and number display. It has built in HD 44780 controllers to interface with microcontroller for display purpose. This LCD can display A-Z, a-z, 0-9 and types of symbols in ASCII code. Communication between LCD and PIC is quite complicated. However the C compiler already comes with LCD driver, this file will automatically solve the interface between LCD and PIC. Thus, we can easily clear the screen, shift cursor and display message which is the parameter of solar panel voltage, current and time. This LCD has 16 pins and it is operating at 5V DC for LCD operation and its background light. RB0 to RB7 except RB3 of PIC reserved for LCD application, this is because lcd.c already set RB0 to RB7 for LCD application.

The figure above show the circuit that we use for this project. the connection from RD1 to RD7 is connected to the PIC microcontroller.

Conclusion:
As a conclusion we choose to use the LCD 4x16 it is because the LCD is suitable to used for my project to show the data which is voltage current and time.

Current Transducer LTS 6 NP

Week no: week 3 (16/8/2012)

Objective: To testing current transducer LTS 6NP

Content:

This current transducer can measure the current to 6 amp, current input base on recommended connection of in and output pin (refer datasheet). The output this current transducer is in voltage. This sensor features is closed loop (compensated)  multi range current transducer using half effect and it uni-polar voltage supply. it insulated plastic case recognized according to UL 94-VO. However it compact design for PCB mounting. It incorporated measuring resistance and extended measuring range. Another application is AC variable speed drives and servo motor drives. It also static converters DC motor speed drives. Furthermore, it also can implement with battery as back up supply. it also uninterruptable power supplies (UPS) and switch mode power supplies (SMPS). Lastly it also can be used for power supplies welding appications.

 The figure above show the circuit that i should use to connect from solar panel current sensor LTS 6 NP. The positive of solar panel will connected to the current sensor at pin number one and the negative terminal will connected to the ground. For this circuit it use IRF540 which is as known as power mosfet.The Mosfet act like a voltage controlled current source. It also handle significant power level.The power mosfet is most widely used low voltage switch. It can be found in most power supplies, DC to DC converters, and low voltage motor controllers. For this circuit this application is used because the voltage from solar is very tiny.

Conclusion:
From this circuit it will be used to design my project.

DS1307 I2C RTC (Real Time Clock)

Week no: week 2(9/8/2012)

Objective: Using DS1307 I2C RTC (Real Time Clock)
                To testing the circuit

Content:

RTC (Real Time Clock) is very useful feature that can be applied to many of electronic products, Although we can use timer that’s built in microcontroller for timing, but microcontroller can’t operate without power supply. For this reason using timer in microcontroller for real time clock is not suitable for some application

DS1307 is Dallas Semiconductor’s serial RTC IC, that can provide full binary-coded decimal (BCD) clock/calendar plus 56 bytes of NV SRAM. Address and data are transferred serially via a 2-wire, bi-directional bus. Clock/calendar provides second, minutes, hours, day, date month, and year information, Clock operates in either 24-hours or 12-hours format with AM/PM indicator. DS1307 has built-in power sense circuit that detects power failures and automatically switches to battery supply mode. Pin assignment of DS1307 is shown in Figure 1

VCC: Primary Power Supply GND: Ground                                                                           VBAT: +3V Battery Input SDA:  I2C Serial Data SCL: I2C Serial Clock SQW/OUT: Square Wave/Output Driver X1, X2: 32.768 kHz Crystal Connection

From this circuit, we should modify the connected form pin number 6 and 8. the connected can connect to the PIC .

Conclusion: 

My partner and I agreed to use this circuit as a clock for our project.

Digital Clock circuit

week no: week 1 (2/8/2012)

Objective: Testing Clock circuit
                 To find the suitable clock circuit

Content:

PIC 16F84  12 or 24 hour digital clock circuit diagram

From get this crcuit from the internet. By used PIC 16F84A is very difficult. It is because we should do some programming to set up the clock. From this circuit we should use the uJDM PIC programmer which suitable to do simple pic16f84, pic16f84A, 16c84, 16f628 group programmer. By using this method I should by the new module for burn the PIC. Additionally my partner did not know to use this software and it use high cost to do this project.

