Project Ideas

[SilentScreamer]

I've got a reasonable collection of IC's and other electronic bits but I've got no idea what to make. I want to build a challenging project that will prove educational. I'm happy to spend as long as needed on it. I'm doing GCSE electronics (I haven't yet done the final exam however I got almost full marks on the mock exam), I have used LCD Displays and keypads before and I'm reasonably confident with visual basic. I also have the means to make PCBs. Below is a rough list of components that I have:

• 2 Xbees (the standard one not Pro)
• Several 08Ms
• 2 28X2s (3V) (I have 2 16Mhz resonators to run these at 64Mhz)
• 2 28X2s (5V)
• 1 28X1
• 1 LCD Firmware Chip (rev-ed's)
• 2 3.3V LDO voltage regulators
• loads of 5V regulators
• Several 1F 5V caps (and some 10,000uF caps)
• Countless LEDs
• 16X2 LCD Display
• 10x RGB LEDs
• Loads of 500R 1K 5K and 10K 22 turn pots
• 5x Dual 7 segment displays and 5 single 7 segment displays
• Loads of PTM/PTB switches
• 16 pin DIL switch array (if thats what its called, its a 16 pin DIL package with 8 slide switches built in)
• Loads of caps and resistors
• This eprom IC - http://www.datasheetcatalog.org/datasheets2/14/147181_1.pdf

I've also got quite a lot of MAXIM ICs (a local company was throwing them away, a mate of mine was doing their work experience at the time and was given them). I've put what the all are into a excel spreadsheet (for the DIL components at least the surface mount chips can wait). The ones that stand out for me are the ADCs and DACs.

Any project ideas and useful links would be much appreciated, I don't mind how challenging they are (to a point of course ).

(The attachment needs its extension to be renamed to .xlsx)

 

[eclectic]

Are we to assume that this project is for A level?

If so, could you provide a reference to to "rules of engagement"?

AKA the syllabus requirements.

e

 

[SilentScreamer]

Are we to assume that this project is for A level?

If so, could you provide a reference to to "rules of engagement"?

AKA the syllabus requirements.

e

I don't have the option for A level in any of the 13 schools around me, this is just for the love of electronics.

 

[Rickharris]

I am not sure of the connection between your question and the GCSE course - Your course work should be finished now assuming you are year 11.

OK assuming you are looking for something personal to do:

There are other posts covering how to approach projects with some examples have a search.

You should look for a problem around you to solve. This is what design is about. solving problems. Best to solve are those things for real people - there is a lot of satisfaction in helping others.

Making things that actually work is also fruitful, or look to an area you are interested in. Robotics can be interesting and expand your knowledge in many areas. Energy generation. Control systems in industry or the home. Communications.

 

[SilentScreamer]

My coursework is done, just the exam in mid June. I dislike robotics as it tends to involve a lot more resistant materials (wood work/metal work ect.). I've considered multiplexing the LCD displays, using the XBees to connect two circuits together but I cant think of what I can make that has a use of some kind.

 

[manuka]

SS: I can think of a zillion things to check out with that stash of hardware you've cornered. What sort of facilities,energy,budget & time (& eventual field) can you spare however? Yeah- voice of experience here- I've put young shavers on to things before & found them neglectful once the sunbeams (& -ahem-local distractions) come out...

Given the X2 arrival,just grabbing that 28X2 screamer & exploring all it's new features could suit? THOUGHT:How about writing an article (=$$$!) on the low voltage X2? Title it maybe "A new use for dead batteries" & shoot it to the US "Nuts & Volts" monthly ? Shakespeare himself would have no doubt already beaten you too this if he'd lived 400 years later! Stan

 

[SilentScreamer]

SS: I can think of a zillion things to check out with that stash of hardware you've cornered. What sort of facilities,energy,budget & time (& eventual field) can you spare however? Yeah- voice of experience here- I've put young shavers on to things before & found them neglectful once the sunbeams (& -ahem-local distractions) come out...

Given the X2 arrival,just grabbing a 28X2 & exploring all those new features could suit? Stan

Facilities: My schools etch tank/UV box, soldering iron, a multimeter that does everything I've asked of it and most tools. I also have access to a milling machine, lathe and all other common engineering machines.

Budget: Anything reasonable, I hope I can use as much of the existing stuff as possible (or to better phrase that make use of what I have rather than buying additional ICs etc.).

Time: I have over 3 months off school in a couple of months. I also don't mind how long it stretches on for.

