{"id":1182,"date":"2020-08-24T09:51:59","date_gmt":"2020-08-24T09:51:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nirmalkarthik.com\/portfolio\/"},"modified":"2022-12-06T05:46:13","modified_gmt":"2022-12-06T05:46:13","slug":"projects","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nirmalkarthik.com\/projects\/","title":{"rendered":"Projects"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This project describes my contribution to the Umbilical Project as an Avionics Member of the Yellow Jacket Space Program. It was my first experience designing a printed circuit board, the purpose of which is to actuate an electromagnet to produce a desired range of magnetic field in both directions. I found this so enticing that I also used it as the technical project for my ECE Discovery Studio class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The PCB was designed using Altium and implemented with N-channel MOSFETs using a full bridge topology. Not only did this project provide an introduction to PCB design, but it also taught me how to source compatible parts for chips, and design a schematic using conventions that make it easy for others to understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Click Here to Learn More!<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div> <\/p>\n\n\n\n The first project I was placed on in the Electrical Team of Marine Robotics Group was the Motor Control Panel Project. The objective of the project is to redesign and implement a functional motor control panel for an autonomous surface vehicle which will perform in competition. My contribution was changing the microcontroller from an Arduino Mega to a Teensy 4.1, which I soon learned was much easier said and done. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This project along with the Electromagnet Project was my first introduction to Altium. In addition, to learning how to use the software, I also learned a lot about the different types of signals which are used in microcontrollers. With the Schematic finished, I am currently working on testing the circuit to ensure that it will work for compeition. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As an Electrical Member of HyperJackets, I had the opportunity to contribute to their BMS Project. The objective of the project is to design and implement a functional Battery Management System for a Hyperloop pod which will perform in competition. My contribution was to design the schematic for the 3.3V components, pictured to the left. I am currently working on the design for the 12V components. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This project was my first introduction to Battery Management Systems, and EasyEDA; it taught me a lot about the requirements of a BMS and why it is necessary for electronics to be safe for people as well as the consequences if a BMS system fails. <\/p>\n<\/div> <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Last year I was the Electrical Team Lead of my High School FIRST Robotics Team and had the opportunity to lead the design and implementation of the electrical and pneumatic systems for our FIRST Competition Robot. In addition, I also felt personally responsible for introducing new members to the electrical side of the robot and helping those interested find their love of electrical systems just as the former leaders had helped me find mine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This was my first time leading an engineering project. My strategy was to have each team member contemplate a design for a specific subsystem; then collaborate together on each design. I found that this process helped us arrive at a functional design that everyone understood and was comfortable with implementing. It was also very educational for new members and helped them understand that engineering is about designing solutions. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n As part of a class lab in our Digital Design Class, my lab partner and I were tasked with designing and building two state machines using a bread board, multiplexer, d flip-flops, and combinational logic; and we passed signals to the machine using a NI myDaq. We built a four state machine (pictured to the right) and a three state machine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Through this project, we better understood how data is stored in our devices and why these design choices were made.<\/p>\n<\/div> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Last Summer my friend and I decided to create our own educational resource. We chose to start by addressing physics and chose to make our content project based. As part of the project, we designed large scale physics models to demonstrate certain concepts and we built them by lashing together 8 foot 1.5 inch by 1.5 inch beams of wood with rope. I also built a website and YouTube channel for the project to deliver our content to students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Throughout the project, we heavily relied on engineering processes. Designing the models was iterative: we often implemented our design and realized a flaw, and then repeatedly modified the design and rebuilt it until it worked. Overall, it was a great project and we plan to continue developing it over the winters and summers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Motor Control Panel Project<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Marine Robotics Group<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n
The BMS Project<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n
HyperJackets<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Electrical SubTeam<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n
FIRST Robotics Competition Team 7414<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Building a State Machine<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Digital Design<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Let’s Explain!<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Creating an Educational Resource<\/h5><\/div>\n\n\n\n