INTRODUCTION PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Abstract Design Objectives
• Design a power source for sensors and other wireless devices.
The focus of this team is to design a network of sensors for reporting temperatures,
• Interfacing the transmitted data to a user friendly format.
pressures, and speeds etc. from automotive and heavy equipment, on to a central
• Work within the limited funds available.
embedded computer. The sensors should be capable of reporting data wirelessly from
separate machines without interference. Using smart transducers wirelessly is attractive Functional Requirements
for small span networks because wireless technology is effective and inexpensive. • Transmit and receive data securely.
Challenge is to design a network infrastructure according to voluminous, complicated • Maintain the data integrity.
standards and new commercial technology. • Interference from other devices be reduced to a minimum.
• Long-life expectancy of power sources to the sensors.
Problem Statement
Automotive and heavy equipment applications use sensors on machines to report Design Constraints
temperatures, pressures, speeds, etc. to a central embedded computer, but the wiring Limited -
harnesses always seem to be a reliability problem. • Sources of energy.
• Rotating parts cannot have sensors attached by long wires. • Communications bandwidth, asymmetric ciphers and key exchange protocols.
• Hard to add more electronics (wiring harnesses get bigger). • Availability of testing equipment.
Operating Environment
Measurable Milestones
Caterpillar is a well known brand that builds machinery to stand every working • Procurement of sensors and wireless devices.
environment. These machines are built to last hazardous storms, extreme heat, cold, • Design of power supply for the devices.
muddy environments and dusty areas. These machines are used mainly off of • Successful operation of prototype under laboratory conditions.
highways and their parts are prone to heavy vibrations. • Feasibility study for the practical implementation.
Intended Users
The intended user for this Caterpillar wireless sensing project are customers who use
the company’s machinery. The people who are operating the machinery would find
this a handy tool in determining the various characteristics of the machine.
Intended Uses
• Save money and effort spent in wiring.
• Reduce time in information collection and make it more reliable.
Assumptions
• Rate of data transfer is not going to be a big issue.
• The range for communication of data is not going to be more than 5-10 m.
• A wireless master will be able to serve multiple slaves without interference.
Limitations
• Environmental constraints and use of sensors inside heavy metallic structures.
• Limited power supply for mobile devices. Figure 1: Wireless Sensor Operation
• Interference from other wireless devices and microwave signals.
End-Product
The end product will be a light and mobile wireless sensor, which can be easily
BUDGET & EFFORT
equipped. A wealth of information can be acquired in every 10 m seconds from Budget: $1150.00
sensors relating to gearbox and engine diagnostics; engine temperature, angular Personal Effort: 1102 hours
speed, and combustion pressure. Then, these data will be transmitted to the user’s
computer interface via wireless communication system in the range of 5-10 m.
5% 20%
25%
PROPOSED APPROACH AND CONSIDERATIONS Power Sources
Wireless Devices
Proposed Approach Sensors
• Research the various standardized wireless technologies. Miscellaneous
• Pick a system of networks compatible with the proposed wireless technology.
50%
• Design a dependable and inexpensive power supply for the devices.
• Interface the devices together and create user friendly system.
Technologies Considerations
• Bluetooth
• IEEE 802.11x Figure 2: Budget breakdown
• Compatible system of industrial sensors. Figure 3: Gantt Chart
• Peso electric films.
• Smart dust.
Testing Considerations SUMMARY
• The power supply devices will be tested for reliable performance.
The most important of part of this project is to replace the cables by wireless sensing and to
• Prototype will be tested under laboratory conditions for a feasibility study.
perform, the same or better reliable work. Wireless sensors are becoming more common way
• Actual testing will later be performed on Caterpillar machines on site.
of problem solving for a lot of companies, and the intended end product should justify the
necessity of using wireless sensing.
Team Members: Client: Project Webpage:
Abhishek Somani Cpr E asomani@iastate.edu Caterpillar Inc. http://seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0416/
Fahd Ashraf EE fahdali@iastate.edu Mr. Bill Allen
Preston Mitchell EE pmitchel@iastate.edu Faculty Advisors:
Sun-yup Ihm EE bruins@iastate.edu Dr. Gary Tuttle
Zinaw Tesemma Cpr E ztesemma@iastate.edu Dr. Jimming Song