Mobile Mapper

Introduction:-

Mobile Mapper is a manually controlled machine that can map as many as 8 physical parameters
(such as temperature, light, strong magnetic fields, sound, humidity, etc.) one at a time. The
parameter that it measures is converted into an 8-bit BCD code that is directly displayed on two
7-segment displays. This number (between 0 and 100) when multiplied by a suitable pre-fixed
conversion factor gives the value of the parameter to be measured.

Construction:-

It consists of two parts viz. (I) Mobile Van (II) Master Controller. The Master Controller is the
master while the Mobile Van is the slave. The Mobile Van essentially consists of the transducers,
multiplexer, transmission assembly, motor assembly and the obstacle detector. The Master
Controller consists of the power supply unit, mode controller, transmission controller and display
unit. The master controller is connected to mobile van with the help of bus of 12 wires
(commonly called as the Patti wire).

A typical block diagram of the whole module is drawn below.














+ - A B C CLK DATA
Left Right IN OUT
Motor Motor
Control Control

Converter
Reset









Details


Mobile Van
Transducer
Unit
Multiplexer
(8:1)
A/D
Converter


Transmission
Assembly
Motor
Assembly
Power
Supply
Unit
Mode
Controller
Motor
Controller
Transmission
Controller
Display
Controller
Switchboard
Obstacle
Detector
Clock Pulse
Generator
8-Clock Pulse
Generator
(I)Mobile Van :-

As the name suggests this is the mobile part of the machine. It accepts commands from the
Master Controller and executes them.

(i)Transducer Unit The transducers are placed in the front part of the mobile van. Suitable
signal conditioning circuits are incorporated wherever necessary. The voltage from each
transducer unit is fed to the 8 inputs of the 8:1 Multiplexer(CD 4051).

(ii)Multiplexer Unit It consists of 8:1 multiplexer(CD 4051) operated in the analog mode. It
receives select signals from Master Controller which decides which of the eight inputs is routed
to the o/p.

(iii)Clock Pulse Generator It consists of the famous 555 timer IC which produces clock pulses
of 50% duty cycle at a frequency of 33 kHz.

(iv)A/D Converter This is the heart of the whole circuit. The basic block diagram is shown
below -
Vr
Va <

+ --








CD 4018 used as 2-decade
counter


CD 4011

CLK Signal from Clock Pulse Generator Converter
Reset Line
(from Master
Controller)


The analog voltage Va obtained at the o/p of the multiplexer is applied to the non-inverting i/p of
the analog comparator (1/4 of LM339). The counter is first reset to zero count using a clear pulse
via the Converter Reset Line. The o/p of the counter is used as the i/p to the 2-decade BCD D/A
converter (made by using weighted-resistor technique) whose o/p voltage Vr is compared with
the analog voltage Va. As long as Va>Vr the AND gate is enabled and the counter counts. As the
count increases, Vr also increases. This continues till Vr becomes just greater than Va. After this
the counter stops counting as the AND gate is disabled. The status of the counter is latched in the
8-bit PISO register (CD 4021). This data is transmitted serially via the DATA OUT line
whenever the PISO register receives clock pulses via the CLK IN line from the master controller.
LM
339
2-Decade BCD D/A
Converter
BCD UP Counter
(2-Decade)
(v) Transmission Assembly The status of the counter is latched in the 8-bit PISO register
(CD4021). This data is transmitted serially via the DATA OUT line whenever the PISO register
receives clock pulses via the CLK IN line from the master controller.

(vi)Obstacle Indicator - This consists of a highly sensitive LDR that detects presence of obstacle
as much as 0.5 m away from the Mobile Van and sends a high signal to the Master Controller.
The Master Controller gives an audio (using IC UM 66) as well as visual indication (using LED)
to the user in response to this.

(vi)Motor Assembly- As stated before, it consists of motors & shaft-belt-pulley mechanism. One
terminal of each motor is grounded while the other terminal is connected to the motor controller
of the Master Controller via bus lines. The system works on independent control of motors.


(II) Master Controller: -

The user holds the master controller. The different parts of the master controller are explained
below-

(i)Power Supply Unit The whole unit works on a single power supply that may vary from 5V d.c
to 12V d.c. The optimum operation is achieved at 10V since mostly CMOS devices are used.

(ii)Mode Controller The mode controller consists of three toggle switches that decide what
physical parameter is to be measured. The three mode control lines A, B, C are connected to the
select inputs of the multiplexer of the Mobile Van.

(iii)Motor Controller The motor controller is used to control the movement of the Mobile Van.
It consists of two push-to-on switches that independently control two motors. When both the
switches are pressed, the van moves forward. A transistorized circuit is used to provide the
required driving current. When only one is pushed, the van takes a right or left turn. When none is
pressed it remains stationary. The motors drive the wheels of the van. Each motor drives two
wheels one front wheel and other rear wheel. The corresponding front and rear wheels are
coupled using the shaft-belt-pulley mechanism. In addition the speed of van can be varied using
the motor controller.

(iv)8-Clock Pulse Generator- It incorporates a circuit which sees to it that, whenever activated,
exactly eight clock pulses are produced which get routed through the CLK IN line. The user
activates the circuit by pressing the clock switch present on the switchboard. 8- pulses are achived
by using IC 555, CD 4017 and CD 4027.

(v)Transmission Controller In order to reduce expense, serial transmission of 8-bit data is used.
The CLK switch when toggled to ON activates the 8 Clock Pulse Generator which sees to it that
only eight clock pulses are passed via the CLK IN line and the 8-bit data obtained serially
through DATA OUT line is stored in SIPO register (CD 4015).

(vi)Display Unit The 8-bit data stored in the SIPO register is displayed on two 7-segment
displays via the BCD to 7-segment decoder with latch IC CD4511. The 7-segment display is of
the common anode type.

(vii)Switch Board The switchboard consists of toggle, push-to-on and other switches which are
used to by the user to control the machine. In addition, it also has LED and musical alarm to alert
the user from obstacle in the path of Mobile Van.

Noteworthy Feature: -

1. Single power supply is needed for the whole module. Mobile Van receives power
from the power supply via the Master Controller.
2. Speed of Mobile Van can be easily controlled.
3. Most of the devices are CMOS devices that ensure minimum power
consumption.
4. The accuracy of measured parameter is sufficient for normal operations. But for
highly precise measurements, the A/D converter must consist of a counter having
a higher count. The display system also needs to be expanded accordingly.
5. Instead of using bus-wires to connect the Mobile Van to the Master Controller,
remote control system can be used to make the connection wireless. But this will
add to the expense and will also require an inbuilt power supply for Mobile Van
6. Number of physical parameters to be measured can be increased by cascading
multiplexers and using more select lines.
7. All the switch contacts are made contact bounce less using the IC CD 4044.
8. The reading can be taken as many times as the user wants.
9. The machine intimates the user of upcoming obstacle by giving visual as well as
audio indication.
10. The estimated cost of the whole project is not more than Rs. 450 (excluding the
cost of transducers).

Applications: -

The machine is extremely useful in fieldwork since it can measure number of physical parameters
one at a time. It can be a great boon in research work as it can work as ones lab assistant. Also
the machine can work in places where human cant directly work. For example, in places of high
or low temperatures, dark or bright light, etc.

Reference Books:-

1. CMOS Cookbook Don Lancaster and Howard M. Berlin
2. Modern Digital Electronics R. P. Jain
3. Linear Integrated Circuits D. Roy Choudhary and Shail Jain


Name: Kalpesh Shetye
College: D.J. Sanghvi College Of Engineering.
Course: Electronics
January 2001