it’s been a long while since I last posted here(almost one month! *gasp*)… It seems I had no time to even think of blogging.. Yes, this semester has been busy. Busy because of the bondacious combination of IRC  and academic work!  Mid-November, Me, Jet and Xinia decided to become apprentices  under the Core Group (Monitoring the Environment of Coral Reefs)… The apprenticeship had more work than expected. The group needed to deploy 3 systems (one for each type of waterproof casing). One system composes of the surface logger(includes GSM module) and underwater Temperature anf Light Sensors (2 slaves and 1 master). We had 2 overnights in the lab to prepare the systems on time. Thankfully,  the deployment was a success. Yey! The training was very fulfilling since this was my first time to program the slimboard (of course, thanks to kuya gino for the sample code.. hehe.. ) .

As for the academic work, CoE115 Machine Problem was the main problem. We needed to make the hardware for the uC+debugger  and after which interface a 16×2 LCD. Fortunately, Alvin was my partner which made everything easier fo both of us. Apparently, we work very well together…

The working hardware video will soon be uploaded…

The Engineering Week happenings deserve another post next time.. I’m still waiting for the videos to arrive…

*it’s freezing cold here*

half the sembreak have passed and i’m still healing from all the stress the semester has given me…

this semester was a big fall for me and anticipating my grades every hour frustrates me… looking at the bright side: i survived… I am sure that I have passed my subjects… yey… anyway here’s a detailed report on my 1st semester this 4th year

The Good:

-IRC probationary member: more experience == extra work..a good trade off..

-I have subjects which involve practical stuff… eee100 and eee54… it develops the skill on hands-on work which is important for us future engineers…

-I appreciate my course more an am excited to be able to do more..

- the scholarship was a big help.. ^_^

The Bad

- very bad… as in totally… bad bad bad choice of GE subject… GE1earth trek, is not worth taking…

- EEE105 is not a fun subject… add a strict professor makes it a hard subject to pass… I read every page of the book but still wasn’t enough…

- EEE53 is an important subject but it was forgotten, ignored, left behind.. now, I have to pay the consequence

- my communications subject, digital and wireless, was okey until the last exams came… I totally blew it…:(

- all the deadlines and exams resulted my disoriented body clock. I sleep 4am and wake up 11.

- dormitory food does not satisfy me… this resulted to frequent orders at Aling Vicky’s, Jollibee, Mcdo, Greenwich, Pizza Hut…

- Alexan trips and midnight orders consumed my money the most. no savings for me..

my grades so far:

eee100 – 1.25

ge1 – 2.75

eee54 – 1.00

There.. i’m still hoping for a miracle to happen (CURVE.) but next semester is a brand new beginning… I will manage it…

I also hope CRS will have pity on me and enlist me to more subjects… I am not enlisted to 3 major subjects… how lucky am I…

Due to an unfortunate event that my phone rang during EEE105 class, I was forced to perform by our professor (it was rule set since beginning of the first semester)… It was crazy.. but i knew i can’t escape from it.  So instead of being the scared little girl that  am, I stood up and faced it… I figured that this will go no where if I continue to whine so I did what they wanted,… Besides, I am in good acquaintance (i think.. i hope..) with almost all of my classmates so performing won’t be so embarrassing and will be fully supported. It was just be considered as something fun stress free moment and not a superior humiliation explosion. Good thing I had my talent show[UP ERG] just this summer, so the feeling of presenting was still fresh… So I sang (it was hard singing at first but they started clapping and singing along.. ) they did enjoy it, and yes, I am now labeled as a performer of our batch.. geez.. what a name..  ”Erin at the beginning” that’s what they called it.. but what the hell.. they will forget it eventually… haha…

Thank you May, Xinia, Kat for writing down the lyrics instead of listening to the lecture..

Well, lessons learned…

1.Silent phone. period.

2.Don’t prolong the agony, relax and just give them what they want

3.Ma’am Joy is serious in her word

Thank you Alvin, for texting and missing me at the right moment.. ^_^ joke!!! Honestly, thanks for being the source of my confidence…

 
For our eee100 (Electronics Prototyping course), we were assigned to design an AC to DC supply with 3 outputs. 2 constant DC output voltages: 3.3V and 5V and 1 adjustable from 1.25V to 9V. It also includes 4 LED indicators for the 3 outputs and the ‘ON’ indicator (plugged in outlet). The design must be properly packaged with switches to control the state of the output.

After tons of researching, the circuit was actually quite simple… here’s how converting AC to DC works:

design

From the input of 220V AC, a transformer is needed to step down the AC voltage. The rating of the transformer is set to 12-0-12 so that it would be greater than the output voltages and have a current of 1 Ampere.

                The full wave rectifier and a capacitor across give smooth DC output. The capacitor value must be in hundreds micro range. We chose a value of 470uF. The bridge rectifier has a rating of 250V and 1Amp.

