Past Projects
Here are links to some of the student design projects completed in the past few years.
Spring 2011
Project 1 - Intlligent Grid Controller
Sponsored by SDG&E - www.sdge.com
The Smart Grid team is building an interactive model for SDG&E that represents the future for their power system. The purpose of this model is to showcase how this future grid will function. The model will be self-healing, able to react to faults and re-route power, will take advantage of green energy supplies when they are available, and demonstrate how new advanced energy storage technologies will be used to ease peak loads and provide additional power during faults. The software and hardware components will be integrated in a realistic and scalable network that will demonstrate how the future grid communicates in order to provide cleaner, cheaper, and more reliable power.
IGC - Project Proposal
IGC - Final Report
IGC Web Page - igc.sdsu.edu
Project 2 - Radio Acceleration and Thermal Intel Wirelessly Linked System
Sponsored by Cubic - www.cubic.com
A “hotbox” is a situation where one of the many axle boxes of a wheel truck on a train has exceeded a certain temperature due to inadequate lubrication or possible brake failure. This situation can lead to a catastrophic failure when not addressed in a timely manner, requiring constant monitoring to prevent hot boxes. Current monitoring systems are attached to the train rails and are becoming inadequate for various reasons. The RAILS team is proposing a solution to detecting hot boxes by moving the monitoring system from the railroad tracks to the train itself. The innovative RAILS solution implements energy harvesting technologies, creates an automated, self-powered wireless monitoring system, and provides an easy to use software application for displaying data.
RAILS - Project Proposal
RAILS - Final Report
RAILS Web Page - rails.sdsu.edu
Project 3 - Semi-Autonomous Telepresence Robot
Telepresence robots have allowed people to remotely attend events that they could not have otherwise. The SeeYou Systems team will build a telepresence robot that will allow a student to virtually attend a classroom in the San Diego State University's engineering building. To foster international relations our team will work with Université Pierre et Marie Curie in France to share ideas on building an effective telepresence robot.
SeeYou - Project Proposal
SeeYou - Final Report
SeeYou Web Page - seeyou.sdsu.edu
Project 4 - Micromouse Maze Solving Robot
RatPack has been tasked with the job of building a completely autonomous maze solving robot called a “micromouse”. The micromouse is a design competition concept originated by the IEEE in 1977. The goal of building a micromouse is to build a competitive robot that will solve any given maze with the quickest time compared to all other robots entered in the competition. The challenge of the design is in the vast number of options available as there are only a few very basic rules and restrictions set forth for the design. As a side task, team RatPack was tasked with the job of determining if this is a project that would be feasible for SDSU engineering students in lower grade levels to complete as an elective lab. RatPack will present their design rationale along with their findings on the feasibility of having this be a recurring lab for other students.
Rat Pack - Project Proposal
Rat Pack - Final Report
Rat Pack Web Page - ratpack.sdsu.edu
Fall 2010
Project 1 - Smart Grid Demonstration Model
Sponsored by SDG&E - www.sdge.com
SDSU Smart Energy System team is building a miniature replica of SDG&E’s smart grid. The purpose of the model is to showcase a real time simulation of the electrical grid in order for SDG&E to communicate effectively with other parties that are interested in such a project. The model will integrate software and hardware components to demonstrate a realistic and scalable electrical network that is similar to SDG&E‘s system. In addition, the model will be able to show the different scenarios that normally happen on a real grid, and methods to monitor and control the grid automatically. The model itself will be represented by miniature figures symbolizing a substation, residential and commercial loads, renewable energy (solar and wind), switches, as well as underground (UG) and overhead (OH) wiring.
SES - Project Proposal
SES - Final Report
SES Web Page - ses.sdsu.edu
Project 2 - SDSU Robo-Navigator Challenge 2010 Part 2
Objective:To design and build a robot that can autonomously navigate around a predetermined course in the shortest time possible. The course will cover areas with usable GPS signals as-well-as GPS denied environments. Navigation beacons/waypoints will be placed on the course to aid in navigation and score the robot’s progress.
Team 1: Robotronics Engineering
With a 7 man team consisting of electrical and computer engineers, design and build a robot that will be able to navigate through a predetermined course as fast as possible. The robot cannot be remotely controlled and must be able to navigate solely on the hardware used. With various sensors tied to a main microcontroller programmed with a specific logic system, the robot will navigate the course by way of beacons that are placed throughout the course while at the same time avoiding any obstacles that can be in the way.
