Academic Year: 2023/2024

Assessment Introduction:
Course: Module Code: EL2205
BEng/MEng (Hons) Electronic Engineering Module Title: Electronic Systems
BEng(Hons)Electrical and Electronic Engineering Applications
BEng/MEng (Hons) Robotics Engineering

Title of the Brief: Type of assessment: Coursework

Human Movement/Assistance/Biometric
Monitoring Application

This Assessment Pack consists of a detailed assignment brief, guidance on what you need to prepare, and
information on how class sessions support your ability to complete successfully. You’ll also find information on this
page to guide you on how, where, and when to submit. If you need additional support, please make a note of the
services detailed in this document.

How, when, and where to submit:

The deadline for this assessment is the 15th March 2024 at 17.00 via the submission zone found the EL2205
Blackboard area - Please note that this is the final time you can submit – not the time to submit! The presentation of
your working system will take place on the 21st March 2024 in the timetabled laboratory session.
If your work is submitted via the Turnitin link on Blackboard, the link will be visible to you on: 8th January 2024
Feedback will be provided by: 18th April 2024
You should aim to submit your assessment in advance of the deadline.
There will be a short development presentation of your system as it is on the 1st February 2024 in the laboratory
session.

Note: If you have any valid mitigating circumstances that mean you cannot meet an assessment submission
deadline and you wish to request an extension, you will need to apply online, via MyUCLan with your evidence
prior to the deadline. Further information on Mitigating Circumstances via this link.

We wish you all success in completing your assessment. Read this guidance carefully, and any questions, please
discuss with your Module Leader or module team.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this assessment brief is correct at time of publication. In the unlikely event that any changes
are deemed necessary, they will be communicated clearly via e-mail and a new version of this assessment brief will be circulated.
Additional Support available:
All links are available through the online Student Hub
1. Academic support for this assessment will be provided by contacting Steve Sigurnjak
[email protected]

2. Our Library resources link can be found in the library area of the Student Hub or via your subject librarian
at [email protected].

3. Support with your academic skills development (academic writing, critical thinking and referencing) is
available through WISER on the Study Skills section of the Student Hub.

4. For help with Turnitin, see Blackboard and Turnitin Support on the Student Hub

5. If you have a disability, specific learning difficulty, long-term health or mental health condition, and not yet
advised us, or would like to review your support, Inclusive Support can assist with reasonable adjustments
and support. To find out more, you can visit the Inclusive Support page of the Student Hub.

6. For mental health and wellbeing support, please complete our online referral form, or email
[email protected]. You can also call 01772 893020, attend a drop-in, or visit our UCLan Wellbeing
Service Student Hub pages for more information.

7. For any other support query, please contact Student Support via [email protected].

8. For consideration of Academic Integrity, please refer to detailed guidelines in our policy document . All
assessed work should be genuinely your own work, and all resources fully cited.

9. For this assignment, you are not permitted to use any category of AI tools.
Preparing for your assignment.

Ensure that you fully understand the requirements for the assessment and what you are expected to
complete. The assignment will be introduced in the lecture session where you can ask any questions,
you can also ask for clarification by contacting the module team.

The following module learning outcomes will be assessed in this assignment:

• Manage a small design project.

• Develop an electronic system to a given requirement specification.
• Document a system design and participate in design reviews.
• Take account of the economic, social and environmental context of engineering activity.

Please read over the guide to writing a technical document

https://www.theiet.org/media/5182/technical-report-writing.pdf and ensure that you fully
understand the requirements of the assessment. There will be a lecture session covering the
assignment.

Assignment Brief

Introduction and Background

With the development of cheap and powerful microcontrollers and sensors it has become possible
to develop wearable technology and track human activity non-invasively and discreetly. This has led
to a revolution in wearable technology which may track activity for health monitoring, achieving
exercise goals, or sports performance analysis or for general assistive technology. This has
developed into to a multimillion pound industry with many applications. Some examples are below:

Figure 1 – Fitbit Ionic

Figure 1 shows the Fitbit Ionic, this is a commercial smartwatch that contains GPS, heart rate
monitoring and motion analysis. Differing exercises can be tracked and logged and observed over
time. Resting heart rate over time can be tracked as well as calories burned.
 Figure 2 – Statsports Apex Pro

Statsports Apex pro is an athlete tracker used for professional team sports. Data is captured and
processed on the device and then sent to a PC for analysis. The system can determine many metrics
as noted in figure 3 .