Conclusion:

As a conclusion we reject to use this project as clock.

LCD circuit

week no: week 14 (19/4/2012)

Objective:

• Circuit LCD

Content:

LCD screen

week no: week 13 (12/4/2012)

Objective:

• 2x16 LCD screen

Content:

LCD Character Module Display, 2x16 characters, STN yellow/green, yellow/green LED backlight, Transflective, 6:00, Standard Temp, Module size 80mm x 36mm, English-European character set.

This LCD display uses STN technology, which is much better quality than the cheaper TN types. It has a better contrast and a wider viewing angle.

Specifications 

• Number of Characters: 16 characters x 2 Lines

• Character Table: English-European (RS in Datasheet)

• Module dimension: 80.0mm x 36.0mm x 13.2mm(MAX)

• View area: 66.0 x 16.0 mm

• Active area: 56.2 x 11.5 mm

• Dot size: 0.56 x 0.66 mm

• Dot pitch: 0.60 x 0.70 mm

• Character size: 2.96 x 5.46 mm

• Character pitch: 3.55 x 5.94 mm

• LCD type: STN, Positive, Transflective, Yellow/Green

• Duty: 1/16

• View direction: Wide viewing angle

• Backlight Type: yellow/green LED  

 

Data sheet MAX 232

week no: week 12 (5/4/2012)

Objective:

• pin connection

Content:

The figure above show the pin connection for MAX 232

Reference for datasheet MAX 232: http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheet/texasinstruments/max232.pdf

MAX 232

Week no: week 11 (29/3/2012)

Objective:

• Function MAX 232
• Circuit diagram

Content:

MAX 232 is an integrated circuit that convert signal from RS232 serial port to signal suitable for use inTTL compatible digital logic circuit.

The figure above show the simple circuit of the connection between MAX 232 to RS 232 (female)

RS 232 Cable interface

Week no: week 10 (22/3/2012)

Objective:

• Research about RS 232

Content:

In telecommunications, RS-232 is the traditional name for a series of standards for serial binary single ended data and control signals connecting between a DTE (Data Terminal Equipment) and a DCE (Data circuit terminating equipment). It is commonly used in computer serial port. The standard defines the electrical characteristics and timing of signals, the meaning of signals, and the physical size and pin out of connectors. The current version of the standard is TIA-232-F Interface Between Data Terminal Equipment and Data Circuit-Terminating Equipment Employing Serial Binary Data Interchange, issued in 1997.

An RS-232 port was once a standard feature of a personal computer for connections to modem, printer, mice, data storage, un-interruptible power supplies, and other peripheral devices. However, the limited transmission speed, relatively large voltage swing, and large standard connectors motivated development of the universal serial bus which has displaced RS-232 from most of its peripheral interface roles. Many modern personal computers have no RS-232 ports and must use an external converter to connect to older peripherals. Some RS-232 devices are still found especially in industrial machines or scientific instruments.

Current Sensor

Week no: week 9 ( 15/3/2012)

Objective:

• Current Sensor

Content:

The figure above show the current transducer.

Dimension and connection

Solar Panel

Week no: week 8 (8/3/2012)

Objective:

• Solar Panel 
• Model

Content:

This is solar panel that were purchased.

Model of solar panel 

Solar cell

week no: week 7 (1/3/2012)

objective:

• Solar cell diagram
• Photovoltaic characteristic

Content:

The figure above show the solar panel which cell connected in series and parallel

A solar cell is a solid state device that converts the energy of sunlight directly into electricity by the photovoltaic effect. Assemblies of cells are used to make Photovoltaic module, also known as solar panel. When the solar panel is connected in series the voltage output will increase, while the solar panel connected in parallel the current output will increase. The solar panel connected in series to provide PV panel string, while for PV array is the combination of several PV panel string in parallel connection.

