Fall 2022 – Spring 2023
Project
IoT Gateway Phase II
Team Members:
Mr. Cody Fuelling (EE)
Mr. Ishrat Islam (EE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical Engineering
Sponsored by: Franklin Electric
Summary
Design and develop an internet
of things (IoT) gateway that will be plugged into the
Franklin Electric Drive products for remote monitoring and troubleshooting. The
product involves schematic and PCB design, power supply design, embedded
software design, testing and validation. Design and build the next generation
of the IoT device based upon learning from the
2021-2022 school year.
This is a multidisciplinary project with Computer Science team working
on the web server and the mobile application.
Fall
2021 - Spring 2022 Project
IoT Gateway
Team Members:
Mr. Mohammad-Hafidh Abdul-Jaleel (CmpE)
Mr. Jacob Bushur (CmpE)
Ms. Yilei Li (CmpE)
Mr. Rishi Mitra (CmpE)
Mr. Carlos
Rodriguez (EE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: Franklin Electric
Summary
Design and develop an internet
of things (IoT) gateway that will be plugged into the
Franklin Electric Drive products for remote monitoring and troubleshooting. The
product involves schematic and PCB design, power supply design, embedded
software design, testing and validation.
Fall
2020 - Spring 2021 Project
5HP Line Voltage Dynamometer Retrofit
Team Members:
Mr. Matthew Gonzalez (EE)
Mr. Joshua Durham
(EE)
Mr. Benjamin
Edwards (CmpE)
Mr. Shehryar Azam (EE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: Nidec Drive Systems
Summary
This project is a recommissioning of a 5HP dynamometer. This
equipment was acquired at auction and is currently not in working order. Nidec Drive Systems (NDS) needs this dynamometer to be capable
of testing motors at line voltages of single or three phase and logging all
relevant data.
Fall
2019 - Spring 2020 Project
Tempus Credit Card Terminal
Team Members:
Mr. Taylor Dicks (EE)
Mr. Gilson Moh,
Jr (CmpE)
Mr. Hong Nguyen
(EE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: Tempus Technologies
Summary
The Tempus Pin Pad project’s goal is to create a credit card
terminal that can interact with a user to capture cardholder data via EMV or
MSR in a secure manner while providing user interface via a standard tablet
type device that can run custom applications. The tablet device would prompt
the user to manually key an amount to charge. Once entered, the card reading
devices would be activated to collect data from the user. The data from the
reader will leave the reader encrypted (this is a function of the Magtek product). At this point, it should be delivered to
the tablet peripheral to prompt the customer to confirm the amount and send the
data to an XML REST webservice hosted by Tempus to
achieve authorization. Upon successful authorization, a signature should be
captured leveraging the device touch screen. This signature should then be
uploaded to the server via another XML REST webservice
hosted by Tempus. At this point, an approval message should be displayed on the
screen. The entire solution should have a compact case with a tethered stylus
and should be powered by a single power supply. As a long reach goal, a pin
entry keypad that is external to the tablet could be implemented. This keypad
should be tamper resistant and have the ability to use hardware to encrypt the
credit card PIN number using a factory injected 3DES DUKPT encryption key. The
PCI Security Council outlines stringent requirements for such a device that
should be adhered to as closely as possible.
Fall 2018 - Spring
2019 Project
Trim Shop Skillet Muting
Team Members:
Mr. Keith Koch (EE)
Mr. Ben
Schoolcraft (EE)
Mr. Hunter
Bertsch (ME)
Mr. Ian Jones
(ME)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Hossein Oloomi (EE), Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
and Dr. Don Mueller (ME)
Area: Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Sponsored by: General Motors
Summary
The current safety system at General Motor does not scan all areas
within the hazardous zone for human presence or other obstructions. The goal of
this design project is to increase scan coverage in the hazardous area to
minimize likelihood of human or property damage, while causing minimal
interruption in the assembly process.
