SENSOR SYSTEMS – Assignment #3 Tips

Beforehand, the given assignment text is:

Lab Assignment #3: Design an automatic door opening system

• Design a small-scale prototype of a garage or slide door. The system should be equipped with limit switches
to control the motion of the door opening motor
• Design a sensor based set up to initiate opening process (you should use a sensor with analog output)
• Design a digital logic circuit to implement control algorithm of the door
• Simulate the designed circuitry and give the related output situations (simulation screenshots are OK)
• Analyze the whole set up and discuss the sensitivity of the system
Bonus: when defining objectives of the setup, one issue left as unknown. The group that finds out the issue and
offers a working solution will be rewarded with extra 10 points

Some highlights for the assignment are listed below:

• The provided photos are taken from previous terms, and they are provided to enlighten for the structure of
the model. However, the included components (especially electronic components) in the photos does not
mean that they are the right ones.
• Using a microcontroller is forbidden (no Arduino).
• The miniature model can be at any scale.
• Any actuator can be used for garage door motion.
• A power supply is provided during the assignment.
• Garage door sensors are not limited with types, you may use any analog sensors.
• The sensor triggering can be done empirical (e.g., if light sensor is used and high-density light source is
needed or fully-dark environment is required, you can artificially provide it, or you can provide the required
pressure by your hand to the pressure sensor, no need to tune it for very specific environment parameters).
However, the sensitivity step (given in Assignment text) should be
• If your analog sensor needs an analog-to-digital conversion, you need to build up its conditioning circuit.
• The least number of sensors needed are: Garage entry sensor (analog), garage limit switches (2 pieces, for
each side), ???? (bonus sensor, required to fully automate the garage door, you can inspect a normal garage
door to find out)
• For bidirectional motor control, you can use two methods: H-bridge motor driver, or relay-based driver
circuit.
• To keep the door open for a period of time, you may need a 555 timer circuit.
• For simulation of the logic circuitry, you can use Logisim (free), or other programs (e.g., Proteus)