Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
5 Mesh Network Positioning System
 Noah Breit
Peter Giannetos
 Michael Gamota proposal1.pdf
### Team Members
- Peter Giannetos (PG19)
- Noah Breit (NHBREIT2)

# Abstract
Create a wireless positioning system of meshed stationary nodes that is able to track moving nodes over a predefined area at long ranges in excess of 1 km. An inspiration for this project comes from high altitude amateur rocketry where GNSS exclusive tracking systems are unable to maintain a lock at high velocities. However, this is not limited to rocketry and can be expanded to drone swarms or other general asset tracking.

_([Initial Idea Post](https://courses.grainger.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=76218))_

# Background
Our engineering team Spaceshot from the [Illinois Space Society](https://www.illinoisspacesociety.org/) is working towards being one of the first collegiate teams to build and launch a completely student designed vehicle 100km to the edge of space; Also known as the Kármán line.

A big challenge in achieving this goal is reliably validating altitude, because many commercial GNSS systems are not able to operate at those extreme conditions which is where the inspiration for this project is derived.

_(Spaceshot recently broke the University's 7-year standing altitude record in June of 2024, and is looking to do so again in the summer of 2025. [Kairos II Launch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WY3OQx-jNs))_

# Objective
The goal of this system is to lay the foundation for an alternative redundant positioning system that may one day be used to help verify vehicle altitude over long ranges. The scope of this project will not focus on achieving these long ranges, but the link budget appears feasible.

Instead, this project will focus on creating a proof of concept for lower altitude vehicles and as a general tracking system that can be used for many other applications beyond vehicle tracking.

## Other Potential Usages
- Drone tracking
- Warehouse asset & robotics tracking
- Car tracking

## Novelty Compared to GNSS
A large part of the novelty is that this system is not entirely reliant on GNSS satellites meaning it serves as a redundant backup solution for assets that require extra reliability. However, here are some other potential novelties compared to GNSS

- Indoors and/or outdoor usage
- Different frequency band than GPS (2.4GHz vs 1.57GHz)*
- Faster update rate than typical consumer GPS (+10Hz)
- Higher velocity tracking
- High velocity tracking**

*_This helps de-conflict with Iridium usage which has been shown to sometimes interfere with GPS signals._

**_The system is most likely able to track higher velocities than consumer grade GNSS, but for the purposes of a demo we won't be able to test that in class. However, we may be able to test fly this system with our RSO in ~April._


# System Overview

## Key Points
- Anchor nodes have a stationary predetermined known location via GNSS or other methods.
- Rover nodes have an unknown moving location and are the subjects of the tracking
- Anchor nodes with synchronized time use time division to sequentially ping rover nodes
- Distance from ToF data from each Anchor node is used to calculate position
- 2.4 GHz LoRa modulation is used as a carrier signal and the radio measures the"Time of Flight" between messages
- 915 MHz LoRa is used for command and control of the Anchor nodes and to relay information between their mesh network
- Each node also may have WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity for relaying data to the user
- Each node has a battery charger circuit for charging LiPo batteries
- Anchor nodes have a DC in that can be used for solar panels or other power sources in extended operation modes

### Diagrams
- [Rover Node](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1s-36r-JjqxyTw7y8X974gufuxaq0_UOH/view?usp=sharing)
- [Anchor Node](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1r33J0ESABEdzihPbGCJ6SNQ7NYmtnM9_/view?usp=sharing)

### Schematics
- [Rover Node](https://drive.google.com/file/d/18-mt-91eqGyq5F5amYsRW0zK7k6PrgOG/view?usp=sharing)
- [Anchor Node](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1wgfl9TMk5EhXdlnkxCsD5ZM0D6RoE0kX/view?usp=sharing)

