APS Innovation

1. APS Innovation Fall 2007 Proposal

2. Team Breakdown: • Paul Brennan • Sean Daugherty • Adam Hughes • Advisors: Dr. Vemuru, Dr. Khorbotly

3. Overview • Problem Definition • Constraints • Research and Information Gathered • Design • Alternative Design • Project Timeline • Estimated Budget • Conclusion

4. Problem Identification • Submitted by American Electric Power (AEP) • Wireless Personnel Tracker/Communication System • Network controlled from central location • Monitors end device locations • Transmit text based messages to devices • Receive messages from devices • Responds to “panic” signal • RF Transceivers • Networked to overcome environmental limitations • Relays data between control and devices

5. Problem Identification • Wireless Personnel Tracker/Communication System • End Device • Transmits its location in network • Receives text based messages from control • Transmits reply messages • Visual text output • Text input

6. Constraints • Economics • Primary cost tied to engineering hours • $30 dollars per hour engineering cost • Efficient network coverage • Enough relays to provide strong signal throughout entire complex without needless redundancy • Consider final manufacturing costs • Concept worthless if its not marketable

7. Constraints • Environment • Ecological • Low power consumption • Reduces battery waste • Robust parts • Reduce waste from broken components • Radiation • Minimize radiation from wireless signals for employee health • Operational • Electromagnetic noise from AEP generators

8. Constraints • Sustainability • Durability • End devices are likely to be dropped and must be capable of absorbing impact • Network Maintenance • Mesh networks designed to work around node failures, but an administrator will be needed

9. Constraints • Manufacturing • Limited consideration, design is proof of concept • Ethics • Privacy • Employees carrying devices will be constantly monitored • Health and Safety • Radiation • Health Concerns • Interference with other critical devices

10. Constraints • Social • No practical social constraints • Political • Operates within public technology frequency • No FCC regulations to consider

11. Research and Information • Zigbee • Well defined protocols • Ensures cross platform interoperability • Mesh Networking • AODV routing dynamically maintains paths • Low power • Years of operation on a pack of AA batteries • Range • Max range of over 60 ft

12. Researched Information • Bluetooth • Low power • 25 to 37 mA current consumption • Pico Net • Allows for interaction among all networked devices • Limit to 10 devices per pico net • No cross network communication • Limited Range • Max range of approximately 30 ft

13. Research and Information • WiFi • Impressive Range • Residential range of 125 to 200 ft • Outdoor range of between 750 to 1000ft • High Transmission Rate • 11 Mbps or 54 Mbps • High Power • Standby current consumption of 15 mA • Max current consumption of 297 mA

14. Decision on Technology

15. Design

16. Design • End devices • Power source • Single pack of AA batteries • Display • Low power segmented display screen • Input • Full alpha-numeric keypad • Serial communication capable

17. Design • End devices • Microcontroller • TI CC2431 F64 • 12 bit ADC • 64 Kb programmable flash memory • Serial communications port • Zigbee compliant RF transceiver • Locater system block • Supports tracker implementation through hardware

18. Design • RF transceiver • TI CC2431 ZDK model • Zigbee compliant • Supports mesh transmission • Control Center • GUI Application • Application will run at top layer of the network from a PC • Interfaced to the microcontroller • Interface for generating and reading messages • Checks flag bit of each packet for indication of panic button

19. Alternate Design Option • Cheaper microcontroller • $2.53 cheaper average per unit price from TI • Cheaper development kit • Approximately $500 dollars cheaper • TI CC2430 F32 • Half the flash memory • Locator system block not included on chip

20. Alternate Design Option • TI CC2430 F32 continued • Limited programmable flash increases the cost of memory • Missing system block requires extra programming effort to gain similar functionality • Increases the value of memory further • Money saved on parts may be overwhelmed by the cost in extra engineering hours

21. Design Decision Matrix

22. Estimated Budget • Engineering hours account for nearly the entire cost of the project • 25 Summer research hours • 250 estimated implementation/testing hours • Parts, materials, and development kits make up a small portion of the overall cost • Motivating factor in the decision to reduce hours and take advantage of pre-existing technology with the CC2431 F64

23. Estimated Budget • Engineering Hours

24. Estimated Budget • Parts and materials

25. Project Timeline

26. Conclusion • Deliverables • Central control • Monitors end device locations • Transmit text based messages to devices • Receive messages from devices • Responds to “panic” signal • End devices • Transmits its location in network • Receives text based messages from control • Transmits reply messages • Generates panic signal

27. Conclusion • Estimated cost • $22,750 • Delivery Date • Proof of concept on March 14, 2008

28. Questions • Thank you for your time and feedback