Transcript Slide 1

Stephen Copeland, Xau Moua, Joseph Lane
Client: Doug Taylor, John Deere Renewables
Advisors: Dr. Manimaran Govindarasu, Dr.Venkataramana Ajjarapu
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Small scout towers capable of wirelessly
transmitting measurements to large MET
towers.
Wireless communication via radio transceivers
on scout tower and MET tower.
Built-in mesh networking protocol
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The range of the transceiver must be
minimum 2km
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Network shall use mesh network protocol
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Data shall be sent home once a day
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Data logged on tower’s own memory
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All components housed in a NEMA4 enclosure
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Network shall be self healing
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Wireless signal shall penetrate rough terrain
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Wireless signal shall withstand various
precipitation
Transceiver shall be plug and play
½ Wave Dipole Antenna
Yagi Antenna Array
• Approx 2.1 db gain
• Approx 10 db gain
• Omni-directional
• Single directional
Radiation Patterns
Microcontroller
Advantages
Disadvantages
Development platform for
LPC2148
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Powerful processor
Feature rich
Lots of memory
Socket for storage
Built in accelerometer
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Highest price
Less support base
Development board for
PIC18F4550
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USB programmable
Feature rich
Multiple coding languages
Abundant support
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Not as easy to code as others
Arduino
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Lowest cost
Massive base of supporters
Very simple coding
Very modular
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Least feature rich
Slowest processor
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Current use of cell towers or satellite
communication
M4 Wind Services for Rotor Redline
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Terrain can attenuate wireless signal
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Topology could create bottlenecks in network
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Climate could stress the operability of
components
Limited access to information
Risks
Mitigation
•Unforeseeable terrain
•Consider various terrains
obstacles
and weather conditions for
•Harsh weather conditions
testing
•Data logger interface
• Use of NEMA-4 enclosure
• Simulate data logger with
computer
Milestones
• 4/17 – Ordered technology components
• 4/23 – Finalized design report
• 4/25 – Completed initial testing (devices functioning)
• 9/27 – Completed all primary performance study testing
• 10/22 – Completed secondary testing (interface w/ data logger)
• 11/26 – Completed final testing (field & performance)
Item
Estimated Cost
Campbell CR1000
Contributor
$1,700.00
John Deere
$400.00
John Deere
32MB Compact Flash Card
$50.00
John Deere
Compact Flash Card reader for USB port
$35.00
John Deere
Serial to USB cable
$50.00
John Deere
Anemometer
$295.00
John Deere
Wind Vane
$245.00
John Deere
$95.00
John Deere
$325.00
John Deere
XBee-PRO DigiMesh 900 Transceiver
$45.00
ISU
Arduino Microcontroller Board for Testing
$40.00
ISU
4XAA Battery Holder
$2.00
ISU
Adjustable Voltage Regulator
$2.00
ISU
NEMA 4 Enclosure
$15.00
ISU
Antenna
$20.00
ISU
Cables
$50.00
John Deere
Modbus software for Nomad 2 SCADA connection
Thermistor (Temperature Sensor)
SETRA Barometric Pressure Transducer
Total price =
$3369.00
Labor Costs (@$20/hr) =
$18,200
XBee-PRO DigiMesh 900
Transmit
Power
50mW
6 miles
(w/ High gain antenna)
LOS Range
Built in mesh
Cost
Pros
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Cons
Yes
$45.00
Build in mesh protocol
Scalable and
interoperable w/ devices
from different vendors
UHF can penetrate dense
forestry
Self-healing and
discovery for stability
XBee-PRO DigiMesh 900 Transceiver
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7" ½ wave dipole, bulkhead mount, RPSMA
connector
• Approx 2.1 dB gain
• Up to 3 km RF LOS range
• Inexpensive
• Omni-directional
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Range
◦ various locations on campus
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Power consumption
◦ Use of LabView and multi meters to measure
current and voltage levels
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Microcontroller
◦ Basic data communication
◦ Message integrity
◦ Throughput
Message length
Throughput 
Transmitio n time
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Self Healing
◦ Selected modules turned off during transmission
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Security
◦ Channel hopping, Encryption
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Latency
◦ Receiving rate vs. data size
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Casing
◦ Shock, vibration, realistic impact, and contact with
water, ice, and snow.
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Microcontroller and transceiver connected
and programmed for basic communication
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Computers used as data logger interface
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Omni directional antenna connected to
transceiver
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4xAA battery pack connected as power
supply
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Wireless communication up to 0.5 Km
outdoors in line of sight.
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Indoor testing in Coover too many obstacles
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Drop-in networking
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Transceivers and antennas received
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Documentation Finalized
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Proposal for acquisition of used sensors
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Initial communication testing
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More unit and system level testing is required
Joe
• Transceiver testing
• Microcontroller testing
• Hardware assembly
• Research & Documentation
Xau
• Antenna analysis
• Hardware assembly
• Research & Documentation
Stephen
• Weekly reports
• Hardware assembly
• System level testing
• Research & Documentation
Member Contributions
Joe
Xau
Stephen
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Parts provided by John Deere and others
◦ If provided, system level testing
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Extensive testing throughout summer ‘10
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Simulated or actual data logger integration
Any Questions?