 

There are two types of PV cell

        i.            Crystalline cells

a.       Monocrystalline ( Single crystalline)

b.      Polycrystalline ( multi crystalline)

      ii.            Thin layer (film) cells

The amount of solar power available per unit area is knows as irradiance. As the irradiance varies there is almost linear variation of the short circuit current. The open circuit voltage however does not change dramatically, it increase slightly as shown in figure below. The graph assumes that the cell temperature is constant, unaffected by the differing irradiance. It is because the voltage remains reasonably constant under varying irradiance solar cell are well suited for use as battery charger.

Literature Review

Week no: week 6 (23/2/2012)

Objective: 

• Research from the theory
• Advantages Solar photovoltaic

Content:

A photovoltaic system is a system which uses solar cells to convert light into electricity. A photovoltaic system consists of multiple components, including cells, mechanical and electrical connection and mountings and means of regulating and modifying the electrical output. Due to the low voltage of an individual solar cell typically 0.5V, several cell are combined into photovoltaic modules, which are in turn connected together into an array.

Photovoltaic power systems are generally classified according to their functional and operational requirements, their components configurations and how the equipment is connected to other power sources and electrical loads. The three principal classifications are grid connected or utility interactive systems, photovoltaic hybrid system and PV stand alone systems. Photovoltaic system can be design to provide DC and AC power service, can operate interconnected with or independent of the utility grid and can be connected with other energy source and energy storage system.

Advantages Photovoltaic 

• No pollution and totally silent in process energy compare wind and water based from turbine and very noisy 
• Low cost maintenance and have a long lifetime
• Not required large space to build. The solar panel can put on the roof top
• Appropriate to use in Malaysia

GSM technology stands for Global System for Mobile Communication. It is huge, rapidly expanding and successful technology. During the period of evolution of mobile communication technologies various systems were introduced and deployed to achieve standardization in mobile industry but all the efforts were failed. Multiple issues were sustained like incompatibility of systems, development of digital radio frequency. That is when GSM Technology was introduced and problems like standardization incompatibility were overcome.

Advantages GSM

•                    Uses radio frequencies efficiently and due to the digital radio path, the system tolerates more intercell disturbances.
•                    The average speech quality is better than analogue system
•                    Data transmitted throughout the GSM system
•                     Speech is encrypted and subscriber information security is guaranteed
•                    International roaming is technically possible within all country using GSM system
•                   The large market increases competition and lowers prices both for investment and usage

Proposal

week no: week 5 (17/2/2012)

Objective:

• drafting proposal
• Research CICB

Content:

• Abstract & introduction
• Block diagram of CICB

Result & analysis:

• The solar energy is an energy from the sun that is converted into thermal or electricity energy.  The amount of energy falling on the earth is given by the solar constant, but very little use has been made of solar energy. The main purpose of the solar energy system as known as renewable energy is to prepare or replace for the depletion of the present source of electricity energy especially coal, oil and gas. It is possible that the world now lacks the source of energy and the world will face a global crisis of cheap oil and recommendations to a decreasing dependency on fossil fuel. This has led to increasing interest in alternate power or fuel research such as fuel cell technology, hydrogen fuel, solar energy, geothermal and wind energy. So the government encouraged to uses the solar energy system in our country in order to overcome the energy crisis in the future. This research knowledge (Development of Solar Photovoltaic Remote Monitoring System) will be hoped to help implementation of the solar technology. Furthermore each renewable energy plant or system plants needs the monitoring control systems. Same as solar photovoltaic system, where the performances and parameters must be closely monitored and controlled, thus allow adequate data acquisition system.  The data acquisition system requires large number of measured data where very frequent recording necessary needs to be automated to eliminate the probability of human error as well as to save time. This project is mainly about computer based real time monitoring system center which use Visual Basic as Graphic User Interface (GUI) to provide graphical display output chart, graph or pie chart. With VB software the solar researcher can be display the measured value from Photovoltaic house. To collect the data from Photovoltaic house to the main computer, the system require interfacing board which consist of microcontroller serial port board. reading measured data, storage data, control the system derive by microcontroller board and to interfacing the microcontroller board through main computer the project use serial port. For the convenience of researcher, the Global System for mobile communication (GSM) technology was attaching in the monitoring system to overcome data transfer. Usually the location of solar photovoltaic is different with the places where we work. So, a remote monitoring system using GSM technology has been used in this research. Beside that, the solar power system can be monitored everywhere.

