Data Analysis Tool

Data analysis was meant to introduce Team F to the MATLAB data analysis tool, an efficient and productive way to evaluate AEV performance. After a code was written for a give scenario, Team F preformed multiple runs of this code, took the data from the Arduino, and put it into a MATLAB code to put it into an excel file. Both the data and the code can be seen below. The code is also linked below:

Glossary of Arduino Functions

Code Comment
celerate(4,0,25,3); //Accelerate all motors from start to 25% in 3 seconds.
motorSpeed(4,25); //Run all motors at a constant speed 25% power
goFor(1); //For 1 second
motorSpeed(4,20); //Run all motors at 20% power
goFor(2); //For 2 seconds
reverse(4); //Reverse all motors
motorSpeed(4,25); //Run all motors at 20% power
goFor(2); //For 2 seconds
brake(4); //Brake all motors

  1.   celerate(4,0,25,3);
  2.   motorSpeed(4,25);
  3.   goFor(1);
  4.   motorSpeed(4,20);
  5.   goFor(2);
  6.   reverse(4);
  7.   motorSpeed(4,25);
  8.   goFor(2);
  9.   brake(4);

Looking at the Power vs. Distance graph and the code you can see there is a direct correlation between the two. Lines 1-3 correlate to position 0-0.2 on the graph, the power here is constant and doesn’t change. Next, lines 4 and 5 is the deceleration of the AEV, this can be seen on the  graph at distance 0.2-0.8. A sharp increase in power can be seen on the graph in between 0.8 and 1 meter. This is the point in the code the AEV reverses it motors. This abrupt motion causes a massive use of power. The constant motion after is the constant speed, lines 7-8. Then the moments when there is 0 power is line 9 in the code and distance 1.2-1.6.

  1.   celerate(4,0,25,3);
  2.   motorSpeed(4,25);
  3.   goFor(1);
  4.   motorSpeed(4,20);
  5.   goFor(2);
  6.   reverse(4);
  7.   motorSpeed(4,25);
  8.   goFor(2);
  9.   brake(4);

The code and the Power v. Time graph also have a direct correlation. Line 1 in the code can be seen between 1 and 3 seconds. This shows the acceleration of the which makes the power increase. The line on the graph then evens out showing the constant speed for 1 second, lines 2 and 3. The power then makes a sharp decrease which is the decrease in speed for 2 seconds, lines 4 and 5. The sharp increase in power is the reversing of the propellers and then it goes back down to constant speed for 2 seconds seen in lines 6-8. The power then decreases to 0 for 3 seconds which is line 9 in the code.

Though the graphs are very much different there are some similarities between the two. This can be used to compare and contrast the graphs to make changes to the AEV in terms of power efficiency.