Project

# Title Team Members TA Documents Sponsor
7 Mobile Monitoring Box for Solar Panels
 Cole Froelich
Joseph Garcia
Matthew Tyiran
 Jack Li appendix1.zip
design_document4.pdf
final_paper1.pdf
presentation1.pptx
proposal1.pdf
video
# Problem
The performance of a PV system is dependent upon the condition of its individual panels. However, the status of each panel is not easily monitored, so the aggregate supply is measured instead. The maintenance and efficacy of a PV system can be improved by making individual panel measurements easier.

# Solution Overview
Our solution to panel monitoring is a mobile, battery-powered device that will take in-line measurements at the terminals of a solar panel’s inverter. Terminals blocks attached to each panel will provide safe and convenient measurement points. Power will be monitored on both the load (DC generated by panel) and line (AC output of inverter).

# Solution Components
## Power Subsystem
Our system will use a rechargeable battery system so that the device can be easily carried from panel to panel and it is naturally isolated from the panel and line. Power electronics will convert the battery voltage to the necessary levels for other system components.

## Measurement Subsystem
CTs and PTs for measuring the in-line current and voltage that is coming out of the inverter.
Power electronics (buck) to step down DC output from the panel to safe measurement levels.
Thermal couples for recording the surface temperature of the solar panel. Multiple points may be measured to detect Hot Spots that jeopardize the security of the panel and hinders current flow.

## Processing Subsystem
Internal microcontroller for A/D conversion and initial signal processing
Wifi capability (included with microprocessor) to allow for data transfer at the range to a standard PC computer

# Criterion for Success
Our solution can accurately and quickly monitor the performance of individual solar panels, transfer the data to an external location, and service a typical panel array on a single battery charge.

Resonant Cavity Field Profiler

Salaj Ganesh, Max Goin, Furkan Yazici

Resonant Cavity Field Profiler

Featured Project

# Team Members:

- Max Goin (jgoin2)

- Furkan Yazici (fyazici2)

- Salaj Ganesh (salajg2)

# Problem

We are interested in completing the project proposal submitted by Starfire for designing a device to tune Resonant Cavity Particle Accelerators. We are working with Tom Houlahan, the engineer responsible for the project, and have met with him to discuss the project already.

Resonant Cavity Particle Accelerators require fine control and characterization of their electric field to function correctly. This can be accomplished by pulling a metal bead through the cavities displacing empty volume occupied by the field, resulting in measurable changes to its operation. This is typically done manually, which is very time-consuming (can take up to 2 days).

# Solution

We intend on massively speeding up this process by designing an apparatus to automate the process using a microcontroller and stepper motor driver. This device will move the bead through all 4 cavities of the accelerator while simultaneously making measurements to estimate the current field conditions in response to the bead. This will help technicians properly tune the cavities to obtain optimum performance.

# Solution Components

## MCU:

STM32Fxxx (depending on availability)

Supplies drive signals to a stepper motor to step the metal bead through the 4 quadrants of the RF cavity. Controls a front panel to indicate the current state of the system. Communicates to an external computer to allow the user to set operating conditions and to log position and field intensity data for further analysis.

An MCU with a decent onboard ADC and DAC would be preferred to keep design complexity minimum. Otherwise, high MIPS performance isn’t critical.

## Frequency-Lock Circuitry:

Maintains a drive frequency that is equal to the resonant frequency. A series of op-amps will filter and form a control loop from output signals from the RF front end before sampling by the ADCs. 2 Op-Amps will be required for this task with no specific performance requirements.

## AC/DC Conversion & Regulation:

Takes an AC voltage(120V, 60Hz) from the wall and supplies a stable DC voltage to power MCU and motor driver. Ripple output must meet minimum specifications as stated in the selected MCU datasheet.

## Stepper Drive:

IC to control a stepper motor. There are many options available, for example, a Trinamic TMC2100. Any stepper driver with a decent resolution will work just fine. The stepper motor will not experience large loading, so the part choice can be very flexible.

## ADC/DAC:

Samples feedback signals from the RF front end and outputs the digital signal to MCU. This component may also be built into the MCU.

## Front Panel Indicator:

Displays the system's current state, most likely a couple of LEDs indicating progress/completion of tuning.

## USB Interface:

Establishes communication between the MCU and computer. This component may also be built into the MCU.

## Software:

Logs the data gathered by the MCU for future use over the USB connection. The position of the metal ball and phase shift will be recorded for analysis.

## Test Bed:

We will have a small (~ 1 foot) proof of concept accelerator for the purposes of testing. It will be supplied by Starfire with the required hardware for testing. This can be left in the lab for us to use as needed. The final demonstration will be with a full-size accelerator.

# Criterion For Success:

- Demonstrate successful field characterization within the resonant cavities on a full-sized accelerator.

- Data will be logged on a PC for later use.

- Characterization completion will be faster than current methods.

- The device would not need any input from an operator until completion.

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