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Smarter Life Challenge Competitors

Alex Behnaz | Abhijit Bose | Monte Chan | Javier Hernandez | Cosmin Iorga | Anthony Kahl | Linas Karpavicius | Jianyi Liu | Jim Lynch | Dr. Mala Mitra | Peter Shabino | Paul Sisneros | Mani Thundiyil | Yuri Tikhonov | Steve Turner
imageAlex Behnaz
United States
Mr. Behnaz received training in biomedical engineering while at the National Institutes of Health developing telehealth solutions and medical devices. He currently works for a private firm developing smart grid systems for electricity, water, and gas. He is interested in smart device and smart device network security across different markets including medical devices, appcessories, and the internet of things.Proposal:  I plan to develop a temperature sensor node that can give consumers knowledge about their circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. Using two fundamental Cypress technologies: the PSoC 4 and low power FRAM memory, I will create a compact, ultra-low power, and long lifetime solution to accomplish this goal. As an extension of the project, I plan to add wireless connectivity so that consumers can interface the node with their mobile or stationary devices.
Read Alex's project blogs (tag sleep_sensor)
imageAbhijit Bose
India
Abhijit Bose is a technical consultant and freelancer who enjoys tinkering with Embedded and RF projects.  He holds a masters degree in Microelectronics from Manipal University. Earlier in his career, he worked with the design of safety critical wireless networks and high sensitivity analogue sensors. Before starting his own firm, he worked in some of the top embedded and control system OEM companies.
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Proposal:  Deliver a cost effective home security

 

Power Optimized: Externally timed wake-ups + capacitive activations would reduce the active power consumption.  This system use a single 9V battery.
Tamper Proof Multi-zone Sensing: Using motion and glass break sensors to detect intrusion. The tamper switch protects system internals during armed state. The sensor inputs would be checked for impedance mismatches to detect tampering.
Smart Arming/Remote Arming: This system would learn the departure and arrival patterns of the users even if the user forgets to arm the system. With the help of the GSM link the user can check the status as well as arm the system remotely.
Smart Time Piece: Apart from security, the system can optionally display a custom user messages deliver via the GSM link. Or the user can program a small image to be displayed in idle state like a Digital Frame.
Read Abhijit's project blogs (tag das_project)
imageMonte Chan
Australia
Monte Chan is a 30 year veteran of the Electronics and Information Technology industries and a strong advocate of "Hands-on" and common sense approaches for engineering education. Monte's experience includes various disciplines with the focus on the design, development, production and integration of high quality practical, reliable and resilient products and systems (such as Computers, Laser Printers, Networking, Graphics and Multimedia). Proposal:  Every year Christmas displays become more elaborate.  This year, I plan to use RGB LEDs and a laser display to overcome the stowage issue and add additional pizzazz to the display. I’d like some of the LEDS to be in contiguous strings for chasing lights and others as arrays to display animated coloured icons. I could also create some icicle strings to emulate falling snow.  The biggest hurdle is the interconnection of the RGB LEDS so they are individually addressable. I would like to use a PSoC 4 Pioneer Kit, EAGLE CAD plus additional parts to demonstrate the issues and their resolution.  The technology used for my Christmas lights can be carried over into other realms such as the Automotive lighting and Pinball world making them far simpler and cheaper to manufacture.
Read Monte's project blogs (tag compact_xmas_display)
imageJavier Hernandez
Puerto Rico
Javier graduated with a bachelors in Computer Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez Campus. Ten plus years working as a software designer, developer, tester, architect... mostly with mobile devices. He fell in love with micro-controllers during college in the “Assembly Era”.

I am a dreamer with an engineering degree and trying to earn the title of maker. Some may call me a nerd boy.  Fluent in Spanish, English, C/C++, Java,  Visual Basic, C#, SQL with a little on a few other languages.

Proposal:  Make a multipurpose device for the car. The device will use a GPS receiver to track its position. Data will be logged to a SDcard until it is uploaded to a central location. Data can be manually extracted  — optional GPRS/Wifi auto upload available. System should be complemented with the use of a smartphone application.

