Date: March 30th, 2014
To: Dr David Michelson
From:  Adebayo ADEGBOLA
Jeffrey CHU
Gregory LEE
Mustafa MUSSAYEV
Eric TUNG

Subject : OrbCOMM project update

This memo is an update for the week of March 24 – March 28, 2014.

For this week, we came up with different ideas for sensors and structure. Instead of salinity, we are going to be measuring the water level, water flow, and temperature. We also clarified whether or not a stationary object such as an oil rig was acceptable as opposed to something like a buoy. We chose to do this because these sensors fit more nicely with each other and allow us to tell a much better story. The scenario where these sensors could be applicable make much more sense than our previous sensors. We have managed to build and/or buy the sensors that we need for our project and have tested them to ensure that they work. What we still need to do hardware-wise is to build the actual oil rig itself.

In terms of software, we were having difficulties getting the emails to forward properly to the proper folders with the value of one of the input channels on the modem. However, there is a problem in that it will forward properly for the first couple of emails but fail to forward all the emails after that. We have yet to find out why this problem occurs. What we need to do now is to ensure that all the data that we measure is sent through email successfully, not just a single value. In addition, we need to add a function that can help measure the flow rate of the water.

Date: March 23rd ,2014

To: Dr David Michelson

From:  Adebayo ADEGBOLA

          Jeffrey CHU

          Gregory LEE

          Mustafa MUSSAYEV

           Eric TUNG

Subject : OrbCOMM project update

This memo is an update for the week of March 17 – March 21, 2014.

This week, our team decided on the features that we want to have in our project, such as salinity, viscosity and temperature meters. The hardware parts that are required for building were determined and a team member was appointed for buying components.

In the lab on the wednesday, we set up a timer and changed the IAR program so that is shows a particular message on PUTTY periodically. Also the team tried to show two different messages at the same time, however later we found out that it is not possible.

In the lab on friday, we created a folder to collect all the mail from the satellite with. The mail which was delivered to our gmail account at first was now filtered and redirected by gmail to our ece email. We added some lines in our code so that the mail shows specific subject line, which was “L2D2 testing” for us. In addition, we learned to use the Batch scripting method.

TEAM L2D2

Adebayo ADEGBOLA

Jeffrey CHU

Gregory LEE

Mustafa MUSSAYEV

Eric TUNG

Week 4 (Jan.27 – Jan 31) – FINAL TUTORIAL AND PROJECT COMMENCEMENT

During this week we had:

·         lecture on Monday

·         two labs on Wednesday and Friday

Wednesday

The lab on this day consisted of the final tutorial session for the spectrum analyzer. While previous tutorials and their activities taught us how to use a spectrum analyzer, this tutorial showed us the basics of how a spectrum analyzer actually works. Activities included splitting the group into a software development team and the RF front end team, building a peak detector, and connecting the ESG generator into the HP8920A RF Communication Test Set. In addition, we learned about the frequency modulation that occurs in a spectrum analyzer. These activities are centered around the hardware side as the software side involves learning how myDAQ works and following the instructions given on their website and manual. As for the hardware side, we mainly spent this lab session learning about each component needed for this project, specifically the peak detector and resolution bandwidth filter. Using the crystals given in our lab kit, we plan to construct a filter that gives 2.7kHz-3kHz BW. For the peak detector, we learned that it will receive a 10MHz signal from the BW filter. This means our RC or т value is inversely related to w (omega). Since we know that w=2pi*f, we were able to choose the resistor and capacitor values we want to get the frequency we need.

Friday

For the myDAQ, we managed to produce a continuous triangle wave after some trial and error so our ramp generator portion is complete. As for the hardware, we went into more detail on each component, especially the Resolution BW Filter. We came up with a circuit that will allow us to configure the crystals in such a way so that our desired BW can be achieved. We also had a team meeting as to what we planned to do over the weekend as well as next week.