what will it do?

provide support / enclosure for plant grow beds with acceptable aesthetic design

70 Gal almost full of rock and water ~ 600 lbs.

1m square

examples of places that the design should be compatible with

greenhouse

grow room

residential sunroom

classroom

lounge / visitor area

data logger for environmental variables

closed loop controller for water temp, air temp, water level, daily illumination

host display of system performance from RF telemetry link

host control of system parameters over telemetry link

building interface over telemetry link to host and/or controller if time permits

water heating capacity

water cooling capacity

air cooling capacity

electrical energy level

who's done what beforehand?

existing Aq systems that unit can connect to

fish tanks

greenhouse

3 hello-radio units from class

growbeds

1m square 12" deep 70 Gal capacity

what materials and components will be required?

not in inventory

plywood 3/4" and finifh

encapsulated temp sensor for liquids

120 VAC SSR

in inventory

ECT44 cardboard for model

PCB stock

Fabkit parts

parts for 2 power PWM drivers

parts for 2 Power SSR

sensor components

air temp

water level using step response

ambient light level

3 hello-radio units (from prior assignment)

machinable wax for mold

Smooth-on components for case

ABS for 3D printer

1/8" Acrylic for case

how much will it cost?

Represents parts not in inventory.

support structure $60

control and telemetry units $25 + $15 = $40

TOTAL $100.00

what parts and systems will be made?

Grow bed frame

retail furniture type slide together construction

cut on shopbot with plywood (possibly marine or exterior grade)

provides support for

Hydrotek 70 Gallon Reservoir

39x39x12

Control unit

Controller

Fabkit running Arduino environment RTC in firmware

Input circuits and Sensors

water temp

air temp

water level

light level

Analog in

dissolved O2

electrical conductivity re: TDS (~1000 uS / cm)

Outputs

Water circulation pump PWM (12 VDC)

working interface to water pump

SSR for Water heat valve or pump (12 VDC)

working interface to water valve for solar thermal panel

SSR for Water cooling valve or pump (12 VDC)

working interface to water valve for soil cooling loop

PWM for Air temp (cooling) (12 VDC)

working interface to exhaust fan

Grow Light on/off (120VAC)

working interface to fluorescent lights

Aerator on/off (12 VDC)

i/o

hello-radio link over 2nd serial port for commands and data capture

usb interface for data transfer and direct programming using FTDI on primary serial port

Sensor case

fabbed on laser cutter and 3D printer

Host interface

hello-radio with customized firmware

FTDI cable

case

what processes will be used?

Partworks and ShopBot milling for support structure

3D printer for

misc fluid connectors

sensor mounts

Laser cutter

modeling structure

case for host side of RF link

3D CAD and Modela for molds for case for controller

Molding and Casting

controller case

feet and bumpers for structure

Eagle, Fab Modules and mill for PCBs

Embedded programming

protocol on 3 radio boards

input, output, data logging control loops Fabkit

Labeling with vinyl cutter

what tasks need to be completed? - what is the schedule?

model of structure and associated environment

May 21

radio protocol update

May 23

produce fabkit

May 20

produce input board prototype

May 21

prototype sensors, debug sensors, input circuits and firmware

May 23

produce output board prototype

May 22

debug output circuits and firmware

May 23

integrate with firmware for direct control using FTDI communications

May 24

develop and debug data logging and basic control routines

May 25

debug telemetry over RF link

May 24 - May 30

attach system to Aq components

May 26

debug actual real world operation

May 26-May 27

jumpstart grow beds with plants from existing system

May 27

transplant new plants in soil blocks

May 27

monitor all levels of functioning and continually debug and adapt

May 27

capture performance records

May 28 - June 1

Demonstrate and present

June 1

continue monitor all levels of functioning and continually debug and adapt

July and August

how will it be evaluated?

look and feel by survey of students and users of the spaces that the systems will occupy

data logging based on comparison to manual recordings and known physics and chemistry

control based on maintenance of desired conditions

telemetry based on remote monitoring and setting of control parameters