Intitial Design Phase

Hey Everyone,
The tasks for this week are to draft an initial design concept (Hardware/Software), complete a proposal based on Request for Proposal (RFP) requirements, and develop a test for experiment

Hardware/Software Requirements:

The USRR shall be powered by an onboard battery. The battery shall support a mission duration of one hour.

The USRR shall be run by a microcomputer capable of controlling DC motors and capable of providing digital output signals that could be used to activate ancillary devices. The microcomputer shall also be capable of performing Data Acquisition (DAQ) functions to collect analog and digital sensor data.

The USRR microcomputer shall interface to the remote operator’s control PC via an RS‑232 serial communication link. The serial communication link shall have the capability of wireless operation with RS-232 Bluetooth adapters. Wireless capabilities shall extend, at minimum, to a distance of 100 meters.

The USRR shall be a two wheeled vehicle. Each wheel shall be individually controlled by the microcomputer. Control shall include start/stop, speed and direction of rotation. The microcomputer shall respond to motor control commands received from the remote operator via the serial communication link.

The USRR shall contain two primary sensors:

• The Infrared Signature Detector (ISD) - The ISD shall detect heat and shall be the primary sensor used to detect the presence and location of survivors. The ISD shall be a directional sensor that provides an analog signal proportional to the level of Infrared energy being detected.
• The Proximity Sensor (PS) - The PS measure distance to an approaching object. The PS shall be the primary sensor used to approach a survivor once identified and located

The USRR shall use its two primary sensors to locate and approach a survivor to within approximately 12 inches, and then drop its small package.

The USRR shall contain a small package release mechanism that can be activated by the microcomputer upon receiving a release command from the remote operator over the serial communication link. The USRR and its release mechanism shall be capable of transporting and dropping a two ounce payload.Upon completion of its mission, the USRR must be capable of being remotely guided back to the origin of its mission.

Project Schedule: