Bi-Directional RF Data Communication A Robot Control Device

Team 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

Overview A radio frequency communication device is needed for use with sophomore design projects. Dr. Hatfield has requested that a communication device be built that is capable of being mounted on sophomore robots that can send and receive signals in correspondence with a computer. Matthew Merican

Requirements Must be able to interface with an RS-232 serial DB-9 connector on robot. Must be able to interface with an RS-232 serial DB-9 connector on robot. Must have a range of at least 100 feet. Must have a range of at least 100 feet. Communication rate of at least 2400 bps. Communication rate of at least 2400 bps. Must be able to correctly operate with four other robots in operation using similar devices. Must be able to correctly operate with four other robots in operation using similar devices. All necessary documentation must be provided for sophomore use and future replication. All necessary documentation must be provided for sophomore use and future replication. Varun Jain

Requirements Must be resistant to vibration, shock, etc. Must be resistant to vibration, shock, etc. No licensing. No licensing. Plug-n-play. Plug-n-play. Must be small and light weight. Must be small and light weight. Varun Jain

Constraints Must have low power draw using portable power source. Must have low power draw using portable power source. Cost should be under $200 per unit. Cost should be under $200 per unit. Trevor Damyan

Additional Desires Error checking. Error checking. Water resistant casing. Water resistant casing. Trevor Damyan

Design Plan Research Research Derive requirements Derive requirements Determine design to implement Determine design to implement Top level Design Top level Design Low Level Design Low Level Design Build and test Build and test Demonstrate Demonstrate Noel Smith

Deliverables November 4, 2003 Client Status Report December 1, 2003 Proposal April 26, 2004 Final Product includes prototype, parts list, user’s manual, test procedures, and performance data. Noel Smith

Schedule Phase I Phase I Research Research Derive requirements Derive requirements Phase II Phase II Concept design Concept design Proposal Proposal Phase III Phase III Build and test Build and test Phase IV Phase IV Demonstrate Demonstrate Matthew Merican

Possible Design Solutions Transceiver link Transceiver link 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN Wireless LAN PCMCIA controller PCMCIA controller Blue Technology Blue Technology Blue Tooth wireless transceivers Blue Tooth wireless transceivers Andrew Gibbons