Design and Project Management 3180 Lab OneSeptember 15 th 2014

Chris Franklin 100400543, Philip Hetzel 100454395, Kaiser Li 100489409

Need:

To transmit data (message) at the highest baud rate possible without use of WiFi.

Objective:

To achieve this goal the following needs must be met:

1. The customer wishes to send data in UA2140, the size of the room (and data range) is approx. 50x25 ft. There are a maximum of 90 students per class.

2. The design process must be completed by Friday October 10th.

3. Marketing requirements:

- Each user must have access to a working sound card and microphone (for transmission).- Each user system must have high quality audio ( Realtek Audio Driver – Lenovo Thinkpad).-The system should be able to connect and transmit without WiFi.-The system should be easy to connect and simple to use.-The system should have a large scale interface (91 terminals – 90 students, one teacher)-The system should have an administrator.-The system should be built with a maximum baud rate.- System must be created using Matlab.- Baud rate must be as high as possible.

4. The system must be developed at the lowest cost possible, using student laptops, soundcards, microphones and matlab software provided.

Hierarchy of needs: (Objective Tree)

[ Point to Point Modem ]

[1] – Easy to use

a) Simple connection

b) Simple messaging system

c) Easy access for administrator

[2] – High quality

a) Soundcard must be working and HD.

b) Microphone must be working and HD.

c) Maximum baud rate.

[3] – Lowest Cost (Min $2500)

a) Maximum room size 50x25 ft.

b) Maximum 91 connections available for interface, minimum two.

c) Must be done using Matlab software.

Pairwise Comparison Matrix:

Easy to Use High Quality Audio

Lowest Cost Weight

Easy to Use 1 1/3 2 0.24

High Quality Audio

3 1 4 0.62

Lowest Cost 1/2 1/4 1 0.14

All information was reviewed by group members and deemed acceptable for given project and restrictions.

Research Survey

What is the basic theory behind the concept?

A user/admin will create a message in matlab, that message will be transmitted to the soundcard/speakers and the other user/admin laptop will receive the audio signal via the microphone. The audio signal will then be converted to an electric signal and processed with matlab. The signal will be decoded using matlab to display the message for the user.

How is this currently being done?

This method is being utilised around the world on many different platforms and devices. This method can be converted underwater or in extreme conditions. The basic concept/ principals remain constant through all varying methods of creating a point to point modem. We are going to use matlab functions for our design.

What are the limitations?

The limitations to our design are the laptops which will be used by students and professors. The laptops come with a high quality sound card and microphone, however, they are not brand new or top-of-the line. We also are limited to creating our point to point modem using built in matlab features.

What will the cost be?

The minimum cost for the system will be the yearly rental of the laptop and software by the students. To prevent higher costs for students, our design will be based on the practical baud rate for the matlab program which will be the base of our point to point modem.

What will the baud rate be?

The maximum baud rate that we could transmit with our laptops is 230400 bits per seconds, which runs at 3.34 microseconds. Our realistic goal to keep costs low will be 9600 bits/second (default Matlab transfer rate). If a higher rate can be achieved the consumer will benefit from it at no additional cost.