1. Finalized Hardware Components:
- Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): Selected an IMU that includes both an accelerometer and gyroscope. This will be used for real-time motion tracking.
- Pressure Pad: Chosen for accurate pressure detection and user feedback.
- Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Module: Decided on a BLE module for low-power wireless communication between the insole and external devices.
- Battery: Calculated power requirements for the system and confirmed the use of a rechargeable LIPO battery. These calculations have been documented and posted in the design report.
- ESP32 Selection: After meeting with the CLIMB team (who are working on a similar project), we decided to use an ESP32 microcontroller for its low power consumption, integrated BLE, and ease of interfacing with the sensors and battery.
2. Collaboration with CLIMB Team:
- Met with the CLIMB team to discuss design decisions, as they are using a similar framework. We shared insights into using the ESP32 microcontroller and discussed battery management with LIPO rechargeable batteries. This collaborative discussion helped solidify our design decisions regarding energy efficiency and sensor integration.
3. IMU Testing and Simulation:
- Successfully connected an Arduino to the Bosch IMU sensor to begin collecting data.
- Conducted a preliminary test and ran a simulation in MATLAB to analyze sensor drift and saturation. The simulation helped identify ways to minimize these issues, which will be addressed in future sensor calibration and firmware development.
Next Steps:
- Continue sensor calibration and integration with the ESP32.
- Finalize the communication protocol between the insole and external devices.
- Work on refining the simulation model to better predict and reduce sensor drift.