Robotronics - Project Proposal
Robotronics - Final Report
Robotronics Web Page - robotronicengineering.sdsu.edu
Team 2: Neutronnix Engineering
TrakTor is an autonomous robot that will navigate around a predetermined course. The course will consist of beacons and waypoints that will aid in navigation. TrakTor will utilize a wide variety of sensors to allow it to learn about and navigate through its environment. We expect TrakTor to be the first robot to successfully navigate and complete the course.
Neutronnix - Project Proposal
Neutronnix - Final Report
Neutronnix Web Page - neutronnix.sdsu.edu
Team 3: Pacific Innovations Engineering
The object of the SDSU Robotic Navigator Challenge is to create an autonomous robot that will navigate a specified course in the shortest time possible. Such robots are used today like the Mars rovers and the Roomba vacuum, just to name a few. Navigation beacons/waypoints are placed throughout the course to aid and score the robot’s progress.
Pacific Innovations - Project Proposal
Pacific Innovations - Final Report
Pacific Innovations Web Page - pacificinnovations.sdsu.edu
Spring 2010
Project 1 - Global Emergency Tracking System (GETS)
Sponsored by CUBIC Corp. - www.cubic.com
Emergency responders such as firefighters and military combatants must routinely enter unknown structures or environments. Accurate tracking of personnel can increase the speed and effectiveness of search efforts by allowing incident command to know what areas have been cleared. In many cases GPS is unavailable or inconsistent, so we have created the Global Emergency Tracking System (GETS) to utilize an Inertial Navigation System (INS) via dead reckoning and transmit data back to an incident command station in real-time to be displayed in 3D. This project focuses on the transmission and display methods of real-time 3D tracking data.
GETS - Project Proposal
GETS - Final Report
GETS Web Page - gets.sdsu.edu
Project 2 - Indoor Localization with Short-Range RF Networks
Sponsored by Geodetics, Inc. - www.geodetics.com
The current leading technology in positioning is the well known Global Positioning System (GPS), however this is limited by satellite visibility. This project will implement a low-cost personal navigation system for use inside a multi-story building by using an IEEE 802.15.4-2003 Zigbee network in conjunction with other sensors. The user wears a participant node and attaches static nodes to walls and other surfaces after entering the building. Information is sent from participant and static nodes to a server, which uses several algorithms to determine the position of the participant node, and provides it to all users of the system.
PinPoint - Project Proposal
PinPoint - Final Report
PinPoint Web Page - pinpoint.sdsu.edu
Project 3 - SDSU Robo-Navigator Challenge 2010
Objective:To design and build a robot that can autonomously navigate around a predetermined course in the shortest time possible. The course will cover areas with usable GPS signals as-well-as GPS denied environments. Navigation beacons/waypoints will be placed on the course to aid in navigation and score the robot’s progress.
Team 1: AzTech Engineering
IronBot is a highly intelligent robot equipped with multiple sensors and programmable logic in order to autonomously navigate through an obstacle course without human guidance. Our purpose is to challenge other robot competitors in a similar environment to successfully complete and exceed results in comparison. AzTech Engineering is a group of lead engineers destined to create the winning robot in any challenge by tirelessly testing and simulating to obtain the adequate knowledge for improving our work.
AzTechengineering - Project Proposal
AzTechengineering - Final Report
AzTechengineering Web Page - aztechengineering.sdsu.edu
Team 2: Power Robotics
Autonomous robots are the way of the future. Currently autonomous robots are used in a variety of areas such as NASA, industrial factories and even in households. The task at hand is to design, build and implement an autonomous robot that can navigate a course set by five beacons in the shortest possible time. The Power Robotics design will consist of a tank base along with the use of ultrasonic sensors, object avoidance and wall following algorithms to navigate through the course.
PowerRobotics - Project Proposal
PowerRobotics - Final Report
PowerRobotics Web Page - powerrobotics.sdsu.edu
Team 3: Yertle The Turtle
Team Yertle the Turtle is designing and building a robot that can autonomously navigate a course in a competition taking place on Senior Design Day. The robot will navigate areas of the course utilizing algorithms based on Dead Reckoning and Global Positioning System (GPS) along with ultrasonic, beacon-seeking sensors to determine the path that takes the shortest amount of time possible. Furthermore, the robot will be able to avoid obstacles.
