Project Title :    Running / Cycling Monitor

Student Name:       Joshua Ng Sing Keat
Student ID:              3019947
E-mail:                      Sing.Ng@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au
Module:                    ELEC4800B
Program:                  Bachelor Engineering (Electrical)

Supervisors:             Dr. James Welsh / Mr. Teng Jit Sin

Project Question:
Most running and cycling enthusiasts like to know where they have been, how fast and how far they have gone, what grades they have traversed, etc. This project consists of the design and construction of a system that would enable cyclists and runners access to such information using GPS technology. Sensors for cadence and heart rate are also required to be incorporated into the system. Data should be displayed to the user via an LCD. The system should also allow a log to be recorded and downloaded to a PC via a wireless link. The system should be small enough to allow a user to wear the device during activity without additional burden.

Project Background:
People who engage in physical activity usually do not have an indication on how their body reacts to the workout and they do not know if the intensity of the exercise or workout is effective for their body. Knowing your heart rate during training will help you gauge the effectiveness your exercise routine and allow you to keep track of your fitness levels over time. 

Most running and cycling enthusiasts would also like to know the route they have taken and how they have performed. Athletes would also like to keep a log of their training progress and fitness development over a period of time. Currently, there are many sports products the market that only provides heart rate and cadence monitoring. The user will not be able to obtain information on speed and location from these off the shelve products, but instead, will have to purchase a separate equipment like a GPS unit to access this data. 

The concept of this project is to facilitate a sports person’s easy access to all these information by creating a device that would integrate different sensors for different activities and storing the information obtained from the exercise routine in a memory module to allow the user to upload it into a computer log.

Solution:
This project sees the designing and prototyping of a portable device called the Sports Monitor. The Sports Monitor is a micro-controller based device that integrates various sensors and modules to provide a complete solution for sports and fitness enthusiast. Being a device worn during physical activity, the Sports Monitor has been designed to be small enough to wear without being a burden to the user. It provides real time information on heart rate, cadence, speed and location. This device will also save the information into a memory module and enables its user to upload this data to a PC via an IrDA wireless link for workout analysis and logging of physical development .