Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Beginagain!
With the semester coming to an end, we need to start thinking about how all of our systems are going to physically be implemented within the constraints of a water-proof submersible.
To start this process it is neccessary to understand the feedback loop that occurs when planning such a vehicles layout.
Electronics determine system size -> system size determines hull shape and size -> hull shape and size places constraints on electronic system size...you get the idea.
These mechnical constraints were only solved by the prototyping boards insomuch as we use a mechanical connector that fits them and size the hull to fit them as well.
As many of you have seen, some designs fit on the prototyping board and some don't. In either case: when it comes to integrating these designs within the hull of our AUV, custom boards will be fabricated to optimize for space within the hull and allow for the specialized connections that will have to occur when running high power (motors, active sonar...etc) , along with the communication buses.
In light of these problems we are about to face, I propose we initiate peer design reviews. Each student will be responsible for completing a fully detailed schematic of their system. These schematics must detail exact parts, signals, and proposed mechanical connections. These schematics will then be reviewed by the rest of the team for soundness of design.
This peer review process will allow us to begin analyzing the big picture of how our electronics packages will all start to fit in the AUV hull. The problems we have will also surface when the overall picture is more clearly shown.
At the moment, we have the option of using last year's hull, improving on the existing hull, or creating an entirely new one. Decisions like these cannot be made on an individual basis and require the team to make a good decision.
In the next few weeks we will need to start having leadership meetings to discuss these topics and come to concrete decisions. Everyone will be invited to attend these meetings, and we will need to start making concrete decisions on topics such as hull design and mechanical layout of the electronics packages.
We all have a lot of work ahead of us. ¶ Randy Rosales @ 00:46
To start this process it is neccessary to understand the feedback loop that occurs when planning such a vehicles layout.
Electronics determine system size -> system size determines hull shape and size -> hull shape and size places constraints on electronic system size...you get the idea.
These mechnical constraints were only solved by the prototyping boards insomuch as we use a mechanical connector that fits them and size the hull to fit them as well.
As many of you have seen, some designs fit on the prototyping board and some don't. In either case: when it comes to integrating these designs within the hull of our AUV, custom boards will be fabricated to optimize for space within the hull and allow for the specialized connections that will have to occur when running high power (motors, active sonar...etc) , along with the communication buses.
In light of these problems we are about to face, I propose we initiate peer design reviews. Each student will be responsible for completing a fully detailed schematic of their system. These schematics must detail exact parts, signals, and proposed mechanical connections. These schematics will then be reviewed by the rest of the team for soundness of design.
This peer review process will allow us to begin analyzing the big picture of how our electronics packages will all start to fit in the AUV hull. The problems we have will also surface when the overall picture is more clearly shown.
At the moment, we have the option of using last year's hull, improving on the existing hull, or creating an entirely new one. Decisions like these cannot be made on an individual basis and require the team to make a good decision.
In the next few weeks we will need to start having leadership meetings to discuss these topics and come to concrete decisions. Everyone will be invited to attend these meetings, and we will need to start making concrete decisions on topics such as hull design and mechanical layout of the electronics packages.
We all have a lot of work ahead of us. ¶ Randy Rosales @ 00:46
