NEW (LITERATURE REVIEW)

The information and ideas that relevant to the proposed project is identified and will give an overview of sources, and components that have been explored. At previous entry, I did not mentioned the relevant idea towards this project. Basically, this project is implemented from the idea of Electronic Cash Register (ECR). It has the same overview and it will be modified due to its function. The Electronic Cash Register (ECR) is a mechanical or electronic device for calculating and recording sales transaction and an attached cash drawer for storing cash. It makes the work becomes easier, accurate and this device has the features such as attractive receipt print outs for customer, easy to view LCD operator display, and keyboard to key in the sales. It gives the idea on how to create the automatic document receiver and what is the basic component will be used to make the project successful.

PIC Microcontroller

Microcontroller PIC16F877A is one of the PICMicro Family Microcontroller. It is popular for beginner because it is easy to use and it has FLASH memory technology that can be write and erase until thousand times. The superiority this RISC Microcontroller compared to another is at the speed and code compression. This PIC16F877A have 40 pins by 33 path of I/O.

 PIC16F877A fits for many uses and it is also ideal for smart cards as well as for battery supplied device because of its low consumption. The EEPROM memory makes it easier to apply microcontrollers to device where permanent storage of various parameter such as codes for transmitters, motor speed, receiver frequencies and etc are needed. PIC16F877A is applicable in many areas due to the low cost, low consumption, easy handling and the flexibility. The capability of this PIC is it can be used to create assembly line production, store calibration data only after final testing and can improve programs on finished products.

The reason of using this chip as main part is because of this PIC have small instruction set to learn, RISC architecture, built in oscillator with selectable speeds and wide range of interfaces such as USB, USART, A/D, PWM, programmable comparator, PSP and Ethernet,

WORK PLAN

To build up this final year project, there are 3 main stages need to be done.

STAGE 1: Brainstorming, Research & Feasibility Study

STAGE 2: Documentation Preparation & Presentation (Proposal , Progress Report & Demo)

STAGE 3: Project Implementation, Mechanical Construction, Software Development, Instrument Wiring, Troubleshooting

The period allocated for this research study is around 6 months. It is started in Jan 2012 and completed in June 2012. Practically, the performance of a desired devices is often difficult and it will take a long period or the large number of troubleshooting required in order to make the devices functioning. Hence, the time allocated to make the prototype and final report is from June 2012 until October 2012. In this chapter, I include the Gantt chart for time estimation to complete the project from FYP Degree Semester 1 until FYP Degree Semester 2.