WEEK 11: 28TH MARCH 2012

Title : Do some research about the Relay and preparing                           presentation slides by using Microsoft Office PowerPoint.

Objective : 1) To study about the Relay.

                   2) Finishing the presentation slides and submits a                              draft to the Supervisor.

           

Content / Procedure : 1) Search about  Relay specification.

                                     2) Preparing the presentation slides and                                              do some editing on the proposal.

                   

Results / Analysis :

1) There are 4 parts in every relay:

·      Electromagnet

·      Armature that can be attracted by the electromagnet

·      Spring

·      Set of electrical contacts

2)   The following figure shows these four parts in action:

     

·        A relay consists of two separate and completely independent circuits.

·        The first is at the bottom and drives the electromagnet. In this circuit, a switch is controlling power to the electromagnet.

·        When the switch is on, the electromagnet is on, and it attracts the armature (blue).

·        The armature is acting as a switch in the second circuit.

·        When the electromagnet is energized, the armature completes the second circuit and the light is on.

·        When the electromagnet is not energized, the spring pulls the armature away and the circuit is not complete. In that case, the light is dark.

3)   Several variables to be control when purchasing relay :

·         The voltage and current that is needed to activate the                     armature.

·         The maximum voltage and current that can run through the             armature and the armature contacts.

·         The number of armatures (generally one or two).

·         The number of contacts for the armature (generally one or             two -- the relay shown here has two, one of which is                       unused).

·         Whether the contact (if only one contact is provided)                       is normally open (NO) or normally closed (NC).

Relay circuit diagram

A simple relay circuit

Conclusion: From the research, the relay 5V 5pins is suitable to                        be used in this project. It will act like a switch.

WEEK 10: 20TH MARCH 2012

Title : Do some research and explore more about the Atmega                 IC’s.

Objective : To study about the Atmega IC’s.

           

Content / Procedure : Search about  Atmega IC’s specification.

                   

Results / Analysis :

Atmega 328 28pins 10-bit ADC

1)   Atmel's ATMega328 8-Bit Processor in 28 pin DIP package

2)   It comes with 32K of program space.

3)    23 I/O lines, 6 of which are channels for the 10-bit ADC.

4)   Runs up to 20MHz with external crystal.

5)   Package can be programmed in circuit.

6)   1.8V to 5V operating voltage.

Atmega328 28pins 10-bit ADC pin configuration

Conclusion: From the research, the Atmel’s ATMega328 8-Bit                          Processor in 28 pin DIP package IC’s will be used                          for Smart Chicken Coop program. 

WEEK 9: 12TH MARCH 2012

Title : Do some research and explore more about the Humidity               sensor.

Objective : To study about the Humidity Sensor.

           

Content / Procedure : Search about Humidity Sensor function                                            and operation principle.

                  

Results / Analysis :

Humidity Sensor

1)   A humidity sensor also called a hygrometer, measures and regularly reports the relative humidity in the air.

2)   A humidity sensor senses relative humidity. It measures both air temperature and moisture.

3)   Relative humidity, expressed as a percent, is the ratio of actual moisture in the air to the highest amount of moisture air at that temperature can hold.

4)   The warmer the air is, the more moisture it can hold, so relative humidity changes with fluctuations in temperature.

5)   The most common type of humidity sensor uses what is called “capacitive measurement.” This system relies on electrical capacitance, or the ability of two nearby electrical conductors to create an electrical field between them.

6)   The sensor itself is composed of two metal plates with a non-conductive polymer film between them. The film collects moisture from the air, and the moisture causes minute changes in the voltage between the two plates. The changes in voltage are converted into digital readings showing the amount of moisture in the air.

Conclusion: From the research, the Humidity sensor can be used                      in the Smart Chicken Coop to detect the moisture in                      the air. If the moisture is high, the light bulb will turn                       ON to maintain a suitable temperature for the chicks.