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Our Design Document

Project Objectives:

The team is working on an RFID scanning system, called SCANIN, which can track the bikes that pass through any given point on Purdue's campus at any time. Our objective is  to gain data on commuter bicycle traffic. We plan to use this data to optimize the bicycle paths at Purdue and analyze what paths bikers are taking. This data could also be represented in a heatmap as a measure of the traffic and congestion at a certain spot on campus. We plan to have multiple scanners mounted and powered across campus, we will use both wired and solar powered scanners.  This is our primary and current goal, but the applications of such a cohesive system are vast and show promise for wider deployment in many circumstances. We could expand our scanner to scan more than just bikes and have other  metrics to measure traffic. 

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The key  component of our system is data transmission. the technology could be used in a multitude of different applications. We have the ability to track and record any kind of data in range of our base station.  We are currently looking into other applications of the system. Our data transmission could be used to track traffic, agriculture applications, pedestrian traffic and more.  

Project Outcomes:

The end goal of the project is to produce the product named SCANIN and present it to potential customers that would implement the team’s SCANIN person, bike, and asset tracking system. At the end of the project, the team will still own the backend of the system; however, the website and the scanner system will be provided to our customers. The physical device, the tags which are the item being scanned and the front-end would be provided as commercialize assets, whereas the back-end server would remain property of the team so that we would be able to fix any issues on the site.  

Intended Project Completion:

The project is being set up to begin a small-scale beta testing phase, with the intent of collecting and using data to better prepare the system for the widespread implementation. The team plans on building more units for this deployment. The team also plans on upgrading the current RFID scanners to more powerful units available on the market.  

Design Specifications:
Range:

  • 100% scan rate from >15ft 

  • Can easily scan  the width of a bike path  

  • Slight drop after 15ft of distance  

  • We did testing below are the results  

  1. Circuit tested. 

  2. Prototype operational. 

  3. Second unit built. 

  4. Data collected. 

  5. Website complete.  

  6. Integrated system prototype testing and deployment. 

  7. Any technician can assemble and install the readers with instructions. 

  8. Scanners converted to all-in-one scanners. 

  9. Range testing on all-in-one completed. 

  10. Weather-resistance testing on all-in-ones completed. 

  11. In-lab testing of system integration completed. 

Current Milestones:
Previous Milestones:

  1. New scanner reaches best recorded range  

  2. Permanent mounting system nearly finalized

Temperature:

  • Winter 

    • Snow and cold (0F) 

    • Hail and ice 

  • Summer 

    • Windy and hot (100F) 

Weather Considerations:

  • Rain 

    •  Current design has proven it can Handle max rain in West Lafayette 

  • Ice 

    • Data on thickness of ice 

    • Seals would survive ice expansion 

  • Hail 

  • Wind 

Service Life:
Current Design:

The team is currently in the Detailed Design Phase and is moving to the Delivery Phase. We are looking to Partner with anyone who is interesting in LORA and RAK Data transmission. 

  • 1 year 

Cost:

  • Less than $500

Impact Resistance:

  • Able to withstand minor knocks or a bird strike  

Mounting:

  • Holds the weight of the scanner 

  • Holds up in wind 

  • Holds up in ice 

  • Someone leaning on it 

 

 

 

 

The software team currently has a functional database that is able to register users and track scans on all of the AIO RFID readers. Currently there are numerous bugs in the website when it comes to modifying the database. Moving forward, the software team will be working on fixing these issues involving database interaction as well as implementing new features. One new feature that is going to be added is a heat map which will show which scanners are receiving the most scans throughout the whole campus. The software team also has plans to assist the hardware team in some code that will interact directly with the hardware. 

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The wired team currently has a functional all-in-one unit (hereafter referred to as AIO scanner) in the lab that are effectively collecting and sending data.  Prior to designing these units we had our antenna and power converter inside of a large box which was very difficult to mount and was very heavy. The AIO scanner makes mounting much easier and also makes it very convenient to collect data in the lab or outside with an actual bike. The scanner in the lab has been successfully and accurately sending data to the website. The next steps will be doing long term testing outside with the scanner. This will ensure that the scanner can be weatherproof and also be consistent when functioning to transmit data. 

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The Hardware Solar team is currently in possession of one functional solar unit that powers on and reads scans. The team will conduct simulation results showing the theoretical performance of the solar unit in terms of uptime and battery reserves; additionally, actual field test data needs to be gathered as well. The present unit use off-the-shelf charge controllers; additionally, the team is working on designing schematics for a charge monitoring system model. Thus, the team is currently in the Detailed Design phase of the project timeline, with some design-related work already done but more technical improvements planned to enhance the solar unit.  

Software:
Hardware - Wired:
Hardware - Solar:
Current Status and Location on Overall Project Timeline 
Software:

The admin-side page has almost been completely developed and is almost fully functional besides a few database interaction bugs. Currently members of the SCANIN team are able to view and interact with the database from the website. The entire website is based around the concept of pulling and displaying data from the database. Currently all information about the SCANIN project is stored in the database including members of the team, devices currently being used and all of the tags that have been scanned. The backend of the system currently is able to receive data from the base station and display that information on the website in a human readable format for all members of the SCANIN team to be able to see. 

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