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  • Author Author: Jan Cumps
  • Date Created: 7 Nov 2015 4:40 PM Date Created
  • Views 1559 views
  • Likes 10 likes
  • Comments 16 comments
  • RoadTest
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How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 3: Help Me

Jan Cumps
Jan Cumps
7 Nov 2015

The element14 roadtests are a great way to learn new things. Whenever I see a test that interests me, I enroll.

Success is not guaranteed. I've been selected for some, not for others. In this series I'll explain how I decide to enroll or not.

I'll also show how I build my case, including some examples from my applications.

 

In this post I try to build a case for a new roadtest - interactively with you.
You can give me advice on what I should add, delete, change, improve...

 

The New Application

 

I'm going to enroll into the TI Ultrasonic Sensing RoadTest. With the kit from that test you can evaluate the content of fluid containers from the outside.

With a piezo transmitter/receiver (I believe there's one included in the box), you can check levels, but also density of materials.

Here's my application:

 

Application: TI Ultrasonic Sensing RoadTest

Plans for the standard kit setup

 

I'm going to create test setups to measure liquid height and check the precision (should be sub 1mm with a 1MHz piezo tranceiver).

image

I want to teach the kit what the density of a few liquids is, and then try to see if I can make it recognize what liquid is in a closed container. I'll use some fluids that are very different, but I also want to try if I can measure the difference between milk and self-made Nesquik.

 

image

 

I'll also check how it performs when the container is shielded, like the aluminium lined package of the drink carton above.

 

The last test is to see if it does a reasonable job when measuring liquid levels from above (can I measure the amount of air?).

 

 

Additional plans

 

I'd like to check if I can use the TI SensorTag in combination with the TDC1000, and create a wireless measurement station.

fvan has just sent me the Debugger DevPack for the SensorTag, so it would be nice if I can use that in the RoadTest.

 

image

 

As another out-of-the-box exercise, I want to see how this kit can be used for not-so-obvious measurements. Can I measure the thickness of a wall? Distances? Blood flow? ...

 

Update: added two proposals from dougw.

I will try to use the sensor and IC as a parking assist. I'll check how the combination works when mounted behind car trimming (a bumper) and see if it can measure that it's approaching an object.

As an extra challenge, I will try to use the device as anemometer - if I can find more information on how to properly set up a test fixture.

 

 

Your Turn

 

You can see that the application isn't a compelling story yet. There are ideas in there, but I don't think it'll stand out between the others.

If you have a great idea on how I can improve my text, please comment, and I'll try to adapt.

 

Fail

 

Thanks to my own procrastination behavior, I managed to miss the deadline by 6 minutes. Doh.

 

Success

 

Yeah! I've been selected.

 

 

Here are the posts related to the RoadTest that I applied for in the blog post above:

 

Related Posts
RoadTest: Unboxing the TI Ultrasonic Sensing evaluation module
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - A Very First Trial of the GUI
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - Prepping the Transponder
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - First Measurements
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - Set the Parameters for Level Measurement and Content Identification
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - Show 3 Signals on a 2 Channel Oscilloscope (RIGOL DS1052E)
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - Liquid Identification and Concentration
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - Create a KiCad Part for the Sensor IC with KiPart
TI Ultrasonic Sensor - SPI Traffic Snooping

TI Ultrasonic Sensor - RoadTest Review

 

 

 

 

 

Related blog
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 1: yes or no
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 2: success and failure
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 3: Help Me
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 4: Case for Programmable Electronic Load
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 5: Case for Educational Switch Mode Converter Lab

How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 6: Case for CAN Analysis Tool

How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 7: Case for Some Other Road Tests
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 8: Case for Harting Mica Road Tests
How I Enroll for a RoadTest - Part 9: Case for Renesas RX65N, Trinamic TMC2300, Infineon Block Chain, STM32H7B3I DISCOVERY KIT
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Top Comments

  • fvan
    fvan over 7 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps +6
    I'm intrigued by the fact it's called Beaglebone BLACK, but is actually RED!
  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 8 years ago +3
    Jan Cumps I was having a conversation with the Publisher of the mag I do Electronics for, and we were trying to sort out a years worth of articles to cover. The biggest consideration was practicality,…
  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 8 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps +3
    Ah, it was a wrong setting in the enroll downcounter. I have submitted my application exactly as it's written above. Wish me luck
  • clem57
    clem57 over 4 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    So does this mean your blogs are planned in advance? Very interesting idea.image

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  • clem57
    clem57 over 4 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    I always hated getting into one Road test when another was more interesting. This has caused me to wait till the last minute in case. For now the Azure Sphere feels like the right one no matter what else comes up.image

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  • clem57
    clem57 over 4 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    I hate when the clock tics down before I hit submit. Happens to all of us Jan Cumpsimage

    Clem

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  • mcb1
    mcb1 over 7 years ago in reply to Jan Cumps

    I usually start from such an outline and replace each sentence with narrative and argumentation

    I always find that method a great way of working as well.

     

    Even for writeups, listing the keypoints you want to cover gives you a great start point.

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  • Jan Cumps
    Jan Cumps over 7 years ago

    I was planning to enroll for the BeagleBone Black Industrial, but haven't submitted my application.

    I had a few reasons to hold off: I'm already enrolled for the programmable load road test; and I may get hold on a non-industrial used BBB.

     

    Here's the outline of the case that I was going to build for the BBB. I usually start from such an outline and replace each sentence with narrative and argumentation before submitting.

     

    Industrial and automotive automation are my pet subjects, and object oriented design.

     

    Working with OS-based embedded design (after 1st try with XPlaind Ultra)

     

    Enabling the industrial interfaces on the Stellaris controller that aren't supported by default (CAN)

     

    Setting up a cross-build environment for unix and one other OS

     

    Object Oriented software design for embedded environments: how to use C++ and design patterns in the embedded world.

     

    Resilience of the board to noisy environments (relais clicking, motors starting)

     

    I am looking forward to interesting blogs in the road test.

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