 

Device modules:
1. Location: GPS
2. Communication: Bluetooth, Optional WIFI/GPRS
3. Proximity sensor: installed to front and back of the car
4. Presence/Pressure Sensors: Optional Baby car seat monitor
5. Sensors: CO2 sensor inside cabin to alert if car left ON
6. Accelerometer: Track bumpy roads and log data.
Market focus: Parents, Insurance companies, Government.

Read Javier's project blogs (tag geCar)
imageCosmin Iorga
United States
Cosmin Iorga has over 20 years of experience in high-speed analog and mixed-signal circuit design and troubleshooting at system, board, and integrated circuit levels, with emphasis on signal integrity, power integrity, and noise coupling reduction.  Cosmin has earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University and filed more than 15 patents with 9 granted so far, covering innovative solutions in noise coupling reduction and signal integrity.  Cosmin is the author of the book “Noise Coupling in Integrated Circuits: A Practical Approach to Analysis, Modeling, and Suppression”.

Proposal:  I would like to implement a single-chip wearable brain-wave driven controller for home appliances. The controller will be able to turn on/off appliances, adjust volume up and down, change tv channels, and control other basic functions of home appliances.  The power management system will use one of the two low-power comparators in PSoC 4 to monitor brain activity analog signals at the output of the second operational amplifier.  It will dynamically turn in and out of power-down mode.  It will interact directly with home appliances that already have built-in infrared receivers and will interact with specially built receivers for other appliances (like infrared controlled power outlets).

Read Cosmin's project blogs (tag brainwave_controller)

imageAnthony Kahl
Australia

Anthony is currently engaged in all things product design for a technology leader in the rapidly growing smart farming market. He has won a number of industry awards for product designs, including a coveted Australian Design Award. Anthony has recently founded a one-man design consultancy, Kahl Product Design and Engineering. In his spare time he enjoys building and riding bicycles of all types, making furniture and dreaming of more spare time. He can be contacted via www.kahl.com.au


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Proposal:  Smart bicycle light

A set and forget bicycle safety light that would require no input from the user other than maintenance (battery charging). The light would automatically manage inactive/active (moving, stationary et al) state, low battery alerting, and could also be manually controlled. The PSoC4 would be an ideal solution that would simplify the hardware design, reduce cost and extend battery life.

Read Anthony's project blogs (tag bike_light)

imageLinas Karpavicius
Lithuania
My name is Linas Karpavičius, I live in Vilnius, Lithuania. I study at Vilnius University, Faculty of Physics and am attempting to achieve a master's degree in Physical Sciences [Laser Physics and Optical Technologies]. Recently I have plunged into electronics a bit deeper, by making my own cone beam computer tomography. Also, I am building the most powerful Dual Resonant Solid State Tesla Coil in Lithuania (or DRSSTC in short), which can reach 550V at 4000A. My hobby has always relate to physics by making cool experiments with x-ray, lasers, and high voltage. Right now, my work is related to lasers and ultra-fast spectroscopy.

Proposal: Hello, I have an idea to make a reflow oven for SMD soldering.  Take an IR oven, add high temperature fans for heat distribution and temperature measurements.  Use Cypress PSoC 4 Pioneer Kit for heat measurement and heater and fan control. I will add a LCD with touchscreen, so I can adjust reflow profiles for individual parts, run few PID loops for precise temperature control, and use timer for preheating. I will write a nice looking GUI interface for easy control with cool animation.


It will make my job easier since i am using a hand held cheap hot air gun from ebay right now :-(
Read Linas's project blog (tag reflow_oven)
imageJianyi Liu
United States
My name is Jianyi Liu and I am an electrical engineer for Microsoft's Xbox division.  My previous job was at a small start-up, and I designed image processing IP and FPGA system boards.  My current interests include analog circuitry and control systems, and I hope to learn a great deal from this challenge.  I love making circuits that are practical and cheap, and a lot of my free time is spent making hobby circuits for various projects at home.Proposal:  SteadyClip – An Affordable Mechanized Camera Gimbal

The device will be battery powered and mounted on a mounting platform with two motors to allow it to tilt freely in two separate axis. A sensor board with a 6 axis accelerometer/gyroscope IC will be mounted alongside the video recording device, sensing the inertial movements. The inertial movement data is then fed to the PSoC 4 Pioneer Kit, which will calculate the motor controls required to compensate for the jerky movements of the camera operator. . The software will use the inertial measurement unit as the input device to a PID controller. Error will be calculated and the outputs sent to the motors, compensating for the movements of the operator. The resulting device will be optimized in weight and usability, and will allow memorable moments to be captured free from any shaking.

