Radio-Controlled Duck Decoy

May 03-25April 30th, 2003

Team Members: Faculty Advisors: Jason Freerksen Prof. Robert Weber Kooi-Tjek Lau Prof. Clive Woods Evan Smith Vladimir Stevanovich Client: Kyle Wetjen Senior Design

Presentation Outline

• Terms Used• Acknowledgement• Problem Statement• Operating Environment• Users and Uses• Assumptions and Limitations• End-Product Description• Accomplishments• Approaches

Presentation Outline (continued)

• Project Definitions• Activities• Human and Financial Budget• Evaluation of Project Success• Commercialization• Recommendations for Further Work• Lessons Learned• Project Risks and Concerns• Closing Summary

Terms Used and Defined

• DNR – Department of Natural Resources

• RF – Radio Frequency

• Tx – Transmitter of radio signal

• Rx – Receiver of radio signal

• PIC – Programmable Integrated Circuit

• PWM – Pulse Width Modulation

Acknowledgement

A & M

Waterfowl, Inc.

www.therealdecoy.com

Problem Statement

General Problem Statement:• Users desire complete remote control of decoy• Decoy must look, act, and sound like a real duck

Problem StatementGeneral Solution-Approach Statement:• Motorized duck decoy• RF Tx/Rx system• Speed controller• Steering control system via servo and rudder• Long lasting battery packs• Garage door Tx/Rx system for sound activation• Programmable sound chip• Sound amplification system• Compact audio speaker

Operating Environment

• In water such as ponds and small lakes

• Hunters will hunt in all weather conditions

• Decoy will likely be dropped or abused

Intended Users and Uses

Intended Users:

• DNR personnel

• Duck researchers

• Duck hunters

Intended Uses:

• Studying ducks and their migrating patterns

• Hunting ducks for sport

• Attracting ducks for any other reason

Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions:• 2-channel RF Tx/Rx system enough to give life-

like movement to decoy• Noise of motor will be negligible• Batteries will provide sufficient power• The RF Tx/Rx system will have minimal

interference from motor

Assumptions and Limitations (cont.)

Limitations:• Limited experience with wireless technology• Limited time and funding for project• Decoy must be the same size as a real duck

End-Product Description and Deliverables

• Decoy that looks, acts, and moves like a real duck• Easy to control using RF Tx/Rx controllers• Moves forward, reverse, and turns• Battery powered with minimal power

consumption for long operating time• Sound reproduction implemented external to

decoy

Present Accomplishments

• Decoy finished according to specifications

• Sound reproduction finished according to specifications

• Project completely finished

Approaches Considered

• Decoy– Standard vs. Motorized

• RF Tx/Rx Controls– Preassembled vs. Design from scratch

• Drive System – Dual motor vs. Motor/Rudder System

Approaches Considered (cont)

• Speed Controller– Design H-Bridge/PIC vs. Speed Controller

• Sound– Pneumatic vs. Electronic

• Power Supply– Rechargeable vs. non-rechargeable

Project Definition Activities

• Decoy that looks, acts, and moves like a real duck

• Easy to control using RF Tx/Rx system

• External sound implementation due to legality issues

Research Activities

• Duck Decoys

• RF Tx/Rx systems

• Speed Controllers

• Power consumption

• Batteries

Design Activities

Design Constraints:• Power consumption

• Size of duck decoy

• Testing and operating conditions

• Buoyancy

Design Activities

Implementation Activities

Problems encountered and how they were overcome:

• Converting PWM from receiver to supply motor

• Reducing interference from the motor

• Receiving unusable parts

Suggestions for improved implementation:

• Use standard decoy and add motor

• Use a more compact and/or efficient Tx/Rx system for sound reproduction

Testing and Modification Activities

• 2 Channel RF Tx/Rx controller– Both channels working properly

• Duck decoy’s motor and speed controller– Proportional movement, forward and reverse

• Servo and Rudder– Rudder steers in both directions via the servo

• Sound chip, amplification system, and speaker– Plays and amplifies recorded sound

• Fully assembled decoy– Forward and reverse movement along with steering capabilities

Other Significant Project Activities

Significant accomplishments (not covered elsewhere):

• Obtained free motorized duck decoy

• Researched hearing frequency of waterfowl

Final status of major components of the end product:

• Motor Control (100% done)

• Steering Control (100% done)

• Sound Reproduction (100% done)

Personnel Effort

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40

60

80

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120

140

160

Evan Smith VladimirStevanovich

Kyle Wetjen Kooi-TjekLau

JasonFreerksen

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Financial BudgetFinancial Requirements

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Original Estimated Cost Final Cost

Evaluation of Project Success

Milestones:

• Finalize design (fully met)

• Order and receive parts (fully met)• Assemble and test steering system (fully met)• Assemble and test sound system (fully met)• Assemble all functional parts (fully met)• Test and finalize complete product (fully met)

Commercialization

• Estimated cost to produce product:– Single product: $125– Mass production: $50

• Estimated street selling price:– Estimated at: $90-$100

• Potential market for product:– DNR employees– Duck hunters and researchers

Recommendation for Further Work

• Commercialized version of the product– A&M Waterfowl could potentially

commercialize the radio-controlled swimmer duck decoy with only a few additional parts

Lessons Learned

Things that went well:• Ordered and received parts ahead of schedule• Motorized duck decoy donated

Things that did not go well:• Received decoy that was Styrofoam and unusable• Project specifications were illegal

Lessons Learned

Non-Technical Knowledge gained:• Communication is most important part of a team project• Research every aspect thoroughly before coming to any

decisions

Technical Knowledge gained:• Understanding PWM• Wireless communication

Risk and Risk Management

Anticipated Potential Risks:

• Parts breaking inside decoy

• Duck sinking during testing

• Electrical parts getting wet

• Improper assembly of parts

• Change of project specifications

• Ordered parts do not arrive on time

• Loss of team member

Risk and Risk Management

Anticipated Risks Encountered to Date:• Project specification was illegal

Unanticipated Risks Encountered to Date:• Received the wrong parts (unusable parts)

Closing Summary

• Problem: There currently is a shortage of remote controllable duck decoys available on the market for hunters and DNR rangers

• Approach Used: Start with a motorized decoy and add remote-control functionality

• Resulting Solution: Low cost, high performance decoy that definitely has a market in hunting retail stores

Questions/Comments?