Dec06-02: Dec06-02: Parking MeterParking Meter

Ryan King: Team LeaderRyan King: Team LeaderKristen Goering: CommunicationsKristen Goering: Communications

Justin SmithJustin SmithJohn ScapillatoJohn Scapillato

Client: Doug Houghton

Advisors: Dr. Lamont, Prof. Patterson

12/5/2006

Project OverviewProject Overview

Project descriptionProject description Description of End ProductDescription of End Product Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations

Project OverviewProject Overview

DefinitionsDefinitions 802.11: The standard set of protocols for wireless 802.11: The standard set of protocols for wireless

Ethernet communications. 802.11b, 802.11g, and Ethernet communications. 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11i are common standards in use today.802.11i are common standards in use today.

Ethernet: The current standard for high-speed Ethernet: The current standard for high-speed computer-to-computer communications.computer-to-computer communications.

Linux: An open-source operating system.Linux: An open-source operating system. MySQL: An open-source database system used on Linux.MySQL: An open-source database system used on Linux. Windows XP Embedded: A small version of the Windows Windows XP Embedded: A small version of the Windows

XP operating system tailored to embedded computer XP operating system tailored to embedded computer applications (such as the parking meter system applications (such as the parking meter system described in this document).described in this document).

x86: The dominant processor architecture on the market x86: The dominant processor architecture on the market today. Intel and AMD processors make use of x86 today. Intel and AMD processors make use of x86 architecture.architecture.

Project DescriptionProject Description

Currently two Pay-for-Parking lots on Currently two Pay-for-Parking lots on campuscampus

Use computer based parking metersUse computer based parking meters Meters keep information about all Meters keep information about all

stalls in the lotstalls in the lot Company who Company who

manufactures/maintains current manufactures/maintains current system is out of businesssystem is out of business

DPS requested new meters be builtDPS requested new meters be built

Project DescriptionProject Description

Currently have a unit builtCurrently have a unit built More functionality (talk about later)More functionality (talk about later) Greater access to maintenanceGreater access to maintenance

Fly in maintenance for old systemFly in maintenance for old system

Testing phases have begunTesting phases have begun Trouble with the existing codeTrouble with the existing code

The unit will operate outside in usual The unit will operate outside in usual Iowa weather.Iowa weather.

End ProductEnd Product

Will be similar to Will be similar to existing metersexisting meters

Keypad and coin Keypad and coin collector for inputcollector for input

LCD panel and LCD panel and printer for outputprinter for output

End ProductEnd Product

Primary unitPrimary unit Master and SlaveMaster and Slave Master has the Master has the

databasedatabase RedundantRedundant

Slave for input and Slave for input and outputoutput

Heater, thermal Heater, thermal printer, driversprinter, drivers

End ProductEnd Product

Parking Lot: 1000 Spaces

S M

S

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

UsersUsers First ClassFirst Class

AdministratorsAdministrators Second ClassSecond Class

DPS EmployeesDPS Employees Third ClassThird Class

Users of the parking Users of the parking lotslots

UsesUses Add time to stallsAdd time to stalls

Specific end-timeSpecific end-time Change enteredChange entered

Add money to Add money to multiple stationsmultiple stations

Lot statisticsLot statistics Remaining timeRemaining time Multiple StallsMultiple Stalls

AssumptionsAssumptions The lot size will be The lot size will be

equal or no more then equal or no more then 1000 spaces.1000 spaces.

Ac power will be Ac power will be provided to the unit.provided to the unit.

The units will only The units will only accept nickels, dimes, accept nickels, dimes, and quarters as and quarters as payment.payment.

The units will not The units will not provide change to provide change to customerscustomers

Iowa State University Iowa State University Facilities Department Facilities Department will install the systemwill install the system

Adequate finances will Adequate finances will be availablebe available

Parts list and Parts list and assembly instructions assembly instructions providedprovided

LimitationsLimitations The system must allow for The system must allow for

different rates, time of different rates, time of day, holidays rates.day, holidays rates.

The units must allow users The units must allow users to add time to their to add time to their current amount of time.current amount of time.

The hardware unit must The hardware unit must provide the current provide the current payment status of the payment status of the parking lot. parking lot.

The servers unit must The servers unit must consist of two redundant consist of two redundant processors with automatic processors with automatic failure protection.failure protection.

The user interface The user interface needs to be compact needs to be compact and easy to use.and easy to use.

The hardware unit must The hardware unit must print a receipt upon print a receipt upon request.request.

The server unit must The server unit must have redundant storagehave redundant storage

The unit must be able The unit must be able to run for at least four to run for at least four hours if power goes outhours if power goes out

LimitationsLimitations DPS must be able to DPS must be able to

change rates and holidays change rates and holidays without outside assistance.without outside assistance.

The system must The system must implement all the features implement all the features of the current system.of the current system.

The unit must withstand The unit must withstand Iowa outdoor conditions.Iowa outdoor conditions.

The unit must be theft The unit must be theft proof.proof.

Users should be able to Users should be able to add time to their current add time to their current remaining amountremaining amount

The parts list for the The parts list for the subsequent units must subsequent units must consist of parts which are consist of parts which are low-cost, interchangeable, low-cost, interchangeable, backwards-compatible with backwards-compatible with the current prototype, and the current prototype, and readily availablereadily available

Laptop system must be Laptop system must be able to use USB able to use USB connections for updating connections for updating the unit.the unit.

Laptop must be able to Laptop must be able to support the same software support the same software system as the unit.system as the unit.

