May07-02: May07-02: Parking MeterParking Meter

Clint Hertz: Team LeaderClint Hertz: Team Leader

Austyn Trace: Austyn Trace: CommunicationsCommunications

Nick HollanderNick Hollander

Client: Doug Houghton

Advisors: Dr. Lamont, Prof. Patterson, Dr. Smith

3/6/2007

Project OverviewProject Overview Project descriptionProject description End ProductEnd Product Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations Previous SemestersPrevious Semesters Current Achievements and ResourcesCurrent Achievements and Resources Future NeedsFuture Needs Lessons Learned & Risk ManagementLessons Learned & Risk Management ClosingClosing

Project OverviewProject Overview

DefinitionsDefinitions Primary Unit: Parking Meter unit that contains a slave Primary Unit: Parking Meter unit that contains a slave

machine and 2 master machines.machine and 2 master machines. Slave/Client Machine: Runs the client software. Connect Slave/Client Machine: Runs the client software. Connect

through ethernet to the Masters. (Windows Embedded)through ethernet to the Masters. (Windows Embedded) Master/Server Machines: Maintains the database using Master/Server Machines: Maintains the database using

mysql. (Debian Linux)mysql. (Debian Linux) 802.11: The standard set of protocols for wireless Ethernet 802.11: The standard set of protocols for wireless Ethernet

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

Ethernet: The current standard for high-speed computer-to-Ethernet: The current standard for high-speed computer-to-computer communications.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 compact version of the Windows Windows XP Embedded: A compact 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 described in applications (such as the parking meter system described in this document).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 three Pay-for-Parking lots Currently three Pay-for-Parking lots on campuson campus

Use computer based parking metersUse computer based parking meters Meters keep separate information Meters keep separate information

about all stalls in the lotabout all stalls 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 (detailed in future More functionality (detailed in future

slides)slides) Greater access to maintenanceGreater access to maintenance

Old System: fly in maintenanceOld System: fly in maintenance

Testing phases have begunTesting phases have begun 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 maintains Master maintains

only the databaseonly the database Two used for Two used for

redundancyredundancy Slave for input and Slave for input and

outputoutput Heater, thermal Heater, thermal

printer, driversprinter, drivers

End ProductEnd Product

Parking Lot: < 1000 Spaces

SM/S

S

(Primary Unit)

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

UsersUsers First ClassFirst Class

SupervisorsSupervisors Second ClassSecond Class

Administrators (DPS Administrators (DPS Employees)Employees)

Third ClassThird Class Users of the parking lots Users of the parking lots

UsesUses Add time to stallsAdd time to stalls

Specify end-timeSpecify end-time Specify amount of Specify amount of

timetime Enter coinsEnter coins

Extend expiration Extend expiration time at any stationtime at any station

Lot statisticsLot statistics Remaining timeRemaining time

AssumptionsAssumptions The lot size will be The lot size will be

less than 1000 less than 1000 spacesspaces

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

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

The units will The units will 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 Adequate finances will be availablewill be available

Parts list and Parts list and assembly instructions assembly instructions providedprovided

LimitationsLimitations The system must allow The system must allow

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

The units must allow The units must allow users to add time to their users 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 master unit must The master unit must consist of two redundant consist of two redundant processors with processors with automatic failure automatic failure protection.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 The hardware unit must print a receipt must print a receipt upon request.upon request.

The master unit must The master unit must have redundant storagehave redundant storage

The unit must be able The unit must be able to run long enough for to run long enough for a graceful shutdown a graceful shutdown during a power outage.during a power outage.

LimitationsLimitations DPS must be able to DPS must be able to

change rates and holidays change rates and holidays without outside without outside assistance.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 extend their current extend their current expiration time.expiration time.

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 Ethernet able to use Ethernet 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.

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 second slave unit will perform identically to

the current unit in hardware and software the current 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, hardware, and the interface between the user, hardware, and database database

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

XP Embedded Operating SystemXP Embedded Operating System

XP Embedded was chosen because it takes XP Embedded was chosen because it takes up less space and has customizable up less space and has customizable functionality that the full version of XP functionality that the full version of XP lacks.lacks.

