Test Readiness Review

Performance test 3 focuses on the energy distribution and conservation of the AEV in accordance with the requirements and standards in Mission Concept Review. In this lab, the object is to optimize the energy efficiency of the AEV based on the design used in Performance Test 1 & 2. The methods of improvement include changing the AEV design layout, Arduino code, different propellers, and 3D printed part, which give the group varieties of solutions of optimization. In the previous lab, the objective was to create a strategy to develop a code that can meet all the operational requirements stated in the Mission Concept Review. And the Performance Test 3 is going to further develop the AEV through optimization of energy distribution and conservation in order to create the most energy efficient AEV which meet all the requirements in the MCR. After creating the most energy efficient AEV, the group will finalize the code of the AEV that was developed in performance test 1 and 2. The code will meet all the requirements in the Mission Concept Review and is optimized for its energy efficiency.   In order to accomplish the procedure, the work distribution of the group is as follows: First, group member Wilson and Yuhan will create and assemble different designs of the AEV while group member Meng will keep editing the code and upload it to the AEV; Second, group member Md and Wilson will conduct the test on the track; Third, group member Meng will collect the data and convert into excel spreadsheet; Last, group member Meng and Yuhan will calculate the total energy used in the whole process of operation and analyze the data for group discussion and give the final conclusion. After weeks of studying, the group is experienced with data analyzing. The previous labs also inspired the group with ideas of optimizing energy efficiency. The group is ready for the Performance Test 3.

Introduction

The purpose of Performance Test 3 was to optimize the AEV energy consumption. Improvements were made based on the code developed in the Performance Test 1&2. Final code needed to allow the AEV meet all of the objectives in the Mission Concept Review (MCR) and optimize its energy efficiency.

Results & Discussion

In the Performance Test 2, the AEV was already able to complete all the objectives in the Mission Concept Review. However, the deceleration phases in the testing consumed more energy than expected and can be saved. The main method of optimization in Performance Test 3 was reducing the engine work time during the deceleration phases. The original plan was replacing all of the propeller deceleration progress by coasting. After several attempts, the group achieved the goal. However, during the following testing the group found that the coasting distance of the AEV was unstable especially under the low speed. The unstable coasting distance made the AEV miss the stop at the gate and fail the missions. In this case, the group changed the plan into shortening the deceleration time and increasing the power. After several times of adjustment, the improved code was able to control the AEV meet all the objectives of MCR and shortened 4 deceleration phases to around 1 second. The group downloaded the data from the AEV and analyzed the data by the AEV Analysis Tool on MATLAB. After analyzing, the group made following plots. Plot 1. Input Power & Efficiency vs. Distance graph for PT3 From the graph, the group found that during the whole mission, the energy efficient of the AEV was stabled at 12% which is an efficient value (compared with the best efficiency of 14.5%). Although the deceleration power was increased about 5-10% compared with the code in PT2, the deceleration time was decreased over 50%. In this case, energy was saved. Figure 2. Screenshot of the total energy consumption of the AEV ran by two codes. The result above shown that the total energy consumption of the AEV was reduced about 47J by using the new code developed in PT3. The energy optimization of the AEV was successful based on the result.

Conclusion and Recommendations

During this lab, the group tried to optimize the AEV energy efficiency by improving the deceleration part of the code. The group fixed error of completely using coasting flight and developed new strategy of reducing deceleration time and increasing the deceleration power. Based on the testing result, the optimization of AEV energy efficiency was a success. During the previous labs, the group improved the energy efficiency of the AEV mainly on power section which includes best engine input power, proper propeller installing direction, and efficient deceleration phases.  Before the final testing, the group thought the AEV can still be improved by other methods like reducing the weight. The group will keep on improving the AEV until the final testing.

Appendix

Copy of the Arduino Code reverse(4); brake(4); goFor(1); celerate(4,0,26,1); motorSpeed(4,26); goToAbsolutePosition(176); reverse(4); motorSpeed(4,35); goFor(1.2); brake(4); goFor(8); reverse(4); celerate(4,0,26,1); motorSpeed(4,26); goToRelativePosition(182); reverse(4); motorSpeed(4,35); goFor(1); brake(4); goFor(5); celerate(4,0,55,1); motorSpeed(4,40); goToRelativePosition(140); brake(4); reverse(4); motorSpeed(4,35); goFor(1.5); reverse(4); brake(4); goFor(7); celerate(4,0,50,1); motorSpeed(4,40); goToRelativePosition(160); reverse(4); motorSpeed(4,35); goFor(1); brake(4);