Fall
2018 - Spring 2019 Project
Networked Audio Device Interface
Team Members:
Mr. Cole Duncan (CmpE)
Mr. Jason
Horstmeyer (CmpE)
Mr. Bret Lengacher
(EE)
Mr. Matthew
Stallman (CmpE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: Attero Tech
Summary
AtteroTech LLC is a leading competitor in the
networked audio connectivity market, producing a large range of devices from
wall socket inputs to 32 I/O control center devices. Currently, their many
products support different audio endpoints, including Bluetooth, USB, ethernet, and audio jacks. To continue leading the market, AtteroTech plans on combining all of these connectivity
solutions into one cost-effective and easy-to-use device, with special
consideration for the conferencing call market. In order to deliver this
product in a timely manner, existing IP will be merged to this single platform,
while new developments in USB audio handling and DSP functionality will be
introduced. These tasks will be completed in parallel by AtteroTech
and the ECE Senior Design Team from PFW.
Fall
2017 - Spring 2018 Project
Kiosk Based Water Pumping System
Team Members:
Mr. Christopher Stratton (EE)
Mr. Cooper Hill
(EE)
Mr. Phillip Oprie
(EE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: Franklin Electric
Summary
The goal of this project is to develop a working physical kiosk to
meter dispensed water from a solar powered pumping system based on demand
inputs from the kiosk. The system will interface with the Franklin
Electric Fhoton product line to control the flow of water to be dispensed. The
project will be conducted in partnership with an IPFW Computer Science (CS)
Senior Design Team, who shall design an online virtual interface of the system. The solar powered pumping system will be provided by the sponsor for use
during the project which currently has a single UART interface for wired
communications (commanding pump speed). The hardware design by the team will
include developing the hardware to communicate to multiple serial devices
(pumping system, key-pad, display, pulse-based flow sensor, water level
sensors, etc…). The sponsor’s goal for the communication
hardware is to plug into the wired interface of the current pumping system if
practical and not constrained by physical size.
Fall
2016 - Spring 2017 Project
Integration of Wireless Technology for Variable Frequency Drives
(VFDs)
Team Members:
Mr. Ben Schafer (EE)
Mr. Tyler
Pottenger (CmpE)
Mr. Kevin Fox
(EE)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Carlos Pomalaza-Ráez
(CmpE/EE) and Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: Franklin Electric
Summary
This project aims
to establish development and design of wireless communication between sensors
and existing Variable Frequency Drives (VFD). The project also requires system
to communicate data to a cloud server for remote communications. Related
circuitry with these functionality will be developed and
implemented. Overall, the scope of the proposed project includes
electronic design, software design and optional mechanical designs related to
design and 3D plotter implementation of related sensors using Franklin Electric
Facilities. It is also required to energize the sensors via solar power
similar to the VFDs in the system.
Fall
2016 - Spring 2017 Project
Prototype Cell Wash Base Unit
Team Members:
Mr. Kyle Featherston (ECE)
Ms. Gabriela
Gutierrez (ECE)
Mr. Scott
Trischler (ECE)
Mr. Bryce Hieber
(ME)
Mr. Brett Luithly
(ME)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE) and Dr. Donald
Mueller (ME)
Area: Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Sponsored by: Zimmer Biomet
Summary
Allogeneic red
blood cell (RBC) transfusion is the most common hospital procedure. Current
blood bank processes require RBCs to be stored refrigerated at 1-4°C until
the time of transfusion. Blood warmers and incubators exist today. These
devices are typically located within the blood bank setting or in the operating
room. However operating room based blood warmers typically warm blood in-line
as it passes the device, or in a static chamber. The goal of this design
project will be to design and develop a portable RBC incubation chamber with
the ability to agitate two (2) RBC units at once for one hour while maintaining
a programmable and selectable temperature between 37 and 42°C. The device
must be able to clamp to an IV pole and minimize the required footprint to
accommodate space for adjacent devices.
Spring
2016 - Fall 2016 Project
Prototype Intra-operative Red Blood Cell Warmer
Team Members:
Mr. Luis Bertran
(ME)
Mr. Austin Gagnon
(EE)
Mr. Peter Wirges
(EE/CmpE)
Mr. Jonathan Wesner
(CmpE)
Mr. Brandon Hill
(ME)
Mr. Bradley
Sordelet (ME)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Hosni Abu-Mulaweh (ME), Dr. Bongsu
Kang (ME), and Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Sponsored by: Zimmer Biomet
Background: Allogeneic red blood cell (RBC)
transfusion is the most common hospital procedure. Current blood bank processes
require RBCs to be stored refrigerated at 1-4°C until the time of
transfusion. Then the units undergo a rejuvenation process and need to be washed
prior to transfusion. The current red blood cell wash devices are typically
located within the blood bank setting or in the operating room as cell salvage
devices. Cell salvage devices operate best with a low hematocrit input which is
not conducive to transfused RBCs where the hematocrit is high. The current cell
salvage devices also operate on direct drive principles which involve costly
disposable parts. By using an indirect driving mechanism (magnetic fields),
rotating seals can be avoided in disposable components.
