The focus of the performance test was to finalize the all aspects of the AEV before the final testing. Performance test 3 focused on the energy optimization of the AEV while it was completing the desired task. The goal was to get the AEV to complete the full task and use as little energy as possible in the process. This meant making coding decisions and then using the data analysis to decide which programs were able to use as little energy as possible. While cutting down on energy was the focus, the AEV still needed to complete the task so completeness took priority over energy efficiency.
Due to many early setbacks in the design process, only one program was developed that was able to successfully complete the track in its entirety. This being said, modifications to the code to improve efficiency were not able to be made due to the time constraint. Although modifications were not made, energy optimization was taken into consideration while programming the AEV. It was decided that the AEV would have an initial burst and then the motors would cut off and it would coast to its destination for all parts of the track. As seen in the energy usage graph below this let the AEV use no energy for most of the run. Also by getting the AEV to coast exactly to the desired spot, no energy was used in braking the vehicle. This eliminated another function which would cause it to use more energy. The major take-aways from this lab were getting the AEV to successfully complete the track and quantifying the energy usage of the full run. These are both very important for all future testing and documentation.
Schedule and Team Meeting Notes:
No team meeting occurred this week.
Last Week’s Activities:
- Finalize code for the AEV
- Matt H
To Be Completed:
- Complete progress report
- Everyone
- Final Testing
- Everyone
- CDR
- Everyone
- Portfolio
- Everyone
- Oral Presentation
- Everyone
| No. | Task | Start | Finish | Due | Est Time | Matt H. | Nigel P. | Matt S. | Yirou L. | % Complete |
| 1 | Progress report | 4/3 | 4/9 | 4/10 | 1 h | 1/4 h | 1/4 h | 1/4 h | 1/4 h | 100% |
| 2 | Final Testing | 4/10 | 4/12 | 4/13 | 2 h | 1 h | 1 h | 1 h | 0 h | 100% |
| 3 | CDR | 4/10 | 4/20 | 4/20 | 5 h | 2 h | 2 h | 1 h | 1/2 h | 100% |
| 4 | Portfolio | 4/10 | 4/18 | 4/20 | 4 h | 2 h | 1 h | 1/2h | 1/2 h | 100% |
| 5 | Oral Presentation | 4/10 | 4/19 | 4/19 | 3 h | 1 h | 1 h | 1 h | 1 h | 100% |
| 6 | ||||||||||
| 7 |
Decisions Made:
Create the code first and then worry about energy efficiency after.
Reflections:
Should have used class time more efficiently through the semester.