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The Evaluation of an Embedded System for First Responders Nicholas Brabson The University of Tennessee David Hill Computational Sciences and Engineering Division August 2009
The Evaluation of an Embedded System for First Responders
Nicholas BrabsonThe University of Tennessee
David HillComputational Sciences and Engineering Division
August 2009
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Overview
• Project background• Methodology• Results• Conclusion• Acknowledgments
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Typical emergency responder case
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First Responder needs
• Ways to identify hazardous materials during an emergency
• Ability to enable responders to make key decisions during fire, hazard, and rescue control
• Efficient ways to communicate relative data• Ability to ensure safety of firefighters and first
responders handling hazardous chemicals
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What is SNIFFER?SNIFFER – SensorNet for Fire and First Responders• Device that can autonomously
detect and report harmful chemicals
• Vehicle mounted and portable• Designed to output data to a
plume visual model• All system components are
housed in rugged casing
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What is SNIFFER?Targeted Chemicals• Hydrogen cyanide
• Chlorine
• Ammonia
• Arsine
• Sulfur dioxide
• Hydrochloric acid
• Phosgene
• Ethylene oxide
• Bromomethane
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Hardware topology
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SNIFFER components
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Project goals
• Identify and characterize power supply options for the system
• Test lifetime of battery in changing environments
• Construct PC-104s with each individual module desired
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Batteries selected to compare
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Power supply analysis
Advantages•Small drop in voltage during discharge•Low weight for energy produced•Difficult to damage
Disadvantages•Cadmium causes higher cost•Memory effect•Self discharge
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Power supply analysis
Advantages•Proven technology•Good efficiency
Disadvantages
•Long recharge time•Large in size•Outdated technology
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Power supply analysis
Advantages•Compact Size•High power to weight ratio•Slow self discharge rate
Disadvantages
•Difficult to recharge if discharged too low
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Power supply analysis
Advantages
•Readily available•Cost effective
Disadvantages
•High memory effect•Inefficient self discharge
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Battery selection
Batterytype
Powerper
mass
Cell voltagenominal
Prices Efficiency Rechargetime
Memory Effect
NiCad 150 W/kg 1.24 Med 70 - 90% 1 Hr Very High
LeadAcid 180 W/kg 2.105 High 70 - 92% Several
Hrs No
NiMH250-1000 W/kg
1.2 Low 64% 2 - 4 Hr Yes
Up to 2800 W/kg
3.7 Med 99.80% 2 - 4 Hr No
Li-Ion
Battery comparison
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Hardware configuration
• 50 Watt total output power• Provides two additional serial ports• Second element on stack
• Low power processor• Shock and vibration protection• Integrated data acquisition• First element on stack
Jupiter-MM-SIO
Athena II
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Hardware configuration
• GSM/GPRS and CDMA capability• 1 Mbps data rate• Third element on stack
• Connected by cable• Houses flash card for memory• Final element on stack
ACC-CFEXT card
Janus-MM
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Final stack construction Compact Flash CardGPS CardPower Supply CardAthena II Card
Partially constructed stack Final constructed stack with covering
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Conclusions
• Power supplies were successfully compared and the lithium ion battery type was chosen
• Athena II computer was assembled with additional interface cards attached for desired functions
• Both the power supply and PC-104 were included in the SNIFFER prototype
• LabView code was reviewed and learned for future use
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Future of SNIFFER
• Develop a standard that all devices similar to SNIFFER could use to improve prototype
• Train officials on how to effectively use the device
• Continue testing and improving product in conjunction with various emergency organizations
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Acknowledgments• The Research Alliance in Math and Science program is
sponsored by the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research, U.S. Department of Energy.
• The work was performed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. De-AC05-00OR22725. This work has been authored by a contractor of the U.S. Government, accordingly, the U.S. Government retains a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish or reproduce the published form of this contribution, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes.
• Special thanks to David Hill, Debbie McCoy, and Rashida Askia
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Questions
