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Janus Technologies

Janus Technologies. A Wireless Gateway Device for the SolarMax Charge Controller. Team 9 Adam Ciapponi Matthew Giassa Dan Hilbich Robert Szolomicki. Why: Project Motivation. Team member noticed room for improvement during his coop at Analytic System

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Janus Technologies

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  1. Janus Technologies A Wireless Gateway Device for the SolarMax Charge Controller Team 9 Adam Ciapponi Matthew Giassa Dan Hilbich Robert Szolomicki

  2. Why: Project Motivation • Team member noticed room for improvement during his coop at Analytic System • Set out to realize and implement these improvements

  3. Team Structure • Flat team structure was chosen • Equal distribution of duties • Each team member involved in every aspect of the project

  4. System Overview • Our system replaces an existing interface device • System administrators control the SolarMax remotely

  5. Current Implementation • Direct physical connection to the SolarMax • Features pushbuttons and an LCD

  6. Modified Version • Accomplishes the same tasks as the original • Adds wireless connectivity to the original design

  7. High Level Design • Several additions to original design • Wireless data transfer • Ethernet interface • Scalable design

  8. LCD and Pushbuttons • Larger LCD • Displays output data by menus • Doesn’t display all data at once • Communicates VIA I ²C

  9. I²C Communications

  10. Wireless Communication • Separate wireless adapters for: • Each SolarMax unit • The wireless gateway device

  11. RS232-to-Wireless Adapter • Attaches to each SolarMax unit • Connects the SolarMax to the wireless adapter • Low-cost adapter board

  12. Internet Connectivity • Device connects to the internet • Has a built-in web server • Controllable with a web browser

  13. Business Case • Narrow market already exists • Janus Technologies originally proposed the idea to Analytic Systems • Further additions will increase its value

  14. Development Costs • Overall development costs were around $700.00 • Gateway is most expensive piece • SolarMax adapters are much cheaper

  15. Development Costs (2) • Future implementation will be one gateway, multiple SolarMax adapters • Would offset the cost considerably

  16. Competition • Janus Technologies is the sole provider of this type of system at the present time • No major competition in this market

  17. Timeline • All major tasks were broken into three tiers of development: • Tier 1: Fundamental • Tier 2: Functionally Relevant • Tier 3: Optional / Nice to have • Tier 1 completed • Tier 2 near completion • Still needs SD card functiionality • Tier 3 80% complete • Integration of ethernet board remains

  18. GANTT Chart

  19. Budget Considerations • Equal contributions to parts purchases • Analytic Systems is reimbursing the team

  20. Teamwork • “Waterfall” design methodology used • All tasks divided equally amongst team members

  21. Experience Gained • Insight with different group dynamics • Maintained regular communications • Several protocols • TCPIP • I2C • RS232

  22. Future Work • Data logging functionality • Integration of ethernet board • USB connectivity

  23. Future Work [2] • Digital control of antenna power • Reduce physical dimensions • Reduce cost

  24. Sources of Information • PIC24FJ64GA004 Family Data Sheet. 2009. Microchip Technologies. 20 Jan 2009 <http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/39881c.pdf> • ENC28J60. 2009. Microchip Product Catalog. 20 Jan 2009. <http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en022889> • Ethernet Solutions Design Center. 2009. Microchip Design Resources. 6 Jan 2009. <www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1489> • Ian Lesnet. 2008. Web Server on a Business Card. Hack-A-Day. 4 Jan 2009. <http://www.hackaday.com/2008/09/18/web-server-on-a-business-card-part-1>

  25. Acknowledgments • Our professors and TA’s for their feedback on our work • Professor Leung for lending us evaluation boards • Eugene Trandafir and his colleagues at Analytic Systems for the use of their SolarMax unit

  26. Low Level System Overview

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