AR Electrical Circuit Simulator – IT & Computer Engineering Guide
1. Project Overview
The AR Electrical Circuit Simulator is an educational tool designed to help students visualize and interact with electrical circuits in augmented reality. By overlaying circuit components in real-world space, learners can build, simulate, and analyze AC/DC circuits, helping them understand the underlying principles of electricity.
2. System Architecture Overview
- AR Rendering Engine: Displays virtual circuit components
- Circuit Simulation Module: Processes circuit behavior and outputs
- User Interface Layer: Touch or gesture-based controls
- Educational Layer: Tutorials, problem sets, quizzes
- Backend Module: Stores user progress, scenarios
- Analytics Dashboard: Tracks usage and performance
3. Hardware Components
|
Component |
Specifications |
Description |
|
AR Device |
Smartphone or tablet with ARKit/ARCore |
Displays interactive circuit simulation in real world |
|
Camera |
8MP or higher |
Used for environment scanning and marker detection |
|
Processor |
Quad-core CPU, 2GB RAM minimum |
Handles real-time simulation and rendering |
|
Display |
HD+ screen |
Ensures visibility of circuit components |
4. Software Components
4.1 Development Tools
- Unity with AR Foundation
- Vuforia SDK (for image-based component placement)
- Blender (for 3D modeling of components)
- Firebase or SQLite (for local and cloud data)
4.2 Programming Languages
- C# (Unity), Python (simulation logic), JavaScript (dashboard)
4.3 Libraries and SDKs
- AR Foundation SDK
- Vuforia SDK
- SPICE-based simulation engine (NgSpice or custom logic)
- Firebase SDK for data storage
5. Functional Modules
- Component Library: Resistors, capacitors, inductors, power
sources, switches
- Circuit Builder: Drag and place components into real-world space
- Simulation Engine: Calculates voltage, current, power, etc.
- Error Checking: Alerts on shorts, opens, and invalid connections
- Learning Mode: Includes tutorials and step-by-step guides
- Quiz Module: Multiple choice and drag-to-build challenges
6. User Experience and Interaction
- Touch-based circuit building with snapping grid
- Augmented tooltips and hints for each component
- Toggle between AC/DC, measurement units
- Visual feedback like current flow animations
7. Educational Framework
- Aligned with high school and early college electrical
engineering syllabus
- Problem-solving modules and progress tracking
- Integration with classroom whiteboards via casting
- Assessment-ready with quiz export options
8. Privacy and Security
- User authentication with Google/Firebase
- End-to-end encrypted session data
- COPPA and FERPA compliant data policies
- Analytics opt-in for research data
9. Testing and Deployment
- Usability testing in classroom and home settings
- Accuracy validation with physical circuit results
- Performance profiling on low-end and high-end AR devices
- Publish on Android Play Store and iOS App Store
10. Future Enhancements
- Voice-guided lab assistant
- Multiplayer collaboration mode
- 3D printed circuit integration via QR tags
- Expanded component support (transistors, op-amps, microcontrollers)