Week 6 - Journal

Ideation

Our assignment for Week 6 involves building and Programming a smart circuit using an Arduino UNO which reads a signal from an input component to control an action component using Code Blocks.

I chose to make a smart fan with one input and two different types of output components. When the temperature of the room become high, the fan works and the temperature of the room displays on the lcd.

Tool Chain

Which software/machines/materials did you use in the assignment? Why?

Here's a list of software, machines, and materials I used for the assignment:

Tinkercad software for simulating

Arduino IDE

Temperature sensor

Avometer for troubleshooting

fan

Breadboard

LCD

Arduino uno with cable

RCA female

jumpers

5V adaptor

Design/Preparation Process

Explain the design and/or preparation process of your assignment. How did you use the tool or software to design and/or prepare your assignment before fabrication/implementation?

Tinkercad simulation Process:

In this project, I used temperature sensor as input and fan and LCD as outputs.
I used Arduino UNO to control my circuit.
I used breadboard to mount electronics and wires on it.
I connected the fan with pin 9 (signal) and the GND of Arduino.
I connected the LCD with the GND and VCC of Arduino, and connected SDA with pin A4 and SCL with pin A5 of Arduino.
I connected the temperature sensor with the GND, VCC and pin A0 of Arduino.
Finally, after simulating the circuit and uploading the code on Arduino, I used the power supply (5v - 2A) as power source.

the simulation of the circuit when the temperature is lower than 30 degree

the simulation of the circuit when the temperature is higher than 30 degree

Coding Process:

if temperature is higher than 30 degree, put the value of this new temperature in variable called "temp" and print this value in lcd in second row, and in the first raw print "temperature is".
Also, turn on the fan in pin 9.
if temperature is lower than 30 degree, turn off the fan and clear the lcd from the text.

the code blocks of the circuit

Development/Implementation Process

Explain the development/implementation process of your assignment. How did you use the machine/tool to manufacture or implement the design of your assignment?

I connected the input (temp sensor) and outputs (fan - lcd) with arduino using breadboard as shown in tinkercad simulation:

I connected the fan with pin 9 and the GND of Arduino and connected the LCD with the GND and VCC of Arduino, connected SDA with pin A4 and SCL with pin A5 of Arduino and connected the temperature sensor with the GND, VCC and pin A0 of Arduino using breadboard. then I uploaded the code using the cable.

20250221_201358.mp4

Demo of the circuit

Community of Learning

Did you ask for feedback? What are the ideas that others have contributed or suggested? What was someone else’s idea that you built upon? How did you help your peers? How did your peers help you?

I'd like to offer some advice when working with the temperature sensor. It's better to connect it using wires instead of fixing it to the breadboard, making it easier to control and isolate from other wires.

Another valuable tip I received from one of the lecturers is to heat the sensor using steam instead of direct flame to avoid damaging it.

Overcoming Challenges

When you got stuck, what/who did you turn to? At what point did you have to pause to research or learn more before moving on? What are some mistakes, pitfalls, or challenges that others can avoid if they were doing this assignment?

One of the problems I encountered was with the LCD display. When I connected it to the Arduino, the text was not visible. However, when I adjusted the display's contrast using the screw at the back (as shown in the picture), the text reappeared.

Final Project

How can you use the skills and knowledge that you've acquired this week in your final project?

This week, I learned how to make electrical circuits using arduino and coding, how to troubleshoot your circuit to detect the problem, and how to simulate your circuit first.

I encountered some problems and learned from them, so I think I will use them effectively in my final project.

WOW!

What is the coolest thing that you've learned this week? What is something that you will never forget from this week?

Besides the hands-on learning experience, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey, absorbing valuable tricks and gaining in this week. The team spirit with fellow colleagues – sharing advice, capturing moments, laughter, and encouragement – created unforgettable memories.

Weekly Digest

Tell us about any other cool things that you've made this week: in the Hands-on activity, tutorial examples, exercises, or any other cool mini-project that you tried out aside from the assignment.

We made this smart waving hand for end of week session 😍🤩

Video from 𝒎𝒐𝒉𝒓𝒂𝒆𝒆𝒍

Assignment Design Files

Arduino code

Tikercad link

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