Bi-Directional RF Data Communication A Robot Control Device Team BDRFC

Team BDRFC Members Matthew Merican – Team Leader Matthew Merican – Team Leader Varun Jain – Assistant Leader Varun Jain – Assistant Leader Andrew Gibbons - Secretary Andrew Gibbons - Secretary Trevor Damyan - Treasurer Trevor Damyan - Treasurer Noel Smith – Document Coordinator Noel Smith – Document Coordinator Matthew Merican

Summary of Presentation Overview Overview Design Plan Design Plan Requirements Requirements Design Concepts Design Concepts Block Diagram of Design Block Diagram of Design Design Specifics Design Specifics Planned Activity Planned Activity Budget Budget Deliverables Deliverables Matthew Merican

Project Summary To design and implement a wireless RS232 serial communication device. This device will be used in EGR286 to communicate with the student’s robots. This device will allow wireless communication between four different robots being used at the same time. Matthew Merican

Overview Wireless RS232 communication device that communicates over a range of 100 feet with a baud rate of at least 2.4 Kbits/second. Wireless RS232 communication device that communicates over a range of 100 feet with a baud rate of at least 2.4 Kbits/second. We will be using the standard com port through a RF link, to communicate with the remote transceiver. We will be using the standard com port through a RF link, to communicate with the remote transceiver. We need four independent communication channels so that four robots can be controlled at the same time. We need four independent communication channels so that four robots can be controlled at the same time. No licensing required for the use of this product. No licensing required for the use of this product. Frequency division or time division can be used to prevent cross communication between the four different robots. Frequency division or time division can be used to prevent cross communication between the four different robots. A stable supplier for replacement parts needs to be found. A stable supplier for replacement parts needs to be found. The packaging needs to be durable and resistant to the natural elements. The packaging needs to be durable and resistant to the natural elements. Matthew Merican

Design Plan Research Research Conduct research into different types of systems that can be used. Conduct research into different types of systems that can be used. Research of specific configuration of the chosen system. Research of specific configuration of the chosen system. Derive Requirements Derive Requirements Determine Design to Implement Determine Design to Implement Chosen Design: Serial Transceiver Link Chosen Design: Serial Transceiver Link Build and Test (future design phase) Build and Test (future design phase) Demonstrate (future design phase) Demonstrate (future design phase) Noel Smith

Requirements Changed Changed Dimensions: 2” x 2” x 0.5” maximum Dimensions: 2” x 2” x 0.5” maximum Weight: 4 oz. Weight: 4 oz. Operating Temperature: 10° to 30° C Operating Temperature: 10° to 30° C New New Should be able to withstand a drop of 3 ft. Should be able to withstand a drop of 3 ft. Product will be tested to verify range of 100 ft., withstand 3 ft. drop as well as shock, and to make sure that it is water resistant. Product will be tested to verify range of 100 ft., withstand 3 ft. drop as well as shock, and to make sure that it is water resistant. Noel Smith

Transceiver Design Pro Pro Off the shelf components Off the shelf components RS-232 compatible RS-232 compatible Easily interfaced with other components Easily interfaced with other components Inexpensive Inexpensive Upgradeable range and performance Upgradeable range and performance Con Con Error checking not necessarily built in Error checking not necessarily built in External filters and amplifiers needed External filters and amplifiers needed Noel Smith

Wireless LAN Design Pro Pro Built in error checking Built in error checking Specific IP Addresses: prevent interference from other signals Specific IP Addresses: prevent interference from other signals Con Con Limited range capabilities Limited range capabilities Network traffic will reduce performance Network traffic will reduce performance Interfacing and programming difficulties on robot end Interfacing and programming difficulties on robot end Controller needed for robot Controller needed for robot Replacement parts are expensive Replacement parts are expensive Noel Smith

