Category: Aidan’s Status Reports

This week, I was unable to attend 18500 because I was very sick all week with the flu. I made sure to stay in contact with my team while under these unfortunate circumstances. I communicated regarding post-demo and updates to our model training/progress. This allowed me to stay on track for next week after recovering from my illness to assist with all items leading up to the final demo and presentation.

Our schedule is currently on track and we plan to focus on the final presentation and ensuring our model training stays on track for final demos.

For my portion of AnomAIy, I was responsible for learning various new platforms to develop, debug, and integrate all items regarding the Raspberry Pi Pico. This involved learning how to use the Pico, MicroPython, and the Raspberry Pi for Pico to Pi communication. These platforms were all completely new to me and required me to utilize my prior experience with microcontrollers to learn and develop on new platforms. Some learning strategies used to acquire this new knowlege included watching youtube videos detailing Pico setup, reading articles written for MicroPython newbies, and researching forums that detailed debugging strategies when unusal errors occured with integration.

This week, I supported the team through Interim demos by ensuring the functionality of the Pico as the cooling loop begins data-collection and complete operation. After demos, I assisted with finalizing test patterns for intial data collection to ensure our testbed models realistic workloads. Additionally, I developed fault-condition test cases to run on the testbed after initial data collection to ensure our dataset is thorough enough to provide anomaly detection that aligns with our technical requirements. The schedule is currently on track, and next week, we plan to continue data collection and fault simulation to build out our regression model for power prediction.

This week, I worked on finishing up the tests for the Pico to SSR, Servo, Pump, and Fan. This resulted in successful connections to all the components through the Pico code. Then, I finished the main loop run script to ensure it would integrate with the Pi. This resulted in a successful integration, so the Pi can control the Pico through commands in a fail-safe manor. I also troubleshooted and debugged some issues with the SSR and Flowmeter successfully. Lastly, I met with my group to prepare for the Demo.

Next week, we plan to continue fine tuning data collection and working with the full pipeline to ensure all bugs are addressed.

The current schedule is on track and will allow for successful data collection given the current status of integration.

This week, I setup the toolchain for the Raspberry Pi Pico and began learning how to flash the Pico to allow for iterative design and debugging. This involved debugging mulitple toolchain source dependencies, which were resolved and ended in a successful uf2 file for flashing. Next, I utilized partial part datasheet research to intialize the code skeleton for the Pico control loop. This will be further developed after we acquire the parts and the manuals and datasheets are fully accessible. Lastly, I finalized our laser cutting strategy by sourcing acrylic and aluminum cost and researching and confirming strategies to mititage labor cost.

The schedule is currently running slightly behind due to a delay in part acquisition, but this was mitigated by ensuring the toolchain and workflow will be completly ready for SW dev immediately upon receiving the parts and comprehensive datasheets.

Next week, I plan to begin integrating Pi5 to Pico UART interface to ensure design coherence and robustness. Additionally, we plan to finish the design report to ensure we have time for iterations and feedback as needed.

This week, I acquired the Raspberry Pi Pico and servos for cooling loop valve control. I collaborated with my teammates to flesh out exactly how the control loop will function, finalized specific parts to begin PWM requirements reasearch, and sourced my toolchain to develop the Pico software. Next, I conducted thermal analysis on our system as required for our project to solidify our design requirements and ensure they are accurate to our specific design and system. Additionally, I assisted in finalizing the design proposal slides this weekend to ensure they are cohesive and ready for next week’s presentation.

The thermal analysis research was added to the schedule this week given our feedback from team meetings, but otherwise, we are on schedule for the remaining tasks.

Next week, we are focusing on laser cutting parts for the design, finishing up research for specific PWM requirements for our sensors, begin sensor SW dev, and begin software development on the main Pi board. Additionally, we will also continue development on the design report to ensure it is reflective of our research and system design.

This week, I took charge in developing the design proposal slides and presented for the team. This required coordinating with my teammates to finalize user requirements, testing and verification, and division of labor. Additionally, I extensively rehersed and iterated the proposal presentation content to ensure all project information would be conveyed cohesively and accurately upon presenting.

Additionally, I spent time researching our ML technical requirements to determine viability of both supervised classification and supervised regression to further understand how implementing anomaly detection will apply to our system. I also communicated with my teammates to review our BOM and finalize where we want to source our parts to ensure smooth transition from planning to implementation.

The project is currently on track and are expecting a smooth transition to implementation as begin sourcing parts and finalizing high level design plans.

Our goals for next week include to continue iterating the block diagram as needed, research for linear motion rod and connectors to purchase, and flesh out the system design as we acquire concrete parts and ensure compatibility for all aspects of our system.