Computer Control of Holiday Yard Display
Senior Design Dec05-10
Design Report
Client
Senior Design
Faculty Advisors
Professor Kenneth Kruempel
Team Members
Brown, Christopher A., CprE
Wong, Yee-Ching, EE
Hove, Ross Eugene, EE
Aldini, Seth Thomas, CprE
REPORT DISCLAIMER NOTICE
DISCLAIMER: This document was developed as a part of the requirements of an electrical and computer engineering course at IowaStateUniversity, Ames, Iowa. This document does not constitute a professional engineering design or a professional land surveying document. Although the information is intended to be accurate, the associated students, faculty, and IowaStateUniversity make no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, quality, or adequacy of the information. The user of this document shall ensure that any such use does not violate any laws with regard to professional licensing and certification requirements. This use includes any work resulting from this student-prepared document that is required to be under the responsible charge of a licensed engineer or surveyor. This document is copyrighted by the students who produced this document and the associated faculty advisors. No part may be reproduced without the written permission of the senior design course coordinator.
April 8, 2005
1
Table of Contents
List of Figures iii
List of Tables iii
List of Definitions iv
1Introductory Materials
1.1Abstract
1.2Acknowledgements
1.3Problem Statement
1.3.1General Problem Statement
1.3.2General Problem Solution
1.4Operating Environment
1.5Intended Users and Uses
1.5.1Intended Users
1.5.2Intended Uses
1.6Assumptions and Limitations
1.6.1Assumptions
1.6.2Limitations
1.7Expected End Product and Other Deliverables
2Approach and Product Design Results
2.1Approach Used
2.1.1Design Objectives
2.1.2Functional requirements
2.1.3Design Constraints
2.1.4Technical Approach Considerations and Results
2.1.5Testing Approach Considerations
2.1.6Recommendation Regarding Project Continuation or Modification
2.2Detailed Design
2.2.1Parts used
3Resources
3.1Estimated resource requirement
3.1.1Personal effort requirements
3.1.2Other resource requirements
3.1.3Financial requirement
3.2Schedules
3.2.1Gantt Chart – First Semester
3.2.2Gantt Chart – Second Semester
3.2.3Revised Schedule
3.2.4Deliverables Schedule
4Closure Materials
4.1Project Team Information
4.1.1Client Information
4.1.2Faculty Advisors
4.1.3Team Members
4.2Acknowledgements
4.3Closing Summary
List Of Figures
Figure 2.2.1.2-1 – Figure of 3x8 decoder from mouser.com......
Figure 2.2.1.3-1 – Transistor diagram from mouser.com......
Figure 2.2.1.4-1 – LED diagram from mouser.com......
Figure 2.2.1.4-2 – Resistor diagram from mouser.com......
Figure 2.2.1.4-3 – Overall design idea......
Figure 3.2.1-1 – First Semester Schedule......
Figure 3.2.1-1 – Second Semester Schedule......
Figure 3.2.2-1 – Revised Schedule of Major Tasks......
Figure 3.2.4-1 – Deliverables Schedule......
List of Tables
Table 2.2.1.4-1 – Part Numbers and prices from
Table 3.1.1-1 – Personal Effort (in hours)......
Table 3.1.1-2 – Personal Effort (in hours)......
Table 3.1.2-1 –Resources......
Table 3.1.2-2 – Resources......
Table 3.1.3-1 – Cost, with and without labor......
Table 3.1.3-2 – Cost, with and without labor......
Table 4.1.2 – Project Advisors......
Table 4.1.3 – Team Members......
ListofDefinitions
LED– Light Emiting Diode – A type of semiconductor diode that emits visible or infrared light when current passes through it.
AC– Alternating current -- Differs from direct current (DC) in that its direction is reversed 60 times per second (50 times per second in some countries)
Atmosphericpressure – This is the pressure at any one point on the earth'ssurface from the weight of the air above it.
