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).