Week 14: (16/12/13 - 20/12/13)

Submit The Proposal Report


I find that this project is quite challenging for me in term of skills to implement the project. All the hardware parts and design the PCB layout needs some engineering skill such as soldering, itching, and so on. The software skills are also importance in order to simulate the circuit’s project. This will help me to build the knowledge and apply it to real world.

The expected outcomes for this project are that I should be able to produce a prototype of buck-boost converter. In other words, I am able to regulate the voltage outputs greater or less than the input voltage. These are the key findings in the project. Besides that, I am also able to find or determined the effect of duty cycle of PWM on a buck boost converter. This further study will focus on the voltages and current effects.

As for this project, I hope to accomplish all the objectives and able to finish the task within the time period given. With a help and monitoring from the supervisor Dr Mohd Izhar bin Abu Bakar, this project can be done in time. Although this project it’s just a prototype, it can be useful in the near future. For future plan, with more time and extra resources maybe I will able to make a smaller size and commercial type of buck boost converter.

I plan to submit the proposal report and log book on Friday morning 20 December 2013. This is the link to my proposal report.

• FYP1 Proposal Report

Week 13: (9/12/13 - 13/12/13)

Finish Up The Proposal Report 

For this week, all the FYP1's students should submit the proposal report. However since we have a lot of other assignment, Dr Izhar gave us another week extension. Thanks to his generosity and understanding. Therefore I can finish up my proposal report and also update my log book and blog. The proposal report should have these outlines:-

So far I have done almost 50% of the proposal report. I have done the introduction, problem statement, literature review and half of methodology. I hope I can finish this report by next week.

Week 12: (2/12/13 - 6/12/13)

Main Components

The PWM will act as a switching to the buck-boost converter. The output will be control by an adjustable resistor or variable resistor and the PWM circuit. The main components are LTC3115-1 for buck-boost and 555 Timer for PWM. The PWM have on state and off state modes. The ratio or duty cycle between this two can be control. Therefore, the student will study the effect of PWM in the output voltage magnitude of the buck boost converter. This will make a better understanding on how the buck-boost converter actually works.

The LM555 is a highly stable device for generating accurate time delays or oscillation. Additional terminals are provided for triggering or resetting if desired. In the time delay mode of operation, the time is precisely controlled by one external resistor and capacitor. For astable operation as an oscillator, the free running frequency and duty cycle are accurately controlled with two external resistors and one capacitor. The circuit may be triggered and reset on falling waveforms, and the output circuit can source or sink up to 200mA or drive TTL circuits.

The LTC3115-1 is a high voltage monolithic synchronous buck-boost DC/DC converter. Its wide 2.7V to 40V input and output voltage ranges make it well suited to a wide variety of automotive and industrial applications. A proprietary low noise switching algorithm optimizes efficiency with input voltages that are above, below or even equal to the output voltage and ensures seamless transitions between operational modes.

Below are the datasheet about the main components:-

• LM555
• LTC3115-1

Week 11: (25/11/13 - 29/11/13)

Drafting The Proposal Report

For week 11, based on my project planning, I suppose to combine the both circuit. However due to work loads that have burden me, I decided to postpone this task to my semester break. This week I started to work on my abstract for my proposal report and further research on a buck boost converter.

For next week I will make some research about the main components.

Week 10: (18/11/13 - 22/11/13)

Presentation: FYP Proposal

This week a presentation week for FYP1. It was held on Friday 22 November 2013, from 2.00 PM untill 5.00 PM at Gemilang Hall of  UniKL-BMI. On last Monday I already prepared the slide for the presentation. The presentation required the student to present the proposal about project. My presentation has been assess by two assessors, Miss Norrolhoda bt Sanif and Sir Abdul Rashid b Othman.

The presentation went smoothly and I able to present to my assessors. Both of my assessors understands about my project and I also able to answer some of their questions regarding the project. Next week I will be doing the report proposal and update the log book. Below is the link to my slide presentation.

• FYP1 Project Proposal Slide     

Week 9: (11/11/13 - 15/11/13)

Circuits & Schematic Diagram

In week 9, I continue my research on a Buck Boost Converter. The main thing is I have to find a suitable circuit for this project. I decided to use LTC3115-1 for my circuit. In addition there will be another circuit for switching process using the 555 timer. At this moment, this two circuits are my initial circuit diagram. However I will make some adjustment in the future, such as to add a variable resistors in order to control the output voltage.

For next week, I have to prepare a slide show for my proposal presentation. I already make a draft slide and plan to meet Dr Izhar next Monday.  

Week 8: (4/11/13 - 8/11/13)

Flow Chart 

For this week, I have done a flow chart for my project. A flowchart is a type of diagram that represents an algorithm or process, showing the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting them with arrows. This diagrammatic representation illustrates a solution to a given problem. Process operations are represented in these boxes, and arrows; rather, they are implied by the sequencing of operations. Flowcharts are used in analyzing, designing, documenting or managing a process or program in various fields.

In my flow chart there are 3 option such as greater, less or equal output voltage. The option will be control by a variable resistor. However the equal option is not relevant, because if we want an equal value of output voltage, than we don't need a buck boost converter in the first place.

For next week I plan to research some circuits that suits my project. I also have to draft a presentation slide for my supervisor Dr Izhar. I plan to meet him on next Friday.

Week 7: (28/10/13 - 1/11/13)

Introduction & Block Diagram

On week 7, I started on introduction and objective for my project. Basically my project is about a buck boost converter. The buck–boost converter is a type of DC-to-DC converter that has an output voltage magnitude that is either greater than or less than the input voltage magnitude. Two different topologies are called buck–boost converter. Both of them can produce a range of output voltages, from an output voltage much larger (in absolute magnitude) than the input voltage or down to almost zero.

Buck-boost converter topologies fit into a wide range of applications. Whether charging a battery from a battery, powering a string of LEDs, or running a handheld device from a single cell, the buck-boost topology can provide an important weapon of design tricks. Whether it is low cost, high efficiency, or low noise, some version of buck-boost topology can solve the problem. And, if buck-boost design works for multiple products, it save a considerable effort of designing separate power supplies for each load voltage. However, as with any type of design, the buck-boost-converter brings its share of design challenges.

The objective is to understand how the Buck-Boost Converter works. The main idea for this project is to be able to regulate output voltage less or greater. While the Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) works as a switching for my project. Other than that this project also help me to implement knowledge and skills that I have learned so far. A Buck-Boost Converter is one of my syllabus in subject Power Electronic that I learned last semester.

For scope and limitation, this project is for DC-to-DC only. The input and output voltages are set to certain amount of limitation. At this point I haven't decide what suitable range voltage for my project. I would say around 3V to 30V. Other than that, this project is 100% hardware, no coding or software needed. However in term of simulation for circuit I plan to use MultiSim 2013 and for PCB layout I will use DipTrace software. Here is my block diagram for my project.

Week 6: (21/10/13 - 25/10/13)

Project Planing (Gantt Chart)

After coming back from mid semester break, I start planing for my FYP1 and FYP2 by doing a Gantt chart. There are many ways to create a Gantt chart. For example, Microsoft Project, a task-planning program, makes it easy to track and chart project timelines with a built-in Gantt chart view. Another option is to use Excel. However Excel does not contain a built-in Gantt chart format. Therefore I decided to use Microsoft Project to produce my Gantt chart because it is friendly user.

A Gantt chart, commonly used in project management, is one of the most popular and useful ways of showing activities (tasks or events) displayed against time. On the left of the chart is a list of the activities and along the top is a suitable time scale. Each activity is represented by a bar; the position and length of the bar reflects the start date, duration and end date of the activity. This allows me to see at a glance and keep me in track.

On Friday 25/10/13, there was a second FYP1 briefing being held at TTL2. The FYP's committee told us about Proposal Presentation and also Progress Report. For next week I will start on introduction and also block diagram for this project. Here are the links to my Gantt Chart:

• FYP1 Planing
• FYP2 Planing

Week 5: (7/10/13 - 11/10/13)

Confirmation of FYP Title

After several research on Buck-Boost Converter, I came up with an abstract about the project. I went to meet Dr Izhar on last Thursday, and he agreed with my title. On Friday morning, I went to see Madam Nulida to inform her about my new title. Later that evening, my name its officially on FYP page. http://fyp.bmi.unikl.edu.my/ Next week is mid semester break, so on the following week I will start with project planing. 

Name: Mohd Helmi b Ismail

ID: 51210211499

Advisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr Mohd Izhar bin Abu Bakar

Title: A Development of A Simple Buck Boost Converter using PWM

Description:

Fundamentally, there are two common topologies for changing a source voltage to that required by a load. Buck regulation steps down the input voltage, while boost is a voltage step-up topology. Nevertheless, many mobile or battery-powered applications have a need for a third option, the buck-boost. In this case, the input voltage can range from above to below the voltage required by the output load.

In this project, student will be able to create a prototype of Buck Boost Converter using PWM. The prototype will be able to regulate the voltage either to decrease (buck) or increase (boost). This prototype can be useful in charging a battery or in USB application. 