Exterior case for the second slave unit will Exterior case for the second slave unit will need to be customized. This case will be need to be customized. This case will be exactly like the case used for the primary exactly like the case used for the primary unit. (not a requirement)unit. (not a requirement)

Slave unit hardware block Slave unit hardware block diagramdiagram

Testing ApproachTesting Approach Software testingSoftware testing

Started by previous phasesStarted by previous phases Hardware testingHardware testing

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

Field testingField testing Unit will be used by general public for Unit will be used by general public for

usability and functionality testingusability and functionality testing Simulation system testingSimulation system testing

Will be used to test code changes before Will be used to test code changes before applying to hardware in the fieldapplying to hardware in the field

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 request forms to be Standard request 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?

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.

Current SolutionCurrent 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 its accompanying files can application and its 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.

Is It Ready?Is It Ready?

InstallationInstallation

Test weather affect Test weather affect on partson parts

More to add to More to add to support support documentationdocumentation

Resource RequirementsResource RequirementsTable 4 - Other Resource Requirements (Updated)

Equipment and Other Resources

Item Team hours Cost

Motherboard/Processor 1 0 $150.00

RAM 1 0 $80.00

Replacement Motherboard 0 $150.00

Replacement Power Supply 0 $69.00

2 Disks on Chip 0 $200.00

Storage 1 0 $200.00

LCD 0 $75.00

Keypad 0 $90.00

Misc. Buttons 0 $50.00

Printer Controller 0 $120.00

Ethernet Switch 0 $57.00

UPS Battery Backup Unit 0 $100.00

XP Embedded Software 0 $995.00

XP Embedded Run Time License 0 $79.00

Housing 0 $0.00

Project Poster 10 $50.00

Total 10$2,465.0

0

SchedulesSchedules

ID Task Name Start Finish Duration2006 2007

Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

32d9/30/20068/30/2006Task 1: Project Familiarization

158d3/1/20079/25/2006Task 2: Update SFD

160d2/28/20079/22/2006Task 3: Testing Current Unit

15d3/6/20072/20/2007Task 4: Prep and Install Unit

58d5/2/20073/6/2007Task 5: Support Unit

40d4/9/20073/1/2007Task 6: Build Second Unit

11d3/11/20073/1/20076.1: Hardware Assembly

13d3/18/20073/6/20076.2: Installation of Software

31d4/9/20073/10/20076.3: Testing Second Unit

62d1/27/200711/27/2006Task 7: Simulation System

62d1/27/200711/27/20067.1: Updating Software

15d1/21/20071/7/20077.2: Testing Simulation Unit

91d5/2/20072/1/2007Task 8: Laptop Update System

11d2/11/20072/1/20078.1: Ordering Parts

60d4/1/20072/1/20078.2: Program Design and Reasearch

81d5/2/20072/11/20078.3: Install and Test Software

Future Required Future Required ActivitiesActivities

Build second slave unitBuild second slave unit Continue testing/debuggingContinue testing/debugging Support of the unit that is Support of the unit that is

undergoing field testing.undergoing field testing. Upgrade systemUpgrade system

CommercializationCommercialization

City of Ames is interested in the City of Ames is interested in the projectproject

Will be used on campusWill be used on campus Will be much cheaper than the Will be much cheaper than the

commercially available technologycommercially available technology Once the software is finished mass Once the software is finished mass

producing units only involves producing units only involves ordering parts and following build ordering parts and following build instructions.instructions.

Recommendations for Recommendations for Future WorkFuture Work

After this yearAfter this year Continued field testing will be neededContinued field 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

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 Assume previous teams exaggerated Assume previous teams exaggerated

their completed worktheir completed 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 Parts become obsolete and unavailable Parts become obsolete and unavailable

quicklyquickly

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

Loss of Group MemberLoss of Group Member

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 lotkept the unit in the lab rather than in the lot

Currently unit is being test in the field.Currently unit is being test in the field. Continue testing, updating Continue testing, updating

documentation, and building new units documentation, and building new units are the items that need to be are the items that need to be continued/finishedcontinued/finished

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

Questions?Questions?