Week 9

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1. Complete project proposal. The following documentation must be submitted to the corresponding assignment folder on Blackboard:
• AnyRail or RTS drawing of track layout.
• Detailed description of planned operations. This includes how you plan to accomplish the goals of Sensing, Acctuating and Sequencing. Include details of how you plan to overcome any potential difficulties that can be forseen at this time e.g. collision avoidance.
• Listing of required parts. In AnyRail: File -> Info -> List of Materials


2. Complete ORCAD schematic of working Vector Board Computer.


3. Start the Arduino lab.


4. Wire up 44-pin edge connector to DIN 8 pin connector using twisted wire pairs. This is your umbilical cord that connects your computer to the signal/sensor board that runs the sections of track that connect to both sides of your project board. Each signal wire from the signal/sensor board must be twisted with a ground wire to reduce noise -- check out the Standard Board for guidance on making the cable assembly.
• Use heat shrink tubing to cover soldered connections Strip only a short piece of insulation off of the end of the wires that you are soldering to the connectors
• When soldering to the 44-pin edge connector it might help to create a small hook at the end of the wire to help with soldering
• Use strain relief to prevent the cable from being pulled in such a way that the wires or connector could fail from fatigue
• Take great care in soldering all the ground wires together properly remember to star from the source and keep the other end open

MAKING CONNECTIONS DEMO

If you make it this far, ask for a project board and get a jump on laying out your track and connecting it to the Horby Signal. See next lab for details.