                To remove the ripples from the capacitor, the DC output should be passed to a Voltage Regulator. IC voltage regulators were used instead of other voltage regulator designs (zener regulator, etc) to ensure no loading effects and the voltage output is exact. LM317T was used for the adjustable voltage output and for the 3.3V output while LM7805 was used for the 5V output.

                For the LED indicators, they were connected parallel with the voltage regulators. Connected in series with the LED is a current limiting resistor with the typical value of 330Ω and 1/2watts.

                The output of the adjustable IC Voltage Regulator, LM317T.. to know everything about it, CLICK HERE. For the adjustable voltage output, R2 is set to be a variable resistor with a maximum value of 5kΩ. R1 is then computed to be equal to 830Ω (360Ω+470Ω). For the constant output voltage of 3.3V, R2 is computed to be 1.5kΩ and R1 to be 910Ω.

Here is our PCB Layout.. Take note that since there is no available package of LM317 in the library of eagle, we replaced it to 7805 but the connections are still of LM317.. same goes to the bridge rectifier, W045 is not available in eagle so we adjusted the connections of what was available.

But before fabricating the board, prototyping should be done first to ensure correct design

Once it works direct to fabricating, drilling, soldering and lastly, packaging.. ^_^

And here are the final results:

final

I would like to thank Triah for her patience and her OC-ness. I hope it is not a bother to post our project here..

Although the stickers were unprofessional, I felt designing it with a pinch of femininity was a must considering both of us were girls.

Oh happy that I have done the agonizing machine exercise on time!!!

Hopefully all Inputs would work (Please Do!!!)

We were asked to make a program that does Floating Point Addition and Subtraction. The Floating Point Numbers should be in IEEE Notation and Truncates using Rounding Off to the nearest even. The machine exercise actually have a procedure in our text book so it;s just a matter of how to translate the procedure into code.. ^_^… It’s super confusing!!! I reached 120+ lines! So basically there’s brute force that is involved in my code so it’s somehow inefficient.

Here’s a glimpse of my documentation

Flow of Code:

· Input to Data registers

· Extract Exponents -> E1 and E2 to D4 and D5

· Extract Mantissas – > M1 and M2 to D6 and D7

· Check if Inputs D1 and D2 is Not a Number or Infinity

· Determine real operation (operation x sign of operand2)

· Equate both exponents (lower exponent to higher and shift it’s mantissa). Set the exponent of result,D5, to higher exponent.

o involves Rounding Off (subroutine)

· Perform addition or subtraction

o In addition, get the sign of any operand

o In subtraction, if negative result, negate mantissa and let S=1 else retain and S=0. S->D2

· Normalization

o Normalization_Add – shift once to right to form 1.xxxx, involves rounding off

o Normalization_Subtract – shift to left until 1.xxxx is reached

· Build Final Answer in IEEE Floating Point notation using D5(exponent),D6(mantissa),D2(sign)

I’m really struggling dealing with life…

I’m pulled down by my blunders..

trying to make myself acceptable makes me less worthy to be..

Anyway, two things are in my mind right now… Redeem myself from a very low exam [eee105] and design the best ACtoDC supply [eee100]. I am enjoying the latter’s challenge since electronics is an art, and we don’t rush art, we make it a masterpiece…^_^[I'll be documenting it here after it's finish] Also, I’m bothered by a very difficult Machine Exercise on Floating Point Numbers. I hope i can finish it on time.. so far I have 50+ lines that doesn’t involve getting the sign and truncates using chopping… tsk.. tsk…  Assembly language is not the problem, but the analysis is just difficult to digest [I'm getting lost every time..]

More power to me..

*I can now text using the Benq M23 GSM Module , Documentation in the near future*

Congratulations to the USA Redeem Dream Team

I’ve told myself just a few days ago that i’m going to blog this day as soon as everything was finished and here I am now. I am so so so happy that I could sit down, relax and get a good night sleep!

Here’s the score:

AUG 16,2008

12midnight – 1230 – studying EEE53 with alvin in the lobby for the exam later

1230 – 230 – Lonely in my room, studying ee280 , Wireless Comms!!!

230-445 – SLEEPING.. dreaming.. paranoid that i’ll be late…

445 – 530 – Preparation for my 6am exam.. no breakfast (wrong move)

530 – 6 – walk with alvin to EEE

6-9 – EEE 53 exam (in between I felt that I was going to collapse, I was trembling, perspiring… good thing i brought water so I was able to hang on to the exam but it was really difficult )

9-930 – eat breakfast with alvin and jonz.. yummy milo.. )

930 – 1130 – in molave, back to studying for my wireless communications exam!

1130 – 1200 -  walk to EEE alone.. no lunch (wrong move again)

1200 – 200 – EE280 Exam.. Thankfully I predicted the right topics to focus on.. It was great.. although I expected more, i should be really thankful that it wasn’t the grads level of an exam.. yahoo!!!

2-230 – ERG tambayan.. tambay.. got nothing to do.. no money..