• CICB block diagram

Conclusion

• The diagram show the CICB Block diagram divided to four parts, which is power supply, input, microcontroller and output.
  
  
  Power supply:
   Provide +12v +5v -12v -5v and ground power supply to CICB board
  Current transducer:
  to measure current from PV array.
  Op amp circuit:
  The operation amplifier circuit act as amplify the signal voltage from current transducer                       to ADC port PIC 16F877A microcontroller.
  PIC 16F877A:
  Microcontroller will process analog voltage signal from op amp circuit transmit the data to laptop through RS232 circuit and display current and voltage value.
  
  
  RS232
  Interface circuit from microcontroller to laptop
  Relay/LED
  Relay is use to control the high voltage 240V by microcontroller and the LED as a indicator for the relay on/off
  LCD
  Display data current and voltage
  Buzzer
  Alarm warning
  
  

Research the function and suitable method

week no: week 3 (3/2/2012)

Objective:

• research about the block diagram

Content:

• discuss with friends and search from internet
• draw the main diagram
•  find component that use

Result & analysis:

Conclusion:

The solar panel as the input to current interfacing card board (CICB) as interfacing medium to output which is main computer to display and monitoring the current and voltage  of solar panel performance by using visual basic software. After that the data will be uploading to the GSM as a input and GSM modem will be transfer the data to the mobile when the signal form mobile is trigger. 

Research about GSM

week no: week 4 (10/2/2012)

Objectives:

• defination
• function 
• Application 

Result & analysis:

• GSM stand for global system for mobile communication
• can communicate with mobile phone number
• Uses radio frequencies efficiently and due to the digital radio path, the system tolerates more intercell disturbances

Conclusion:

GSM technology stand for Global System for Mobile Communication. It huge, rapidly expanding and successful technology. During the period of evolution of mobile communication technologies various systems were introduced and deployed to achieve standardization in mobile industry but all the efforts were failed. Multiple issues were sustained like incompatibility of systems, development of digital radio frequency. That is when GSM Technology was introduced and problems like standardization incompatibility were overcome

Change the title and supervisor

week no: week 2 (27/1/2012)

Objective:

• to find the supervisor related with my course which is electrical
• to do some project electrical
• to construct the project in group

content:

• Find the new supervisor for my new project which is related in solar system
• Research in internet and download the form in rps to change the project supervisor and project title
• Discuss with new advisor and to approve the title.
• the title is rejected

Result:

• the supervisor suggest to take their title which is Development of Solar Photovoltaic Remote Monitoring System.
• discuss about the function of the project
• after discussion i agree to take the new project

Conclusion:

• i agree this project because this project is related with my course and my level as a degree student.
• The function of the project of development of solar photovoltaic remote monitoring system is to provide daily data logger for the PV array performance in solar generation power plant which is the voltage and current of the PV array that generated in a day and can be access by using mobile in anytime  and any day. In addition the user can get the information of the solar parameters automatically at 7:00pm. 

Register project and supervisor

week no: week 1 (20/1/2012)

Objective:

• to guide students in identified the project title and choosing the supervisor according their level and specialization area.
• to guide student in the  feasibility studies according to the identified the project.

Content:

• Find the suitable title that offered in rps. Research in internet and some magazine in rps.
• Research in internet and some magazine about the function and the block diagram.
• Register name under supervisor
• Register project title
• Advisor approve

Result:

• Take the project title in rps which is automatic paint spray machine.
• See the advisor and and discuss the function of the project
• By designing robot to spray flat surface.

Conclusion:

• I think this project is not suitable for me. 
• this project is more than electronic background