Hi ppl...so far I have written a little about some simple robots. The similarity in all of those projects was that we took a controller, some sensors and put them together to make a robot move according to some pre-planned algorithm.
However one would soon realize that we are actually working with a little computer, and the possibilities of making things work with it are endless. So here we come across an important area electronics called interfacing, something that is encountered when dealing with embedded systems. Now interfacing is not something you learn from a book, you need experience and you need to get stuck in situations. It is usually some small resistor for pull up or a capacitor somewhere that makes your entire circuit fail. Hence, I think it is time we talk a little about the approach one should have when one decides to start with a project work. Now what I am writing here is completely my opinion and as I myself am a student, I would love to get review and suggested improvements.
First and foremost find out all the chips you are going to need and get their DATASHEETS. A datasheet has information about everything to do with the IC (Integrated Chip), the different voltages, working conditions etc. It is also a huge advantage if one can understand it completely. I would suggest repeated use is the only way to go about this unless you have good knowledge about microelectronics.
Once we know this information, we can proceed to the different things that can be interfaced with the controller to make things work.
I am writing a small project statement here that I think will cover a lot of areas regarding the field. I attempted such an experiment during a summer internship after my first year and got to learn a LOT from it. The statement is as follows: Use a 4 X 4 array of switches to make a keypad and interface it with the microcontroller. Also make a 5 X 5 matrix of LED's. Now, interface it so that if the first button is pressed, the controller understands it and displays such a combination of LED's that a 1 is displayed. Similarly for the other buttons. If this is done, you can actually go on to make a 5 X 5 array of keys and make different alphabets flash. The trick here is to use the matrix smartly. You cannot obviously use 16 and 25 pins as there are lesser pins on the chip. Hence, we use a different algorithm.
However one would soon realize that we are actually working with a little computer, and the possibilities of making things work with it are endless. So here we come across an important area electronics called interfacing, something that is encountered when dealing with embedded systems. Now interfacing is not something you learn from a book, you need experience and you need to get stuck in situations. It is usually some small resistor for pull up or a capacitor somewhere that makes your entire circuit fail. Hence, I think it is time we talk a little about the approach one should have when one decides to start with a project work. Now what I am writing here is completely my opinion and as I myself am a student, I would love to get review and suggested improvements.
First and foremost find out all the chips you are going to need and get their DATASHEETS. A datasheet has information about everything to do with the IC (Integrated Chip), the different voltages, working conditions etc. It is also a huge advantage if one can understand it completely. I would suggest repeated use is the only way to go about this unless you have good knowledge about microelectronics.
Once we know this information, we can proceed to the different things that can be interfaced with the controller to make things work.
I am writing a small project statement here that I think will cover a lot of areas regarding the field. I attempted such an experiment during a summer internship after my first year and got to learn a LOT from it. The statement is as follows: Use a 4 X 4 array of switches to make a keypad and interface it with the microcontroller. Also make a 5 X 5 matrix of LED's. Now, interface it so that if the first button is pressed, the controller understands it and displays such a combination of LED's that a 1 is displayed. Similarly for the other buttons. If this is done, you can actually go on to make a 5 X 5 array of keys and make different alphabets flash. The trick here is to use the matrix smartly. You cannot obviously use 16 and 25 pins as there are lesser pins on the chip. Hence, we use a different algorithm.
Suppose the matrix is n X n, then we use 2n pins of the controller. Make the connections so that each row and column has a connection to the controller. Now, using n pins as inputs and n as outputs, make such combinations as will be unique to a key press. We use what is commonly called a lookup table. Similar logic is needed for displaying digits or alphabets.
The following pic was taken when we made a system that senses the current temperature using a sensor and displays it on an LCD screen !
Again you see that same logic...different cool implementation !
Again you see that same logic...different cool implementation !
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