Janus Janus TechnologiesTechnologies

A Wireless Gateway Device for the A Wireless Gateway Device for the SolarMax Charge ControllerSolarMax Charge Controller

Team 9

Adam Ciapponi

Matthew Giassa

Dan Hilbich

Robert Szolomicki

Why: Project Why: Project MotivationMotivation

• Team member noticed room for Team member noticed room for improvement during his coop at improvement during his coop at Analytic SystemAnalytic System

• Set out to realize and implement Set out to realize and implement these improvementsthese improvements

Team StructureTeam Structure

• Flat team structure was chosenFlat team structure was chosen

• Equal distribution of dutiesEqual distribution of duties

• Each team member involved in every Each team member involved in every aspect of the projectaspect of the project

System OverviewSystem Overview

• Our system replaces an existing Our system replaces an existing interface deviceinterface device

• System administrators control the System administrators control the SolarMax remotelySolarMax remotely

Current Current ImplementationImplementation

• Direct physical connection to the SolarMaxDirect physical connection to the SolarMax• Features pushbuttons and an LCDFeatures pushbuttons and an LCD

SolarMaxCharge

Controller System

Device Status...SerialCable

Solar Panel Array

Interface Device

Modified VersionModified Version

• Accomplishes the same tasks as the originalAccomplishes the same tasks as the original• Adds wireless connectivity to the original designAdds wireless connectivity to the original design

SolarMaxCharge

Controller System

Device StatusWirelessLink

Wireless Gateway Device

High Level DesignHigh Level Design

• Several additions to original designSeveral additions to original design– Wireless data transferWireless data transfer– Ethernet interfaceEthernet interface– Scalable designScalable design

LCD and PushbuttonsLCD and Pushbuttons• Larger LCDLarger LCD

• Displays output data by menusDisplays output data by menus

• Doesn’t display all data at onceDoesn’t display all data at once

•Communicates VIA ICommunicates VIA I ²CC

II²C CommunicationsC Communications

Wireless Wireless CommunicationCommunication

•Separate wireless adapters for:Separate wireless adapters for:– Each SolarMax unitEach SolarMax unit– The wireless gateway deviceThe wireless gateway device

Wireless Adapter

SolarMaxCharge

Controller System

Wireless Adapter

RS232-to-Wireless RS232-to-Wireless AdapterAdapter

• Attaches to each SolarMax unitAttaches to each SolarMax unit• Connects the SolarMax to the wireless adapterConnects the SolarMax to the wireless adapter• Low-cost adapter boardLow-cost adapter board

SolarMaxCharge

Controller System

Wireless Adapter

RS232 Adapter Board

Bidirectional Wireless Data Transfer

Internet ConnectivityInternet Connectivity

• Device connects to the internetDevice connects to the internet

• Has a built-in web serverHas a built-in web server

• Controllable with a web browserControllable with a web browser

Wireless Gateway Device

Ethernet Board

The Internet

Business CaseBusiness Case

• Narrow market already existsNarrow market already exists

• Janus Technologies originally proposed the idea Janus Technologies originally proposed the idea to Analytic Systemsto Analytic Systems

• Further additions will increase its valueFurther additions will increase its value

Development CostsDevelopment Costs

• Overall development costs were around $700.00Overall development costs were around $700.00

• Gateway is most expensive pieceGateway is most expensive piece

• SolarMax adapters are much cheaperSolarMax adapters are much cheaper

Development Costs (2)Development Costs (2)

• Future implementation will be one gateway, Future implementation will be one gateway, multiple SolarMax adaptersmultiple SolarMax adapters

• Would offset the cost considerablyWould offset the cost considerably

CompetitionCompetition

• Janus Technologies is the sole provider of this Janus Technologies is the sole provider of this type of system at the present timetype of system at the present time

• No major competition in this marketNo major competition in this market

TimelineTimeline

• All major tasks were broken into three tiers of All major tasks were broken into three tiers of development:development:

–Tier 1: FundamentalTier 1: Fundamental–Tier 2: Functionally RelevantTier 2: Functionally Relevant–Tier 3: Optional / Nice to haveTier 3: Optional / Nice to have

