Notes

Light intensity detector

The goal of this project was to create a circuit that could create an output upon receiving an input. The input in this case was light. A phototrasnsistor-resistor circuit was used to detect the light. Besides detecting light or no light the circuit was designed to perceive three different lightning states: ambient room light, brighter-than-ambient light, and even brighter light. The output was a red led and a green led that turned on or off when certain criteria was met.

The components used to build this circuit was a phototransistor, a red led, and a green led each component had a transistor attached to them. The components were pluged in to a myDaq in an orderly fashion as to make the circuit work as intended. The software we used was labview. ----- additional info

The most challenging part about the project was calibrating the mydaq correctly. At first it sensed too much light, then it barely detected it. Software related issues were the main reason of our shortcomings, as we had no doubt in the functionality of our hardware. The materials to make this circuit work were tested, and they werent the problem. Frankly it was our inexperience using labview that made us fail from time to time. We barely figured out how to calibrate it and made it work out. We used notes from past recitations in order to figure out how to calibrate properly. This is an example of how being in a team helped us out.

One of the most interesting things about this project was what each one of us could bring to the table. How we worked as a team was an essential part of this project. Each member of the team had an idea that helped the completion of the project; be it creative, logical, or just remembering stuff.

Throughout the project we encountered several issues that everyone individually had. But with the help of one another we were able to resolve them. It was also fun being able to meet new people and work together as a team, which made it a lot easier to complete this project. We all found this project to be very interesting and entertaining.

In the end the project was a success, the phototransistor detected three different light states and when no light was present. Each led worked smoothly without both being on at the same time, while labview graphed the distinct light states. We had some problems with the software, and little to no problem with the hardware. But the problems we faced were solved by the entire team. With this project we learnt the importance of being part of a group with peers.