230-500 – ECE 141 class..  One last stop for the longest day ever!!! I couldn’t help my groupmates since my head ached again because of hunger but luckily we managed to finish it through

500 – 600 – surfing the net, relaxing, blogging…:)

It really turned out better than I expected.. Maybe I’ve prepared well even though I thought I didn’t.. eee53 was a hopeless case for me, I think more studying wouldn’t help me with the problems so forget about it.. Overall, i somehow feel emotional to see this day finish whatever the outcome of my exams are…:)

I’ve texted my mother a few times this day to tell what happened, and her support was a strength for me… that’s it, time to move on… this is only one day.. I’ve prepared for it the whole week and now it’s done like it was just a dream… amazing how life works..  so after a good rest, i’ll be working again here’s the dates to remember

AUG17 – finalized schematic diagram for EEE100 project: AC to DC converter (pls help.. )

AUG18 – outline of GSM Module PPT

AUG22 – deliverable from Sir Mike, 50 colorimeter modules

AUG26 – EEE105 2nd exam

AUG29 – EEE105 Machine Exercise 3

SEPT 2 – Submit EEE100 project

SEPT 6 – ECE141 2nd Exam

other dates:

AUG 18 – Ocean Park with co-Probies!!! Let’s start the work right.. ^_^

AUG 21 – happy bithday my brother [kuya itor ]!!!

if ever you wonder what it would be like being an electronics engineering student,

here’s a little glimpse of my eee life..

My first ever Fabricated Board!!! Note: not over etched.. ^_^

Astable-Monostable Multivibrator Design Problem

Board Layout, grawr…

Stuffing, Stuff. more Stuff!!!

Benq GSM Module Mode!!!! 300 pages command list along with it.. ^_^

Now at my 4th year, I’m really enjoying my course, yes it is tough (the math and stuff) but I would never change it for any other course..  Some would view this as very common electronic stuff but for me, it is another big step…

HELL WEEK NEXT WEEK.. Apparently my 2 exams this week was moved next week (yah, i know, crap) so overall I have: 3 exams GE1, EEE53 and EE280. 1 design problem, 1 machine problem and an ACLE to worry about.. oh goody!!! preparation needed..

3 hours to go before alvin’s birthday! i hope i’ll make him happy, wink!

I have to post something personal for a change..   My vacation is fast coming to an end. Hopefully i’m fit to go back the dreaded concept of studying. Anyway, a lot of troubles are entering my mind waiting to be thought about. First, my dorm application is a question and i deeply hope i will be accepted for it will greaty affect my study habits. Second, the number of units that i should take for this semester is still unknown. What would weigh more: having a light semester for high possibilty for passing or just finishing early and become underload in my last semesters? (This is what you get taking summer classes every year but can’t finish 4 and a half years.. sigh.. ). I think I need to consult further before deciding. Third, the Wednesday no classes rule have turned into Monday. Is it good or bad? I have no idea! let’s just see in the future.. Fourth, my IRC application is still pending, I’m very excited but at the same time very worried on the mini-project that they will assign to us. I still have no idea what is in store for us. Hopefully I get to learn the microcontroller well ad fast. Lastly, I have only enlisted 11 units so far. I still do not have an ECE elective, ECE 141 and EEE 105. Well, based from experience, a little perspiration during enrolment would serve good. I’m positive I’ll be getting the subjects i will need for this semester but surviving it would be the question. ^_^ so far here’s my schedule:

PS. I’m happy with the professors on some of my subjects. Hopefully, it won’t change.. ^_^

PS PS. I like using the word ‘hopefully’… sigh…

I’ve been busy the whole month.. i have fallen asleep with my notes scattered all over the bed often than before (meaning everyday!!!).. And I am again sleepy.. I now wake up 7:30am (instead of the supposedly regular 7am) to lineup my “timba” in the bathroom and sleep again-> miss breakfast and be late… wow, the impact of the month of january really hits hard! I have two lab reports due this week.. one exam this week,.. 2 exams, 1 design problem and a problem set for next week… yes.. more to come.. and.. I.. am.. still.. blogging!? what’s wrong with me? maybe i do need a little break every once in awhile (>_< overloaaadddd….). Speaking of break.. we did watch a movie just later ago.. wow.. i am a very busy person indeed.. haha.. i am still waiting for that “mood” (hopefully it comes..). Also, my mind is very disturbed whether i should continue to applying for two laboratories namely WCEL and IRC.. would it be a right choice? or would it lead to a trap? waaahh..

i still can’t figure out myself.. i don’t know what to do in my life.. Just exactly what someone said: I just like to study… move on in my life->have a family (period!). Yes, I do have dreams of being “someone” to a lot of people.. but.. maybe dreaming ain’t for me.. maybe i have to face reality and point out to myself that this is where you’ll ever be..  face the facts and live with it not bothering about being “someone” at all.

What’s my problem again?

I don’t know what i can do,

and

i’m scared on how much i can’t do

.. i don’t know my position.. will i ever be ready to take another step? or do i have to wait  for my path to clear first?

No, there is no time.. I have to gamble… and face the consequence..

NO REGRETS

happy birthday niki,rhiza,tal,aisa,cielo..