1. 1 Bits and pieces of executing a project Progress of your Final year project – You have a title ? – You have a list of objectives? What’s next? – Is it a hardware project? – Is it a software project? – Is it a combination of hardware and software with a microcontroller?

2. 2 Software project What kind of software? – Derive a new algorithm to solve a problem in power system? – Develop a software package? – Do you need GUI? What programming language should you use? – C++, Java, C#, MatLab, LabView?

3. 3 What programming language to use? Defined by the project? – There is an existing program developed from other students and you job is to further develop or enhance Defined by the supervisor – Your supervisor knows Fortran so you must write the program in Fortran! Anything as long as it can get the job done!

4. 4 Which programming language C++ is an obvious choice as you know it well!!!! C++ can solve most of the engineering problems as well as developing basic GUI There are many existing third-party library functions available in the Web! Don’t forget the OOP nature of C++ as most third- party algorithms are available in “classes”

5. 5 Which programming language MatLab? – Good for solving engineering problems – With many tool boxes for different algorithms Image processing tool box Fuzzy logic, Simulink for control – MatLab can also work with external function written in C

6. 6 MatLab MatLab can also develop into a GUI http://blinkdagger.com/matlab/matlab-gui- graphical-user-interface-tutorial-for- beginners/ http://blinkdagger.com/matlab/matlab-gui- graphical-user-interface-tutorial-for- beginners/ Similar to C++, there are also many third-party MatLab program (.m file) available on the Web MatLab program can also convert into a C/C++ program

7. 7 LabView Do you know what is LabView? LabView is a graphical programming environment developed by NI (National Instruments) LabView can be used as a stand alone programming tool Example – Investigation of repeatable signal signature in rail condition monitoring with FBG sensors – Vehicle Number Plate Recognition by Image Processing Techniques

9. 9 LabView

10. 10 Hardware Hardware relatively is difficult to generalize – Certainly design buck-boost converter is very different from designing a Axial-flux-modulated motor – Requirements are so different! – What should you build or what should you buy?

11. Hardware There are so many off-the-shelf components available so is it necessary to re-invent the wheel? For example, if you need a buck-boost converter then there are many IC available for the job; same for motor drivers Talk to your supervisor before building or buying any expensive components Make sure that you understand the key objectives of your project 11

12. Where to buy your hardware In Hong Kong, – Welfare (Sham Shui Po) – IC master (San Po Kong) – RS http://hongkong01.rs-online.com/web/http://hongkong01.rs-online.com/web/ – Farnell – DigiKey In http://www.hqew.com/ http://www.hqew.com/ In taobao 12

13. Motors There are different kinds of motors – DC motor (current) – Servo motor (pulse width) – Stepper motor (digital) – Linear motor

14. Power DC power – Battery? Current Weight Size

15. Hardware + software Microprocessor related Which processor? There are so many processors available with many features such as – PWM – for controlling a motor – ADC, DAC (for getting input from sensor) – I2C (for communicating with other devices) 15

16. Microprocessor Arduino is getting very common in FYP – http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Hardware http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Hardware Come with a IDE for software development You can program using C (most microcontroller can be programmed using C language!!) Tutorial in Youtube – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCxzA9_kg6s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCxzA9_kg6s 16

17. C for microprocessor In assembly programming you do – Mov P0, #0FF – Djnz R0, abc In C you do – P0 = #0FF – If (i>10) {} else {}

18. Arduino It is cheap (below $150) and comes with many support modules including – IR sensor – Motor driver – RF module http://s8.taobao.com/search?q=arduino&com mend=all&ssid=s5- e&pid=mm_14507416_2297358_8935934 http://s8.taobao.com/search?q=arduino&com mend=all&ssid=s5- e&pid=mm_14507416_2297358_8935934 18

19. Other processors ADuC832 also available – http://www.futurlec.com/ADuC842_Controller.sht ml http://www.futurlec.com/ADuC842_Controller.sht ml Basic Stamp – used to be popular with FYP – Also comes with many supporting components but rather expensive – Available from www.parallax.comwww.parallax.com – Very good software support 19

20. Keil compiler If you are developing your own microprocessor system then how to compile/assemble your program? Keil is a generic compiler that can support many types of microprocessors Programs can be written in C, assembly etc http://www.keil.com/ 20

21. Mechanical issues Mechanical design is more difficult than electrical for EE students Industrial Centre (IC) can help You can pay for services in IC You can get some free components You can get better support from IC if you can highlight the significant of your project