Project Overview:
The Talking Multimeter project is designed to assist a blind electrical engineer, John Bailey, by providing audible readings for capacitance, inductance, and resistance measurements. The objective is to develop a fully functional multimeter that enhances accessibility, including specific features requested by John, such as the ability to measure capacitance in picofarads and standard inductance and resistance measurements.
Tasks Completed:
1. Initial Meeting with John Bailey:
a. Discussed user requirements and preferences.
b. Identified key features such as capacitance readings in picofarads.
2. Project Planning and Scheduling:
a. Developed a rough draft of the project schedule covering both semesters.
b. Identified major milestones and deliverables.
3. Capacitance Measurement Testing:
a. Conducted an initial test on capacitance measurement.
b. Verified the working principle but identified areas needing improvement.
4. Design Matrix Creation:
a. Developed three design matrices to compare different components and configurations.
b. Evaluated microcontrollers, oscillator circuits, and audio output systems.
c. Finalized selections based on cost, familiarity, availability, and performance.
5. Blog and Documentation Setup:
a. Created a project blog to document progress and updates.
b. Implemented a structured approach to keeping stakeholders informed.
6. Gantt Chart Development:
a. Generated a Gantt chart to organize tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities.
b. Uploaded and shared with the team for tracking progress.
7. Component Procurement:
a. Purchased necessary components for building the circuit that measures both inductance and capacitance.
b. Ensured all required parts are available for the next phase of implementation.
Current Work in Progress:
- Refining the capacitance measurement circuit based on initial test results.
- Implementing the inductance and resistance measurement circuit.
- Integrating components to ensure compatibility and accuracy.
- Updating the project blog with the latest progress.
- Adding speakers and testing audio
Next Steps:
- Finalize the design for the inductance, capacitance, and resistance measurement circuit.
- Conduct integration testing for all measurement functionalities.
- Create a schematic for the module using Ki-cad
- Get feedback from John for the prototype
Challenges and Considerations:
- Ensuring accurate and consistent readings for capacitance measurements.
- Addressing component compatibility issues.
- Maintaining project timeline efficiency