2/24 - 2/28

This week I continued working on my safe project. In particular, I switched the circuit from a metro mini to an AT Mega 328. I wanted to see if the circuit would still work with an AT Mega, since it is cheaper to use than a metro mini. However, this proved to be more difficult, since after I assembled the correct circuit for the AT Mega, the code wouldn't upload correctly. My computer wouldn't upload the code, so I emailed the code to myself, and then tried to upload it from Sacha's computer. However, the code still wouldn't upload. This is because the AT Mega wasn't boot-loaded, so Mr. Christy, one of my shop teachers, boot-loaded it. Then, the code was able to upload, and the circuit ran perfectly.

This week was cut short because I was absent from school on Thursday. Although, I was still able to get a lot of work done in the 3 days I was in school. For example, I also started making the schematic for the PCB this week. On Wednesday, I finished making the schematic. So, all I have left to do is make the electronics design and then mill the PCB. I will have to get certain dimensions for the PCB, like where I need to place certain components on the PCB so it lines up with the design of the safe that I already made. I will also need to learn how to place the PCB into my CAD file of the safe.

AT Mega 328

USB

PCB Schematic Example

AT Mega 328 Pinout

Arduino