ECE 477 Digital Systems Senior Design Project Rev 8/11
Homework 1: Design Project Proposal
Team Code Name: Solar Car Driver Display Group No. 8
Team Members (#1 is Team Leader):
#1: Dan Ehrman Areas of Expertise: software
#2: Clayton Dickemann Areas of Expertise: software
#3: Brian Kelley Areas of Expertise: software
#4: Craig Lechlitner Areas of Expertise: hardware
Project Abstract:
Our project is a driver interface system for a solar-powered vehicle that utilizes a touchscreen display to allow the driver to interact with the car and viewers on the sidelines. The system will process diagnostic data from the rest of the car through the CAN communication protocol as well as route driver input to other systems in the vehicle such as the lights controller, the battery protection system, the motor controller, etc. Additional features such as GPS and telemetry capability will provide not only a more convenient experience for the driver but also an ability for others to monitor in-car information from the sidelines.
Design/Functionality Overview:
We propose to build a driver interface to be used in Purdue Solar Racing’s new solar-powered car Navitas. The interface will contain a touchscreen for both input and display. The system will also receive messages via the CAN protocol from other systems in the vehicle (e.g. Battery Protection System, Vehicle Control Unit, etc.) as well as send messages to an external “pit crew” system for monitoring vehicle diagnostics. Other useful features include GPS tracking, which will allow both the driver and the pit crew to know where the car is at all times as well as monitor related race statistics.
The estimated cost of completing the prototype will be $500 (obtained through PSR funds). The system will be tested in PSR’s existing solar car Celeritas, which employs many of the same systems (as well as the same communication protocol) that will be used in the new vehicle.
Our team consists of three computer engineers with strong software background and one electrical engineer with strong hardware background. The device is planned to contain two microcontrollers, one dedicated to graphics processing and the other used for general purpose tasks (such as CAN interfacing). We will have one computer engineer assigned to each microcontroller with the third helping the other two as needed. Our electrical engineer will focus primarily on circuit design and board layout.
Project-Specific Success Criteria:
1. An ability to track vehicle location through GPS.
2. An ability to receive and send CAN messages to and from other systems in the car.
3. An ability to display graphics on the LCD display.
4. An ability to respond to user input using a touchscreen.
5. An ability to store and load data to and from external flash memory.
Block Diagram:
Division of Labor:
Design Component Homework / Professional Component Homework4-Packaging Design and Specs / C.D. / 3-Design Constraint Analysis/Parts List / B.K.
5-Hardware Narrative and Prelim Schematic / B.K. / 10-Patent Liability Analysis / C.D.
6-PCB Narrative and Prelim Layout / C.L. / 11-Reliability and Safety Analysis / C.L.
9-Software Design Narrative / D.E. / 12-Social/Political/Environmental Analysis / D.E.