Abstract:

We are a group of professors at the University of Pascual Bravo in Medellin, Colombia, South America. At present, we are developing a wireless electronic system to support events like the “KNOWLEDGE OLYMPICS” at the University. This system will significantly facilitate logistical organization of these kinds of events. Six months ago we made one electronic system which was used to support the logistical organization of our first Mathematics Olympiad competition.

Now we are improving this electronics system, implementing wireless data transmission using ZigBee communication protocol. The system is comprised of five access points for five teams of students. In addition, there is one access point for a jury and a central unit for data processing. All five teams also have a display panel to view the reply of the multiple choice questions and to see the response speed of each team. A jury will control correct answers and will reset the system after each question. For the wireless data transmission, we use several XBee radio modems which provide reliable communication, the range of transmission being more than one hundred meters. Radio modems also have low power consumption.

In developing this project, two professors acted as the principal investigators, five electronics laboratory workers as co-investigators and, as auxiliary personnel, members of the student investigative group SICEI (Semillero de Investigación en Ciencias Electrónicas e Informáticas). All personnel belong to the University of Pascual Bravo.

There is a wide range of applications for this system. In addition to competitions, it can be implemented as gaming consoles in the classroom as learning tools or as an assessment tool. It is also extremely easy to install and handle and it is very reliable.

Keywords:

Knowledge competitions, wireless communication, electronic system, logistical support.