|
Component One Task One Prepare a 200 to 300 word history about the National Critical Technology (NCT) technical application your team has selected to solve a local or national problem. The National Critical Technology (NCT) technical application that our team has selected to solve is the integrated navigations system. In this area, the main theme is using navigations systems such as a GPS on a large scale such as on a military ship or a yacht on the sea. It also involves real time use of environmental information systems and digital charts. History Integrated Navigation Systems started with simple charts and a compass for ships on the high sea in the 13th century. They would have a navigator or "pilot" that would use instruments such as the astrolabe and the compass. Then, in 1973, the US military created the GPS Project to improve the limited systems of the day. Its purpose was only supposed to be used for the military but everyday civilivans that had a receiver were able to tap into the signals, so in 1994, it was freely accessible to anyone with a GPS receiver.
Problem There are some restrictions with this technology such as the GPS signals that are being sent can be tampered by certain obstacles like concrete buildings and trees so then the number of satellites tracking an item will be obsolete.
Solution We want to create a GPS tracking device that will work in any environment, i.e. indoors, outdoors, etc. This will help everyday people with thier luxury items such as cellphones, iPads, or cars. We would like to utilize the GPS technology and radio signals in order to accomplish this goal.
Task Two Cite three detailed examples of research done in the past 3 to 5 years which focused on the topic your team selected. University of Minnesota led by Professor Demoz Gebre-Egziabher funded by multiple sponsors.
University of Warmia led by Professor Dorata Grejner-Brzezinska and funded by European Space Agency Plan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology led by Professor Seth Lloyd and funded by the University Research Initiative
Task Three Based on research your team has done, explain how the NCT application chosed has advanced scientific knowledge.
|
Component Two Task One Identify two companies and one product produced by each company that directly relates to the NCT technical application your team has selected. Sierra Systems-The KeyRinger KeyRingers are a combination of two small items, one attached to key chains that functions as a remote while the other is attached to the item you wish to find. When the remote is activated, the locator gives off signals in the form of beeping until the item is found[4]. -Sold in sets of two with lithium batteries, key chain links, double-sided adhesive strips, and a stick-on magnet -Uses technology with a 12 month long battery life -Responds up to 300 hundred feet away -Signals with a 106 decibel tone and flashing lights. It is a visual locator rather than computer based. $29.95 Per Pair
Garmin-GTU 10 The Garmin GTU 10 tracking system is a wireless system that allows for online tracking across the nation. It uses a GPS that is attached to or placed in anything from a bike to a child's backpack. Once the GPS is on the move, it can be located using coordinate systems online through a series of wireless maps. [5] -Sold in a pack with the GTU 10, USB cable for computer use, case, adhesive strip and one year of standard tracking -Uses a high-sensitivity GPS
-Responds to U.S. national coverage with a wireless connection
-Uses a rechargeable Li-ion battery
$199.99 for Package and One Year of Tracking
Task Two Identify one professional association or trade organization associated with the products your team identified.Include: the name, description of its mission, and number of people/companies involved. American Radio Relay League The ARRL, or American Radio Relay League, is the national association for amateur radio. The association hosts volunteer and learning opportunities for youths and adults to become acquainted with HAM radios. The league also offers clubs and meetings around the nation for more experienced radio users. The “Core Purpose” of the ARRL is to “promote and advance the art, science and enjoyment of Amateur Radio[6]”. Not limited to their mission however, the league provides leadership in the entire US with various companies and partners such as the American Red Cross, Boy Scouts of America, Civil Air Patrol, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Salvation Army[7]. The ARRL has joined forces with many other non-government organizations, non-profits and public service agencies. The ARRL averages over 157,000 members nationwide[8], while providing membership certificates and licenses to many more each day.
