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Problem Statement Prototypes Our Approach EE1.14 - Toad Phone: Signal Processing & Data Transmission Evan Whetzel, Dylan Patterson, Elliot White Dr. McCracken, Dr. Forstner, Dr. Koutitas Automated Recording Devices (ARD) These devices are positioned at locations inhabited by the Houston Toad. It work by recording the sound in the area and running the samples through a software program that recognizes the toads call. Although these ARD’s have been proven useful, problems with their use have been recognized. The cost of the ARD’s are around $800 and have to be maintained once every 40 days. Top-Level Design Design Level User: We would like to thank: -Dr. McCracken (Biology Department) -Dr. Forstner (Biology Department) -Dr. Koutitas (Engineering Department) -Mr. Hinkle (Engineering Design Mentor) -Laura Adams (Team Juliet D2 Project Manager) Acknowledgements Team Hamlet Evan Whetzel Elliot White Dylan Patterson Project Overview Dr. McCracken’s Prototype Dr. McCracken created the first Toad Phone prototype. This prototype includes an Android phone, a microphone, a power supply, and a spyware program for data uploads. Dr. McCracken has seen the realization of this device being cost effective, but is still only specific to the Houston Toad. Goals Project Progress Interfaces Software: Hardware: Performance Constraints Business Need Hardware Performance Parameters Parameter Test conditions How tested Output Frequency Accuracy Audible sound from 40 Hz to 1000 Hz Using a tone generator, produce audible frequencies within given test range. Verify that input frequency matches PiSound output with an oscilloscope. Network Signal Strength Locate cell towers in remote area known for poor reception. Using onboard command function access signal strength analyzer. When value drops below minimum threshold, determine distance from nearest tower. Uninterrupted Data Transmission 30 Mb or larger Data files With module at minimum allowable signal strength, transmit file. Open web based server and Wireshark application to view data packet stream. Note: Must be tested after Network Signal Strength. Project Goals: • Expand sampling rate of ADC sound card to enable audio detection for more organisms • Decrease data transmission costs • Develop web interface to access and control the device Stretch Goals: • Ultrasonic detection capabilities • Onboard frequency analyzer for Houston Toads Deliverables Test Parameters • Snowflake Microphone PiSound Card • PiSound Card Raspberry Pi • Raspberry Pi Adafruit Cell Module • Administrative Web Interface - Provides access to files stored on the desktop server, as well as, the ability to copy, edit, or delete stored files, via web browser. • Student web Interface - Provides access to files stored on the desktop server in “view only” mode. • External Control Interface - Power on/off Toad Phone via button Project Milestones Challenges and Concerns MILESTONE Completion Date Person(s) Hardware and Software prepped for Spring Semester 12/6/2017 Evan Whetzel Program Raspberry Pi to interact with Adafruit Fona 3G module 1/22/2018 Dylan Patterson Establish connection between Raspberry Pi and server 1/24/2018 Elliot White Develop web interface to access and control Raspberry Pi 1/29/2018 Elliot White Test FLAC compression methods on Houston Toad audio samples 2/5/2018 Evan Whetzel Finish lab testing and prep for testing in field 2/26/2018 Team Hamlet The Toad Phone is an audio sensor initially intended for logging the call of the Houston Toad, an endangered species of amphibian located in Southeast Texas. There are two second semester Toad Phone teams, Team Romeo and Juliet, who have laid the groundwork for the device by focusing on power management, data compression, and data transmission. The goal of our team is to further enhance the data transmission features, decrease data storage costs, and expand the frequency range of the sound card to broaden the range of animal species that can be monitored. This team will design and integrate a product that not only lowers data transmission cost, but also expands the reach of other endangered organisms that need to be monitored by increasing the frequency range for recording. The web interface will allow the user to easily access the logged data and adjust recording parameters directly from their desk. The Toad Phone will also allow landowners to obtain a Texas Agricultural Tax Exemption Appraisal through the Safe Harbor Act. The Toad Phone will be able to record audio, compress the data, and transmit the compressed files to a web server. The web server will allow the user to easily view the data stored on the device as well as control and adjust parameters for recording, such as recording frequency range and time of recording. The compression methods developed by Team Juliet will be utilized, and we will also integrate Team Romeo’s power management system into the device. This project is designed for expandability, which is why we are implementing a sound card that allows for audio detection of animals with calls up to 96 kHz. All the user needs is a microphone capable of recording at an ultrasonic range and they could cover a majority of the animal kingdom. Research completed for: • Raspberry Pi Model • Adafruit Fona 3G module • AT&T Carrier Plans • Apache Web Server Parts procured: • Raspberry Pi • Adafruit Fona 3G module • PiSound card • FLAC - open source for compression • Downloaded Python Software Performance Parameters Function Description How tested Storage Sampled audio is stored in server or cloud storage for convenient access Through verification of uploaded test sample. Transmission Cell Module sends out recorded audio after every 10 minute sampling through use of 3G network Through verification of uploaded sample on Cloud access web page. Compression Uses FLAC to compress audio samples for smaller memory storage relative to WAV Running FLAC, transmitted FLAC and WAV samples through the Acoustic Audio Analyzer and comparing false flags pulled up. Web Interface An interface to control the basic functions of the Toad Phone accessible remotely over the internet using the 3G capabilities of GSM Module Access the Toad Phone remotely over the 3G connection and confirm that the interface can change the required settings. • Cost of a Cellular Carrier • Privacy of Users • Compatibility • Price • Industry Standard • Environmental: Device can effectively operate within the temperature ranges 20℉ to 100℉ • Transmission: Accuracy of data received by the web server compared to data stored on-board • Compression: Accuracy of compressed data compared to ARD audio sample Figure 1. Raspberry Pi Model 3 Figure 2. Adafruit Fona 3G module Figure 3. Sound Wave of Houston Toad Call in the Frequency Domain Figures • Expand audio recording frequency range with the PiSound card • Connect the Toad Phone to the AT&T cellular network via Adafruit Fona 3G cell module • Develop web server to log the transmitted data, allow access to compressed files, and change recording parameters Constraint Type Specific Project Constraint Economic Budget per product is $350 Environmental Product cannot emit chemicals to environment Health and Safety Safety of other animals that may encounter the product Social/Ethical Recordings could include human interactions and interference Applicable Standards ANSI-EESCC; IEEE 802 Wireless Standards • Raspberry Pi Desktop Server