Future Required Future Required ActivitiesActivities

Second slave unitSecond slave unit Implementation testing/debuggingImplementation testing/debugging SupportSupport Upgrade systemUpgrade system

Second Slave UnitSecond Slave Unit Slave unit is a single processor unitSlave unit is a single processor unit The slave unit will retrieve information and act as The slave unit will retrieve information and act as

the interface from which parking time is purchased the interface from which parking time is purchased The second slave unit will perform identically to the The second slave unit will perform identically to the

primary unit in hardware and software primary unit in hardware and software functionality, and user functionality, and user (customer/administrator/supervisor) interfaces (customer/administrator/supervisor) interfaces

Slave unit supports the user interface peripherals: Slave unit supports the user interface peripherals: coin acceptor, printer, keypad, and LCD screen coin acceptor, printer, keypad, and LCD screen

Slave unit will have the software package that runs Slave unit will have the software package that runs the interface between the user, the hardware, and the interface between the user, the hardware, and the database the database

Slave Unit continuedSlave Unit continued The development environment will be Windows The development environment will be Windows

XP Embedded Operating SystemXP Embedded Operating System

XP Embedded was chosen because it takes up XP Embedded was chosen because it takes up less space and does not have the multimedia less space and does not have the multimedia functionality that XP hasfunctionality that XP has

Exterior case will need to be developed for the Exterior case will need to be developed for the second unit. This case will not need to be exactly second unit. This case will not need to be exactly like the case used for the primary unit like the case used for the primary unit

Slave unit hardware block Slave unit hardware block diagramdiagram

Testing ApproachTesting Approach Software testingSoftware testing

Partially completed by previous phasesPartially completed by previous phases Hardware testingHardware testing

Individual components tested by previous phases, i.e. Individual components tested by previous phases, i.e. coin acceptorcoin acceptor

Field testingField testing Unit functions will be tested in lot per set of defined Unit functions will be tested in lot per set of defined

casescases Simulation system testingSimulation system testing

Test with same defined cases as unitTest with same defined cases as unit Software update systemSoftware update system

Test unit functions after update by verifying with Test unit functions after update by verifying with simulated resultssimulated results

Support Processes Support Processes ConsideredConsidered

Phone questions to support teamPhone questions to support team E-mail questions to support teamE-mail questions to support team Set up standard support systemSet up standard support system

Create support e-mail account checked Create support e-mail account checked regularly in rotating shiftsregularly in rotating shifts

Standard requests forms to be Standard requests forms to be communicated through e-mailcommunicated through e-mail

On staff support team member to On staff support team member to address problem and contact other address problem and contact other support team memberssupport team members

Support Request FormSupport Request Form

Support Solution FormSupport Solution Form

What About Software What About Software Updates?Updates?

Currently, updated software would be Currently, updated software would be difficult to upload to the system.difficult to upload to the system.

A monitor and keyboard would have to A monitor and keyboard would have to be taken to each unit. This is simply not be taken to each unit. This is simply not practical.practical.

Ideally, the new software should be able Ideally, the new software should be able to be uploaded quickly and easily.to be uploaded quickly and easily.

Important ConsiderationsImportant Considerations

A laptop can’t be connected to the unit and A laptop can’t be connected to the unit and imitate an actual monitor and keyboard.imitate an actual monitor and keyboard.

Each unit is connected to a network.Each unit is connected to a network.

A software updating system must be secure.A software updating system must be secure.

The application does not need to be The application does not need to be compiled on the machine it’s running on.compiled on the machine it’s running on.

A Possible SolutionA Possible Solution A technician can take a laptop out to the A technician can take a laptop out to the

unit and directly connect to the unit via the unit and directly connect to the unit via the network.network.

Using remote desktop, the compiled Using remote desktop, the compiled application and it’s accompanying files can application and it’s accompanying files can be put onto the unit to replace the old files.be put onto the unit to replace the old files.

Since this is a direct connection, there are Since this is a direct connection, there are no security issues.no security issues.

Since the technician is at the unit, tests Since the technician is at the unit, tests can be done to make sure the update was can be done to make sure the update was successful.successful.

Resource RequirementsResource Requirements

SchedulesSchedules

Project EvaluationProject Evaluation

CommercializationCommercialization

Ames is interested in the projectAmes is interested in the project Will be used on campusWill be used on campus Will be much cheaper than the Will be much cheaper than the

available technologyavailable technology

Recommendations for Recommendations for Future WorkFuture Work

After this yearAfter this year Field testing will be neededField testing will be needed Produce more slave unitsProduce more slave units

Support those units and existing onesSupport those units and existing ones

Distant futureDistant future Redesign cases to make them uniformRedesign cases to make them uniform Brainstorm possible networking Brainstorm possible networking

solutionssolutions

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Software can really hold up a projectSoftware can really hold up a project Never just assume software will workNever just assume software will work Don’t assume previous team’s work is Don’t assume previous team’s work is

correctcorrect Keep all group members informedKeep all group members informed Analyze every requirementAnalyze every requirement

Will the software chosen support all Will the software chosen support all needed functionsneeded functions

Does XPe support remote desktopDoes XPe support remote desktop

Risk Management andRisk Management andProblems EncounteredProblems Encountered

Wiring problemsWiring problems ThermostatThermostat DC power supply and DOC problemsDC power supply and DOC problems

Group communication helps prevent Group communication helps prevent problemsproblems

License issues with XP embeddedLicense issues with XP embedded Confusion with product keysConfusion with product keys

Closing SummaryClosing Summary

Prototype unit is built and being testedPrototype unit is built and being tested Problems with XPe slowed progress and Problems with XPe slowed progress and

kept the unit in the lab rather than in the kept the unit in the lab rather than in the lotlot

Currently software problems are being Currently software problems are being debuggeddebugged

Testing, Documentation, and Laptop are Testing, Documentation, and Laptop are the main future work neededthe main future work needed

Upon field testing completion, the Upon field testing completion, the prototype unit will be finishedprototype unit will be finished

Questions?Questions?