GUI – Graphical User Interface
PC – Personal Computer
MB – Megabtyes
GB – Gigabytes
PLC – Programmable Logic Controller
3x8 Decoder – Takes 3 inputs bits and outputs 8 bits
1
1Introductory Materials
The following subsections describe the project problem, operating environment, intended user, intended use, assumptions, limitations, and deliverables.
1.1Abstract
The purpose of this project is to create an energy-efficient computer-controlled lighting system for holiday lighting displays. Many of these displays have become very large and complex and they require a great deal of power. These displays, for the most part, do not employee any alternative lighting solutions to minimize power consumption, such as LED devices. A system will be designed to handle efficient power usage by controlling light sequences for animation. In this project, alternative lighting sources will be explored for their practicality and efficiency. The system will be designed to handle both indoor and outdoor environments. Also, it is planned that the system will be built and put on display in the lobby of Coover Hall. This system will be very helpful in conserving power, and also create an effective method for controlling light animation.
1.2Acknowledgements
The design team would like to thank our faculty advisor Kenneth Kruempel for all the assistance he has given the team. His technical expertise has greatly aided the success of this project. The design team would also like to thank the professor John Lamont for the quality instruction he has given that the team has based this project upon.
1.3Problem Statement
This section describes the problem that needs to be solved and its solution.
1.3.1General Problem Statement
The system will be able to control conventional holiday display lighting. Solutions will also be explored that use LED. It will have the ability to turn lights on or off at certain timing intervals. A physical interface between the computer and the actual lights has to be designed using the parallel port of the computer. The problem of this project is huge power consumption of the lighting system, so the system is designed to monitor the power consumption of the lights to maximize efficiency. The PC itself will need to be indoors, but will have a set of wires connecting it with the lights outdoors.
To control the system, a controller and a software program will be designed to control the lighting sequences. The program will be able to read input from a file that specifies the lighting sequences to be used. The software will accept input from both the keyboard and the mouse. The software will have drivers implemented to control the hardware-to-lighting interface connected to the computer. Error-handling will also be implemented to maximize the uptime of the system.
1.3.2General Problem Solution
The system will be powered by a regular AC input from the common 120-volt wall outlet. To control the lighting the system, a digital signal will be sent, either high or low voltage to turn the lights on and off, via a parallel port controller. The system will also be able to switch the lights on and off at a speed greater than or equal to 12 times per second, to create the appearance of nearly full motion movement. The signals light will be directly transmitted by the standard PC, which connected to the parallel port controller in order to minimize the power consumption. The error-handling will be implemented by controlling malfunctions with the lighting or hardware.
1.4Operating Environment
As stated earlier, the actual PC system will be able to operate indoors under normal room temperature (60-72 degrees). The PC will not be subjected to any external forces such as being dropped or increased atmospheric pressure. The PC will be able to stay powered on constantly for weeks at a time.
The actual lighting used shall be able to withstand a wide range of environmental conditions. These include, but are not limited to, snow, rain, high winds, and ice. The lighting shall be able to handle temperatures between -20 degrees Fahrenheit to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The lighting shall be able to withstand external forces such as a person bumping into the lighting or being dropped a distance less than one foot.
1.5Intended Users and Uses
This section contains two subsections.
1.5.1Intended Users
The intended user will be a person that is competent with computers and can operate them properly and install software. The person must be able to read at the twelfth grade level to use the system. The user will need to be physically able to connect the lighting to the computer and arrange the different lighting. The educational level of the users will vary greatly. It is possible that some users of the power supply will not have a professional understanding of electricity, so the team must be sure that appropriate labeling is used on the case of the power supply to warn users of proper and improper use. Since the system will utilize potentially dangerous voltages and currents, the user should not be under the age of 14. If the user is under this age, they must be under the close supervision of a parent, guardian, or trusted adult.
1.5.2Intended Uses
The intended uses of the system will be control any standard holiday lighting system that use will not be limited to holiday periods, but not all lighting systems, such as fluorescent lighting, will be supported. The system is not expected to be used to control the lighting of a house or a room and the system is also not intended to be used in any lighting or system that may be life threatening while running or if the system stops running. Furthermore, the system is not intended to be used in countries with different power systems from the US.
