Thursday, 9 March 2017

Week 2 - 10/3/2017
 This week we had a group meeting to discuss how to adjust the sensor circuit and collate any research we had independently sought out. We found a slight change in the variable resistor to be the issue as well as mess spot of soldering, and so we re-tested the circuit on the breadboard and then transferred to a Vero board. This time having a slower and more accurate approach to the technique proved successful and so after running the approximated voltages through the circuit using the Multi-meter we moved on to the next task.
Below showing the first and second successful attempt at the sensor circuit:
 













Sensor circuit attempt 1

  














Sensor circuit attempt 2




One of the main aims for our project to achieve is to be able to read a distance of an obstacle in front of the robot car and for the car to react to this and adjust its path to avoid the obstacle. To do this we are going to use a 3-pin Ultrasonic sensor. This circuit will be very simply 3 wires coming from the sensor to plug into a small breadboard and then connected to the Arduino at a later date. These 3 wires will be:                                                           
  • ·         Connected to ground
  •             Connected to a signal source
  •             Connected to a 5v source






As we discussed last week we tested the toggle switch, which came with the mobile platform, using a power supply and Multimeter, to see if the was a valuable extra. After understanding how the switch works and how we could connect it to our circuitry, we then connected it to the battery holder. Essentially we can now switch on/ off the supply from the battery holder to the remaining circuits, this therefore giving us more control over the use of the RC.

Problems and issues:
In an attempt at starting the motor drive circuit, we realised that the IC chip required for the motor drive circuit was not ordered. The lack of the IC chip, LM293 dual h bridge, is not an issue but has caused a slight delay on the building and testing of the motor drive circuit.
  
This chip allows us to control each motor separately allowing for the robot car to move in different directions including backwards. Hopefully when we test it and investigate what we can do with this chip we will be able to use it to its full ability and progress our design to the next level.


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