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USDA Research Grant Proposal

Title: Development of a Budget for Electronic Retrofitting of Current Analog Rain


Gauge Systems

Focus: Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Duration: 09/2014 04/2015

Federal Funds: $2000

Primary Investigator: Nicholas Kirby, Department of Mechanical Engineering,


University of Idaho
Abstract
Rain gauges currently in use by the USDA throughout the country are analog devices.
Data is recorded on a spool of paper that must then be read, extracted and interpolated
by a human being. It requires additional resources and adds possible sources of error to
data translation. This project will develop a reproducible, proprietary, inexpensive, and
effective method of recording and storing rainfall data over the course of one to six
months. The proposed budget will cover all cost associated with the research, design,
and production of prototypes and a final retrofitted product. The total cost for a final
product is estimated at less than $200, with labor, testing, and prototyping costing up to
$1800. The system is estimated to be at least four times more accurate than current
analog systems. It will have minimal power draw to balance ease-of-use versus
functionality. Once the final product is physically constructed and programmed, future
costs will include only the purchasing of the proprietary hardware for assembly,
reducing the overall cost of each unit after the first.

Project Objective and Technical Outline


The goal for this project is to design a cost-effective retrofit for current analog rain
gauges. This retrofit will allow for analog to digital data collection and storage on-site.
This will eliminate the need for human data interpolation and extraction, saving both
time and money.
Current analog rain gauges can record down to 1 mm of rainfall. Our goal is to be able to
record down to .25 mm of rainfall.
Data collection and storage will be done through the use of proprietary components,
meaning no custom parts will need to be made or ordered for construction. This will
keep unit costs to a minimum.
The system will record data with a potentiometer. It reads voltage differences as it is
actuated. This data is then sent to a data logger for conversion and storage.
The data logger will be programmed to take the voltages read by the potentiometer and
convert them into millimeters or inches of rainfall and store that data into an easy to
read format for the user. It is expected that data will be output onto an SD, microSD, or
USB device.
Product Needs
Being an electronic device, it is important that the apparatus remain as long lasting and
durable as current analog models. It will need to be weatherproofed and have the ability
to withstand extreme temperatures.
Data storage must be on site and easily available to the user.
The retrofit must be cost effective to maintain feasibility as an addition to current
models. This means the user must get more accuracy with fewer sources of error and
human data extrapolation.
Product Constraints
Power requirements and sources will need to be investigated. The power source must be
long lasting and easily available to the user.
Functionality versus ease of use must be taken into consideration. The goal here is to
keep data collection as simple as possible in addition to letting the user know that the
electronic components are working correctly. However as more functions are added,
ease of use decreases and power draw increases, upping overall costs.
In addition, the proprietary system must be easily reproducible. A custom made, niche
product may work, but not be worth the time, effort, or money to recreate.

Technical Specifications
The table below depicts what our team believes to be a succinct summary of our goals
and requirements relating to our technical specifications:

Function

General

Specific

Acceptable

Observe measured
rainfall

Monitor changes in
volume from height
displacement

Changes as small as
1mm resolution

Observe measured
rainfall

Monitor changes over


time.

Data sampled every 1


minute

Operate
independently

Have independent
power source

Last six month without


grid power

Accuracy

The rain gauge must


identify the empty
state accurately

Built in calibration.

Robust

Built to endure wide


Operate in -40C to
range of temperatures 55C

Low cost

Built using simple


manufacturing
methods
Designed to last and
be robust given wide
array of conditions

Materials
Longevity

Less than $100

Target life at least 10


years

Data format

Data logger needs to Comma separated


record data in an easy file, allow for easy
to read format
excel use

Data retrieval

Data must be easily


retrieved and stored
under power loss
conditions

On board microSD
with fat32 support

Status indicator

Gives visual key that it


is operating correctly

Status led for power on


and status led for
recording.

User interface

Provide an easy to use Power on button and


interface for setting up start/stop record
data logger
button

Date Time Stamp

Tag each data point


RTC with independent
with the date and time battery
of collection

Data Logger

Preliminary Data Collection


It is necessary to determine if potentiometers in general are a viable way to record data
that can be converted down to a minimum of .25 mm of rainfall. This was done by
creating a simple circuit with a cheap, store-bought potentiometer in one of University
of Idahos mechanical engineering labs. The data output was recorded on a computer,
input into a table, and converted into the following chart relating potentiometer rotation
to our converted millimeter step increments:

step_measurement in mm

5m
4

3
interval( range) 10

100deg 1.745 rad

200deg 3.491 rad


300deg 5.236 rad

0m
0

0
0deg

4
range

300deg

rotaion in radians
This quick and easy test showed us that without any calibration or specificity in
potentiometer selection, we were able to record a maximum resolution of .294 mm and
a minimum resolution of .894 mm. These resolutions are both more accurate than
current analog rain gauge systems, but not quite where we want them to be. With
additional funding we can devote research into exploring and purchasing
potentiometers to meet our goals. It is very possible to purchase incredibly accurate
potentiometers that meet operating temperature, power consumption, and cost needs

from electronics manufacturer and distribution companies such as Mouser Electronics,


Digikey, and McMaster-Carr.
Research into types of data loggers was conducted in order to provide an idea as to what
a client could expect in terms of cost and functionality of data collection and storage.
Three example data loggers that meet both cost and functionality needs can be seen
below:

Sources: Digikey, HobbyTronics UK

All three data loggers found contain more than enough input and output channels,
contain real time clocks for data collection, and keep the product well under the $200
budget.

Timeline
Our team plans to split the project into two main parts: Research and development of
individual parts, and construction of the main assembly. It is estimated that the
development of individual parts will take be done between September 2014 through
November 2014. In this phase, we plan to get each part working on its own within the
parameters of the project and the technical specifications. December 2014 through April
2015 will be devoted to constructing and testing the main assembly. Adjustments will be
made as necessary and a final Gant chart may be provided.

Facilities & Liability


All testing and construction will be performed in either the Gauss-Johnson Electrical
Engineering Laboratory, or the Buchannan Engineering Laboratory. Both are located on
University of Idahos campus.
As work is being done on campus by students, all liability for the project and ourselves
will fall upon the individual or group, as necessary.

Line Item Budget & Deliverables


It is projected that each aspect of our budget will be allocated as follows. Each item
includes multiple purchases for testing, prototyping, and replacement parts.

Item

Significance

Budget

Potentiometer

Data recording

$200

Data Logger

Data conversion and


storage

$300

Power Source

Potentiometer and data


logger use

$200

Unit Housing

Modular housing for


electronic components

<$100

Weatherproofing

Maintain functionality

<$100

Programming and
Calibration

Labor cost. (will not affect


final product cost)

$750

MISC

Tools, wires, testing


equipment

$350

Total

$2000

With this budget our group can provide an investor with the following:

Operational retrofitted rain gauge


o Calibrated potentiometer
o Calibrated data logger
o Battery pack
o Housing unit
o Removable storage
3D model of rain gauge + retrofit
Data and control flow diagrams
Potentiometer and data logger calibration code
User manual and troubleshooting guide
Reproduction schematics

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