writing assignment

Link to writing assignment: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1mRBJCx1_XLOMm7sJCNpDUYiqAsj9QCun76DXbgcJICw/edit?hl=en&authkey=CKLo98cK


Progress update: Project complete

Progress update 3/15/11

The project is complete. We met Sunday and worked out the bug with the interrupts. What was done required that a second ATMEL controller be used. The two boards were linked by a simple serial interface. The interrupts that both the sensors and the audio need made this the only solution that would not degrade the performance of the project. An audio amplifier was constructed after several attempts that was capable of filtering and amplifying a PWM signal. We met with the project mentor DR.Crilly on Monday to preview the final design less the amplifier. We also met on Thursday to begin work on the project presentation. All in all the project went well. We only came across a few snags: Interrupt collisions (priority inversion), Amplifying a PWM audio signal, and debouncing a pulse input from switches. In general the final design is very much what was anticipated even when it was still only conceptual. The snags were more or less anticipated at the beginning and we were prepared for them. It was decided from the start that two controllers may be needed for concurrent software development by multiple group members and the possibility of needing two controllers for the project. Two were procured at the beginning. It was also noted that the PWM audio could cause problems as well as a need to debounce the pulse inputs.  What was not anticipated was the need to use interrupts to count pulses rather than simply polling the inputs. We were also not 100% sure we would be able to procure the sensors at a reasonable cost and lead-time. One device was loaned to the group that would have exceeded the budget.

Progress update 4-8-2011

The amplifier was constructed and tested. The amplifier works well but we are picking up a stray signal in the amplification. We plan to work that bug out on Sunday. Also when the sensor code and audio code were combined we found that since we both used interrupts the code did not function as planned. We will try to find a workaround but may end up using a second board for the audio.

Progress update

Project is almost complete: New sound routines were written and a power switch was added. Tomorrow we are meeting to complete the software and work on the audio amplifier

Progress update

Project is nearing completion, only an audio amplifier and more sound functions need to be added. The components were placed in Sofa's case. Slight modifications were made to allow all of the components to be mounted properly.

See video demo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3SuKFwimMA

Progress Update 3_11_2011

Little work was done on the project this week. This is the main mid-term crunch so the "squeaky wheel" gets the grease. However, we are nearly complete and way ahead of schedule.

Action Items: Over spring break we intend to place the circuit boards inside the enclosure and build the audio amplifier.  Once this is complete the only thing lacking will be additional sound routines and some fine tuning.

critique assignment

Link to critique