Read Jianyi's project blogs (tag steady_clip)
imageJim Lynch
United States
Mr. Lynch has been working in the aerospace, medical, alternative energy, and engineering consulting field for 16 years.  He has worked in research and development of 4 power supplies  hand built for the International Space Station. Also, he has developed fuel cells, proposed a Greenhouse Gas Sequestration Plan for the Virgin Earth Challenge, and worked in developing fusion energy on three reactors. Meanwhile, working with Sound Caring, Mr. Lynch developed prototype power systems for portable ultrasound medical devices that physicians carry into remote locations of underdeveloped nations.  These are primarily used for the care and checkup of expecting mothers. Current projects include a science fiction novel and two children’s books. He also has a love of motorcycle riding. Proposal:  1. Faucet and hot water controllers with CapSense Touch Sensing to adjust hot/cold blend and flow rate . The faucets communicate with a SmartTank as more hot water is required, the tank system monitors the request from faucets and increases heat. The heating power is variable by increasing power to the heater.

2. I'd  develop a light and heat sensing application to compare external light and temperature with internal home light and temperature.  This will incorporate motion/thermal sensing to determine if a person is in a room or not and automate power consumption to minimize power usage. It can also double as a home security  and send SMS in the event of an intrusion.

Read Jim's project blogs (tag temp_light_sensor)
imageDr. Mala Mitra
India
Mala Mitra received her PhD from IIT, Bombay, IN, M. Tech and B. Tech from Calcutta University, IN. Her field of specialization is VLSI Design and Embedded Systems. Presently, she is a professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, PES Institute of Technology, Bangalore. She has 25 years of experience and has published two book chapters and many papers in international journals. She has won awards in design contests, including the UniTI crossword puzzle (2009) and Agilent India ADS (2012). Her dream is to bridge the gap between industry and academics. Proposal:Control of different parameters of an oven e.g. temperature, pressure, humidity.

 

Program Steps:
1. Initialize all the blocks. Set desired parameter.
2. Sample the parameter voltage from sensor at regular intervals then send it to ADC and MCU.
3. Compute Error Voltages, E= Actual parameter voltage – desired parameter voltage
4. Send it to DAC and then to 2 op-amps in differentiator and integrator modes
5. Get KP from the constant of proportionality from the register in MCU
6. Compute KPE in the hardware multiplier
7. Get the op-amp outputs through sample and hold and ADC
8. Compute
9. Hardware multiplier is used here twice.
10. Send S to output port for actuation
11. Modify KP , KD , and KI and store in the register
12. Go back to step 2.

