System for Engine Location Of a Web Train
Project Proposal -CTCDS
Paul Wimmer and Adam Weintrop
Dr. Irwin and Dr. Schertz
12/5/05

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
2

Introduction
Engine Location
Current Sensors Engine Location System
Average Speed
The “Web Train” is a n-scale model train that is controlled by a remote user. The Engine Location
System will determine the location and speed of the engine
3

Future Applications
• At the end of the year – a fully functional web train
• At the end of ten years – a system for toxic manufacturing automation
• At the end of 50 years – a underground mining operation on Mars
4

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
5

Functional Description
Train Track segments
Input
Hardware system
Microcontroller Output Computer
6

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
7

Hardware Block Diagram
Inputs
Current Sensors
(Resistors across track segments)
System Amplifier
Outputs
Analog to Digital
Converter
Multiplexer
Microcontroller I/O
Ports
8

Current Sensing Methods
Method Pros Cons
8-bit with variable range
Built in the microprocessor board, # of trains
Requires more software
10-bit Can determine # of trains and # of cars
Expensive
“2-bit” “2-bit” method can be designed cheap enough to have the A/D on every track segment, this reduces analog related problems
Cannot determine # of trains
9

Hardware Block Diagram
Inputs
Current Sensors
(Resistors across track segments)
System
Amplifier
Outputs
Analog to Digital
Converter
Multiplexer
Microcontroller I/O
Ports
10

Hardware Design
11

Hardware Simulations
Both low
(resistor is carrying
High current)
No current through resistor
One high, one low
(resistor is carrying low
Current)
12

Sample an input
Software Flow Chart
Gather Data
Compare to lookup table values
Determine weather the train is on this segment of track
Compare to the previous segment of track
Compare velocity to a known amount of time
Compute Values
Compute the velocity e
N
L w c o ti a n o
Compare position to a known amount of time
Compute the
Acceleration
Send position, velocity and acceleration information to the
CPU
Get New Data
Switch digital inputs
Same train location / train not in motion
13

Software Design
Track Layout
14

Software Design
Track Section 1
Track Section 2
15

Expansion to more Track Sections
• With only the inner loop, we cannot test direction
3
4
Must check
2 and 3
Must check 4
And 1
This is just
4 – this must
Be done with
21 segments
1
Train 2
16

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
17

Standards
DCC Standard
18

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
19

Schedule – Gantt Chart
20

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
21

Equipment
• We will use the web train board
• If hardware system works well, we hope to make PCB
• New microcontroller board if necessary
22

Outline
• Introduction
• Functional Description
• Block Diagram
• Standards
• Schedule
• Equipment List
• Conclusion
23

Conclusion
Successful because of
• A/D innovation
• Project can progress with current equipment
• Expandable
24

Conclusion
Utility of this Project
• If user sets speed of each engine, why do we need a system to tell the user where the engine is?
– Internet has delays—this is local information
– Can be used to implement collision avoidance
– Also needed train decoupling information
25

Questions?
26