Turtle - Project Proposal
Turtle - Final Report
Turtle Web Page - turtle.sdsu.edu
Fall 2009
Project 1 - Ubiquitous Geographical Positioning System
Sponsored by SAIC - www.saic.com
The project we propose is a ubiquitous geo-positioning system that would allow a team of users to track their positions using a myriad of sensors, which allows positional tracking without the limits seen by current GPS units. The drawback to current GPS units is that they cannot track positions inside of buildings or other places that shield signals coming from satellites. The Dead Reckoning system will allow a user to see his or her position on a reference background map as well as the positions of other members on their team. The information will also be sent to a central location that observers the locations of each team member as well. The Dead Reckoning system will be comprised of two separate modules. The first is a display unit worn on the wrist that communicates wirelessly to the second module, a sensor package, which calculates the user’s current location. The sensor package also receives the location of other sensor packages on the team and sends this to the touch screen for display. The sensor unit gathers raw data from an array of COTS sensors and passes data to the EDGE software, an algorithm designed by SAIC which processes the raw data and returns a highly accurate position. The display unit will communicate with the sensor module over a short range wire replacement radio. Once a position is received from the sensor package, a microcontroller on the wrist unit will plot the position on a touch sensitive LCD. The LCD will have a background map and small colored indicators to mark the location of each team member being tracked. The user will have the option to view their position on the map or see their position data on the screen in text. The display device will be worn on the wrist/arm and the sensor module will be strapped to the back, every effort will be made to minimize the inconvenience to the wearer of the device.
U-GEO - Project Proposal
U-GEO - Final Report
U-GEO Web Page - http://ugeo.sdsu.edu/
Project 2 - Biologically Integrated Independent Biofeedback System
Sponsored by CUBIC Corp. - www.cubic.com
The lives of military combatants and first responders such as firefighters, miners, and hazmat workers have been lost because of dangerous working situations and environments. Operating in these dangerous environments have been known to cause stress related heart attacks, chronic physiological ailments, and potentially fatal situations. Lives could be saved by a system which remotely monitors vital signs, makes an assessment of the person’s health status and activity level, tracks their location, and relays this information to a command station in real-time. Such a system is of ongoing interest to FEMA, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Homeland Security.
Guardian - Project Proposal
Guardian - Final Report
Guardian Web Page - http://biibs.sdsu.edu/
Project 3 - Golf Club Alert System
Sponsored by J. K. & M. S.
The Wedge Watcher is a portable device that delves into the world of passive RFID tagging to help in the prevention of lost assets. Our objective is to lower the amount of lost golf clubs and the frustration associated with leaving a club behind. The system consists of a lightweight, battery operated, RFID reader that is attached to the side of a golf bag. This module, when paired with passive RFID tags on the golf clubs themselves, can help to determine if those golf clubs are being lost or forgotten on the course. The tags will be mounted to the clubs with tape and the reader will be securely fastened to the outside lip of the bag via a clip. This product will allow the user to be alerted by means of an audible alarm and an indicator on the LCD, when golf clubs are misplaced or not returned to the bag.
Wedge Watcher - Project Proposal
Wedge Watcher - Final Report
Wedge Watcher Web Page - http://wedgewatcher.sdsu.edu/
Project 4 - Wireless Lithium-Polymer Battery Charger
Sponsored by Tandem Diabetes- www.tandemdiabetes.com
The Request for Proposal offered by Tandem Diabetes, Inc. specifies key requirements that dictate the overall behavior and appearance of the system to be designed. Mainly, the product desired to meet these requirements would be a system that is to charge a Lithium-Polymer (LiPo) battery that is sealed within a portable device. A large advantage with sealing the portable device and battery is to facilitate waterproofing, and simplify patient leakage power testing for medical devices. Due to the fact that the portable device is sealed, power is to be transferred wirelessly from a Universal Serial Bus (USB) to the battery, in effect charging the LiPo battery. From the USB Host’s point of view, it is charging the battery directly through the Constant Current Constant Voltage (CCCV) scheme where the input current to the battery is held steady around 0.3C (per requirement) until the battery terminal voltage reaches the nominal value and then this voltage is held steady to maintain the electrical charge within the battery.
