Design a Digital Stop Watch Using Microcontroller ATMEL 8051 - Career Episode 3

Career Episode 3 describes the design and development of a digital stop watch using microcontroller ATMEL 8051. The report includes project information, background, objectives, distinctive activities, and project review. The author served as the team leader and utilized their engineering, management, and leadership skills for the successful delivery of the project.

COMPETENCY
DEMONSTRATION REPORT
Career Episode 3

CE 3.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Design a Digital Stop Watch Using Microcontroller ATMEL 8051
Location of the project: [PLEASE FILL]
Project Duration: [PLEASE FILL]
Organization: [PLEASE FILL]
Role and Designation during the time: Team Leader
CE 3.2 Project Background
CE 3.2.1 Characteristics of the project
I designed a digital stopwatch using the microcontroller ATMEL 89C51 and seven-
segment LEDs for the purpose of display. I implemented my leadership, management, and
engineering skills for the design of a stopwatch that could be used for the daily purpose. I
implemented C code for the microcontroller circuit for digital stop watch as mentioned in the
following sections. I incorporated a switch on the circuit of the digital stop watch that will allow
it to function same as that of the general stop watch and allow the accomplishment of the
specified job. I built the system that will allow the user to start the stop watch from the beginning
after pushing the inbuilt switch. I embedded C coding within the microcontroller for the
management of all the functioning of the stop watch.

CE 3.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
Following were the set objectives for the successful delivery of the project and efficient
application in the real world:
To use ATMEL 89C51 for the development of the digital stop watch
To embed the C coding within the microcontroller
To propose a real world applicable stop watch
To deliver the project within the estimated timeline
To manage the team members and motivate them towards achieving the goals
CE 3.2.3 My area of work
I was chosen as the leader for the team and it was one of my prior jobs to manage the
team involved in the project and assure that everyone is contributing evenly throughout the
project. I had to manage the chip layout of the AT89C51 microcontroller and make the circuit
connections for the microcontroller pins. I developed the circuit diagram of the entire project that
was helpful in demonstrating the schematic representation of the circuit connectivity based on
which the rest of the team delivered the necessary work. Following is the developed schematic
diagram:

Figure 1: Schematic circuit Diagram of digital Stop Watch
I had to specify proper input/output functions for the 32 pins of the microcontroller in a manner
to program the digital stopwatch. I configured the microcontroller in a manner to be applicable in
the real world application and function properly as per the command provided by the users.

CE 3.2.4 Project Group
CE 3.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
I was responsible for the delivery of the operational activities of my work sector and the
other sections provided to the team members. I managed their roles and responsibilities after
confirming their capabilities and interest in the respective sectors and tried to assure that the
project delivery is of a high standard. I had to assure that the configuration is made in the
microcontroller is balanced enough to be operated for the raised purpose. I considered the
functioning and operating of the AT89C51 and its basic properties as the effective chip to be
incorporated within the digital stop watch.

CE 3.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 3.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
The AT89C51 microcontroller had the most favourable features that can be utilized for
enhancing the efficiency of the digital stopwatch as it has the properties such as 4K Bytes Flash,
32 I/O lines, a full duplex serial port, 128 bytes RAM, on-chip oscillator and clock circuitry, two
16 bit counters / timers, and a five vector two-level interrupt architecture. Moreover, the
additional design of static logic for the operations down – zero frequency and applicable at low
energy are more favorable towards making it compatible for the digital stopwatch. The power
down mode and the idle modes have been utilized for allowing the functioning of the rest
operations, even after stopping the oscillator disabling, and CPU respectively.
CE 3.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I implemented the theoretical knowledge of the microcontroller for the successful
delivery of this project. I utilized the power – down Mode of the AT89C51 microcontroller that
allows in saving the RAM content after freezing the oscillator, disabling the operations and
functions of the Chip until the next hardware resets. I also utilized the Idle Mode that was helpful
in stopping the CPU and even that allowing the RAM, serial port functions, and timer/counters
keep functioning. I embedded C language within the microcontroller through the application of
KEIL Software that allowed the chip to be functioning as per the need and command provided by
the user.
CE 3.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I divided the project into categories for different team members in a manner to make sure
that every sector of the project is being delivered within the expected time and of a high

standard. I appointed myself in the configuration and circuit designing of the digital stopwatch
and I delivered them in an efficient and effective manner. Coding was one of the considerable
factors for which, I had to consult my seniors for embedding an effective coding that allowed me
to develop the digital stopwatch, which can be operated as per the command provided by any
user.
CE 3.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
3.3.4.1 Issues
The implementation of the C coding within the microcontroller was the major problem
encountered while delivering the project that could have led the project towards failure as it
would be the same product as that of the previous digital watches. I identified that the entire
project was not functioning as the accurate power was not being transferred through the
microcontroller because of the loose soldering at the ALE / PSEN connections.
3.3.4.2 Solutions
I used KEIL Software for embedding the C coding within the microcontroller and the
following code was used for the functioning of the microcontroller:

I refreshed the entire soldering with accurate pasting and better soldering materials in a manner
to make sure the circuit is functioning properly and power is flowing throughout the developed
circuit.

CE 3.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
Previous models of the digital stopwatch were not using the AT89C51 microcontroller
for the functioning of the stopwatch. I considered the efficient and effective functioning of this
microcontroller and incorporated this within the existing model of the digital stopwatch in a
manner to make it much effective and applicable within the real world. I used my theoretical
knowledge related to the C coding and microcontrollers for the successful deployment of this
project and thus, developed a successful digital stopwatch that can function as per the command
provided by users.
CE 3.3.6 Collaborative work
I was a part of the team that has four members and I was representing the team as a
leader, however; the same contribution was made by every team member involved in the project.
I managed even responsibilities and roles for every team member within the different categories
of the project in a manner to make sure that everyone is contributing evenly throughout the
project. I gathered the point of view of every team member throughout the project execution
through communicating them about the growth and development of the project on the regular
basis.
CE 3.4 Project Review
CE 3.4.1 Project Overview
I proposed to develop a digital stopwatch by embedding the AT895C1 microcontroller in
a manner to make it much effective and efficient. The project was delivered successfully as every
sector of the project was delivered within the expected constraint and quality. Encoding the

microcontroller with C programming language led to an effective result as the stopwatch was
functioning efficiently as it was meant to be applicable in the real world.
CE 3.4.2 My contribution to work
I used my theoretical knowledge related to the C coding and microcontrollers for the
successful deployment of this project and thus, developed a successful digital stopwatch that can
function as per the command provided by users. I proposed the schematic circuit diagram in
along with the configuration of microcontroller that was followed by the rest of the team
members during electronics implementation and testing phase. I embedded the C coding in a
manner to make it applicable in the real world is much more efficient and effective manner that
can also be utilized for the long-run process. I managed the activities of the team members
through utilizing my management and leadership skills for the effective management of the team
and motivating them towards accomplishing the project objectives.