24-07-2012, 04:50 PM
MICROCONTROLLER BASED CAR PARKING SYSTEM
AUTO CAR PROJECT REPORT.doc (Size: 2.61 MB / Downloads: 29)
CHAPTER 1: Introduction to Embedded Systems
1.1 INTRODUCTION:
An embedded system is a computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions often with real-time computing constraints. It is embedded as part of a complete device often including hardware and mechanical parts. By contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer (PC), is designed to be flexible and to meet a wide range of end-user needs. Embedded systems control many devices in common use today.
Embedded systems are controlled by one or more main processing cores that are typically either microcontrollers or digital signal processors (DSP). The key characteristic, however, is being dedicated to handle a particular task, which may require very powerful processors. For example, air traffic control systems may usefully be viewed as embedded, even though they involve mainframe computers and dedicated regional and national networks between airports and radar sites.
Since the embedded system is dedicated to specific tasks, design engineers can optimize it to reduce the size and cost of the product and increase the reliability and performance. Some embedded systems are mass-produced, benefiting from economies of scale.
Physically, embedded systems range from portable devices such as digital watches and MP3 players, to large stationary installations like traffic lights, factory controllers, or the systems controlling nuclear power plants. Complexity varies from low, with a single microcontroller chip, to very high with multiple units, peripherals and networks mounted inside a large chassis or enclosure.
In general, "embedded system" is not a strictly definable term, as most systems have some element of extensibility or programmability. For example, handheld computers share some elements with embedded systems such as the operating systems and microprocessors which power them, but they allow different applications to be loaded and peripherals to be connected. Moreover, even systems which don't expose programmability as a primary feature generally need to support software updates. On a continuum from "general purpose" to "embedded", large application systems will have subcomponents at most points even if the system as a whole is "designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions", and is thus appropriate to call "embedded".
In embedded systems, the software is permanently set into a read-only memory such as a ROM or flash memory chip, in contrast to a general-purpose computer that loads its programs into RAM each time. Sometimes, single board and rack mounted general-purpose computers are called "embedded computers" if used to control. We are living in the Embedded World. You are surrounded with many embedded products and your daily life largely depends on the proper functioning of these gadgets. Television, Radio, CD player of your living room, Washing Machine or Microwave Oven in your kitchen, Card readers, Access Controllers, Palm devices of your work space enable you to do many of your tasks very effectively. Apart from all these, many controllers embedded in your car take care of car operations between the bumpers and most of the times you tend to ignore all these controllers. In recent days, you are showered with variety of information about these embedded controllers in many places. All kinds of magazines and journals regularly dish out details about latest technologies, new devices; fast applications which make you believe that your basic survival is controlled by these embedded products. Now you can agree to the fact that these embedded products have successfully invaded into our world. You must be wondering about these embedded controllers or systems. What is this Embedded System? The computer you use to compose your mails, or create a document or analyze the database is known as the standard desktop computer. These desktop computers are manufactured to serve many purposes and applications. We need to install the relevant software to get the required processing facility. So, these desktop computers can do many things. In contrast, embedded controllers carryout a specific work for which they are designed. Most of the time, engineers design these embedded controllers with a specific goal in mind. So these controllers cannot be used in any other place.
A microcontroller is a small computer on a single integrated circuit containing a processor core, memory, and programmable input/output peripherals. Program memory in the form of NOR flash or ROM is also often included on chip, as well as a typically small amount of RAM. Microcontrollers are designed for embedded applications, in contrast to the microprocessors used in personal computers or other general purpose applications.
Microcontrollers are used in automatically controlled products and devices, such as automobile engine control systems, implantable medical devices, remote controls, office machines, appliances, power tools, and toys. By reducing the size and cost compared to a design that uses a separate microprocessor, memory, and input/output devices, microcontrollers make it economical to digitally control even more devices and processes. Mixed signal microcontrollers are common, integrating analog components needed to control non-digital electronic systems.
Some microcontrollers may use four-bit words and operate at clock rate frequencies as low as 4 kHz, for low power consumption (milli-watts or microwatts). They will generally have the ability to retain functionality while waiting for an event such as a button press or other interrupt; power consumption while sleeping (CPU clock and most peripherals off) may be just nano-watts, making many of them well suited for long lasting battery applications. Other microcontrollers may serve performance-critical roles, where they may need to act more like a digital signal processor (DSP), with higher clock speeds and power consumption.
1.2 EMBEDDED APPLICATIONS:
Automobiles: Fuel Injection control (for fuel efficiency), Air bags and Automatic braking (for safety), and car entertainment systems.
Medical Electronics: Many sophisticated medical instruments (Body Scanners, Heart rate monitors, Pacemaker etc) Industrial Control: such as CNC machines are example embedded systems.
Business Applications: Vending machines, scanners, printers.
Consumer Electronics: Cameras, Toys, Cellular Phones, Washing Machines.
Avionics: Airplanes, Satellite Stations.
Defence: RADARs, SONARs (for suvellience), Guided Missile Systems.
1.3 COMPONENTS OF EMBEDDED SYSTEMS:
Hardware
Processor
Memory
User Interface
Displays
Input/output
Other Electrical Components
Examples include Power Supply, Data Converters, and Electric Filters
Components of Embedded System
Software
Control Software :Responsible for managing and synchronizing
Computation Extensive Software
Device Drivers which control System's Peripheral
User Interface for collecting user inputs
Operating System (optional)
Operating System is a software which manages the different resources (CPU, Memory, Peripherals) of a system
CHAPTER-2: MICROCONTROLLER BASED CAR PARKING SYSTEM
2.1 INTRODUCTION:
If we take a look at the present world scenario, there is a crucial necessity for saving the parking space in big companies, apartments etc.
More and more multi-storey buildings are springing up everyday, thus giving rise to parking problems. Thus there is a shortage of land which leads to cutting down of trees and deforestation. This has a harsh and adverse effect on the environment.
This project aims at saving the ground space required for parking. Using this system any number of cars can be parked according to the requirement, in floors one above the other.
Thus, in a space where only 10 cars could be parked, earlier, we can park 20/30/40…cars, depending on the number of floors used. This could really solve the space unavailability problems that we all are facing by allowing floor by floor parking.
Facilities such as reserved parking can also be provided for those whose are regular visitors to that place like the employers of that company office.
A very distant and indirect effect of this project is that, its implementation could lead to a decrease in the hunt for land through deforestation thereby contributing in maintaining environmental balance.