Ridgeline Meteorological Sensor Network

Stephen Copeland, Xau Moua, Joseph Lane

Client: Doug Taylor, John Deere Renewables

Advisors: Dr. Manimaran Govindarasu, Dr.Venkataramana Ajjarapu

Small scout towers capable of wirelessly transmitting measurements to large MET towers.

Wireless communication via radio transceivers on scout tower and MET tower.

Built-in mesh networking protocol

Problem Statement

 System Block Diagram

The range of the transceiver must be minimum 2km

Network shall use mesh network protocol

Data shall be sent home once a day

Data logged on tower’s own memory

All components housed in a NEMA4 enclosure

Functional Requirements

Network shall be self healing

Wireless signal shall penetrate rough terrain

Wireless signal shall withstand various precipitation

Transceiver shall be plug and play

Non-Functional Requirements

Transceiver Considerations

Antenna Considerations

½ Wave Dipole Antenna• Approx 2.1 db gain• Omni-directional

Yagi Antenna Array• Approx 10 db gain• Single directional

Radiation Patterns

Microcontroller ConsiderationsMicrocontroller Advantages Disadvantages

Development platform for LPC2148

Powerful processor Feature rich Lots of memory Socket for storage Built in accelerometer

Highest price Less support base

Development board for PIC18F4550

USB programmable Feature rich Multiple coding languages Abundant support

Not as easy to code as others

Arduino Lowest cost Massive base of supporters Very simple coding Very modular

Least feature rich Slowest processor

Current use of cell towers or satellite communication

M4 Wind Services for Rotor Redline

Market Survey

Terrain can attenuate wireless signal

Topology could create bottlenecks in network

Climate could stress the operability of components

Limited access to information

Constraints

Risks & MitigationRisks Mitigation

•Unforeseeable terrain obstacles•Harsh weather conditions•Data logger interface

•Consider various terrains and weather conditions for testing• Use of NEMA-4 enclosure• Simulate data logger with computer

Project Schedule

Milestones• 4/17 – Ordered technology components• 4/23 – Finalized design report• 4/25 – Completed initial testing (devices functioning)

• 9/27 – Completed all primary performance study testing• 10/22 – Completed secondary testing (interface w/ data logger)• 11/26 – Completed final testing (field & performance)

Cost Estimate (for one device)Item Estimated Cost Contributor

Campbell CR1000 $1,700.00 John Deere

Modbus software for Nomad 2 SCADA connection $400.00 John Deere

32MB Compact Flash Card $50.00 John Deere

Compact Flash Card reader for USB port $35.00 John Deere

Serial to USB cable $50.00 John Deere

Anemometer $295.00 John Deere

Wind Vane $245.00 John Deere

Thermistor (Temperature Sensor) $95.00 John Deere

SETRA Barometric Pressure Transducer $325.00 John Deere

XBee-PRO DigiMesh 900 Transceiver $45.00 ISU

Arduino Microcontroller Board for Testing $40.00 ISU

4XAA Battery Holder $2.00 ISU

Adjustable Voltage Regulator $2.00 ISU

NEMA 4 Enclosure $15.00 ISU

Antenna $20.00 ISU

Cables $50.00 John Deere

Total price = $3369.00

Labor Costs (@$20/hr) = $18,200

Transceiver SolutionXBee-PRO DigiMesh 900

Transmit Power

50mW

LOS Range 6 miles

(w/ High gain antenna)

Built in mesh YesCost $45.00

Pros

Build in mesh protocol Scalable and

interoperable w/ devices from different vendors

UHF can penetrate dense forestry

Self-healing and discovery for stability

ConsXBee-PRO DigiMesh 900 Transceiver

7" ½ wave dipole, bulkhead mount, RPSMA connector

Antenna Solution

• Approx 2.1 dB gain• Up to 3 km RF LOS range• Inexpensive• Omni-directional

Microcontroller Solution

Range◦ various locations on campus

Power consumption◦ Use of LabView and multi meters to measure

current and voltage levels Microcontroller

◦ Basic data communication◦ Message integrity ◦ Throughput

Testing

timenTransmitiolengthMessageThroughput

Self Healing◦ Selected modules turned off during transmission

Security◦ Channel hopping, Encryption

Latency◦ Receiving rate vs. data size

Casing◦ Shock, vibration, realistic impact, and contact

with water, ice, and snow.

Testing (cont.)

Microcontroller and transceiver connected and programmed for basic communication

Computers used as data logger interface Omni directional antenna connected to

transceiver 4xAA battery pack connected as power

supply

Prototype Implementation

Wireless communication up to 0.5 Km

outdoors in line of sight.

Indoor testing in Coover too many obstacles

Drop-in networking

Results

Transceivers and antennas received

Documentation Finalized

Proposal for acquisition of used sensors

Initial communication testing

More unit and system level testing is required

Current Status

Member Contri-butions

JoeXauStephen

Tasks & ContributionsJoe• Transceiver testing• Microcontroller testing• Hardware assembly• Research & Documentation

Xau• Antenna analysis• Hardware assembly• Research & Documentation

Stephen• Weekly reports• Hardware assembly• System level testing• Research & Documentation

Parts provided by John Deere and others

◦ If provided, system level testing

Extensive testing throughout summer ‘10

Simulated or actual data logger integration

Senior Design II Plans

Any Questions?

Thank You