1. Abstract Introduction Project Requirements Resources Proposed Approach and Consideration Closing Summary General Information Faculty Advisor Dr. Gerald Sheble Group Members Ritesh Desai ( Computer Engineering ) Mike Myers ( Computer Engineering ) Jacob Huber ( Computer Engineering ) Sean Genter ( Computer Engineering ) Client David Sneitzer Current amateur sailboats do not include navigational units from the factory and the currently available aftermarket devices are expensive. This makes it difficult for amateurs to sail efficiently for recreation and competition. This project will develop a device capable of using the current conditions and known algorithms to display information to aid in navigation. Off-the-shelf components will be used to design a high-quality, but low cost navigational unit. This will allow the project sponsor to sell the device commercially to amateur sailors. Design Objectives Must gather input from multiple sensors Must process incoming data Must display results of data in an easy to read fashion Must reliably navigate fastest course Functional Requirements Sense wind speed Sense wind direction Sense heading Sense attitude (tilt) Sense boat speed Sense position of crew Design Constraints Must be waterproof Reasonable power consumption Low cost Extreme durability Measurable Milestones Development of navigation algorithm Testing of navigation Development of sensor input processing Testing of sensor processing Development of display unit Testing of finalized integral unit Proposed Approach Develop a prototype data acquisition unit Design and test a navigation algorithm Establish communication between acquisition unit and a desktop/handheld computer Create a display application for the display unit Build and test a prototype of the complete system Technologies Considered Should the display be a PDA or made from seven segment displays and LEDs, etc. Audio output for warnings Component interface Data input Processing power Wireless transfer Testing Considerations PC testing of navigation algorithm Sensor and data acquisition testing Display system testing Full system testing Project Schedule Current management of marine instruments while sailing involves multiple instruments with no central display. The end deliverable of this project is to provide a unit that measures speed, direction, and other useful information to correctly and efficiently sail a boat. Off-the-shelf instrumentation will be used to collect data. An interface unit will be developed to allow communication between all the instrumentation and a computer. The system will provide a user interface that displays readings from several instruments to increase sailing efficiency. Problem Statement This project is to provide a unit that measures speed, direction, and other useful information to correctly and efficiently sail a boat. The design is to withstand a marine environment, and also allow the user to sail the boat efficiently. The user interface must allow for the sailor to access the data through a wireless connection. Also a stand alone display will be included on the unit for sensors to display their information. In addition to all hardware, a water proof unit must be designed to protect the circuitry. Intended Users The design of this project is mainly oriented towards sailors that do some racing, as performance is more crucial to these individuals. The device will also be beneficial to other sailors that seek to save time and effort. Intended Uses Provide accurate navigational readings based on inputs Assumptions The algorithms that sailors have been using are the best Off the shelf electronics will hold up in a marine environment The sailor is capable of determining a navigational course Limitations Team knowledge of sailing There will be limited power available on the ship The unit must be of limited size and weight The sensors for data acquisition will most likely be permanent Expected end product and other deliverables The ideal end product will be a kit that is made of off the shelf input components that will be marketable to sailors. To prevent our design from being “borrowed” by others most of the code will be on a microprocessor so that it is not accessible.