Wireless LAN vs. Transceiver Wireless LAN Need to learn how to interface PCMCIA card with the serial port of the robot Need to learn how to interface PCMCIA card with the serial port of the robot Difficulty programming PCMCIA controller Difficulty programming PCMCIA controller Difficulty in replacing parts, since companies upgrade and change products too rapidly Difficulty in replacing parts, since companies upgrade and change products too rapidly Transceiver Many transceivers easily interface with serial ports Only need to develop a driver to meet technical specifications of the transceiver Developed as integrated circuits, so easy to find replacements Noel Smith

Proposed Design Concept We will be designing a RF wireless serial link in the range of 400Mhz to 2.4Ghz. One end will be attached to the robot powered by the robots power supply or a small battery. The other end will be attached to a computer. We will design software/drivers to interface the computer with the serial link. The serial link will function as a wireless serial cable. Trevor Damyan

Block Diagram of Design Trevor Damyan

Summary of Block Diagram Command is sent from the com port to the RF Transmitter Command is sent from the com port to the RF Transmitter Signal is amplified by power amplifier and antenna. Signal is amplified by power amplifier and antenna. Signal is transmitted to the robot. Signal is transmitted to the robot. Signal passes through a low noise amplifier (LNA) and filter to amplify and eliminate noise/interference. Signal passes through a low noise amplifier (LNA) and filter to amplify and eliminate noise/interference. Signal is processed by the receiver. Signal is processed by the receiver. Robot receives processed serial information. Robot receives processed serial information. Process is reversed for communication from robot to computer. Process is reversed for communication from robot to computer. Trevor Damyan

Component Selection Needed Components Needed Components Transceiver Transceiver Power Amplifier, LNA Power Amplifier, LNA Antenna Antenna Packaging Packaging Filtering Hardware Filtering Hardware Trevor Damyan

Design Specifics Amplifier, antenna Amplifier, antenna Filter Usage Filter Usage Time Sharing vs. Frequency Division Time Sharing vs. Frequency Division Andrew Gibbons

Filter Usage To reduce static in the received transmission. To reduce static in the received transmission. Andrew Gibbons

Time Sharing vs. Frequency Division Andrew Gibbons Time SharingFrequency Division

Planned Activity Determine which transceiver to use. Determine which transceiver to use. Frequency (900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, or 2.4 GHz) Frequency (900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, or 2.4 GHz) Bitrate (at least 2400 bps), channels (time or frequency division) Bitrate (at least 2400 bps), channels (time or frequency division) Hardware error checking Hardware error checking Research Filter Design Research Filter Design Noise/Interference filtering Noise/Interference filtering Clean up signal Clean up signal Varun Jain

Planned Activity Derive Link Budget Derive Link Budget Needed power amplification Needed power amplification Antenna (type, gain) Antenna (type, gain) Bandwidth, bit-rate Bandwidth, bit-rate Schematics Schematics Transceiver, power amplifiers, filter designs Transceiver, power amplifiers, filter designs Top-level circuit Top-level circuit Analysis and Simulation Analysis and Simulation Testing using simulated serial data and measuring on oscilloscopes Testing using simulated serial data and measuring on oscilloscopes Varun Jain

Planned Budget PartQuantity Cost Estimate (per unit) Total Cost Transceiver2$50.00$ Amplifier2$40.00$80.00 Filter2$10.00$20.00 Casing2$5.00$10.00 Antenna2$10.00$20.00 Total$ Varun Jain

Budget Budget Goal: $200 per unit Budget Goal: $200 per unit Budget is estimated Budget is estimated Some parts can be built cheaper than buying an off-the-shelf product Some parts can be built cheaper than buying an off-the-shelf product Highest cost for each component was chosen Highest cost for each component was chosen Purchases will be made by client Purchases will be made by client Varun Jain

Deliverables November 4, 2003 Client Status Report December 9, 2003 Proposal Early March, 2004 Status Report to client April 26, 2004 Final Product includes prototype, parts list, user’s manual, test procedures, and performance data. May, 2004 Final Report Varun Jain