Tesla Innovations - Project Proposal
Tesla Innovations - Final Report
Tesla Innovations - Web Page - http://ramrods.sdsu.edu/
Project 5 - Wireless Water Monitoring System
Sponsored by Dr. Mahasweta Sarkar
The AquaMizer Wireless Water Monitoring System is a simple solution to the growing problem of water shortages. The AquaMizer system it provides the individual homeowner with the opportunity to monitor water use from multiple locations like the shower and kitchen faucets. The amount of water used from these individual units can then be transmitted to a LCD display unit which will then display the real time usage to the homeowner. The main functions of this system are to keep track of the amount of water used in different areas of a house, calculate the cost of water, and show a summary of the results both individually and as a whole. Since every water district is different, and the cost of water varies from one district to another, a unique feature of this device is the ability for the customer to input cost and billing data through a user friendly medium. The AquaMizer is a portable and cost effective solution for monitoring water expenditure in the average household.
AquaMizer - Project Proposal
AquaMizer - Final Report
AquaMizer Web Page - http://aquamizer.sdsu.edu/
Project 6 - Navigation System for Visually Impaired Shopper
Sponsored by Dr. Andrew Szeto
Our goal is to design a system that will assist visually impaired shoppers in a grocery store to navigate and find available products while avoiding collisions with objects. The design will incorporate a shopping cart that will have a mounted RFID reader with antenna, an ultrasonic distance measurement device tied into a vibration mechanism for collision avoidance, Hall Effect sensors to calculate distance traversed, a wireless headset, and a mobile power source. Our back-end server will be outfitted with voice recognition technology, a MSSQL database, as well as the logic for in-store navigation. The shopping cart and the back-end server will communicate through a wire replacement radio. The system will rely predominately on the store computer (the back-end server) as the brain, while the shopping cart continually relays location information and requests to the server. The cart will read RFID Tags along the shelves and transmit data back to the server which will use a pre-rendered map of the store to determine the cart's current location. The system will utilize two channels: a digital channel and an analog, audio channel. The digital channel will carry the one-way digital information regarding the shopper's location from the cart to the store computer. The audio channel will relay requests from the customer to the computer as well as directions from the computer back to the customer via a headset. With this technology we hope to make it so the customer will no longer have trouble navigating around the store.
RfEyes - Project Proposal
RfEyes - Final Report
RfEyes Web Page - http://rfeyes.sdsu.edu/
Spring 2009
Project 1 -Navigation using Signals of Opportunity
Sponsored by SAIC - www.saic.com
SO-Loc Abstract: Unlike the unreliable nature of the Global Positioning System (GPS) service, signals of opportunity from cell phone towers can enable tracking and positioning over a broad scope of terrains. This project deploys the promising signals of opportunity from spatially distributed transmitters, whose reference position is given to calculate the unknown position of the device. The hand-held Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) device receives its signals from cell towers, and based on the received signal strength indication (RSSI) from each tower in the vicinity, the unknown position of the device can be determined. The device also communicates with a remote base station through the transceiver to display the position in terms of latitude, longitude, and altitude on a local map along with its received signal strength. The implementation for signals of opportunity can lay the foundation for improved techniques in finding an unknown location instantaneously and more accurately.
SO-Loc - Proposal
SO-Loc - Final Report
SO-Loc Web Page - http://soloc.sdsu.edu
Project 2 -Class-D Amplifier Using GaN Output Devices
Sponsored by CUBIC Corp.- www.cubic.com
Trio Abstract: The power amplifier is an integral component of any wireless communication system. The power efficiency of the amplifier is an important factor in the cost and lifetime operating expenses of the respective system. The higher the efficiency of the power amplifier, the smaller the power losses are in the active devices, therefore there is less heat being dissipated in the system and more energy delivered in the transmitted signal. This project is an exercise in the design and fabrication of a Class D amplifier to output a tone at 1MHz, while optimizing the power efficiency using a new transistor technology, gallium nitride (GaN) high electron mobility transistors (HEMT).
Trio - Project Proposal
Trio - Final Report
Trio - http://trio.sdsu.edu
Project 3 -Home Power Monitoring and Control
E-Power Abstract: The E-Power Home Utility Measurement System will monitor and display normal everyday power usage from any home appliance via wireless applications such as a Zigbee RF transceiver. Measurement devices can be placed in multiple rooms of a home and data transmission would be routed via a mesh network. The user will also be able to log into a designated website to display the up to date power consumption as well as cost (kw/h) of any appliance plugged into a current sensing device, similar to Figure 1. The system would also give the user control of power usage within the website and the ability to disable an appliance. These features will ultimately lead to a reduction in power consumption and cost.
