Device Design
Engineering Links:
Project Description
The device was designed to achieve the right balance between customer satisfaction, reliability, and cost. Many technologies were considered, and their specification outline is given in the table below.
Essentially, the device detects a roll event based on a combination of sensors including an electronic gyroscope, electronic accelerometer, and magnetometer. The orientation sensor can track the angle of the tractor relative to the horizon and warn the farmer of an imminent roll by signaling a set of strobe lights. In the event of a roll, a wireless signal is sent to proper authorities that contains GPS location information for immediate response. Depending on the technology chosen, this wireless signal can be ground-based (terrestrial) or satellite-based (extra-terrestrial). A block diagram of the satellite-based system is given below, with its system diagram following.
Specification |
Prototype |
Basic |
Intermediate |
Advanced |
Power Requirement |
Low |
Low |
Medium |
High |
Com Distance* |
200m |
>3mi. |
Global |
Global |
Usability |
Easy |
Easy |
Moderate |
Cumbersome |
Sys Complexity |
Simple |
Simple |
Moderate |
Complicated |
Maintenance |
N/A |
Low |
Moderate |
Very High |
Level-of-Effort |
~2 wks. |
~1-2 mo. |
~ 3-4 mo. |
8-12 mo. minimum |
Reliability |
N/A |
Moderate |
High |
High |
Multidisciplinary Impact |
N/A |
Low |
Moderate |
Very High |
*Com Distance refers to how far the wireless transmission communicates. Upon successful wireless transmission, authorities will be notified over the internet.
