Wireless Bear Tracking Group: SDMay1010 Blane Chesnut Chris Donnelly Adam Rasmussen John Pritchard Zach Bruce Advisor: DR. Ahmed E. Kamal

Agenda Project Background Network Structure Hardware Test Cases VHF GPS Power Microcontroller Chassis Test Cases Schedule and Cost

Project Description Wildlife Research Institute (Ely, MN) Locate and track black bears GPS solution with a transmitter to relay information on location Client: Digi International

Requirements vs. Wishes Track Black Bears Up to 1 year battery life Report location every 10-15 minutes Instantaneous tracking of bears Wide temperature range/Weatherproof Rechargeable Strong and durable chassis/case to withstand bear’s abuse Software End User interface (Google Maps) Coverage of 25 miles x 10 miles Smart Device (power management, accelerometer , temp sensor, etc.) Smaller than 4” x 3” x 1” Secure Communication Prototypes to Field Test by April

Solution Overview GPS Unit on bear collars Collar transmit GPS location via VHF frequency to land-based routing units Routing units relay collar location information to a remote end user

Assumptions Lower frequency signals travel through dense tree cover more easily than higher frequency signals Collar will communicate well with the router Simulations are realistic and accurate Researchers will learn to use new technology Digi will fund project materials

Market and Literature Survey LandAirSea Use a lithium battery Release mechanism for remote disconnection BlueSky Telemetry Designed to function in a canyon environment where sky view is limited. Telonics Uses 164MHz frequency SPOT Satellite Messenger Incorporates satellite tracking ($160/unit/year)

Risk Management Signal may not propagate in woods New technology may confuse researchers Team member injury during testing/fabricating All Electrical Engineering team members Component damage during fabrication Design is incorrect and requires rework

Network Structure

Network Structure Time Division Multiplexing Use GPS time to synchronize Network Frame repeats every 15 minutes Static Allocation: 40 collars, 6 routers Routers use a location-based routing scheme Message includes: UnitID, GPS Location, and Time

Network State Diagram Unit does not receive verification from router. Unit can’t receive GPS signal. Ideal Tx/Rx

System Overview

Frequency Selection License Free Band ISM Bands License band 176-216 MHz Output Power limited to -32 dBm ISM Bands Closest VHF Band: 40 MHz Allowed high power without license License band 217-220 MHz Reserved for Educational Institutions as per FCC Title 47 Part 90 Allows up to 50 kHz bandwidth and 2 W output power Client will take care of obtaining license when needed

Transceiver Selection Radiometrix UHX1 Melexis TH7122 Analog Devices ADF7021 Frequency Range: 80 to 950 MHz Output Power: -16 to 13 dBm FSK Modulation Data rate: 50 bps to 32.8 kbps Temperature Range: -40 to 85 °C Narrowband Transceiver

VHF Detailed Design

VHF Detailed Design

Schematic – VHF Transceiver

VHF Detailed Design RF in and RF out matched to 50 ohms RF Out RF in

Schematic – VHF

VHF Antenna Selection Collar Antenna Design Router Antenna Design 13” Whip Antenna Approximently 1 dBi Router Antenna Design Yagi Antenna Array Approximently 10 dBi

Radio Coverage Link Budget Equations Transceiver Sensitivity: 1E-16 Watts

GPS Module Trimble Copernicus & Trimble Condor Ublox NEO-5Q Advantages include I2C interface, package size, low-power, and lower cost Kick-start technology means accelerated startup with weak signals 16.0 x 12.2 x 2.4 mm

GPS Antenna Active Patch Antenna with 16 dB gain Taoglas- Leader in GPS patch antennas i-Pex coaxial connector to GPS module 35 x 35 x 4.49 mm

Schematic – GPS Section

Power Consumption Component Peak Max Power (W) Peak Min Power (W) GPS 0.36 GPS Antenna 0.0228 Power Amplifier 1.98 PIC 0.09 3.00E-04 Transceiver 0.21 0.000006 EEPROM 0.03 0.000030 3.3V Buck 0.027 0.000066 3.3V Always Buck 5V Buck 0.042 TOTAL 2.789 0.000234 Data Transmission (2.349096 W) Idle Power (0.027168 W)

Battery Lithium 3000mAh AA size 4 x 1.5v in series Operating temperature of -40oC – 60oC Estimated battery life of 14 days

System Overview

Schematic – Power Section

Schematic – PIC Section Microcontroller choice based on: XLP Feature No. of Com Ports Large Program Memory (64k) I/O count Price Model Chosen: PIC18F46J11

Schematic – USB Section

Chassis Complies with NEMA 1, 2, 4, 4X, 12, 13 Polycarbonate ASTM D790 15,000 psi Waterproof and durable Customizable 600 psi 15,000 psi

System Level Test Cases Tests include 2 Routers & 3 Collar Units Unit System Level Power Up and Gain GPS Lock Power Down and Power Up after predetermined time Unit to Router Communication Router to Router Communication Network Communication Introduce collars to network at different points Router Initialization Component test cases described in design document

Schedule Completed Tasks Remaining Schedule Project plan and Design Document Technology Selection Detailed Design including all schematics Remaining Schedule Acquire Materials for Prototype – End: 1/18/09 Assemble Prototypes – End: 3/1/09 End Product Testing – End: 4/19/09

Cost Estimates Item Estimate Cost VHF Communication $20.00 VHF Antenna GPS $100.00 GPS Antenna $15.00 Battery Microcontroller $18.00 Connectors $25.00 Printed Wiring Board $40.00 Chassis $17.00 Power Electronics Total $290.00 Description Estimated Unit Cost Estimated Qty Extended Cost Prototypes $290.00 5 $1,450 Labor $20.00 900 $18,000 Total $19,450

Thank you! Any questions?