E-Power - Proposal
E-Power - Final Report
E-Power - http://e-power.sdsu.edu
Project 4 -Campus Navigation Aid for a Blind Pedestrian
Smart Walk Abstract: The aim of this project is to design the first stage of a cost-effective Campus Navigation Network for people with vision loss, through use of the Zigbee Wireless protocol.
Smart Walk - Project Proposal
Smart Walk - Final Report
Smart Walk - http://smartwalk.sdsu.edu
Project 5 -Robot Pool
Robot Pool - Team 1
Category Six Abstract: Category Six is designing a pool-playing robot for the Robot Pool competition to take place on Senior Design Day. It will consist of the iRobot Create platform (Create), a ball-shooting mechanism, a ball-capturing clamp, and a full-range color detection system. The robot will be able to detect balls of assigned color and shoot it into an open hole from anywhere on the table.
Category Six - Project Proposal
Category Six - Final Report
Category Six - http://category6.sdsu.edu
Robot Pool - Team 2
Snooker Robotics Abstract: Snooker Robotics LLC will be upgrading a very primitive toy robot to compete in a Robot Pool Competition with three other teams in the San Diego State University Senior Design Class. In order to win the competition each time must identify and deposit their 7 balls with their assigned color followed by the black 8 ball. Our robot will be able to quickly identify the assigned colored ball on the table, capture the pool balls and deposit the correct balls into the table pockets. We intend to gather multiple pool balls, process the balls for the correct color, reject the opponents pool balls, store and then deposit our teams pool balls quickly and efficiently. During the 5 minute match the robot will be completely autonomous and relying only on the engineering and logic we have created and programmed.
Snooker Robotics - Project Proposal
Snooker Robotics - Final Report
Snooker Robotics - http://snookerroboticsllc.sdsu.edu
Robot Pool - Team 3
R.I.C.K. ROB Abstract: R.I.C.K. ROB is a fully autonomous robot built on the iRobot Create platform. It is designed to play the game, Robot Pool. The robot’s functions consist of ball collection, ball color identification, and movement of balls in to pockets for scoring. It uses different types of sensors along with electro-mechanical devices to accomplish its goals. The iRobot Create Command Module will be used as the primary micro-controller, and will run various program routines to execute effective game strategies based on the current game status.
R.I.C.K ROB - Project Proposal
R.I.C.K ROB - Final Report
R.I.C.K. ROB - http://rickrob.sdsu.edu
Robot Pool - Team 4
Massive Dynamic Abstract: The functionality of robots has grown tremendously throughout the years. Present day robots are designed to take on tasks that were unheard of in previous years. Massive Dynamic sees a unique opportunity in this new era of robotics to propose a project that is not only innovative but is based on a concept of having fun. We propose to design a fully autonomous robot that takes on the challenge of playing a game of pool according to a distinct set of rules. Our robot will be based on an iRobot create platform to reduce complexity and costs. We will add various hardware components to the platform such as a ball retrieval device and sensors that will assist in the acquisition of balls and the movement of the robot. The ultimate goal is to have our robot play a game of pool against another robot in a competitive fashion.
Massive Dynamic - Project Proposal
Massive Dynamic - Final Report
Massive Dynamic - http://massivedynamic.sdsu.edu/
Fall 2008
Project 1 -Navigation and Tracking Using Wi-Fi Signals
Sponsored by SAIC - www.saic.com
Mapping Technologies Initiative Abstract: Mapping Technologies Initiative (MTI) has been tasked by SAIC with developing a tracking system for emergency first responders using Wi-Fi connectivity to provide location data. The system to be developed consists of four primary components: a hand-held device containing a Wi-Fi module, a host application which runs on a server and does the tracking calculations, a database that stores both tracking and room status data and a website that provides the end-user with a visual representation of the tracking data in the database in real-time. This hand-held device is called the Wireless Emergency Response Transceiver (WERT). The Wi-Fi module within the WERT will receive and report RSSI (received signal strength indication) information to the host application over the building’s existing Wi-Fi network. Each room in the building will have a unique set of RSSI trends from the available Wi-Fi access points in range from which the host application will determine the current position of any active WERTs. Once the location is known, status information about that location is sent back to both the WERT and the website.