Objectives: The goal of this design project will be to
design and develop a portion of a base unit for a portable red blood cell
washing device to work with an existing rotor design. The device must be able
to drive a rotor through electrical circuits generating magnetic force. The
device must be able to accommodate a rotor 8 inches in diameter and 2 inches
tall. The device must be capable of accelerating at 40 RPM/s and hold a speed
of 2500 RPM for several minutes before decelerating at 10 RPM/s. The device
must be able to be fixed to a cart and rolled in the OR, ICU, patient floor.
The device must remain stable and lock the rotor during operation. The device
must be capable of providing feedback on the actual RPM of the rotor and adjust
control accordingly.
Fall
2014 - Spring 2015 Project
Test Stand for Calibrating Strain Gauged Drive Shafts
Team Members:
Mr. Alex Yarian
(EE)
Mr. Joseph Carnes
(EE)
Mr. Isaac Larson
(ME)
Mr. Curtis
Coverstone (ME)
Mr. Darin Taylor
(ME)
Mr. Aaquib Asif
(ME)
Faculty
Advisors: Dr. Nashwan Younis (ME) and Dr. Chao Chen
(CmpE)
Area: Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering
Sponsored by: Eaton Corporation - Clutch Division
Summary
Test stands for calibrating strain gauged drive shafts are
currently being used by Eaton Clutch. This project is to design a test
stand for calibrating strain gauged drive shafts for Eaton Corporation (Clutch
Division) in Auburn, IN. A Test stand at this location will allow them to
calibrate their strain gauges in-house instead of have to outsource this
process. This test stand must accommodate multi-length and multi- diameter
drive shafts, be able to apply a known variable torque, record and display
outputs of strain gauges, and must be supported to eliminate bending influences
during calibration.
Fall 2013 - Spring 2014 Project:
Wireless Monitoring and Control of a Two-Phase Cooling System
Team Members:
Mr.
Richard Davis (CmpE)
Mr. Mohammed
Duffuaa (EE)
Mr. Tony Pham
(EE)
Mr. Nathan
Spielman (CS)
Mr. Jacob Penner
(CS)
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE) and Dr. Robert Sedlmeyer (CS)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science
Sponsored by: Parker Hannifin Precision Cooling Business
Unit
Summary
Parker Hannifin’s Precision Cooling Business Unit builds cooling
units that utilize the heat of vaporization of a refrigerant in order to absorb
excessive heat, commonly generated by higher powered electronics. The purpose
of this project is to provide the current two-phase cooling
unit with the capability of wireless monitoring and control through an
Android-based computer tablet.
Specifically, through the
user-friendly software interface on the computer tablet, one can specify the
heat load and desired temperature, which will be wirelessly transmitted to the
cooling unit. The control board on the cooling unit will adjust the fan speed
and pump speed to reach the desired temperature. In addition, the control board
will monitor various sensors (i.e. temperature sensors, pressure sensors, and
flow meters) and wirelessly transmit their values to the tablet, which then
displays the working status of the unit in real time. This allows users to
conduct the control systems operation test and see how quickly and accurately
the heat source temperature approaches the desired temperature.
Fall 2010 - Spring 2011 Project:
A Wireless Energy Custodian Network
Team Members:
Ms. Nusaybah
Abu-Mulaweh (CmpE)
Ms. Renee
Chandler (CmpE)
Mr. Edwin Chobot
(EE)
Mr. Daniel Newby
(EE)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Consultant:
Dr. Carlos
Pomalaza-Ráez (Professor of Radio Frequency Communications)
Area: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: ITT/IPFW Wireless Technology Center
IEEE Standards Education Committee
Summary
The main goal of
this project is to design, build, and test a wireless sensor and actuator
network for monitoring the energy usage of AC devices in a building or home
environment. Each node in the network reads the energy usage of one or more AC
devices/appliances and wirelessly reports the readings to a central server. The
server displays the readings from these nodes through a user interface in
real-time, in a manner that users can understand their electricity usage
patterns and adapt their behavior to reduce their energy consumption.
