Planned Projects
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This is a list of all planned or ongoing projects.
Senior Project/Masters Thesis Ideas
- rev0Trac u+ (Senior) [See: Senior_Project]
- Add UHF transmitter to rev0Trac
- Theory proven using TDA7100 UHF transmitter IC to generate 1kHz FM tone at 5kHz deviation on 433.92MHz
- Direct FM generation via FM'ing reference frequency (generated by DDS and filtered) at deviation/PLL mult.
- Use UHF transmitter IC as low-cost PLL block + PA
- All blocks individually proven, need to find UHF transmitter IC that is receptive to external clock (as opposed to crystal)
- Pulse characterization of test equipment (Masters)
- Using a high speed pulse to measure and compensate for the response of test equipment, to better represent the actual signal.
- Found idea previously online, can't remember link.
Software Defined Radio (Senior)- Start next quarter in CPE329 with DDS into RF mixer for near-direct synthesis of RF.
- Step 1: VCO
- Step 2: PLL
- Step 3: PLL from divided frequency/digital ref.
- Step 4: Mixer
- Step 1*: DDS/Characterization + Filtering
- Step 5: Generating RF
- Step 6: Filters
- Step 7: Amplifier + Antenna/Matching
- Step 8: Software for generation of various communication protocols
- Short form steps (in case of time limitations):
- Step 1: Talk to DDS
- Step 2: Filter if necessary
- Step 3: Software generation of communication protocols, aim for AM/AM Band communication
- Step 4: Amplifier + Antenna/Matching if necessary
- Status: DDS received, found to be poor reference due to many undesirable harmonics and lower frequency components
- SDR+ (Senior/Masters)
- Spectrum analyzer to find desired communications
- Smart decoding of any common protocol, or identification if decoding not possible
- Real time view of digital data, logging, or analog/sound output/sampling + storage for voice
- Transmitting on same protocol
- RF Playground (Senior/Masters)
- See Agilent Genesys/Spectrasys: RF System Design Software
- Using known properties of mixers, amplifiers, filters, etc., determine system output spectra and performance given inputs, component properties (e.g. IIP3/OIP3, NF, Gain)
- GUI with drag/drop schematic-like design flow
- View signal power and spectra at any point in the system
Planned Projects
- DTMF Hand Mic
- A DTMF tone generator with speaker and microphone for use with radios that do not directly support DTMF
- Driven by an R-2R DAC and microcontroller outputting the addition of two samples of a sine LUT, whose indicies are controlled by interrupts of differing frequency
- Uses an MSP430 MCU, op amp(s), powered by DC bias from speaker output or internal 3V battery
- Case either custom or modification of COTS handmic with keypad (likely easier/cheaper)
- Current status: Have basic plan as outlined above, can breadboard test within a couple hours of setup/programming
- Alarm Clock++
- Alarm clock with reliable operation, multiple settable alarms for any day of the week
- Clear alarm armed indicator
- Multiple sound modes, vibrate
- Link to accelerometer attached to thigh for disabling only when you've actually gotten out of bed
- Current status: Have essential parts + plan
- Wall LED Clock
- Large digit LED clock with multiple colors/brightness for different times of day
- Current stauts: Have parts + plan
- RainbowLaser
- An RGV laser with ability to control from a computer interface/program
- Current status: R+G+V aligned and installed, PCB design needed, circuit already known
- Predictive Sensor
- E.g. thermometer that predicts correct temp within a short period of time without warming up/cooling down fully based on change in temp readings.
- Current status: Crazy idea
- 2.4GHz Spectrum Analyzer/Downconverter/Tracking Generator
- Simple form:
- BPF for 2.45GHz ISM Band, Bandwidth 800MHz
- 0-40dB Attenuator
- Selectable LNA
- Mix input of 2.05-2.85GHz to 30-830MHz using double balanced mixer and 2.02GHz fixed LO (generated by ADF4350 or similar)
- Output viewed directly on 10-1000MHz spectrum analyzer (ISM Band of 2.4-2.5GHz mixed to 380 to 480MHz, viewable on IM-ME spectrum analyzer)
- Full form: (Needs redesign; LO overlaps with RF input, cannot be used to produce tracking output)
- LO sweeps from 2.25-3.05GHz, 3dB split, yielding fixed 200MHz IF
- 3dB split LO mixes with 200MHz ... (see above problems)
- 200MHz BPF, Bandwidth ~5MHz
- Mix input of 200MHz to 10.7MHz using double balanced mixer and 189.3MHz fixed LO
- Selectable IF BW (1M, 300k, 30k, 3k, 300)
- Log amplifier (e.g. AD3810)
- 16-24bit ADC to (USB enabled) MCU, display on (computer or) LCD
- Current status: Planning/requirements stage, ADF4350 (PLL/VCO), AD8310 (Log amp), ADL5801 (Dbl. Bal. Mix) samples ordered, ADF4350 Built + Tested (phase noise too high for low noise spec. an.), BGA2022 based Mixer + RF2373 Amp Board designed + built + tested (works with IM-ME to view ISM 2.4-2.5GHz spectrum).
- Simple form: