The date is: Fri Jan 29 16:23:51 MST 1999

For this week, my group dicused using several differnet type 
s of microcontrollers for the project.  One of the 
microcontroler considered was the 64hc12.  We decided not to 
use this device becuase of the amount time it would require 
to set it up.  Another microcontroler looked at was the 
Microchip line of dual inline 64 serise.  This approach 
would have allowed use to use more than one device to 
control different aspects of the control.  For this project 
we decided to use the 64hc11 because of the knowledge about 
the characteristic for this project is well thoughout.  
Becides deciding on the type of controller to use, we also 
started to split up the design.  My part of the design is to 
find, design and test motor control systems.
     For next week we are planning to test our 64hc11 and 
start looking at different designs for the sensor 
inplementation.


The date is: Fri Feb  5 11:05:20 MST 1999

     For the week of 2/1- 2/5 our group tried to figure out 
what the problem was with our hc11.  We finally found 
someone who was willing to donate an hc11 to our group for 
the semester.  Other progress for the week, Tim and Ahmed 
started looking at different kinds of distance sensors.  
Robert and myself where trying to find the problem with the 
hc11. 
    For next week the problem with the hc11 is solve(by 
using the other hc11) and now we can start to test circuits. 
 Next week I plan to build and test several different h 
bridge configurations.  The reason for the different h 
bridge design is apon the recomendation of groups for last 
year who had problems with the sensivity of the h brigde any 
electric shock.


The date is: Sun Feb 14 17:54:41 MST 1999

    For the past week our group have been working on the 
different part of the task.  This past week I have been 
looking at the PIC16c77 microcontroller for Microchip.  This 
microcontroller will allow us to achieve better closed loop 
control of the motors.  This microcontrol will also be able 
to communicate with the HC11 for integration of sensors and 
motor control.  
    For next week we our working on the presentation.  
During this week we will start to receive information on the 
different types of controllers and H bridges.
   Sorry that this report is late.  


The date is: Tue Feb 23 23:10:11 MST 1999

For the week of 2/14 to 2/19 our group prepared fo the 
design presentation.  After the design presentation was 
completed we decided to use the PIC16c77 as our 
microcontroller.  Before this point we were still 
considering using the 68HC11 is some capicity.  After the 
presentation I started to determine the problem areas with 
the PIC. The major problem with using the PIC was the 
knowledge curve that I must overcome.  The first problem 
that I encountered with the PIC is that the compiler must be 
run on a windows 95 machine.  On 2/23 I contacted Microchip 
about the problem.  Microchip is sending the patch to use 
the compiler on windows NT.
    For the week of 2/22 to 2/26 our group is starting the 
subassemble of the sensors.  For this week I will contact 
the Albuquerque retailor of Microchip and see if they have 
any of the reference text for programming the PIC.  By the 
end of this week we our planning to have all of the parts 
order for the motor control system.


The date is: Fri Feb 26 17:23:57 MST 1999

     For the week of February 22 to 2/28 our group continued 
to test distance and fire sensors.  For this week I 
contacted Microchip about the patch that would enable us to 
use windows NT for the programming of our microcontroller.  
Without the patch windows 95 would have to be used to 
program and simulate our control program.  For this week I 
also ordered H-bridges and other parts form Allied 
Electronics.
     For next week Robert and I will have all of the parts 
to start putting the motor controller togethor.  By next 
week we should have two PIC16c77 microcontrollers, the 
up-grade to the programmer, and the patch of windows. With 
all of these parts, we should also be able to start 
programming our microcontroller.  Other areas that we are 
researching is better sensor placement and use of a 555 
clock chip for the white line sensor.


The date is: Mon Mar  8 11:27:11 MST 1999

For the week of 3/1 to 3/7 I worked on the motor control 
code for the PIC.  The code will be a recursive solution 
that maintains the search until it finds the candle.  Also, 
for this week robert and I finished ordering the parts 
nessary to complete the building of the motor control 
circuit(H-Bridge).
     For the week of 3/8 to 3/14 Robert and I will be 
assembling and testing the motor control circuit and start 
to implement and test the PIC on the H-Bridge.


The date is: Fri Mar 12 17:39:25 MST 1999

     For the week of 3/5 to 3/14 Robert and I finished the 
design of the motor control(i.e. the h-bridges and frequency 
to voltage converters).  I worked on the control program 
using the PIC assembler and tried to program the PIC with a 
simple control program.  
     For next week I will be working with the seprate 
members of my group to finalize the design of the different 
systems for our robot.  On sunday and monday I will be 
working with Robert to build the motor control board.  On 
tuesday and wednesday I will be working with tim a ahmed on 
finishing the sensors. The rest of the week I will be 
writing code for the control of the motor.


The date is: Fri Apr  9 17:41:10 MDT 1999

     For the week of 4-3 to 4-10 I worked on finishing all 
of the chasis components.  I cut a second base, remounted 
the Sharp distance sensors, and started to calibrate them 
for the hallway.  Also during this week tim, robert, and I 
worked on the program and finishing the sensor/processor 
board.
     For the week of 4-11 to 4-18 I plan to finishing the 
calibration of the Sharp sensors and plan to start 
programming the wall following program.  For this week Tim, 
Robert, and myself will be working on the program because 
all of the physical components will be finished on 4-10.


The date is: Fri Apr 30 17:53:57 MDT 1999

     For the week of 4/24 to 4/31 my group decided to gather 
enough information to show that the robot should work but 
doesn't.  For this week I worked on the formal presentation 
and mount all of the components.  The rest of my group 
worked on finishing their subsystem assemblies.
     For the week of 5/1 to 5/8 my group will be documenting 
our failed effort and presenting it in a smoke-and-mirrors 
report. 


The date is: Fri May  7 16:41:27 MDT 1999

     For the week of 5-1 to 5-8 my group tried to assemble 
all of the subsystems on the chasis. During this week Tim 
worked on the code for wall following and motor control. 
Robert worked and the sensor board. Ahmed worked on the 
power board.  I connected the PIC to all of the subsystem 
boards and reassembled the entire assembly.