BCC Automated Read Range Tester
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Synopsis
The objective of this project is to provide logic and instrumentation that will enable PSMFC to track the performance of the BCC transceiver. In turn it will also provide a useful tool to be used during calibration of the transceiver.
The main function of the Automated Read Range Tester (ARRT) will be to provide a 'distance' from a baseline that a specific tag is read. This distance will be emailed to a log file and graphed on a web page. The system will also provide the PSMFC field techs with the ability to move a tag in and out of the field from the pittag room while calibrating the transceiver.
Pictures
Pictures
Current Project Status
Troy 11:58, 3 January 2008 (PST)Conceptual design has begun.
Troy 07:26, 23 December 2008 (PST)Design and testing are complete. CAD drawings are complete. Linear Screw housing is being constructed per CAD drawings. Waiting on bid and construction of electronics housing.
Troy 14:59, 24 February 2009 (PST) Unit is being vigorously tested prior to water up for optimization and reliability. The unit is able to run a manually manipulated test. The unit is ready for Automation but with out feed back from the transceiver this will not be a viable control scenario. Emails and alarms are in place and trending is ready to go.
Troy 13:38, 22 March 2010 (PDT) It was determined in the spring of 2009 that the linear screw was not reliable, vibration of the deck, temperature changes would cause the unit to fail. Attempts to fortify the screw were made to no avail. Research was done to find an alternative. The lead screw was replaced with a linear drive and aluminum housing. The unit continued to fail and it was suspected that the stepper motor was failing so an alternative to that was found. A servo motor and drive were settle on. It was then determined that the large aluminum housing was possibly coupling onto to the field so it was requested that the grating be extended so that the aluminum housing could me moved further from the field. With the grating extended a new set of plastic housings were developed and installed prior to water up in March of 2010.
A modified version of M4 was also installed in March of 2010, allowing ARRT to operated as it was originally designed to.
Issues
See BCC_Read_Range_Tester. Also view the Discussion tab.
Recommendations for Future Enhancements
Journal
In early 2008, initial investigation into what type of equipment would be required was carried out. The project was then shelved due to the lab re-location and the spring season. In mid Summer 2008 parts were ordered and programming began. In the Fall of 2008 several tests were performed in the lab and on location at BCC. It was determined that the electronic equipment needed to be housed in the same enclosure and extensive RF shielding was required on the enclosure to ensure there was no negative affect on the performance of the BCC transceiver.
In late Fall of 2008 the CAD drawings were completed and a builder for the plastic screw housing was found.
In late 2008 and early 2009 the construction of the housings were completed, assembled and installed on site to do initial testing prior to the site watering up. Testing can only be done on the functionality of the ARRT unit itself, as there is yet a 'one-off' of Minimon or M4 that will send a divert code to the PLC.
Troy 14:49, 24 February 2009 (PST)Testing in being conducted to optimize the unit. PSMFC is trying to minimize the time the unit is in the field by increasing the speed of the unit. The risk is that with higher speeds the likely hood of the unit over traveling becomes greater. Depending on where in the cycle an over travel occurs this can lead to even more time in the field than if the unit was ran slowly in and out as the unit has to correct it's self when an over travel occurs. Currently a the total time the unit could be in the field is determined by how long the tag is inside the shield for each test. 6.03 sec's proves to be fairly reliable. (4000+ test with no OT's) The fastest has been 4.8 sec but resulted in several over travels. Currently running at 5.48 sec. More information is available on ARRT Testing
Troy 09:15, 1 September 2010 (PDT)
Results for the 2010 Season.
The counters for ARRT were reset on 4/5/2010 at 13:03. From that time until 9/1/2010 at 08:30 3668 tests were ran and 3405 result in a read greater than -30 inches.
Meeting Minutes
LINKS
Pertinent links
