Digital Carpool Aid Mid-semester Presentation Senior Design I March 5, 2015

Team Tanner Weissinger, Computer Engineering Team Leader Tyler Hilliard, Electrical Engineering Marshal Webb, Electrical Engineering Jordan Clark, Electrical Engineering Spencer McCoy, Electrical Engineering

Faculty Advisor Dr. Sherif Abdelwahed, Professor ECE Department

Overview Problem Solution System Overview Constraints Approach Progress References

Problem The carpool process is time-consuming and stressful. Current solutions are either expensive or don’t completely solve the problem [1]. Human error in the current process could result in security problems for children.

Solution Digital Carpool Aid will keep a record of cars as they enter the campus. The system then determines which children the car is there to pick up and sends an automatic alert to the child’s homeroom teacher.

System Overview

RFID Scanner to identify vehicles Rangefinder to detect vehicles Microcontroller Digital Camera to confirm drivers Wi Fi/Ethernet Connection to school’s network

System Overview (cont.) Microcontroller Power Supply Camera Rangefinder RFID Scanner WIFI Antenna Web App Ethernet Port RFID Antenna “Unknown” Database “Students” Database “Faculty” Database

Constraints

Technical Constraints NameDescription RFID Detection Range The RFID reader must be able to detect and read passive RFID tags at a range of 5ft. Wi-Fi Connection Range The wireless antenna must be able to detect and connect to Wi-Fi access points within 150ft. Server Function The server must host and update the web-app when 50 users are logged in simultaneously. Input Power The system must operate on 120VAC input power.

Practical Constraints TypeNameDescription SustainabilityRFID Recyclability RFID tags must be serviceable for at least 2 years EconomicRFID Cost Cost per family must not exceed $10 per year.

Practical Constraints (cont.) Sustainability: RFID Tag Recyclability Each RFID tag must be serviceable for at least 2 years Tag IDs must be reprogrammable RFID Tag construction must be durable must resist material breakdown caused by UV exposure must be able to maintain functionality across temperatures ranging from 0°F to 120°F

Practical Constraints (cont.) Economic: RFID Tag Cost The cost of use for each family must not exceed 10 dollars per year. This cost must include 2 RFID tags per family The hardware cost of 2 passive RFID tags is well under $1.00 combined The constraint is set at $10 per family per year to account for the system hardware costs and administrative costs incurred by the school.

Approach

Microcontroller [2] Raspberry Pi Model B+ Product ID: 1914

RFID Tags Passive vs. Active RFID systems [3]

RFID Sensor Thinkify TR-65 RFID Reader Module Built by Thinkify USDA Tested [4] [5]

Other Components Raspberry Pi Camera Board 5 megapixel Can be controlled with Python Maxbotix Ultrasonic Rangefinder 6 meter range Can be controlled with Python USB WiFi Module with Antenna Up to 150Mbps up and down Up to 300ft range Power Converter Custom Fabricated [6] [8] [7]

Web-App Written in Python Designed around the Flask framework Supports faculty accounts Utilizes SQL databases Minimal security risk

Progress

Work Distribution

Hardware Testing Rangefinder Testing Digital Camera Testing

Hardware Testing (cont.) RFID Range Testing

Server Functionality Testing Web-App Login Page

Timeline JanuaryFebruaryMarchApril Research, Basic Design, Analysis Order Parts, Hardware Testing, Begin web-app development Complete Web-app, Program Devices, Hardware adjustments, Final Testing Present Prototype

References [1] MHR Technologies. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015]. [2] "Raspberry Pi Model B+ 512MB RAM," adafruit. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015]. [3] F. Thornton, "RFID Security - Part 1: RFID radio basics and architecture," EE Times. [Online]. Available: security-part-1-rfid-radio-basics-and- architecture.html?cmp_id=71&news_id= [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015]. [4] National Technology and Development Program, "Using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) for Monitoring Trees in the Forest: State-of-the- Technology Investigation," USDA, April [Online]. Available: d/pubs/pdfpubs/pdf /pdf dpi100.pdf. [5] "TR-65 RFID Reader Module (USB, TTL, RS232)," Thinkify’s RFID Store. [Online]. Available: module. [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015].

References (cont.) [6] "Raspberry Pi Camera Board," adafruit. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015]. [7] "Maxbotix Ultrasonic Rangefinder - LV-EZ4 - LV-EZ4," adafruit. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015]. [8] "USB WiFi (802.11b/g/n) Module with Antenna for Raspberry Pi," adafruit. [Online]. Available: [Accessed: Mar 4, 2015].

Digital Carpool Aid Mid-semester Presentation Senior Design I March 5, 2015