System Progress
This week, we completed all purchase orders for our main system components. The remaining items to be ordered include the trash bin, a buck converter for voltage regulation, and a mounting clipper/bracket to secure the camera on top of the trash bin.
With the core components already ordered, we are now positioned to begin physical integration once the deliveries arrive.
System Design & Changes
No changes were made to the existing system design, requirements, block diagram, or specifications this week. The architecture remains consistent with our previous proposal, and all component selections align with our defined system requirements.
Risk & mitigation:
The primary risk at this stage is that our total spending is approaching the $600 budget limit. Although we have already purchased the major components, the remaining purchases leave little margin for unexpected expenses. To manage this risk, we have prioritized essential components and avoided optional upgrades. If additional costs arise during integration, we are prepared to substitute non-critical parts with lower-cost alternatives to remain within budget.
Another concern raised this week, particularly mentioned by Professor Mukherjee, is the relatively high power consumption of the Raspberry Pi 5. While it provides strong computational capability for our computer vision implementation, its power demands may affect battery life and thermal performance. Since we have already requested the Raspberry Pi 5 from inventory, we plan to proceed with it for initial development while carefully managing power through the use of a buck converter and software optimization. If power consumption becomes a significant issue during testing, we will evaluate lower-power embedded alternatives as a contingency plan.
Next Week’s Plan
Next week, our primary focus will be on writing and finalizing the design report. At the same time, since most components are expected to arrive next week, we will begin assembling the hardware and conducting initial integration tests.