Related Publications
·
E.
Chobot, D. Newby, R. Chandler, N. Abu-Mulaweh, C. Chen, and C. Pomalaza-Ráez, "Design and
Implementation of a Wireless Sensor and Actuator Network for Energy Measurement
and Control at Home," International Journal of Embedded Systems
and Applications, March 2013. [pdf]
·
C. Chen, C. Pomalaza-Ráez, E.
Chobot, D. Newby, R. Chandler, N. Abu-Mulaweh, "Design of a Wireless
Sensor and Actuator Network of Energy Management at Home,'' in Proceedings
of 2011 ASEE Annual Conference, June 2011, Vancouver, Canada. [link]
·
N.
Abu-Mulaweh, R. Chandler, E. Chobot, and D. Newby, "A Wireless Energy Custodian Network," Student Application Paper for
IEEE Mini-Grant for Graduate and Upperclassman Design Project,
published at IEEE
Standards University website, 2011. [pdf]
(This paper was also selected to be published on the January 2012 issue of the
IEEE Standards Education e-Magazine (eZine) in the “Best of Student Application
Papers” section [link])
·
N.
Abu-Mulaweh, R. Chandler, E. Chobot, D. Newby, "A Wireless Energy
Custodian Network," presented at IEEE RF Applications Workshop, Fort Wayne, IN, May 2011.
Spring 2009 - Fall 2009 Project:
Software Defined Radio System
Team Members:
Mr. Ansel Aiken
(CmpE)
Ms. Simer Dasson
(CmpE)
Mr. Jeffery Tosch
(EE)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and
Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: IPFW Wireless Technology Center
Summary
A Software Defined Radio (SDR) is a radio communication system
that uses software for the modulation and demodulation of radio signals. The
basic components of a SDR typically consist of an antenna to receive the
signal, an analog to digital converter to digitize the signal, a programmable
device to perform digital signal processing with software, and a digital to
analog converter to convert the signal back to an analog form. The major advantage
of a SDR is its flexibility. The functionality of the system can be changed by
simply modifying the programming rather than changing the physical components.
The IPFW Wireless Technology Center desires a SDR system that is capable of
wirelessly transmitting and receiving a signal from one computer to another
with good signal quality. This SDR system should be space
efficient and cost effective, and integrating as
many components as possible onto a programmable device.
Spring 2008 - Fall
2008 Project:
Wireless Wearable Motion Sensor for Use in
Medical Care
Team Members:
Mr. Scott Hendershot (CmpE)
Mr. Adam Hilton (CmpE)
Ms. Ma Oo (EE)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE)
Area: Electrical and
Computer Engineering
Sponsored by: IPFW Wireless Technology Center
IEEE Standards Education Committee
Summary
ITT/IPFW Center for Wireless
Communications is requesting a wearable motion sensor system that can be used
to wirelessly transmit and record signals with information about the motion of
a person in need of medical care. The signals should carry enough information
for the post analysis and possible characterization of movements. The wearable
sensor system should be able to operate for long periods of time (possibly
days) without the need to have the power supply replaced.
Related Publications
·
S. Hendershot, A. Hilton, M. Oo, C. Chen,
and C. Pomalaza-Ráez, "Wireless Wearable Motion Sensor for Use in Medical Care," poster
presentation at IEEE RF Applications Workshop, Fort Wayne, IN, May 2011.
·
C. Chen and C.
Pomalaza-Ráez, "Implementing and Evaluating a Wireless Body Sensor
System for Automated Physiological Data Acquisition at Home,'' International
Journal of Computer Science and Information Technology, vol. 2, no.
