Radio-Controlled Duck Decoy May April 30 th, 2003 Team Members: Faculty Advisors: Jason Freerksen Prof. Robert Weber Kooi-Tjek Lau Prof. Clive Woods Evan Smith Vladimir Stevanovich Client: Kyle Wetjen Senior Design

Presentation Outline Terms Used Acknowledgement Problem Statement Operating Environment Users and Uses Assumptions and Limitations End-Product Description Accomplishments Approaches

Presentation Outline (continued) Project Definitions Activities Human and Financial Budget Evaluation of Project Success Commercialization Recommendations for Further Work Lessons Learned Project Risks and Concerns Closing Summary

Terms Used and Defined DNR – Department of Natural Resources RF – Radio Frequency Tx – Transmitter of radio signal Rx – Receiver of radio signal PIC – Programmable Integrated Circuit PWM – Pulse Width Modulation

Acknowledgement A & M Waterfowl, Inc.

Problem Statement General Problem Statement: Users desire complete remote control of decoy Decoy must look, act, and sound like a real duck

Problem Statement General Solution-Approach Statement: Motorized duck decoy RF Tx/Rx system Speed controller Steering control system via servo and rudder Long lasting battery packs Garage door Tx/Rx system for sound activation Programmable sound chip Sound amplification system Compact audio speaker

Operating Environment In water such as ponds and small lakes Hunters will hunt in all weather conditions Decoy will likely be dropped or abused

Intended Users and Uses Intended Users: DNR personnel Duck researchers Duck hunters Intended Uses: Studying ducks and their migrating patterns Hunting ducks for sport Attracting ducks for any other reason

Assumptions and Limitations Assumptions: 2-channel RF Tx/Rx system enough to give life- like movement to decoy Noise of motor will be negligible Batteries will provide sufficient power The RF Tx/Rx system will have minimal interference from motor

Assumptions and Limitations (cont.) Limitations: Limited experience with wireless technology Limited time and funding for project Decoy must be the same size as a real duck

End-Product Description and Deliverables Decoy that looks, acts, and moves like a real duck Easy to control using RF Tx/Rx controllers Moves forward, reverse, and turns Battery powered with minimal power consumption for long operating time Sound reproduction implemented external to decoy

Present Accomplishments Decoy finished according to specifications Sound reproduction finished according to specifications Project completely finished

Approaches Considered Decoy –Standard vs. Motorized RF Tx/Rx Controls –Preassembled vs. Design from scratch Drive System –Dual motor vs. Motor/Rudder System

Approaches Considered (cont) Speed Controller –Design H-Bridge/PIC vs. Speed Controller Sound –Pneumatic vs. Electronic Power Supply –Rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable

Project Definition Activities Decoy that looks, acts, and moves like a real duck Easy to control using RF Tx/Rx system External sound implementation due to legality issues

Research Activities Duck Decoys RF Tx/Rx systems Speed Controllers Power consumption Batteries

Design Activities Design Constraints: Power consumption Size of duck decoy Testing and operating conditions Buoyancy

Design Activities

Implementation Activities Problems encountered and how they were overcome: Converting PWM from receiver to supply motor Reducing interference from the motor Receiving unusable parts Suggestions for improved implementation: Use standard decoy and add motor Use a more compact and/or efficient Tx/Rx system for sound reproduction

Testing and Modification Activities 2 Channel RF Tx/Rx controller –Both channels working properly Duck decoy’s motor and speed controller –Proportional movement, forward and reverse Servo and Rudder –Rudder steers in both directions via the servo Sound chip, amplification system, and speaker –Plays and amplifies recorded sound Fully assembled decoy –Forward and reverse movement along with steering capabilities

Other Significant Project Activities Significant accomplishments (not covered elsewhere): Obtained free motorized duck decoy Researched hearing frequency of waterfowl Final status of major components of the end product: Motor Control (100% done) Steering Control (100% done) Sound Reproduction (100% done)

Personnel Effort

Financial Budget

Evaluation of Project Success Milestones: Finalize design (fully met) Order and receive parts (fully met) Assemble and test steering system (fully met) Assemble and test sound system (fully met) Assemble all functional parts (fully met) Test and finalize complete product (fully met)

Commercialization Estimated cost to produce product: –Single product:$125 –Mass production:$50 Estimated street selling price: –Estimated at:$90-$100 Potential market for product: –DNR employees –Duck hunters and researchers

Recommendation for Further Work Commercialized version of the product –A&M Waterfowl could potentially commercialize the radio-controlled swimmer duck decoy with only a few additional parts

Lessons Learned Things that went well: Ordered and received parts ahead of schedule Motorized duck decoy donated Things that did not go well: Received decoy that was Styrofoam and unusable Project specifications were illegal

Lessons Learned Non-Technical Knowledge gained: Communication is most important part of a team project Research every aspect thoroughly before coming to any decisions Technical Knowledge gained: Understanding PWM Wireless communication

Risk and Risk Management Anticipated Potential Risks: Parts breaking inside decoy Duck sinking during testing Electrical parts getting wet Improper assembly of parts Change of project specifications Ordered parts do not arrive on time Loss of team member

Risk and Risk Management Anticipated Risks Encountered to Date: Project specification was illegal Unanticipated Risks Encountered to Date: Received the wrong parts (unusable parts)

Closing Summary Problem: There currently is a shortage of remote controllable duck decoys available on the market for hunters and DNR rangers Approach Used: Start with a motorized decoy and add remote-control functionality Resulting Solution: Low cost, high performance decoy that definitely has a market in hunting retail stores

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