TELSS

TELSS- Transmitted Electronic Limit Speed Signal

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Abstract/Executive Summary

Transmitted Electronic Limit Speed Sign (TELSS) is a programmable wireless transmitter and receiver. TELSS requires two components; the first one of TELSS is a transmitter that is capable of receiving inputted data from a portable keypad. The keypad will interface with the transmitter that will then store the data that is inputted into memory and transmit that data to the second component of TELSS. The Second component of TELSS is the receiver. The receiver would need to be placed into every vehicle that is capable of driving on the road. The receiver would then send the signal to a 6811 that would then convert the signal that is received from the transmitter and display that signal on a LCD display inside the vehicle. If the vehicle were to exceed the speed limit that has been transmitted, an alarm would sound indicating the driver to slow down to the posted limit. This system will may drivers aware of the speed limit at all times and can be programmed to different speeds and lower the cost of making and replacing outdated signs.

Objectives

There are a couple of different objectives that we are going to reach with this project. The first objective of this project is to build a working model of a wireless Transmitted Electronic Limit Speed Sign (TELSS). The goal is to provide drivers with a speed limit sign right in their own car. This will eliminate the need of speed limit signs on the side of the road causing hazardous driving conditions. TELSS will also help people that are unfamiliar with an area and will notify them of the local speed limits. The second goal of this project is to provide a safer environment for schools and construction zones by warning drivers of a speed limit change for upcoming driving conditions. The third goal of this project is to make a device that can be programmed to different speeds and lower the cost of making and replacing outdated signs. Our last goal is to provide the local or state police department with a 100% assurance that when they pull a vehicle over that the driver knew what the speed limit was.

General Approach

The team’s general approach for this project will be to connect a keypad to the 6811. Axide is the program that will be used to program the 6811 to receive the input data from the keypad. This will be stored in the 6811, displayed on a LCD, and transmitted. The receiver will then accept the data that was sent from the transmitter and send it to the 6811. Then the 6811 will send the signal to the LCD display. The information that will be displayed on the LCD will be the speed limit for that road. The 6811 will also receive information from a hall-effects sensor that will record the speed of the vehicle. We will then compare the actual speed of the vehicle and the value of received data using the 6811. A siren will be connected to the output of the comparator. It will determine if the speed of the vehicle is greater than the posted speed limit. Then it will emit a signal, sounding the alarm to slow down to the posted speed limit.

Contractual Aspects

For this project there are no special permissions needed. Because the transmitter and receiver that we are using are designed for experimental use, we did not have to acquire special permission or any certifications from the FCC to operate the transmitter and receiver. If TELSS were to go on the market, then FCC would need to inspect and approve the device and the frequency that it would use.

Resources

The materials that will be required will be a wireless transmitter and receiver. We will also need two 6811s, one keypad, one hall-effects sensor, one siren, two LCD displays, and a case of the project.

The cost break down is as follows:

	2 x 6811…………………...…$220.00
	Keypad………………………$5.00
	Hall-Effects Sensor………….$4.00
	Siren………………….….. $5.00
	2 x LCD Displays..………….$30.00
	Transmitter…………………. $58.95
	Receiver……………………. $88.95
	Project Box………………….$20.00
	Shipping/Handling…………. $20.00
	Total……………………….. $451.90

The two 6811s and the keypad are materials that we have obtained throughout the duration of our schooling at DeVry. The rest of the parts had to be ordered or found at local stores. The parts ordered were one transmitter, one receiver, one hall-effects sensor, and two LCD displays. Our team has ordered the transmitter and receiver from http://www.HVWtech.com, the hall-effects sensor was ordered from http://www.digikey.com, and the LCDs were ordered from http://www.crystalfontz.com. It took no more than 5 days to receive all the parts. The project box and the siren were found at a local hobby shop. The cost of the materials will be split up evenly between both parties in the group.

Personnel

Joshua Vargas and Eric Janik are the only two personnel that are working on this project. Being that there are only two of us we will both work on the same task until completed. Only in a few occurrences will we work on separate tasks. We will work independently on the hardware and software design. For all other tasks we will work together. If either of us finish our task first or before the scheduled finish time then the person who finished first will assist the other to help finish their task on or before the deadline.

Technical Details

For the construction of this system, a keypad was first step in the process. While waiting for the delivery of the transmitter and the receiver, a keypad system was designed for the input of the speed limit. Using the AxIDE program, it was determined that the keypad was successful. This let us proceed to the next step. When the transmitter and the receiver had arrived, they were scoped and tested to determine how they functioned. Using the data from the testing the keypad, the transmitter, and the receiver the soft ware was designed. As we altered our system, the software had to be adjusted and retested. Last was the implementation of the hall-effects sensor. The sensors circuit was built and tested with no problems. We are currently working to incorporate the signal given by the sensor into the software and design a case for our system.

Evaluation Methods

Our team will evaluate our progress based upon our Gantt chart. If we happen to fall behind in a particular area of our project then we will reevaluate how the team is working on a specific task and split apart to complete one task and the other group member will begin working on the task that needs to be started. Each task that we have assigned has been allotted more than enough time to complete.

Potential Problems

One problem that we may run into would be a power issue. If the device was to be used commercially then we would be able to connect the device to an existing power source (light poles, traffic lights, etc.). For experimental purposes we will use batteries.

Another potential problem that we may run into is interference from other radio devices. Something could interfere with the signal that we are transmitting and could possibly change the signal, or not transmit the signal at all.

Also the location of the transmitting device needs to be taken into consideration. If transmitters are placed within the same range of each other than the signal could be mixed and cause problems. The location of the transmitters on a street needs to be set so that it will not transmit into the location of another street. This may cause drivers to read the incorrect speed limit.