Mapping Technologies Initative - Proposal
Mapping Technologies Initative - Final Report
Mapping Technologies Initiative - http://mti.sdsu.edu
Project 2 -Pedestrian Position Tracking Using Inertial Sensors
Sponsored by CUBIC Corp.- www.cubic.com
Project 2 - Team 1
JAGR2 Abstract: The JAGR2 tracking system tracks a pedestrian using Global Positioning System (GPS) data and inertial sensor data. The system will determine the most accurate position by data compensation and correction. The inertial sensor provides relative data position. The GPS data will provide absolute data position. Given the fact that GPS requires an obstacle free view of the sky, indoor use of this system alone will not provide correct position information. Whenever the GPS data is found unreliable, inertial sensor data will begin to be used. The inertial sensor calculates relative position using gyroscopes, accelerometers and magnetometers which function well regardless of the environment characteristics. The JAGR2 tracking system will also transmit processed information to a computer station for data logging and display. The transmission of this information will be done by using an embedded web server which will send the information wirelessly using existing WiFi networks.
JAGR2 - Project Proposal
JAGR2 - Final Report
Team 1: JAGR2 - http://jagr2.sdsu.edu
Project 2 - Team 2
GlobalTraC Abstract: This project will utilize the data from a GPS module as well as the data provided by an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) in order to track a pedestrian location. Relying solely on one or the other set of data can be inaccurate. A GPS unit can suffer from obstructed satellite visibility, multi-path or atmospheric effects. An IMU is limited by the accumulation of noise error in the accelerometers and gyroscopes. The coupling of these two data sets will provide for seamless tracking; relying on the IMU when GPS data is unreliable, and resetting the IMU with reliable GPS information. This portable, self-powered unit will transmit positioning data wirelessly to a host computer for real time tracking.
GlobalTraC - Project Proposal
GlobalTraC - Final Report
Team 2: GlobalTraC - http://globaltrack.sdsu.edu
Project 3 - Wireless Asset Tracking
guardDog Abstract: The wireless asset tracking modules will be designed to use in a lab environment. Within the lab there will be one base and many nodes connected to the assets they are tracking. The nodes will hold information about each device they are connected to. Each node will transmit this information to the base one at a time. The base will receive information about the nodes and also tell the node when to wake up next. The user will use Lab View to communicate to the base.
guardDog - Project Proposal
guardDog - Final Report
guardDog - http://guarddog.sdsu.edu
Project 4 - Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Project 4 - Team 1
AEROBOTICS Abstract: In many circumstances it is desirable to have a versatile, inexpensive, autonomous robot available to complete a task. This is most often advantageous when a circumstance presents a danger to human life or when a human is not possible` due to size or maneuverability issues. Our goal will be to create an aerial platform that will be the core for mission specific uses. These uses range from surveillance, mapping, search and rescue, security and more. Military applications are also possible and advantageous due to the low cost of the platform and the life saving possibilities of robotic warfare.
AEROBOTICS - Project Proposal
AEROBOTICS - Final Report
Team 1: AEROBOTICS - http://xr82.sdsu.edu
Project 4 - Team 2
AutoFly Abstract: Our objective is to program a microcontroller equipped with the proper sensory array to allow a small helicopter to take off, fly, and land autonomously. The system includes a pre assembled remote control helicopter that will be equipped with the proper sensory and processing equipment. A PIC (Peripheral Interface Controller) processor and a CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) will provide processing and analog to digital conversion of sensory inputs. Infrared sensors and two accelerometers will provide aircraft with orientation and heading data analyzed by the processors. The use of a decisive and creative algorithm will collect that data and help provide feedback to pre- existing servos and motors for correction of flight parameters. The aircraft will be integrated and programmed to run autonomously in a known physical environment by flying to the end of a hall, turning around and landing at the take off location.
AutoFly - Project Proposal
AutoFly - Final Report
Team 2: AutoFly - http://autofly.sdsu.edu
Spring 2008
Project 1 - Single Switch, Multi-Sensory Assessment Aid
iLearn Abstract: The SDSU Assistive Device Assessment Program (ADAP) is currently looking for new ways to evaluate the cognitive function of persons with severe communicative limitations. Team iLearn is engineering a new assessment aid that will help assess their ability to make choices from two to four different options.
iLearn - Proposal
iLearn - Team Website (http://ilearn.sdsu.edu/)
Project 2 - Low Cost Wireless Temperature Detector
Sponsored by Dtection - www.dtection.com
Dtection Abstract: Dtection Inc needs to design and implement a low cost, low power temperature sensor/detector that can communicate wirelessly with a pre-existing system. The detector should be programmable through an external device to let the user select an upper and lower temperature threshold for the alarm. The device should have a unique serial number to transmit to the pre-existing base station so that the location of the alert will be known. This project will be applied to medical laboratory settings where temperature deviance can result in monetary loss as well as specimen loss.