Figure 3 – Statsports Metrics

The above metrics are more tailored to sports and are designed to be interpreted by a coaching
team to improve team and individual performance.
 Figure 4 - Bell integration – Industrial Wearable Technology Proposal

The Bell Integration allows a worker in an industrial environment to check their own safety whilst
working by checking proximity, gas analysis, noise (so the level is safe for the user) and GPS for
location.

You could also develop systems to assist humans in performing tasks, these tasks may be the lifting
and moving of objects on a repetitive basis or the rehabilitation from injuries, where the user
performing the task(s) would be aided by the use of an exoskeleton. An Example is shown below:

Lockheed Martin’s “Fortis” system

In a group (nominally in a group size of 3-4) you are required to produce a proof of concept
wearable technology concept, similar to the above described wearable technology or other more
sports or activity specific applications.

Above all the application of the system is to be determined by yourselves as a group. The system will
include the hardware and appropriate software enable the system to gather and operate as well as a
“front end” that will display information to the user or to other people (such as coaches, workforce
management, medical practitioners etc). The project is to be planned and implemented using
appropriate project management techniques as outlined in the lecture session.
The practical aspect of the project will be to develop a system suitable monitoring subjects whilst
completing a task, this could be physical activity or a specific task. The system will monitor nominally
three key elements defined by your group and its application. Additional biometrics or suitable
sensors can be added where deemed appropriate for the application decided by the team and
confirmed by an academic member of staff.

Prior to developing the system you are required to define a suitable application that the system will
be used for. You are encouraged to discuss this as a group and come up with a defined aim and set
of objectives prior to any physical development and discuss this with staff. This initial process is key
so it is important that all group members as “on board” with the projects aim. This will be presented
as a proposal and feedback will be given. Examples of suitable applications include the following
suggestions:

• Training and monitoring system for American Football. This system includes the above
biometrics as well as additional accelerometers for impact monitoring (to check if the player as
sustained an impact that could cause injury) and a GPS monitoring system incorporated into the
players armour. Information is relayed back to the coach to monitor player positions and activity
level.
• Gaming monitoring system that monitors the biometrics as well as records the players
movements within the game and gives feedback to be developers on the state of excitement of the
player in the game.
• Training system for cyclists. This monitors the biometrics and provides feedback to the rider on
how much power they are exerting at a given time based of pressure sensors, heart rate and
temperature as well as positional information relayed via GPS. This instant feedback is displayed to
the user whist riding the bike and is recorded for further analysis on a PC later on.
• Time and motion analysis for a factory workforce where the data can be tracked and then used to
offer improvements in placement of machinery or materials to reduce fatigue and increase
production.
• Wearable safety system for workforce in a hazardous environment
• Assistive technology/prosthetics for physically challenges individuals.

Note the above is indicative of applications that can be implemented. Note that the applications use
the basic elements and add a “problem to be solved” over being a general monitoring system.

The biometrics that will be essential to the system and to be monitored as a minimum 3 are to be
monitored and used these could be the following;

Heart rate - The pulse rate of a subject will be recorded to provide a reading for the beats per
minute of the subject (this data can be logged, as well as used to provide a reading based off a
desired minimum time frame). Note that you are required to develop your own, working pulse
sensor. Schematics will be provided for a basic sensor.

Movement - The movement of the subject will also be recorded to allow steps or activity to be
monitored. This is considered a key element of a fitness tracking system and determines if the user is
engaging in activity or not and the level of the activity they are doing.

Additional element(s) – This could be position, temperature, gas level, light levels, motor
control/feedback etc.

Other sensors, where needed by the application of the system, discussed previously, may be
included with justification and discussion with the academic team running the module.
The system may be packaged into a more suitable nature for the application, for example a glove or
a t-shirt as a proof of concept or a working prototype.

To deliver the above there are 2 main elements to the project; hardware and software. Further
details are below;

Hardware

The hardware system will be designed around the Mbed prototyping system. It is envisioned that this
will be used to gather raw data from the sensor systems used to record the biometrics. The Mbed
will gather and process the raw data to provide a basic transformation of data from the analog
voltages produced by the sensor to an “expected” data value (e.g. temperature in degrees C). The
data will then be sent to a PC, or other suitable system (e.g. phone or tablet) for further processing,
data logging and visual display. You can use other microcontrollers but these MUST be agreed by
the academic team and fully justified by the group.

