The Evaluation of an Embedded System for First Responders

Nicholas BrabsonThe University of Tennessee

David HillComputational Sciences and Engineering Division

August 2009

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Overview

• Project background

• Methodology

• Results

• Conclusion

• Acknowledgments

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Typical emergency responder case

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First Responder needs

• Ways to identify hazardous materials during an emergency

• Ability to enable responders to make key decisions during fire, hazard, and rescue control

• Efficient ways to communicate relative data

• Ability to ensure safety of firefighters and first responders handling hazardous chemicals

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What is SNIFFER?

SNIFFER – SensorNet for Fire and First Responders

• Device that can autonomously detect and report harmful chemicals

• Vehicle mounted and portable

• Designed to output data to a plume visual model

• All system components are housed in rugged casing

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What is SNIFFER?

Targeted Chemicals

• Hydrogen cyanide

• Chlorine

• Ammonia

• Arsine

• Sulfur dioxide

• Hydrochloric acid

• Phosgene

• Ethylene oxide

• Bromomethane

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Hardware topology

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SNIFFER components

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Project goals

• Identify and characterize power supply options for the system

• Test lifetime of battery in changing environments

• Construct PC-104s with each individual module desired

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Batteries selected to compare

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Power supply analysis

Advantages•Small drop in voltage during discharge•Low weight for energy produced•Difficult to damage

Disadvantages•Cadmium causes higher cost•Memory effect•Self discharge

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Power supply analysis

Advantages•Proven technology•Good efficiency

Disadvantages

•Long recharge time•Large in size•Outdated technology

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Power supply analysis

Advantages•Compact Size•High power to weight ratio•Slow self discharge rate

Disadvantages

•Difficult to recharge if discharged too low

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Power supply analysis

Advantages

•Readily available•Cost effective

Disadvantages

•High memory effect•Inefficient self discharge

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Battery selection

Batterytype

Powerper

mass

Cell voltagenominal

Prices Efficiency Rechargetime

Memory Effect

NiCad 150 W/kg 1.24 Med 70 - 90% 1 Hr Very High

LeadAcid 180 W/kg 2.105 High 70 - 92% Several

Hrs No

NiMH250-1000 W/kg

1.2 Low 64% 2 - 4 Hr Yes

Up to 2800 W/kg

3.7 Med 99.80% 2 - 4 Hr No

Li-Ion

Battery comparison

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Hardware configuration

• 50 Watt total output power• Provides two additional serial ports• Second element on stack

• Low power processor• Shock and vibration protection• Integrated data acquisition• First element on stack

Jupiter-MM-SIO

Athena II

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Hardware configuration

• GSM/GPRS and CDMA capability• 1 Mbps data rate• Third element on stack

• Connected by cable• Houses flash card for memory• Final element on stack

ACC-CFEXT card

Janus-MM

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Final stack construction

Compact Flash CardGPS CardPower Supply CardAthena II Card

Partially constructed stack Final constructed stack with covering

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Conclusions

• Power supplies were successfully compared and the lithium ion battery type was chosen

• Athena II computer was assembled with additional interface cards attached for desired functions

• Both the power supply and PC-104 were included in the SNIFFER prototype

• LabView code was reviewed and learned for future use

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Future of SNIFFER

• Develop a standard that all devices similar to SNIFFER could use to improve prototype

• Train officials on how to effectively use the device

• Continue testing and improving product in conjunction with various emergency organizations

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Acknowledgments

• The Research Alliance in Math and Science program is sponsored by the Office of Advanced Scientific Computing Research, U.S. Department of Energy.

• The work was performed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which is managed by UT-Battelle, LLC under Contract No. De-AC05-00OR22725. This work has been authored by a contractor of the U.S. Government, accordingly, the U.S. Government retains a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish or reproduce the published form of this contribution, or allow others to do so, for U.S. Government purposes.

• Special thanks to David Hill, Debbie McCoy, and Rashida Askia

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Questions