• Tier 1 completedTier 1 completed• Tier 2 near completionTier 2 near completion

– Still needs SD card functiionality Still needs SD card functiionality

• Tier 3 80% completeTier 3 80% complete– Integration of ethernet board remainsIntegration of ethernet board remains

GANTT ChartGANTT Chart

Project Schedule

Post-Mortem

Group Presentation/Dem o

Oral Progress Reports

Functional Specification

Get Push Buttons Working

Get Wireless Serial Trans fer Working

Get SD Card Logging Working

Written Progress Report

Arrange Web and SVN Hosting

% of Task Completed% of Task Remaining

Budget ConsiderationsBudget Considerations

• Equal contributions to parts purchasesEqual contributions to parts purchases

• Analytic Systems is reimbursing the teamAnalytic Systems is reimbursing the team

TeamworkTeamwork

• “ “Waterfall” design methodology usedWaterfall” design methodology used

• All tasks divided equally amongst team membersAll tasks divided equally amongst team members

Experience GainedExperience Gained

• Insight with different group dynamicsInsight with different group dynamics

• Maintained regular communicationsMaintained regular communications

• Several protocols Several protocols – TCPIPTCPIP– II22CC– RS232RS232

Future WorkFuture Work

• Data logging functionalityData logging functionality

• Integration of ethernet boardIntegration of ethernet board

• USB connectivityUSB connectivity

Future Work [2]

• Digital control of antenna powerDigital control of antenna power

• Reduce physical dimensionsReduce physical dimensions

• Reduce costReduce cost

Sources of InformationSources of Information

•PIC24FJ64GA004 Family Data Sheet. 2009. Microchip Technologies. PIC24FJ64GA004 Family Data Sheet. 2009. Microchip Technologies. 20 Jan 2009 20 Jan 2009 <http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/39881c.pdf><http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/39881c.pdf>

•ENC28J60. 2009. ENC28J60. 2009. Microchip Product CatalogMicrochip Product Catalog. 20 Jan 2009. . 20 Jan 2009. <http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?<http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en022889>dDocName=en022889>

•Ethernet Solutions Design Center. 2009. Ethernet Solutions Design Center. 2009. Microchip Design ResourcesMicrochip Design Resources. . 6 Jan 2009. <www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?6 Jan 2009. <www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1489>IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1489>

•Ian Lesnet. 2008. Web Server on a Business Card. Ian Lesnet. 2008. Web Server on a Business Card. Hack-A-Day. Hack-A-Day. 4 Jan 4 Jan 2009.2009. < <httphttp:/://www/www..hackaday.com/2008/09/18/web-server-on-a-hackaday.com/2008/09/18/web-server-on-a-business-card-part-1business-card-part-1>>

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

• Our professors and TA’s for their feedback on Our professors and TA’s for their feedback on our workour work

• Professor Leung for lending us evaluation Professor Leung for lending us evaluation boardsboards

• Eugene Trandafir and his colleagues at Analytic Eugene Trandafir and his colleagues at Analytic Systems for the use of their SolarMax unitSystems for the use of their SolarMax unit

Low Level System Low Level System OverviewOverview

SolarMax or Standard x86 PC

RS232 Board

RS232

Antenna

Serial Link

S1

S2

D1

D4

ENB

Wireless Serial Link Board

Wireless Serial Link Antenna

Serial Link

S1

S2

D1

D4

ENB

Wireless Serial Link Board

a11

a223

a34

a4

b1b2b3b4

5678

Vcc10

Main Board

Low Level System Overview

Pushbuttons

Proprietary Interface (Interrupt-based notifications)

a11

a223

a34

a4

b1b2b3b4

5678

Vcc10

LCD Board

LCD

Proprietary Interface (4 bit serial data feed)

I2C (Inter-IntegratedCircuit Link)

a11

a223

a34

a4

b1b2b3b4

5678

Vcc10

Ethernet Board

I2C (Inter-IntegratedCircuit Link)

Router

TCPIP

Internet

TCPIP