Specific sensors will be determined by the application requirements (such as predicated minimum
and maximum variations needed). Pulse sensors schematics will be provided for you to build and
test these. Temperature sensors and accelerometers for detecting movement will be provided. You
will be required to construct the pulse sensor yourselves as a group.

If you require any additional sensors these will have to be discussed with the academics as they may
need to be ordered and will have an associated lead time that must be taken into account in your
project planning.

Prototype the hardware using breadboard to ensure that the system works as expected. Once
testing has been competed transfer the hardware to a custom PCB that is configured as a “shield” to
mount onto the Arduino pin configuration on the MBed board. Include schematics and PCB layout in
your report, you can use any suitable PCB software for the design although Proteus is recommended
as this is what we have access to#.

Software

The software on the PC (or mobile device) will process the information taken from the Mbed and
display this in an easy to read and use system. The software should provide a GUI (Graphical User
Interface) to display the biometrics (including live data movements, data logging and storage). In
addition the system should also be able to provide the user with feedback on the sensor levels such
as the normal, upper and lower boundaries of the biometrics.

Further developments to the system should also be implemented: these may include multiple
monitoring of subjects, the determination of stress or activity level of the subjects that are being
monitored, or the use of additional shields to control the Mbed system. This will be determined by
the desired application of the system.

You will be provided with suitable modules for the transmission of data as well as additional shields
that will help you implement additional features and functionality (where discussed). These may
include the following; having direct feedback of the biometrics displayed on a LCD screen
connected to the Mbed as well as transmitting the data to the PC system via Bluetooth, providing
adjustment of the biometric levels as the system is operating, or by having LEDs to show levels in the
Mbed system.
Implementation

As a group define your project and your roles. In the first instance develop the hardware systems on
a piece by piece basis taking development notes, testing results and pictures ensure you log these
for inclusion in the final report.

Incorporate the individual elements into a single hardware platform that is capable of delivering the
data required and meeting the projects aim and objectives.

Develop a GUI system that will capture and log the data. This can be done in C# via a windows form
or in another suitable programming language. The system should display the data sent and where
needed, provide a graphical interface to show the biometrics. In addition you should aim to provide
some feedback to the user of the system (such as when a biometric goes outside of a user set
boundary). This could then be sent back to the system to provide remote feedback to the subject.
You must document the development and testing regime used for the GUI system and include this in
the final report.

When the prototyping phase is completed you must package the system so that it is suitable for
deployment in the field, such as a doctors surgery, hospital or for mobile use by the subject; for
example, the system could be implemented into a hat or a vest that the subject wears for the
duration of the testing thus allowing an easy to use and configure system. The packaging will be
assisted using 3D printing of the package, lab sessions will give you the skills to do this.

You will have time in the labs to be able to develop the project. In this time you will be able to
receive informal feedback from staff, use these sessions to develop and optimise your project.

Deliverables

During the development cycle of the project you will be required to present your work at set
intervals in the timetabled lab sessions. These sessions will give you feedback on the project and
help you to monitor project management, adjust the timescales and develop further tasks to be able
to deliver the project to the set deadlines. The dates and times of the presentations will be
communicated via Blackboard two weeks prior to taking place, these will be:

• Project proposal – You will be required to present, as a group, your proposal for the biometric
system. This will include project planning and an outline of the system based off the introductory lab
sessions and will take place towards the end of the first term (circa start/mid December). Provide
details of who will be doing what element to meet the deliverables.

• Interim presentation – As a group you will present the progress of the project to date, any
amendments to the original project management plan, hardware and software development to date.
This will take place on date noted at the start of this assessment pack and is worth 10% of the
assessment.

The proposal presentation does not carry any marks and is formative, this does not mean that this
not important to attend and contribute towards. The sessions will allow you to focus your project and
think about its direction. You will also be given feedback on your proposal and progress and be able
to use this to focus and develop your system for higher marks.
Note on Group work

You are required to work as a team to develop the project and the system. To this end each group
member is required to “pull their weight”, this will be determined by your attendance and by
feedback from group members. If you are not engaging with the work then you will be given a
“multiplier” that varies from 0-1. The final mark for the group will be multiplied by this to give you a
final mark, for example, if your multiplier is 0.5 and the group mark is 80% then your final mark will
be 40%. At the start of the project the multiplier is set to 1, if your engagement drops your multiplier
will drop, this will be communicated to you, if your engagement increases to a satisfactory level then
your multiplier will increase.

