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

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

3. 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

4. Requirements vs. Wishes
Track Black Bears
Up to 1 year battery life
Report location every 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. Network Structure

10. 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

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

12. System Overview

13. Frequency Selection License Free Band ISM Bands License band
MHz
Output Power limited to -32 dBm
ISM Bands
Closest VHF Band: 40 MHz
Allowed high power without license
License band
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

14. 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

15. VHF Detailed Design

16. VHF Detailed Design

17. Schematic – VHF Transceiver

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

19. Schematic – VHF

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

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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Schematic – GPS Section

25. 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
EEPROM
0.03
3.3V Buck
0.027
3.3V Always Buck
5V Buck
0.042
TOTAL
2.789
Data Transmission ( W)
Idle Power ( W)

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

27. System Overview

28. Schematic – Power Section

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

30. Schematic – USB Section

31. 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

32. 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

33. 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

34. 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

35. Thank you!
Any questions?