Spring 2009

 

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 – soloc.sdsu.edu

 

 

 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 – trio.sdsu.edu

 

 

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 – e-power.sdsu.edu

 

 

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 – smartwalk.sdsu.edu

 

 

Project 5 -Robot Pool

Robot-Pool 2009 Game Rules

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/