Dtection - Proposal
Dtection - Team Website (http://dtection.sdsu.edu/)
Project 3 - Authentication and Access Terminal
Project 3 - Team 1
eSPARC Abstract: The e-SPARC system provides the ability to efficiently monitor and grant parking access to authorized personnel. This system is capable of detecting the presence of a vehicle by exploiting the technology of ultrasonic sensors. Moreover, regular authorized vehicles will be outfitted with an RFID tag which the system will accommodate to authorize the usage of the parking stall without the need of any physical interaction on the users part with the e-SPARC module. For guest users, we have implemented a keypad and an LCD display system module that will allow them to input an access code given by an administrator to have authorized access to the parking stall. Administrative personnel will have access to the main e-SPARC system via their network computer. Here, they will be promptly notified when a parking stall is being occupied legally or illegally all thanks to the embedded web server e-SPARC system provides. This smart e-SPARC parking system addresses many overlooked areas in parking management currently being displayed in the engineering parking lot.
eSPARC - Proposal
eSPARC - Team Website (http://esparc.sdsu.edu/)
Project 3 - Team 2
Sixth Sense Technologies Abstract: This design project is for a parking system that will contain a magnetic sensor in order to detect a vehicle presence in a parking spot. Once the car has been detected in the spot a vehicle identification process will begin. There are two distinct ways that a car can be identified and given the okay to be able to park in a spot. Those two ways are though a RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) with a tag being on the car and a reader either on the wall or on the ground to identify the RFID tag which will then give the car authentication to park in the spot through that process. Another way of granting authentication to park in the spot is through a keypad and LCD terminal. If an important visitor or speaker is coming to the building you should be able to grant him/her access through a code that can be entered on the keypad of the parking system. These two authentication methods allow everyday users the right to park easily and give visitors to an opportunity to get close parking without much hassle. This system of vehicle detection along with RFID and Keypad will be run on an embedded web server device. This embedded web server will have a webpage that will be able to keep track of who is in what spots, grant key codes for visitors, and give a notice of when someone is not supposed to be parking in the area. All these components will come together to create an intelligent parking system.
Sixth Sense Technologies - Proposal
Sixth Sense Technologies - Team Website (http://sst.sdsu.edu/)
Project 4 - Residential Early Fire Detection and Protection
First Response Abstract: A crucial part of fire defense is early detection and prompt protection in residential areas. Since 2003, wildfires have devastated the state of California and left many people with no way to protect their homes. First Instant Response Engineers (FIRE) is proposing a solution to this developing widespread problem. FIRE is developing a low cost outdoor fire detection system utilizing an Ultraviolet sensor to detect an approaching fire. This will enable homeowners with a chance to protect and defend their homes from possible fire damage. The design is user friendly and the production is cost effective. The device uses high-tech technology to ensure efficient protection for homeowners at an affordable price. The loss of homes and property with these fires has been tragic, and with this technology, FIRE will give Californians a chance to protect themselves.
First Instant Response Engineers - Proposal
First Response - Team Website (http://firstresponse.sdsu.edu/)
Project 5 - FireFighterLocationInterface "FireFLI"
Sponsored by SAIC - www.saic.com
FireFLI Abstract: The unit under design is a Zigbee/RFID combination used to collect and analyze data to provide support for first responders. There will be RFID tags placed on the doors and walls of a building. These tags will have unique tag ID’s that will be associated with information stored in a base station, such as location, hazards, current danger level, etc. The user of this device will walk by one of these tags which will trigger the unit to send the tag ID to the base station. The user will receive needed information from the base station, and can also change and transmit the updated information to all other units in the network. In future revisions the unit could contain position estimation based on transmit and receive ranging information from other Zigbee units in the self contained mesh network. This will improve position estimation when the user is not in the range of an RFID tag. The user interacts with FireFLI using buttons and an LCD screen; however this system could support a hands free interface.