This is implemented as it simply is not fair on working group members when someone who has not
contributed to the project gets the same final mark as them.

The summative (mark carrying) deliverables for the project will consist of the following:

• A short development presentation of your system as it is on the 1st February 2024. At this point
it is expected that significant development will have taken place and you will be able to discuss
your project management and any changes you have made to your system.

• A group presentation of the final project, including the development, justification, and a
demonstration of the operation of the hardware and software. This will be approximately 15
minutes, with an additional 5-10 minutes of questions and take place in the lab timetabled slots.
The timetable for the presentations will be published closer to the project deadline and available
on Blackboard.

• A detailed report of the projects development. This should be structured into sections. The
report is to include project management with detailed work breakdown structures, Gantt charts,
timescales, group responsibilities and deadlines with any amendments to the original plan, a
detailed description of the development of the system with plans, wiring diagrams, photographs
and screen shots to describe the implementation and testing for both the hardware and the
software. Introduce the project detailing the biometrics on test, any development of sensor
systems and biometric performance levels based on research gathered, referenced using the
faculty Harvard referencing system. Provide appropriate appendices such as logbooks of
development process within the labs.

• Provide a set of instructions/user guide on how to operate the system to gather meaningful data;
include any relevant illustrations and images and include a troubleshooting guide with any
problems that the user may have when operating the system and how to overcome these.

Submit the project report, PCB schematics, instructions/user guide and the final code for the
Mbed/GUI interface in 1 file via blackboard in the TurnItIn submission zone.
 Marking Criteria and Weighting

Assessment Criteria Weighting

(%)
Presentation of the working hardware and software system with
20
justifications and a technical and operational overview.
Interim presentation of the group proposal and design review to date 10
Report outlining the development, testing and Implementation of the
system including project management (up to 20 pages, including 30
diagrams and tables).
Development of a suitable PCB for the system 20
Instruction set/ user guide for the operation of the system 20

Example Assessment

As the project is practical based examples of completed project will be demonstrated in the
lab sessions
 EL2205 Electronic Systems Final Mark for Presentation
Applications
Marking grid – Presentation

Very Good 70+%; and

Fail <40% Bearable Pass. 40-49% Satisfactory 50-59% Good 60-69% Publishable 80+%

Generally good presentation of the Very good presentation of the Excellent presentation of the
Justification and No/small presentation of the Reasonable presentation of the
justification and application of the justification and application of the justification and application of the
application of the system justification and application of justification and application of the
system. Good structured system. Very well structured system. Very well structured
(30%) the system system. Structured presentation
presentation presentation presentation

No/small presentation of the Reasonable presentation of the Generally good presentation of the Very good presentation of the Excellent presentation of the
Design and development design and development and design and development and design and development and design and development and design and development and
of the System (30%) testing of the system. No testing of the system Structured testing of the system Good testing of the system Very well testing of the system. Very well
structured presentation presentation structured presentation structured presentation structured presentation

Little/no demonstration of the Very good demonstration of the Excellent demonstration of the
Demonstration of the Reasonable demonstration of the Good demonstration of the system
system working, most of the system with all elements working system with all elements working
system working (40%) system with all elements working with all elements working
system not working with additional elements with additional elements

Overall comments
and Feedback

Disclaimer: The information provided in this assessment brief is correct at time of publication. In the unlikely event that any changes are deemed necessary, they will be communicated clearly via
e-mail and a new version of this assessment brief will be circulated.
Feedback Guidance:

Reflecting on Feedback: how to improve.

From the feedback you receive, you should understand:

• The grade you achieved.

• The best features of your work.

• Areas you may not have fully understood.

• Areas you are doing well but could develop your understanding.

• What you can do to improve in the future - feedforward.

Use the WISER: Academic Skills Development service. WISER can review feedback
and help you understand your feedback. You can also use the WISER Feedback
Glossary

Next Steps:

• List the steps have you taken to respond to previous feedback.

• Summarise your achievements

• Evaluate where you need to improve here (keep handy for future work):