### Layouts
- [Rover Node Front](https://drive.google.com/file/d/177LjG0lPpOCkkIHr40mCEJd_GgLVCnwK/view?usp=sharing)
- [Rover Node Back](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1zS2saVFtNqWhWLpZFaUtUVLBXwYDhPUr/view?usp=sharing)
- [Anchor Node Front](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1umoRkIO3XNXMvPkvjQ44fK_oXh8rU63C/view?usp=sharing)
- [Anchor Node Back](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g0U6Ht-ASRbU-8QZHsjqA0HMhdr1DFMh/view?usp=sharing)

_(All files have been shared with @illinois.edu emails)_

# High Level Success Requirements

- Perform 3D trilateration of a rover node
- Read and stream barometer, GNSS, and other data to another node for data logging
- Publish live data to a local WiFi network

# Final Demo Idea
Playing catch or with a tennis ball with a 3D plot for position visualization, or walking around a field with the rover node that is then displays it's position on a phone/computer.

## Intermediary Objectives:
- PCB bring up (Validate all subsystem work separately)
- Perform 1D trilateration of a rover node
- Perform 2D trilateration of a rover node
- Calibrate ranging radios

## Side Objectives:
_(For fun & only if we have time)_
- Create an antenna tracker connected to the mesh network to track the moving object (Good proof of concept for using high gain antennas for reaching 100km or for using cameras to record an asset. ([Adafruit Pan/Tilt Kit](https://www.adafruit.com/product/1967))

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Sungmin Jang, Anita Jung, Zheng Liu

Interactive Proximity Donor Wall Illumination

Featured Project

Team Members:

Anita Jung (anitaj2)

Sungmin Jang (sjang27)

Zheng Liu (zliu93)

Link to the idea: https://courses.engr.illinois.edu/ece445/pace/view-topic.asp?id=27710

Problem:

The Donor Wall on the southwest side of first floor in ECEB is to celebrate and appreciate everyone who helped and donated for ECEB.

However, because of poor lighting and color contrast between the copper and the wall behind, donor names are not noticed as much as they should, especially after sunset.

Solution Overview:

Here is the image of the Donor Wall:

http://buildingcampaign.ece.illinois.edu/files/2014/10/touched-up-Donor-wall-by-kurt-bielema.jpg

We are going to design and implement a dynamic and interactive illuminating system for the Donor Wall by installing LEDs on the background. LEDs can be placed behind the names to softly illuminate each name. LEDs can also fill in the transparent gaps in the “circuit board” to allow for interaction and dynamic animation.

And our project’s system would contain 2 basic modes:

Default mode: When there is nobody near the Donor Wall, the names are softly illuminated from the back of each name block.

Moving mode: When sensors detect any stimulation such as a person walking nearby, the LEDs are controlled to animate “current” or “pulses” flowing through the “circuit board” into name boards.

Depending on the progress of our project, we have some additional modes:

Pressing mode: When someone is physically pressing on a name block, detected by pressure sensors, the LEDs are controlled to

animate scattering of outgoing light, just as if a wave or light is emitted from that name block.

Solution Components:

Sensor Subsystem:

IR sensors (PIR modules or IR LEDs with phototransistor) or ultrasonic sensors to detect presence and proximity of people in front of the Donor Wall.

Pressure sensors to detect if someone is pressing on a block.

Lighting Subsystem:

A lot of LEDs is needed to be installed on the PCBs to be our lighting subsystem. These are hidden as much as possible so that people focus on the names instead of the LEDs.

Controlling Subsystem:

The main part of the system is the controlling unit. We plan to use a microprocessor to process the signal from those sensors and send signal to LEDs. And because the system has different modes, switching between them correctly is also important for the project.

Power Subsystem:

AC (Wall outlet; 120V, 60Hz) to DC (acceptable DC voltage and current applicable for our circuit design) power adapter or possible AC-DC converter circuit

Criterion for success:

Whole system should work correctly in each mode and switch between different modes correctly. The names should be highlighted in a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing way. Our project is acceptable for senior design because it contains both hardware and software parts dealing with signal processing, power, control, and circuit design with sensors.

Project Videos