The Team Formerly Known as
NREL 2
Ryan Manning
Eric Simley
Arvind Talukdar
Presentation Outline
Solar Tracker/DE2 Development Project
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Brief overview: Original Goals, Modified Goals
System block diagram: Highlighting project
essentials
System Specifications (schematics… etc.)
Software Descriptions
Division of Responsibility
Parts List: Obtained, not obtained
Schedule
Recap
The Problem
Our Solution
Original Project Goals

Complete low-cost solar tracking system with
monitor (VGA) and keyboard (USB) setup.
Modified Project Goals

Focus on essential areas: I/O, LCD, A/D,
multiplexing system, stepper motor apparatus.
System Block Diagram
Mouse
USB
I/O
Essential
I/O
Keyboard
USB
Stepper Motors/
Mechanical
Apparatus
Altera DE2 Board
Non-Essential
I/O
VGA
Monitor/Interface
Photodetectors
Solar Panel/
Battery
Apparatus
Photodetector Circuit
VGA Schematic
VGA Timing
Photovoltaic Cell Circuit
I/O Schematic
Software
Photodetector
Inputs
Data Input
Read
Motor Ctrl
according to
photodetectors
Store
Mux Ctrl
Cycle
No
Compare
Inputs
No
Done. Now
sleep
Yes
Power
Optimized?
Max @ 90°?
Yes
Motor Ctrl
according to
PV power
Solar Panel
Input
Stepper Motor Circuit
Driver Circuit Specifications
Motor runs at 2.8A/step
4-Lead Bipolar Stepper Motor
Supply voltage 12-42 V
Level shifter for input to PWM and DIR
Sign Magnitude PWM
Division of Tasks
Stepper Motor Mechanical Apparatus – Everyone
A/D and Multiplexing circuit – Eric
Stepper Motor Driver Circuit and Control – Arvind
PV Cell Power Management – Ryan
I/O pin logic – Complete (Ryan)
Monitor interface – Eric
Keyboard interface – Ryan
Algorithm Development – Eric and Arvind…and Ryan
Bill of Materials
Item
Altera DE2 Core
Solar Panel
Phototransistor
Stepper Motor
Mux
LMD18200
AD9215
Level Shifter
Breadboard
Halogen Lamp
Misc. (Apparatus)
Quantity
2
1
25
2
3
2
2
1
1
1
Several
Budget
Price
Obtained
$0.00
$0
$0.00
$0
$75.00
$12.00
$60.00
$60.00
$30.00
$20.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$22.00
$0.85
$0.00
$40.00
$40.00
$21.00
$21.00
$100
$0.00
$370.85
$1,000
$197
Milestone 1 3/20
Functional Stepper Motor Circuit
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Control motor position using software
Functional Photodetector Circuit

Switch between multiple photodetector
outputs
Functional PV Cell Power Circuit


Monitor instantaneous Power Output
Charge 12V Battery
Milestone 2 4/17
Keyboard Input
VGA Output
Final PV Cell/Stepper Motor Hardware
Complete
Schedule
Questions