Systems Programming & Computer Control

Assignment

: Systems Programming and Computer Control (50%)

Date Assigned

: Week 3

Date Due

: Week 13

Lecturer

: Kamalanathan

Submission

: Softcopy & Hardcopy

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Assignment Overview
This coursework, done in two parts, will be worth a total of 50% of the module. Another 50% is
contributed by a final examination at the end of the semester.
This coursework consists of:
Part I - a group component which is an activity of recruitment strategy worth 30%, and
Part II - an individual component which is a submission of a Personal Development Profile
folder worth 20%.
The coursework is developed to reflect the following System Programming and Computer
Control learning outcomes:
1. Contribute to the achievement of the Learning Outcomes specified for the students award at
Level 2
2. Enable students to develop their knowledge and skills in relation to Systems Programming
and Computer Control
3. Meet the prerequisite requirements of modules at Level 3 of study
4. Develop the ability of students to apply the knowledge they gain in relation to the study of
Systems Programming and Computer Control
5. Further develop lifelong learning skills of independent learning and study in relation to
Systems Programming and Computer Control
6. Enable students to develop their ability to:

Critically Analyse

Solve complex problems

Use ICT relevant to given situations

Level 2

Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation

Systems Programming & Computer Control

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Each group must consist of not more than four members. In this assignment you will be given a
case study to build a smart home control system for a new housing developer. Marks will be
allocated according to the marking scheme attached. Read the scenario and the marking scheme
carefully before you start.

The Scenario
You have been contracted to build a smart home control system for a new housing developer.
This smart home system is part of the package for the home owners.
The developer has provided you with the floor plan of the designs, which are illustrated in
Appendix A of this handout.
The system is expected to control the various devices in the house, through TCP/IP connections.
The system is required to have a central control keypad (usually located in the master bedroom
and the main entrance to level 0) that will allow the user to key in the master PIN number to gain
access to the control system.
Your system is required to interface with a database/file to store and retrieve the details of
authorised people of the system. The user should also have the ability to add new PIN numbers,
modify and delete PIN numbers, through this central control keypad.
The various devices that are controlled by your system are many, and have to include (at
minimum) the following:
1. Curtains (open/close)
2. Television control (on/off, channel select, volume control, picture/attribute control).
3. Lights (on/off)
4. Doors (open/close)

Level 2

Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation

Systems Programming & Computer Control

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All devices in the house are equipped with motors/sensors that allow them to be controlled
through a network (TCP/IP).
The television set will have a more complex set of functions since it has more parameters (switch
on/off, volume control, picture adjustment, etc.) that can be changed.
You are expected to demonstrate creativity in developing an application using LabView, Visual
Basic (VB) or Visual C programming language that can deal with the requirements of the
developer as well as addressing (if necessary) any other aspects of control of the house.
Project Requirements
1.

You are expected to produce with LabView, Visual Basic (VB) or Visual C programming
language a control system to be installed in the house. This application is required to have
an appropriately designed front panel that can provide the user with a clear picture of
what the system does.

2.

Since this is an application, you are not expected to include hardware sensors/motors. You
are to simulate the system by having appropriate software sensors included in your
constructed application. However, some research is expected in your documentation that
identifies the appropriate type of sensors that can work with the system. The application
has to be designed with this in mind so that actual physical implementation in the future
will be easy (application modifications must be minimal to accommodate these sensors).

3.

As the targeted system is to be built in a networked environment, your system must be

designed in two separate modules. The first module will be the main control unit, which
will simulate the control keypad, device status (for example, through simple onscreen
LEDs) and functions that the system can perform. The second module (a separate
LabView or Visual Basic program) must be created to run on another PC and is to contain
the diagrammatic illustration of all device status.

4.

Since two modules are to be constructed, a high level protocol must be built to allow the
main module to interface (or communicate) with the second module over TCP/IP. Due
to the use of TCP/IP, sockets programming is required.

Level 2

Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation

Systems Programming & Computer Control

5.

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You are permitted to make assumptions where necessary. These assumptions are expected
to be logical and must be appropriate for the situation at hand.

6.

There will be a presentation towards the submission date of the project. You are expected
to demonstrate how your system is capable of addressing the requirements of the
developer.

7.

The submission of your project should entail the following items:

a.

Main hardcopy documentation highlighting the following:

i.

How the requirements have been addressed by the developing language.

ii.

System Design.

iii.

Protocol Design (for the high level communication protocol between main
module and second module).

iv.

What hardware sensors/devices can be implemented and how your

application is able to accommodate an easy transition from software based
inputs/outputs to hardware based inputs/outputs.

b.

Softcopy user guide that can explain how your system works. This will be based
on your system application.

c.

Level 2

Softcopy of the application system.

Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation

Systems Programming & Computer Control

Appendix A Floor Plan

Level 2

Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation

Page 5 of 6

Systems Programming & Computer Control

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Marking Scheme for Group Presentation and Individual

Please include the following marking grid as part of your hardcopy submission.
Names and ID of group members:
1.

2.

3.

4.

Criteria
Group Work (60%)
Softcopy running without error.

Marks

Marks

allocated

awarded

15

(ie. No runtime errors, syntax errors

etc.)
User interface
Codes are consistent, clean, modular and

15
10

follows programming logic.

Presentation.
Appendix Additional programming

10
10

Individual Work (40%)

Algorithm and Documentation

Understanding of Socket Programming
Meet criteria requirement.
Total marks possible

15
10
15
100

You are to present the above to your module lecturer in week 13. Failure to attend the
presentation will mean a mark of zero. A hard copy of the slide printouts are to be submitted to
the lecturer during the presentation together with a team work report.

Level 2

Asia Pacific University College of Technology and Innovation