Task 1: CAN Bus
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| Figure 1. CAN Bus Shield, Arduino compatible |
Our team tried to program the CAN Bus shield this week with a simple program found in the arduino library. CAN Bus is important as it allows us to communicate with parts of the system such as the battery management system. At the same time, CAN Bus shield also has the ability to log data, which enables us to so that we could allow the arduino to be CAN Bus compatible and the ability to communicate and log data from the rest of the system. The CAN Bus shield can just be placed above the arduino for compatibility use. This CAN Bus shield has a RS232 input socket which will allow it to transmit data using a cable. It also has a memory card slot which will allow it to log data accurately. Due to the fact that the data transmitted is by wireless, there is a possibility that data may be lost along the way. The memory stick can be used as a backup as well as cross checking the data recorded by the chase vehicle.
Task 2: RF Modem
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Figure 2 (a). XStream Modem |
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| Figure 2(b). Xbee Modem |
RF Modem is used for wireless transmission of data from the solar vehicle to our chase vehicle. Modems used come from Xbee(Fig 2) and Xtreme(Fig 1). When doing past technical testing, the Xtreme performs more reliably than the Xbee. The Xtreme covers a further range compared to the Xbee modem, although Xbee is stated to have a further range than the Xtream modem. Thus,in 2013, the Sunspec 3 uses the Xtreme modem. Like wise, for 2015, we will be using Xtreme for Sunspec 4.
Configuration of the xstream modem is via the software X-CTU. It can be installed with a disk that comes with xstream modem, while having the modem plugged into your computer. This is the first testing that we did indoors at T10 level 2. The software PuTTY is a window to see the received data. Otherwise, the "terminal" tab can also see the transmitted data.
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| Figure 3 (a). Testing of xstream modem when staying still |
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| Figure 3(b). Terminal Tab of X-CTU |
Then, our team brought the transmission outdoors. We headed to 11 Square and get the modems tested out with one of the modems moving away.
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| Melvin & Siti Staying put |
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| Jingwen, Dzul & En han bringing the modem for a walk :D |
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| Figure 3(b). Testing of xstream modem while walking |
The transmission is successful and signal was not blocked when we moved behind the pillar.
Now we would need to get the Xstream to talk to the arduino!
