Wireless Sensing

1
Wireless Sensing
May 04 - 16
INTRODUCTION
PROJECT REQUIREMENTS
Abstract

The focus of
this team is to design a network of sensors for
reporting temperatures, pressures, and speeds
etc. from automotive and heavy equipment, on to a
central embedded computer. The sensors should be
capable of reporting data wirelessly from
separate machines without interference. Using
smart transducers wirelessly is attractive for
small span networks because wireless technology
is effective and inexpensive. Challenge is to
design a network infrastructure according to
voluminous, complicated standards and new
commercial technology.

• Design Objectives
• Design a power source for sensors and other
  wireless devices.
• Interfacing the transmitted data to a user
  friendly format.
• Work within the limited funds available.
• Functional Requirements
• Transmit and receive data securely.
• Maintain the data integrity.
• Interference from other devices be reduced to a
  minimum.
• Long-life expectancy of power sources to the
  sensors.
• Design Constraints
• Limited -
• Sources of energy.
• Communications bandwidth, asymmetric ciphers and
  key exchange protocols.
• Availability of testing equipment.
• Measurable Milestones
• Procurement of sensors and wireless devices.

• Problem Statement
• Automotive and heavy equipment applications use
  sensors on machines to report temperatures,
  pressures, speeds, etc. to a central embedded
  computer, but the wiring harnesses always seem to
  be a reliability problem.
• Rotating parts cannot have sensors attached by
  long wires.
• Hard to add more electronics (wiring harnesses
  get bigger).

Operating Environment Caterpillar is a well known
brand that builds machinery to stand every
working environment. These machines are built to
last hazardous storms, extreme heat, cold, muddy
environments and dusty areas. These machines are
used mainly off of highways and their parts are
prone to heavy vibrations.

• Intended Users
• The intended user for this Caterpillar wireless
  sensing project are customers who use the
  companys machinery. The people who are operating
  the machinery would find this a handy tool in
  determining the various characteristics of the
  machine.
• Intended Uses
• Save money and effort spent in wiring.
• Reduce time in information collection and make
  it more reliable.

• Assumptions
• Rate of data transfer is not going to be a big
  issue.
• The range for communication of data is not going
  to be more than 5-10 m.
• A wireless master will be able to serve multiple
  slaves without interference.

• Limitations
• Environmental constraints and use of sensors
  inside heavy metallic structures.
• Limited power supply for mobile devices.
• Interference from other wireless devices and
  microwave signals.

Figure 1 Wireless Sensor Operation
End-Product
The end product will be a light and mobile
wireless sensor, which can be easily equipped. A
wealth of information can be acquired in every 10
m seconds from sensors relating to gearbox and
engine diagnostics engine temperature, angular
speed, and combustion pressure. Then, these data
will be transmitted to the users computer
interface via wireless communication system in
the range of 5-10 m.
Figure 2 Budget breakdown
Figure 3 Gantt Chart
Client Project Webpage Caterpillar
Inc. http//seniord.ee.iastate.edu/may0416/
Mr. Bill Allen Faculty Advisors Dr. Gary
Tuttle Dr. Jimming Song
Team Members Abhishek Somani Cpr
E asomani_at_iastate.edu Fahd Ashraf EE fahdali_at_
iastate.edu Preston Mitchell EE pmitchel_at_iastate
.edu Sun-yup Ihm EE bruins_at_iastate.edu Zinaw
Tesemma Cpr E ztesemma_at_iastate.edu