Week 1 - Prototype 1

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Aims of the Week

  • Collect all components and check
  • Set out everyone’s tasks
  • Create a working motor circuit
  • Create a working sensor circuit
  • Create a working solar circuit
  • Create a working battery circuit
  • Create a working Arduino program for sensors and motors


Hamza's Tasks and Updates

My tasks for the first lab included gathering and checking all the components were correct. Most of the components arrived. However, I realise that I ended up sending the wrong link for the servo motors, meaning we got 180º motors instead of the 360º ones we needed. This added to forgetting to order the USB-C to USB-C cables, which meant I needed to submit the form for the other components. Alongside those issues, I didn’t manage to move on to connecting the solar circuit to the battery circuit.

 

Aside from that, the lab went well for me, as I got on with my experiments to test the Light-dependent resistors, the different battery sources, the Solar panel circuit, and finally, aiding Abdulla in the LCD tests. The experiments all went well, with positive results in creating the components for prototype 1. Another main activity for me for this lab was to get all the needed smaller components like LEDs and create a wiring system to help aid simplicity and efficiency. Overall it was a success in creating reusable components that we would be able to combine for prototype 3.


Abdulla's Tasks and Updates

My task in the lab was to test the light sensor, motor, and temperature and humidity sensor. By the end of the session, I was only able to successfully test the motor component. Although the code for the other components was well-written, I could not find any meaningful readings or output on the display for the light sensor, temperature, or humidity. Despite ensuring that the system was properly connected and programmed, the display did not show the expected values, making it difficult to verify their functionality.

Towards the end of the lab, I discovered that the Arduino board being used was a Nano type, which operates with a VCC of 3.3V. This could potentially be an issue for the sensors, as they might require a higher voltage to function correctly. After discussing the situation with Hamza, we decided to use an external battery to provide the necessary power for the components, ensuring they receive the appropriate voltage for proper operation. 


Caesar's Tasks and Updates

Caesar was ill on Thursday and could not come to the lab, but he will catch up on his tasks at home


This Week's Outcomes

Overall, this week's lab was positive, as we managed to create great circuits to incorporate for prototype 1 and integrate them together to create prototype 2 in lab 2. Even though we have had a small delay with the disordered components, we are still on target and have week 4's lab to finish off any tasks.


Home Tasks

  • Hamza: Create circuit diagrams for solar panels & batteries, and fill out the new components form
  • Abdulla: Create circuit diagrams for the light sensor, motor, and temperature and humidity sensor.
  •  Caesar: Set up the Arduino file for all the main programs with spaces for each individual file for components.            


Circuit Images and Diagrams / Code and Comments


Solar Circuit 
















LDR Circuit

All the created circuits.









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