Week 4: (30/9/13 - 4/10/13)

Problem with FYP Title

This week, as I was fear about the rumor, and unfortunately it is true. My friend and I went to meet Madam Nulida on last Monday. As we expected, we have to change our supervisor and even our title. After a short meeting with her, she suggested that we may see Dr Izhar as our new supervisor. She also gave us some time until next week to come up with a new title related to our course under the supervision of Dr Izhar. Dr Izhar is our Deputy Dean and he is from electrical section.

Later that week, on Friday we went to meet Dr Izhar. He was glad to be our new supervisor. He also want us to come up with a new title. I gave him a title about Power Factor Correction. This title is more related to my course. However he wanted me to research on Buck-Boost Converter and come up with an abstract by next week.

Also on this week, we gave a good farewell to Dr Zaki and wish him good luck with two new students that replaced us. For next week I have to do some research about the Buck-Boost Converter also known as Step Up, Step Down Converter.

Week 3: (23/9/13 - 27/9/13)

The Rice-hopper Detector

From my discussion with Dr Zaki, he told my friend and I that the project need at least three small cameras attach to the device. The device will use some sort of chemical element to attract rice-hopper into the device. When the amount of rice-hopper is exceed the danger point, the device will trigger to alert the owner via GSM. Now we have some general idea about our FYP. My task is to design software for the device, and my friend Muslim has to design the hardware part.

At the end of the week, I heard a rumor that the students must choose a supervisor from their department only. This news has alert me and my friend, as we are electrical students while Dr Zaki is from electronic section. Further more, the students must come up with a title related to their course. Therefore, I plan to meet with Head of FYP Committee, Madam Nulida on next week. I hope this matter can be sort out as soon as possible.

Week 2: (16/9/13 - 20/9/13)

FYP Title Research

For this week, I went to discuss with Dr. Zaki about my ideas on Monday. However, he also has his own idea about his project that need students help. He asked me to do his project. The project is also about image recognition just like my two ideas. The project is a development of a prototype that can count rice-hopper. This prototype is to help the agriculture industry such as paddy field that being attack by rice-hopper. The idea is to count the amount of rice-hopper and send the data to alert the owner. He also told me that he is trying to alias with Ministry of Agriculture to fund this project. Therefore I decided to join him along side with my fellow friend Muslim Munir, to do this project.

On Thursday evening, around 3.00 pm, there was a first FYP1 briefing being held at TTL2. The head of FYP committee, Madam Nulida bt Abd Aziz told FYP1's students to find a FYP title and a supervisor as soon as possible. The last date to register the title is on 27 September 2013 which on Friday the following week. She also told us to register the title with our choice of supervisor. Its mean that I have another week to sort this out. Although I already discussed with Dr. Zaki, but my name is still not in FYP page. http://fyp.bmi.unikl.edu.my/

This week is a final week for students to register their subjects. I already done my registration on the final day which is on Friday. My Academic Adviser, Sir Nor Azman b Othman allow me take all subjects that I planed before. Everything is going great for me so far. I hope I'm able to do well in my FYP and together with other subjects.

Week 1: (9/9/13 - 13/9/13)

Registration Subjects

On the first week of September 2013 semester, as senior students returned on the following week after the MSR, everybody were busy with registration subjects. For me, I have to register the WPB49804 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1 subject so that I can be able to do a Final Year Project for this semester. I have some general idea about my FYP1. I would like to implement the Artificial Intelligent (A.I) subject that I learned on previous semester. The idea is to use an image recognition. I already spoke to my A.I lecturer Dr Mohd Zaki b Ayob about my ideas during the short semester in July. I have two ideas to use the Fuzzy Logic and Neural Network on my FYP1.

1.  The Egg Grading System

The Egg Grading System is a machine that detect the size of egg to determine the grade. The idea is to use an image of egg, by doing the algorithm in MATLAB, one can define the grade of egg. The grade range are AA, A, B, C, and D.

2.  The Coin Detector

This project is also using the same idea as the first one. The different is, this project is to determine the value of coin. The method is still using the image recognition. The range include the old and new type of coins which are 5, 10, 20, and 50 cent.

I hope to meet with Dr Zaki by next week as I still busy with registration subjects. I plan to take just three subjects along with FYP1. I dont want to burden myself with extra credits so that I can focus more on FYP1. Here are the subjects that I plan to take for this semester.

1. BGB21103 ESSENTIAL MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

2. BPB44103 POWER QUALITY 3

3. WEB20302 PROFESSIONAL ENGLISH 2

4. WPB49804 FINAL YEAR PROJECT 1