1.6Assumptions and Limitations
This section contains two subsections that describe the assumptions and limitations of the end-product.
1.6.1Assumptions
1.6.1.1The end product will not be used outside of the United States
1.6.1.2The system will be able to handle controlling eight different animated light sequences simultaneously
1.6.1.3The software designed will be able to run in a modern computer
1.6.1.4The software will be able to be controlled by any computer competent user
1.6.1.5The maximum number of simultaneous users will be one
1.6.1.6The lighting will be able to be switched on or off twelve times per second
1.6.1.7The software will accept input from both a keyboard and a mouse
1.6.2Limitations
1.6.2.1The system must operate at 120 Volts at 60Hz
1.6.2.2The lighting must be able to withstand sub freezing temperatures and winter weather conditions
1.6.2.3The wiring will be able to withstand the same conditions as the lighting is required to withstand
1.6.2.4The maximum cost for the end user will be $200, not including the price of the computer
1.6.2.5The system, including the computer must use less power than a standard lighting system
1.6.2.6The system will cost IowaStateUniversity less than $150 to build
1.6.2.7The lights will be controlled by a standard PC
1.6.2.8The project will be completed in December of 2005
1.6.2.9The system will not be designed to handle submersion in water, fire, or acts of God
1.6.2.10Children under 14 will not use this product on their own
1.7Expected End Product and Other Deliverables
A display of lights using the system designed in this project is expected to be displayed for the holidays in December of 2005.The display in Coover shall be rather portable and not obstruct the flow of traffic within the building. The PC used will be one owned by IowaStateUniversity and the lighting will be purchased by IowaStateUniversity also. Directions on the system’s use will also be included.
1
2Approach and Product Design Results
This section will cover the approach used by the group and the design results.
2.1Approach Used
The approach used by the group is described in the following section.
2.1.1Design Objectives
This section defines the objectives for the design of the lighting system.
2.1.1.1Develop lighting system capable of handling eight animations
This system will be able to control up to eight separate animations with up to eight separate stages of animation. This would consist of a total of 64 different strings of lights.
2.1.1.2Develop a software program to control the lighting
The software program will be developed in C and C++. It will have a GUI interface for easy user interaction.
2.1.1.3Develop an interface between the computer’s parallel port and the lighting
The interface will contain a connector that attaches to a standard PC parallel port and a controller box that allows the attachment of 64 separate strings of lights.
2.1.2Functional requirements
The functional requirements of the display are listed below.
2.1.2.1Ease of Use
The end project should be able to function as desired, even when operated by a “non-technical” person. The system should be flexible and able to handle different types of wiring configurations.
2.1.2.2Computer Control
There should also be some sort of computer-controlled animation in the lighting system. The animation should be able to change at a minimum of 12 times a second.
2.1.2.3External Forces
The system should be able to withstand being bumped into by people passing by. The lighting should also be able to function while covered by snow or ice.
2.1.3Design Constraints
The constraints for the design of the display are listed as follows.
2.1.3.1Adverse Weather Conditions
The project needs to be designed to withstand the cold, wet Iowa winters. The system should also be able to handle warm temperatures for indoor displays or displays in climates that are warmer.
2.1.3.2Low Power Consumption
The system should use less power than a conventional lighting system by implementing effective animation and power-saving techniques. Alternative lighting sources will be considered as part of the power-saving technique.
2.1.3.3System Size
The size of the display may also come into consideration due to cost and the location of the display. The system shall be rather portable and able to be transported safely.
2.1.4Technical Approach Considerations and Results
This section discusses the technologies considered for the lighting system and the technology chosen.
2.1.4.1Technology Considerations
The technologies considered for the display are elaborated on below.
2.1.4.1.1Control System
This is the system that will control the animation of the lighting. This system includes the PC, the programming language, and the interface connecting the PC to the lighting.
2.1.4.1.1.1PC System
Windows XP was the only PC operating system considered for this project.
