Wireless Sensor Nodes Project

Our Mission

Team Kanaloa shall design and integrate a set of unique Wireless Sensor Nodes (WSNs) to reduce the complexity involved in setup and deployment of the Wave Adaptive Modular Vessel (WAM-V), with the goal of increasing flexibility of future modifications to the sensor array on the vessel by May 2021.

The proposed project will allow for rapid repeatable mounting and dismounting of sensors. The current challenges Team Kanaloa faces are the limitations in the robot’s adaptability and modularity, as well as the lengthy setup time before deployment. The proposed new WSNs will address these limitations through nodes with precision mounting, independent power, and wireless communication.

 

What is Team Kanaloa?

Team Kanaloa is a Vertically Integrated Project (VIP) dedicated to the advancement of Unmanned Systems technologies.  We work with all manner of mechanical design, interoperability, sensor fusion, signal processing, control, machine learning, and project management. Team Kanaloa also conducts extensive project work, deploying our various unmanned vehicle platforms for research use (see “Project Overview” for more information).

The WSN Project consists of members of Team Kanaloa who are working closely with the rest of the team to improve the modularity of the sensor array onboard the WAM-V.

The WSN Project Team

Project Manager

Mechanical Co-Lead

Tyler Wilfahrt is a senior expected to graduate in May 2021 with a BS in mechanical engineering. He joined Team Kanaloa in the Spring of 2019 in order to learn more about the field of marine robotics and gain more project experience along with the opportunity for the practical application of skills learned throughout his college career. Tyler’s goal after graduating is to become an engineer in the field of robotics, and this project’s objective of creating Wireless Sensor Nodes will allow him to gain more knowledge and experience not only with wireless communication, but also with its application on marine systems, which will help him reach his goal.

 

System Integrator

Communication Subsystem Co-Leader

Dayne Saito is an undergraduate in mechanical engineering, expected to graduate in May 2021. He first developed an interest in engineering and robotics after participating in VEX Robotics and FIRST Robotics from middle school to high school. He chose the Wireless Sensor Node project over other available projects because of his previous student job in the SOEST (School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology) Engineering Support facility, where he designed and machined parts for similar marine projects. Given his familiarity in the field and its prevalence in Hawaii, Dayne has a particular interest in working as an engineer in the local marine industry after graduation. 

Fiscal Manager

Electronics Subsystem Leader

Brendan Cha is currently a senior in the Mechanical Engineering program at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. He graduated from Kapiolani Community College with his Associate in Science in Natural Science Degree in Pre-Engineering in Spring 2018. During his time at KCC, he did design and manufacturing in the ME 213 and SCI 295 research classes and maintained and repaired the KCC STEM Centers’ 3D printers. During Fall 2018, he helped his friends in the Renewable Energy Development Laboratory (RED Lab), where he was responsible for designing and 3D printing cases and mounts for solar panels and microcontrollers, as well as making mechanical drawings for the control box that was reading PH and moisture content in a hydroponic system. Working on the Wireless Sensor Node project will let him learn more about wireless communications and renewable energy applications for marine vehicles.

Marketing Manager

Electronics Subsystem Co-Leader

Marisa Matsuo is a senior expected to graduate in May 2021 with a BS in mechanical engineering. She joined Team Kanaloa in Fall 2019 with the intent to earn practical experience applying the engineering concepts learned from her courses. She first developed an interest in robotics from her high school FIRST Robotics club, and after considering the practical applications as a resident of Hawaii, concentrated that interest into the field of marine robotics.

Competition Manager

Communication Subsystem Leader

Alexandra Makaiau is a senior expected to graduate with a BS in mechanical engineering in May 2021. She joined Team Kanaloa in Fall 2019 because she wanted to expand her technical knowledge and gain experience in real life engineering applications. Alexandra developed an interest in marine robotics and is currently an intern at Makai Ocean Engineering, where she continues to explore marine-related engineering. Working on the Wireless Sensor Node project will allow her to apply what she has learned as well as further her experience with marine systems, which will be invaluable to a possible career in robotics.

Mechanical Subsystem Leader

Keola Wong is an undergraduate in mechanical engineering and is expected to graduate in May 2021. Since 2017, he has been a part of the University of Hawaii Drone Team. While on the team, he gained project managing experience as a mechanical subsystem lead for 2 years. As Keola wanted to expand his experience with other autonomous vehicles and systems, he decided to join Team Kanaloa. Since joining the team he has come across many new technical concepts that he has never encountered. This has taught Keola to adapt and overcome obstacles getting him ready to face issues post graduation. Keola would like to apply the experience and knowledge from this project to dive into a career advancing the technology of autonomous systems.

Our Project

Subsystem breakdown and conceptual design

Precision Mounting

Independent Power

Wireless Communication

Success Criteria

Project Timeline

Key dates for the WSN Project are listed below. In particular, we plan to begin manufacturing on January 11, 2021 and conclude manufacturing on January 31, 2021. Testing will begin on February 1, 2021, and the project will conclude on March 19, 2021. 

As of November 20, 2020, the team is on track to meet the design freeze date, and the Comprehensive Design Report (CDR) is currently in progress. The funding goal has already been met, and we are on track to begin manufacturing in mid-January.

Gantt Chart

Updated November 9, 2020

Funding

The WSN Project budget is broken down by subsystem, with a total funding goal of $8,822.23. Key items in the budget include 3D printing materials for prototyping housing and sensor mountings, solar panels and batteries for powering the nodes, and WiFi enabled microcontrollers for transmitting data wirelessly.

The WSN Project team plans to acquire funding in the following ways:

RIP Laboratory Funding

Being a senior design project at UH Manoa, we plan to apply for the $2,000 in funding typically granted to ME 481/ME 482 teams by RIP Laboratory.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)

The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) is a program that promotes undergraduate creative work and research across all disciplines at UH Manoa. UROP awards approximately $500,000 to student projects annually. 

The WSN Project team submitted an application for UROP on October 10, 2020, requesting the full funding amount for the project.

As of November 20, 2020, UROP approved $8,810 in funding for the project, meaning our funding goal is almost completely met. Additional funds will go towards costs that may not have been foreseen in the budget, as well as extra/backup hardware such as sensors, batteries, and housings.

Registered Independent Organizations (RIO) Fundraising

As Team Kanaloa is a Registered Independent Organization (RIO) at UH Manoa, our team can fundraise through RIO by applying for common fundraising activities such as selling food on campus. The amount of funds raised through RIO will be variable, and fundraising through RIO will likely only be necessary if we need to raise additional funds beyond what is covered by UROP and RIP Lab.

Team Kanaloa Fall 2020 VIP Poster Session Video

Check out Team Kanaloa’s Fall 2020 VIP Poster Session video, which highlights the work the WSN Project is doing this semester, as well as the rest of Team Kanaloa.

Team Kanaloa

Team Kanaloa Contact Information

WSN Project

Project Manager Tyler Wilfahrt

Email: tsw AT hawaii DOT edu