Instrumentation for development and automatic testing

The project is essentially a portable alphanumeric display unit that will improve the communication and signaling process between the coaching staff and players at various sporting events. This project utilizes light emitting diode (LED) digits, similar to those on a sports stadium's scoreboard, with a self-contained power supply. The design and development process was made easier with the use of instrumentation and automated testing. The purpose of this test procedure was to determine the amount of power required to operate the finished product under full load conditions and to determine the duration of sufficient power levels supplied by the project's specified battery pack. An oscilloscope, with a serial communication output, connected to the computer was used to obtain signal waveforms and measurements. A multi-meter was used to conduct automated power tests for load capabilities on a lead-acid battery power supply. The data was automatically incorporated into a spreadsheet and a battery discharge curve was created by the software as measurements were taken during these tests.