Read Dr. Mala's project blog (tag oven_control)
imagePeter Shabino
United States
Peter Shabino is a professional electrical engineer who designs custom test equipment in Minnesota. He has a strong background in product design from logic entry to final debug and firmware development. In his spare time, he enjoys machining, robotics, and various electronic projects. Current major home projects include rebuilding a 1960 Willys panel van and building a custom designed CNC mill. Information on his past projects can be found at http://www.wire2wire.org/ and on a typical Friday night can be found at the local hacker space http://tymkrs.com/rabbithole/.Proposal:  Core of my project is tending to house plants.  Main goal is to automaticly open the blinds during the day and close them at night. Also, combine this with the analog value of the light sensor to control the light intensity to low light plants.  Blind control with torque feedback. Wireless connection to a pc for tracking information (light, temp, moisture levels over time) and configuration of parameters (target moisture and light levels).
Read Peter's project blogs (tag soil_moisture_sensor)
imagePaul Sisneros
United States
As a kid I loved Lego, drawing animation, and taking machines apart. When my parents settled on a ranch, I started my career as a welder and became a repair technician. In my undergrad I focused on automation and research building testing equipment for labs. I did my masters research developing tactile sensors for an underwater robot. Now I am an automation engineer in the new product development for a company that makes heavy machinery.  I can be creating simulations or pattern recognition algorithms, and running wires and bolting machinery together. I love to make things of all kinds, but I am an all around maker, I enjoy sewing and carving almost as much.Proposal:  The project I want to create is an auto barista.  The feature set would include the ability to email or text a coffee order and have it prepared.  Using a model like this one would add the option of brewing a mug or a pot. Voice ordering would also be high on the list of priorities.  It could add things to the coffee by having the machine puncture and crush creamer packets. Additives like sugar could be added easily using a servo driving a feed door.  I think this contest will be a lot of fun and turn out some great concepts. 
Read Paul's project blogs (tag auto_barista)
imageMani Thundiyil
India
Prof. T.K. Mani graduated in Electrical Engineering with first rank from Calicut University. He also holds a Doctorate with specialization in Acoustic Instrumentation.  He has 19 years of teaching and more than 18 years of Industrial Experience. His expertise is in embedded systems, power electronics and Communication Engineering.  He is a fellow of Institute of Electronics and Telecommunication engineers (IETE), Life Member of Indian Society for Technical Education (ISTE) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).  Currently he is Dean, PG studies in KMEA Engineering College, Cochin, India.  His hobbies include Amateur Radio.Proposal:  This project intends to help a disabled person for moving from one place to another on a wheelchair.  Use a PSOC4 Kit to control all functions of the wheelchair. Two BLDC motors are used for driving power. Wearable electronic sensors such as MEMS, Touch sensors, gesture recognition devices, etc are used for control of the wheel chair. This wearable device enables the patient to drive the wheelchair either by hand, leg, or head movement. All Safety features like obstacle detection, emergency brake, skidding on slope surfaces are incorporated. This wheelchair can also be remote controlled by a wireless remote. This system is used to assiststhe handicapped and elderly to gain mobility and lead to independent life.
Read Mani's project blogs (tag intelligent_wheelchair)
imageYuri Tikhonov
Russia
2007 - 2012: Student (specialist, engeneer), Faculty of IT, Speciality: industrial automatics.
2012 - now:  PhD-student (postgraduate), Faculty of IT, Speciality: robotics and mechatronics.

My favourite class-project: aluminium model of tank with remote control.  Diploma project: Remote controll system for the multicopter.  Thesis: Diagnostic sytem for the industrial excavator with elements of AI.

My hobby: programming, electronics, robotics (helicopters, multicopters, wheel robots, functioning paper models etc.) 		Proposal:  Hello! Last two years I create a DRON's (micro-quadcotpers, helicopters, etc.). Now I want to create a new project: PSoC based tricopter for indoor and outdoor flying with FPV and OSD. I want to use PSoC for the high precision smart control and smart diagnostic system (my PhD-thesis: Smart diagnostic system). Now I have a Grant of the Vladimir Region

(quadcopter project): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBgiz_iTNq4 http://www.sci.vlsu.ru/news/sob/87.aspx

Read Yuri's project blogs (tag smart_tricopter)
imageSteve Turner
United States
I am a 20 year designer of automotive powertrain electronics. In my heart I am a circuit designer.  I have design robust circuits able to survive in the cold (or hot) cruel world.

I've played with Python, explored Arduinos and more recently started using Cypress' PSoC Creator.

I am a dreamer and tinkerer constantly thinking about what needs changing in the world, usually after getting frustrated by something that doesn't work the way I think it should.		Proposal:  I am planning to create a smart thermostat.  My wife and I have been looking for a replacement thermostat and have not found one that suits us.  I want the ability to control the thermostat remotely, so I can tell the thermostat to stay in vacation mode, or tell the thermostat to kick up the heat.  We both want one that will integrate several sensors around the house so it will regulate the bedroom temperature at night and keep the downstairs comfortable during the day.  We both want humidity control (actually dew point control).  We both want one that will have a simple user interface (and I want to play with e-ink displays).  This project will be the most complex programming yet.
Read Steve's project blogs (tag uncostat)