Issue Paper

PRIMETECH ELECTRONICS ISSUE PAPER FOR ELECTRONIC DOG COLLAR TEAM MEMBERS: Director: AYLMER ALFREDO AMBU Documentation Manager: ISNARAISSAH MUNIRAH MAJILIS Lab Coordinator: THIAN NYUK HOW Website Manager: LIM KOK LEONG Presentation Manager: MOHD AZLAN BIN MALLA DATE 6TH APRIL 2009

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Introduction An electronic dog collar is a tool designed purposely for dog training. It is a unique and invaluable tool that will help breeder to correct the dog through some dedication of time. Electronic dog collar is sole solution to dog training as there are so many other techniques out there. However, it will still serve its function and will definitely work in the hand of the expert. Ultimately, dog cannot comprehend human language, so electronic dog collar is the best answer to teach them. Primetech Electronics had been working on an electronic dog collar since the title was proposed. Our goal is to come up with the device that is fully functional, reliable and mmost of all is safe and easy to use. In the technical aspects, the designed is divided into two parts. The primary part is on producing the electronic dog collar (EDC) which will be put on onto the dog’s neck, and the other one is the wireless remote control to control the EDC. We recommend for the electronic dog collar to be used when the dog exhibits unwanted behaviour such as unnecessary barking, too much jumping, attacking people or else. The collar will exhibit a controlled amount of electric shock that is good enough to hinder the dog from continuing what it is doing. This is why electronic dog collar is very helpful. This shock however, is completely safe for the dog. Limited to producing high voltage with low current, the collar will cause an immediate pain towards the dog safely. But as soon as the user stops pressing the execution button on the wireless remote control, the pain will immediately recover. This is where the electronic shows how handy it can be. An issue paper is designed to fit the requirement of Project Design subject. An issue report is produced first is to acknowledge that this project is in well-progress. An issue paper consists of product life cycle, safety issue and other raised matters which are the basic issue in producing a new design. This report might as well be the answers to the frequently asked questions about this whole product.

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1. Product Life Cycle 1.1 Production Electronic dog collar has been long recognized by many especially to the dog enthusiasts in today’s world. It is not an uncommon thing that its purpose is unidentifiable. Just for facts, it is actually quite common now to find it anywhere in the web store. Thus, the main issue when brainstorming the idea of producing an electronic dog collar is that whether we are reproducing an existing product or not. We would definitely want to come up with a product that differs with its kind in the market and hopefully a product that can stood up in standards among its rival in the market today. Just for comparison, the other products in the market are usually extravagant, expensive but somehow fail to compromise one of the vital aspects - RELIABILITY. Of course you can get one good one with high reliability, but the second issue comes up fast – MONEY. Our client had given us specific instruction and that he wanted the product to be fully functional, reliable and user friendly. Sounds simple right? It is but unfortunately the same problem seems to be undeletable in the real world context. Thus, after a thorough session of brainstorming, team Primetech Electronics had decided to dedicate more on the reliability issue rather than trying to make our product to be fancy and all-show. We would also take into account about the battery life of the electronic dog collar as another main problem with an electronic dog collar is the life of the battery. Last but not least, with the current issues of the global economic downturn, the team had also resort to making the product affordable by the average people. This is so that the availability of the product is constantly growing and it will not be limited to a certain group of people. This indirectly will increase the competitiveness of the product. The summary of the study of the project is highlighted in the point form below.

a) Researched and analysis on the available product in the market. b) Main circuit production followed by some organized testing c) Finalize the final circuit and integrate the wireless system d) Produce a durable and strong case that can fit the circuit inside.

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1.2 Operation Primetech Electronics dog collar will be a very user friendly product. The method of operation is very simple and can be describe with only three simple instruction: a) First, apply the electronic dog collar on the dog’s neck. b) Whenever a misbehaviour shown by the dog, you may execute a shock by pushing the button on the remote control to shock/teach the dog. c) The user may stop pressing the button to release the pain whenever he/she feels necessary

1.3 Product disposal Primetech Electronics dog collar is designed and HANDMADE with a very delicate and precision work. If operated properly, the device may not get damaged in a very short period of time. However, should the product damaged, it can be safely disposed like any unwanted object to the recycle bin. Just for cost saving advice, some of the components inside the circuit such as the resistors, diodes, and batteries can be reused.

2. Safety Issue It is very important to take safety precautions in producing this tool. Since we are dealing with live animal, it is vital to assure that the finished product is safe to be used in any dog training. As simple as this may sound, the device will execute high voltage by releasing immediate charge from a capacitor. Since a stepped up voltage by a transformer and a voltage multiplier will produce very little amount of current, the product is definitely very safe. Just for the sake of analysis, a person has a body resistance approximately 1000 Ohm. When, let’s say 1000V passes through that person, a 1A current actually flows around the body of that person. Generally, the person will shock to death of the current flows around this value. Thanks to the voltage step up technology, the value of the current drops down to just 10s of mili-Ampere. Therefore it’s safe to assume that the product is very safe to be used. 4

2.1 Waterproof It is generally known that current can flow trough water. That is why Primetech Electronics tried as hard as possible to produce a waterproof electronic dog collar casing. Dogs are usually seen to salivate especially when dog is resting or when it is hungry, especially when it is hot! To solve this matter, we used a hard type of plastic to produce the case. This case is properly glued at every edge to prevent water (especially dog’s saliva) from entering the circuit inside. Besides preventing water from flowing into the circuit, the hard case will prevent the circuit from completely ruin or damage when the electronic dog collar drops onto the ground. 2.2 Tested The device is produce in a very closed and controlled environment. Various tests had been conducted to assure its potential result. The voltage management had been taken seriously in order to control the voltage output. As in the paper, the product is theoretically supported. We had tested it by measuring the output and to add to it, we even test it out on ourselves! We at team Primetech Electronic is confident as one could be that the product does stood up within expectation. However, any device may have imperfection. Therefore, we have never decided to do any animal testing within the moment and any time in the future. 3. Feasibility Before this project starts, we had done some researched and analysis about this tool. This is not a new thing to the dog breeder especially in the United States and it is widely used. But is really hard to find this product within the South East Asia region and we found it is quite expensive in the internet.

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