Help Me Choose a MP3Car University Engineering Project

timwiththebo · 03-03-2005, 09:59 AM

Hi all,
I'm from the UK and currently studying engineering in my 3rd year of university.
Next academic year I be will devoting half my time (thats about 480 official hours) on a design project of my choice.

I want to do something mp3car related, so that not only will it interest me, but also maybe I can put something back into the community.

The problem is that I'm struggling to come up with any good ideas. I'm specialising in electrical and mechanical fields and I'm completely useless at programming so I'll probably be going down the hardware route.

Something like the HU Quality AM/FM RDS/RBDS Radio (http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/hardware-development/40612-hu-quality-am-fm-rds-rbds-radio-features.html) is along the right sort lines.

So how about it, anyone have any pressing ideas that they just don't have time to follow up?

Thanks to any posters,
Timbo

wizardPC · 03-03-2005, 11:13 AM

How bout a motorized indash VGA touchscreen. We need one of those.

edrex · 03-03-2005, 11:29 AM

250-300W DC-DC power supply? It'd be nice for all of us to not have to worry if the Opus 150 will power our system.

sfay93 · 03-03-2005, 11:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by wizardPC

How bout a motorized indash VGA touchscreen. We need one of those.

When I read this, I laughed out loud. I thought the same thing. It would be a good project for school if he could fab one up but probably impractical for us to replicate his design since he will have access to tools that most here wouldn't. He also will not be able to mass produce them either.

timwiththebo · 03-03-2005, 12:45 PM

Cheers guys for the replies

A motorized indash display would be awesome... however I'm not sure there is enough scope for indepth analysis...

As for a DC-DC power supply, could be a good option. It could be integrated with a spare battery backup circuit, shutdown controller etc.

Keep them coming!

Squid · 03-03-2005, 03:24 PM

How about integrating some components for dash mount? Maybe a VFD display, some powered usb
ports, vga connections.. etc...

The design analysis:
small form factor... packaging of components.. 3D models of layouts
small highly efficient power supply for lcd and usb and etc...
cable bundling and connector layout and design
designing circuitry to make all this stuff talk to each other over one usb line
pricing for mass production to show economy of scales....

For my senior design, we had groups of 3 people... maybe you could partner with
someone who excels in programming? or if no partners.. just bribe a friend to help you

If you have the ability to go one step further... design a whole "head unit"
Integrated vfd display... cd drive... hard drive.. maybe dvd with video out.
With the added ability to also connect this device to a pc usb and talk with it
streaming more audio and video.
Thats a nice blend of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering...

We didn't get to choose our own.. was a list of what was acceptable...
I got a BioMechanics project... test the stiffness of the human elbow as people
get older. This was to help determine factors leading too or during arthritis.
We used hydraulics... sensors.. all portable.. LabView to control it all and process the data.
The build was fun.. but concept was not exciting.. oh well.. heh

Phythorian · 03-03-2005, 06:02 PM

How about gps guided auto drive?
A system taking over wheel and drive you anywhere you want to.
So we can actually WATCH a DVD and browse the internet in our cars while driving!!

That would be definitly an A+ on your exam!!

You could call the project "The Knightrider" !!

rushnrockt · 03-03-2005, 07:37 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by timwiththebo

Cheers guys for the replies

A motorized indash display would be awesome... however I'm not sure there is enough scope for indepth analysis...

As for a DC-DC power supply, could be a good option. It could be integrated with a spare battery backup circuit, shutdown controller etc.

Keep them coming!

I am currently figuring out how to make a power supply, in the range that the other guys were talking about (you can see my random questions elsewhere). As EE it seems like one of the more feasible and useful projects that you can do as one person. And it is not like there is an "accepted" design out there, you can basically do whatever you think will work better.
It seems like there is talk of making one from time to time (outside of mastero/sproggy), but seems like hardly anyone follows through, especialyl for the power ratings we are talking about.
Anyways, may be you can come up with a marketable design. Good luck