This week the group continued independent research while staying in contact to discuss our findings through the week. We also expanded the block diagrams and flowcharts of each new idea. These new ideas were added to the project ideas document.
Research into software implementation of ANC showed that MATLAB can be used for simulation. However, this requires the use of expensive Data Acquisition equipment.
Existing ideas were further refined with greater detail.
John
Updated Block Diagram for Adaptive Membrane Absorber:
Updated Block Flowchart for Adaptive Membrane Absorber:
Updated Block Diagram for ANC for Rigid Barriers:
Two-way operation with loudness detection and user selection was added as an expansion to this project.
Budget has grown to $433
MATLAB/Simulink demonstration of ANC in a Duct:
Updated Block Diagram for Self Powered Desalination:
John also conducted research into materials/budget and possible means of testing each idea.
ANC for Rigid Barriers Budget: $433
Adaptive Membrane Absorber Budget: $448
Self Powered Desalination Budget: $578
Hunter
(Week 4) Project Research:
While conducting research for the Acoustic Pipe Detector design the source below gave the idea to make the device multi-functional but as an all-in-one unit, by making an attachment for devices. Part of the unit can be used for pipe detection and then designing an attachment to use for ground detection. The company Hydrograph, in the provided link, offer high end products but they are only available as separate devices, and each one is expensive. Source:
For the Acoustic Pipe Detector the addition of a wireless system that can attach to the main pipe network to detect leaks is now being considered for the design, This design would apply a servo cut-off switch for the main pipe connections to turn them off automatically if a leak is detected.
Acoustic Leak Detection Methods: Source 2:
The T5838 MEMS microphone can be used for this design. It uses very low power, has excellent SNR, it’s very small, and uses Pulse Density Modulation (PDM) digital MEMS which represents an analog signal with a binary signal. It also has “Acoustic Activity Detection” which supports wake-on sound functionality, allowing for a further reduction in the amount of power that will be needed for the device. Especially if applying a servo switch which will require more power going to each device, so the ability of having a standby mode always helps save on power. Source 2
Research on lake mapping and object detection was also started this week, focusing on which method will be best for this design, such as LiDAR, RiLiDAR, or Sonar. At the moment this is only research based, as we already have other ideas in place for this week’s proposals.
(Block Diagram) Acoustic Pipe Leak Protection:
(Flow Chart) Acoustic Pipe Leak Protection:
The final decision between using LiDAR or Sonar for lake mapping and image detection was determined with help from the links below. Research continued on different methods for underwater floor mapping and object detection.
LiDAR would typically be the obvious choice due to its clarity compared to Sonar, however there are too many challenges to attempt on making LiDAR work for this design.
LiDAR systems, in our price range, do not work well unless the scanned body of water is mostly clear, fairly shallow (unless it’s attached to a submersible device), and typically needs to be well lit to achieve the best results. Unfortunately, the only waterproof/water resistant LiDAR's that are available without these limitations, like being used in low light, are thousands of dollars.
In our price range a clear, well sealed, waterproof housing would be required to even attempt to use LiDAR. A submersible for this design is also too expensive, and we need it to work in shallow water, which will likely be murky, being areas that are hard to get to which usually mean areas covered by trees or shrubs where only minimal light can penetrate. As much as we wanted to use LiDAR for this project, it's not possible at this time, given that the type of LiDAR system that would be needed is simply out of our price range.
Now that Sonar has been decided, further research for applying sonar techniques for lake mapping and object detection will now be the primary focus for this design.
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