I don't understand what you mean by energy and field? If you mean what area of electronics then anything which involves calculations and actual learning. I dislike GCSE because its just so "simple". My electronics teacher doesn't even know what AC stands for (I had to make a bridge rectifier for my GCSE project (so I could make use of a AC/AC transformer) he asked my what AC stood for and asked if it meant "actual current" "modern teaching").

As for making use of the X2s features, I might see how far Charlie-plexing can be pushed at 64Mhz without flicker. Any ideas for an 7 segment LED and XBee project? Something that involves a reasonable amount of maths/calculations.

 

[manuka]

Much laughter on that AC blunder! By "energy" I meant your ability to "get stuck in" & keep focused. We naturally don't know your situation, but the wisdom of age reveals numerous youthful projects become a pile of junk when something/someone more tempting comes along. By "field" I meant the specialisation that you most fancied- you'd ruled out robotics of course.

Perhaps X2ing that 8x8 matrix LED touch switch may be within your grasp. 64 LEDs at 64MHz!

EXTRA: Ah- won't your school facilities be closed off to you over the summer?

 

[jglenn]

Here is an idea I am going to try. A sun tracking solar panel.

All you need is a big servo, I am using a 1/4 scale plane type. Then some
optical gizmo to see the sun, and position the panel to get the max power.

I have a 25W panel that has to be at right angles to the sun to get good
juice. You only need one axis, that isn't hard!

 

[manuka]

Ahem- seasonal solar inclination also needs considering.

IMHO (after much playing around over the decades) small array solar tracking is usually not worth it. Rugged wind proofing the mechanicals alone may easily cost more than simply just adding a few more bolted down PVs. Local conditions of course need considering- especially when trying to optimise far more valuable low angle winter sun. In summer trackers may bring it too much solar energy & cook batteries.

 

[SilentScreamer]

EXTRA: Ah- won't your school facilities be closed off to you over the summer?

That only rules out their etch tank, I can make PCBs at home just not as well.

As for energy - I can stick at it easily even when the whole thing doesn't work for no apparent reason by missing one track on the connection between the LCD and the driver chip. I managed to destroy my GCSE project including both chips, melted a track (so I had to make a new PCB) and 3/4 voltage regulators in trying to fix it. I also spent about 5 hours getting the code from the led touch sensor to not flicker (I assume you saw my post in that thread).

Now an idea, if I start by using one of my 3V 28X2s to see if the 8X8 LED matrix touch sensor is possible. Then once the 20X2s become available I should be to replace the 28X8 with a 20X2 (assuming the below assumption is correct). Then the 20X2 connects to an 08M via serial. Use the 20X2 to trigger an interrupt on the 08M, the 08M then receives the data via serial and the sends the data on via an XBee. I'm not sure what I would do with the data once it arrived at the other XBee but this should keep me very busy for now.

My only question for now as I can't seem to find it definitively in any datasheets, is how are LED matrix's connected? Is it using 16 connectors, one for each row/column?

EDIT: I've just checked and the 20X2 can't be used. Serial In is input only and to read the displays I need ADC inputs and outputs.

 

[Andrew Cowan]

I had this same problem to think about last summer, and the result is my PICAXE controlled MEGABOT (under construction). One tip would to ask local companies to sponsor parts - I have raised about £1500 worth of parts.

Ideas: 2 wheeled balancing robot, POV/muliplex display, robotic arm, rc car mod...

During the summer after my GCSEs, I created a big document of ideas, full of ideas, pictures, sketches.

Have fun, and let us know how you do!

A

 

[Dippy]

Post the LED matrix part number and manufacturer and perhaps someone can find the Data Sheet.

Oh, it came from you-know-where did it?

Time to dig out a battery and resistor and/or multimeter.

How about making a flat touch panel from prespex sheet?
Inject modulated IR into edge and have sensors under the places you want.
Use demod and logic to sort out which 'button' has been pressed.

 

[SilentScreamer]

It hasn't come yet, I need to get one.

Your idea sounds interesting however could you please post a usful link or explain a little further because I don't quite understand it.

 

[Wrenow]

SS -

A new and improved and perhaps less expensive Picaxe version of this little jewel - http://www.sdmidicontroller.com/ a la http://www.mikrocontroller.net/articles/Midi_Rekorder_mit_MMC/SD-Karte (the earlier development version in German) would be a nice project, and could incorporate LCD, buttons or keypad, memory usage, MIDI output, file handling, and other issues to solve in the process. Hippy and Oldjoe have done some preliminary work in this area.

Who would use them? Musicians and churches on a tight budget for one possible example.

Cheers,

Wreno