3, pp. 24-38, June 2010. [pdf]
·
C. Chen and C.
Pomalaza-Ráez, "Design and Evaluation of a Wireless Body Sensor
System for Smart Home Health Monitoring," in Proceedings
of IEEE
Global Communications Conference (GLOBECOM 2009), December 2009,
Honolulu, Hawaii. [link]
·
C. Chen, C.
Pomalaza-Ráez, S. Hendershot, M. Oo, and A. Hilton, "A Wearable
Wireless System for Unobtrusive Measurement of Human Motion," in Proceedings
of 2009 ASEE Annual Conference, June 2009, Austin, TX. [link]
·
C. Chen, C. Pomalaza-Ráez, and M. Oo, "Evaluation of IEEE
802.15.4 for Use in Smart Home Medical Care," in Proceedings of 2009
ASEE Annual Conference, June 2009, Austin, TX. [link]
·
S.
Hendershot, A. Hilton, and M. Oo, "Wireless Wearable Motion Sensor for Use
in Medical Care," Student Application Paper for IEEE Mini-Grant for Graduate and
Upperclassman Design Project, published at IEEE
Standards University website, 2009. [pdf]
·
C.
Chen and C. Pomalaza-Ráez, "Monitoring Human
Movements at Home Using Wearable Wireless Sensors," in Proceedings of
Third International Symposium on Medical Information and Communication
Technology, February 2009, Montreal, Canada. [pdf]
Fall 2006 - Spring
2007 Project:
Design of Automated Cut Guide for Orthopedic
Surgery
Team Members:
Mr. Sean Campbell (EE)
Ms. Pavla Pletkova (EE)
Ms. Jenna Ross (ME)
Mr. Brad Stout (CmpE)
Mr. Jon Terrell (ME)
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE) and Dr. Bongsu Kang
(ME)
Area: Multi-disciplinary
Sponsored by: Zimmer, Inc.
Summary
Orthopedic technology involving surgical
cutting guides have consisted of manually altered components that require fine
tune adjustment that could be tedious and time-consuming to correctly align in
three dimensions. In this project, the multi disciplinary Capstone senior
design group, in conjunction with sponsorship from Zimmer, Inc., will design,
construct, and test a surgical instrument system which provides accurate
positioning while maintaining ease of use. In this system, a surgical device
will utilize automated means to provide accurate positioning of a cut guide,
which can translate or rotate in various planes. Ease of use will be
accomplished by providing the user with the ability to adjust the positions of
the device throughout surgery with minimal manual input. With this system in
place, orthopedic surgeons are provided with a simple, easy to use and accurate
solution to aid in orthopedic surgeries.
Fall 2005 - Spring
2006 Project:
Child Localization Theme Park
Team Members:
Ms. Chinwe Aneke
Ms. Christina Hong
Mr. Justin Ebaugh
Faculty Advisors: Dr. Chao Chen (CmpE) and Dr. Carlos Pomalaza-Ráez (CmpE/EE)
Area: Electrical
Engineering
Sponsored by: The IPFW Mastodon Park Project
Summary
The university has proposed to build a
children’s theme park with an underlying wireless localization system.
The main purpose of the child-localization system is to be able to track and
locate a child within a given range at certain times. The localization system
will make use of a wireless sensor network and Radio Frequency Identification
(RFID) systems. In its simplest form, an RFID system consists of a tag and a
reader. There will be about 14 mastodons (the official mascot of IPFW) located
around the park. Before children go to the park, they will be given RFID tags
which will contain data such as a unique tag identification number. Each
mastodon will have an RFID reader interfaced with a sensor node. The reader
will be able to read the information on the tag and send it to a control
computer through the sensor node. Therefore, the control computer will be able
to tell which child has visited what mastodon and the time of visit.
Related
Publications
·
C. Chen, “Design of a Child
Localization System on RFID and Wireless Sensor Networks,” Journal of
Sensors, vol. 2010, Article ID 450392, 2010. [link]
·
“Wireless
Child Localization System,” IPFW Student Research and Creative
Endeavor Symposium, April 22, 2006.
·
C.
Chen, C. Aneke, J. Ebaugh,
and C. Hong, “Development of a Child Localization System on RFID and
Sensor Networks in an Undergraduate Capstone Senior Design Project,” in Proceedings
of ASEE Illinois-Indiana and North Central 2006 Conference, March 31-April
1, 2006, Fort Wayne, IN. [pdf]