During the System Analysis 1 lab, the team demonstrated its ability to work with a computer to record measurements digitally with a microprocessor, convert that data into meaningful physical parameters, and to analyze the data using known equations for power and energy. This exercise, part of the experimental research phase of the design process, allowed Group B to study how the parameters of functions called in their program effect power consumption. Science and research communities use the System Analysis process to obtain essential information for the optimization of system performance. Group B will use the data to do just that, and will learn from the information obtained to maximize the power efficiency of the final AEV design.
In conclusion, Group B has decided that this Lab is essential in the completion of the AEV design project. This lab demonstrates to groups the efficiency of each command utilized to program the AEV. If any changes were to be made to this lab, it would be beneficial to students to have a celerate command and a motorSpeed command that do the same thing in order to see the difference in power usage. For example, have a motorSpeed command that would set the motors to 35% power, then there could be a celerate command that would set the motors to 35% power over 5 seconds. This would demonstrate to students the difference in power consumption of each command. Group B has learned that the reverse command requires a large amount of power to run, and should try to have the AEV’s motors stop by running the brake command before running the reverse command.