Pros
- Widely used system in all industries
- Many API systems are available
- The team is familiar with this system
Cons
- Windows XP requires a lot of hardware resources including 256MB of memory and 4GB of free hard drive space to install
- Newer hardware (less than 5 years old) is required to run Windows XP
2.1.4.1.1.2Programming Language
The programming language will be used to interface with the PC’s microprocessor and parallel port.
2.1.4.1.1.2.1C++ and C
This is the language chosen for programming the software required in this project.
Pros
- Low-level communication capability with parallel port
- High level class design for easy to read code
- Many pre-designed libraries available for input and output
Cons
- Low-level code is often cryptic
- GUI interface design is not a native specification for C or C++
- Must be re-compiled for use with different operating systems and platforms
- Java
This language is becoming more and more popular and is very portable
Pros
- Does not need to be recompiled to run on different operating systems and platforms
- GUI interface is a native specification for Java
- High level class for easy to read code
Cons
- Even small applications require large amounts of memory to run
- Sluggish execution due to large memory requirements
- No low-level input and output interface
2.1.4.1.1.3Interface between PC and Lighting
This interface would be the device that connected the PC and the lighting.
2.1.4.1.1.3.1PLC
The programmable logic controller is a device that can be programmed to output certain combinations of controls at different time intervals.
Pros
- Can be disconnected from the PC and run as a standalone device
- Very compact and available with many numbers of outputs
Cons
- Very costly most PLC devices cost over $150. This is more than the average consumer would want to pay for a holiday lighting system.
- ParallelPort to Decoder and Transistor Array
This interface would utilize the parallel port and connect to the group’s custom-made decoder and transistor array system to control the lighting.
Pros
- Can be designed to fit the groups exact specifications and needs
- Much cheaper than a PLC
- Handles 64 different strings of lights
Cons
- Not a tested technology
- Requires a lot of precise calculations to operate properly
2.1.4.1.2Lighting System
Two lighting systems were considered for use in this project. These systems were standard incandescent holiday light strings and LED light strings.
2.1.4.1.2.1Standard Incandescent Light Strings
These strings are the type that is typically used for holiday displays
Pros
- Readily available in many lengths and colors
- Low priced compared to LED light strings
Cons
- Require a high amount of power to operate
- The current these strings of lights require could be too much for a transistor to handle.
2.1.4.1.2.2LED Light Strings
These strings are a power-saving alternative to standard incandescent lighting.
Pros
- Require only a small amount of current on the order of 10-20mA
- Long life of 500,000 hours
- Run cooler than standard lighting
Cons
- More expensive than standard light strings
- Not available in as many forms as standard lighting
2.1.4.2Results
After extensive research, the group has decided to use the custom-built parallel port to decoder and transistor array to control the lighting. The group chose this solution because of the high retail cost of the PLC devices. Otherwise, the PLC devices would provide a simple and portable interface between the PC and the lighting system. The language used to program the control system that was chosen is C/C++. This language was chosen because of its ability to handle low-level input and output control combined with its ability to use high level structures such as classes. The lighting system chosen are the LED light strings. The LED light strings require very little power and this is one of the main functional requirements of this project.
2.1.5Testing Approach Considerations
This project will require two main testing stages: testing of the interface between the PC and the lighting for proper operation and usability and testing of the software for bugs and usability.
2.1.5.1Testing of the PC to Lighting Interface
This will most likely be the most extensive and complicated testing phase of the project. After the first breadboard prototype of the device has been constructed, initial lab testing will be carried out by the team members. The device will be tested to operate within the specified functional requirements. Load testing will be done to ensure that the lighting system will function with high and low loads of lighting strings attached. The parallel port inputs will be simulated by applying test voltages to the interface’s inputs and verifying that the proper strings of LED lights are illuminated. Also, the system will be tested by outside test groups with little knowledge of the product to ensure that the product can be assembled easily. To determine the accuracy of the system, the voltage and current will be measured at both the output and key internal connections.