FireFighterLocationInterface "FireFLI" - Proposal
FireFLI - Team Website (http://firefli.sdsu.edu/)
Project 6 - Camping Stove Thermoelectric Generator
Sponsored by Engineers Without Borders - www.ewb-usa.org
Chargers Abstract: In today's ever expanding world, energy consumption is an important issue facing humanity. We are being forced to find new reliable sources of energy, cleaner, more earth friendly sources and ways of making energy more available to remote locations across the world. In conjunction with Engineers Without Borders, Chargers Innovations is developing a thermoelectric device that will be able to take any camp stove and convert the heat off it, into usable electricity.
Chargers Innovations "Chargers" - Proposal
Chargers - Team Website (http://chargers.sdsu.edu/)
Fall 2007
Robot Pool:
Pool playing robots designed around the iRobot Create platform. You can check out the game rules here:
Robot-Pool 2007 Game RulesGreat White Robotics:
Great White Robotics - ProposalGreat White Robotics - Team Website (http://gwr.sdsu.edu/)
Robot X:
Robot X - ProposalRobot X - Team Website (http://robotx.sdsu.edu/)
Section 8:
Section 8 - ProposalSection 8 - Team Website (http://sectioneight.sdsu.edu/)
Compact Weather Station
Design of a low cost, small form factor data logging weather station.
Micro Weather Systems:
Micro Weather Systems - ProposalMicro Weather Systems - Team Website (http://mws.sdsu.edu/)
Authentication and Access Terminal
Intelligent parking lot management system.iSPOT:
iSPOT - ProposaliSPOT - Team Website (http://ispot.sdsu.edu/)
Spring 2007
Mini-Sumo Robots:
These are small 10cm x 10cm autonomous robots designed to meet the U.S. mini-sumo rules. Three student teams felt up for the challenge which resulted in an exciting mini-sumo competition at Design Day. After some tough battles with LWARS Robotics team EMRAM Innovations was the victor.
Emram Innovations:
http://emram.sdsu.edu/LWARS Robotics:
http://lwars.sdsu.edu/Evolved Robotics Engineering:
http://ere.sdsu.edu/Home Automation Projects:
We had two teams of students work on home automation projects utilizing ZigBee wireless communication.
Wireless Home Autonomous Technology (WHAT):
http://what.sdsu.edu/Home Engineering and Automation Team (HEAT):
http://heat.sdsu.edu/Underwater Echo Sounder:
This project is to design a low cost underwater echo sounder for aiding navigation in autonomous underwater vehicles. The project was enabled with generous support from Progeny Systems. Two teams of students worked on the design and combined their components at the end to realize the system.
ECHO:
http://echo.sdsu.edu/Fall 2006
SNJ Research (GPSight):
http://gpsight.sdsu.edu/TWAB Electronics (PM-120):
http://twabelectronics.sdsu.edu/Sydsoo Automation (Mini_Sumo):
http://sydsooautomation.sdsu.edu/Misuro (Mini_Sumo):
http://misuro.sdsu.edu/AMMP Robotics Inc. (Mini_Sumo):
http://ammp.sdsu.edu/Spring 2006
Robo-Navigator Challenge Overview
iR Tech:
http://irtech.sdsu.edu/AA All Autonomous Inc.:
http://aai.sdsu.edu/Overcharged:
http://overcharged.sdsu.edu/Dynamic Navigation:
http://dynamicnavigation.sdsu.edu/Fall 2005
Prime Design Inc. (Automated Antenna Measurement Chamber):
http://www.primedesign.sdsu.edu/Shaft Industries (Intelligent Elevator Controller):
http://jason.sdsu.edu/~shaft/DRMC Toolshed (Solar Tracker Project):
http://drmc.sdsu.edu/AR Autonomous Robotics (Maze Solving Robot):
http://jason.sdsu.edu/~autobot/Spring 2005
Endeavor Robotics (SDSU Design Contest):
http://erobotics.sdsu.edu/Wreckless Robotics (SDSU Design Contest):
http://wrobots.sdsu.edu/Autonomous Robotic Design (SDSU Design Contest):
http://ard.sdsu.edu/Fall 2005
Scout Industries (SDSU Design Contest):
http://scout.sdsu.edu/Search & Destroy Designs (SDSU Design Contest):
http://sdd.sdsu.edu/2004
Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUVSI Contest):
2001
SDSU BattleBot Project (Mechanical and Electrical Engineering):
BattleBot Video
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