Task Three Propose and describe a new product or new process based on your team's NCT technical application. Where in the World?! Item Locator Where in the World is a product to find your everyday personal items. It consists of a handheld GPS, a raw GPS, and a HAM radio. The handheld GPS is used to acknowledge one’s own location so one can know their starting coordinates. It also has a function to track and give directions to a desired location. The raw GPS is used to send out the time and coordinates of its own location, the location of the lost item. The HAM radio receives the coordinates that the raw GPS is sending out and when connected to a computer, translates the coordinates in a fashion that one can read them and understand them. Once that is all on the computer, one may input the coordinates of personal items into the handheld GPS in order to track it and find the various locations.
Task Four
Below is a copy of an email sent to Gilsson Technologies, a leading manufacturer of Garmin GPS systems and accessories:
To Whom it May Concern:
Hello there, my name is Courtney, a high school senior from Blaine, Minnesota. I am involved in the CEMS (Center for Engineering, Math and Science) program here at Blaine. The CEMS program provides engineering opportunities for various high achieving students. As a senior, I am a member of a group of five students conducting a research project. Throughout the course of our senior year we have researched, designed, built and began a prototype of our project, a GPS that may be used to locate small, everyday lost items.
Specifically, we are using a small multi-mode GPS that transmits raw data that is attachable to an item. We have then acquired a HAM radio to pick up the various transmitted frequencies of the multi mode GPS. Our project is using a computer program that inputs the data listed previously, allowing users to locate their lost items through a system of maps . We have also enclosed the GPS in a case designed by one of our members.
I have contacted you for a couple of reasons. The first being that you manufacture many GPS and similar products from major companies. The second being that one of our class assignments is to locate a manufacturing company, and email them with descriptions of our projects. My group and I would love to hear what you think of our project or an evaluation of it. If you would be interested you can contact myself, also please contact me if you have any questions regarding the evaluation or details of the project.
Your evaluation would be much appreciated.
Thank you for your time, Courtney Blaine High School, MN |
Component Three Task One Provide a forecast of what the workforce demand would be over a five year period to produce and market your team's technical application or process. Include the impact such production would have on the marketplace. In the beginning years of our company, we would work on actually receiving the raw GPS’s from Bill Brown. He is the man that provided us with the one we have acquired. After this, around 1 year, we would start making the cases. This would require things such as a 3-D printer and employees to handle the actual printing process of the cases. These things would be housed at a large warehouse where the GPS’s would be shipped to and the employees would combine both the GPS’s and the cases. Following this we would create multiple offices that house employees such as HAM radio operators, support receptionists to answer phone calls of customers, and home management (CEO, analysts, accountants, Vice Presidents, managers of that certain office, etc.). The GPS/case combination would be shipped to these offices as needed. We would establish contracts with large retail corporations (Wal-Mart, Target, and Best Buy) who would sell our product to customers. Finally, including training and creation of these offices, this would be around a 3 year span. Task Two Youngtown State University- Electrical Engineering
The Electrical Engineering Technology bachelor degree, in the Department of Engineering Technology, at Youngstown State University in Ohio, prepares students for careers that involve designing transmitting and receiving equipment, designing microprocessing systems, and designing other electrical products. These skills and knowledge would relate to the transmitting, receiving, and processing functions of our product[9].
University of Detroit Mercy- Masters of Engineering
The Master’s of Engineering with a concentration in Signals and Systems program at the University of Detroit Mercy would provide people with the skills to develop and improve our product. The program is in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering and includes classes on communications, digital signals, and system programming. These classes would provide people with the knowledge to develop the signal processing and programs and improve our product[10].
Task Three Develop an idea for a new science and/or engineering degree program that might emerge giventhe advancements in scientific knowledge that the team has identified. Provide a title and a 100 word description of this new degree program. Master's Program in GPS And Locating Technology
A master program called GPS and Locating Technology that focuses specifically on GPS and tracking systems might emerge because of the advancements our team has identified. The program would have classes that teach the programming, signals, and circuitry in GPS’s and trackers. The program would allow students to design and improve new tracking technology. The program would also teach students about the developments in indoor positioning. The students would complete a research project that would advance their knowledge and understanding of GPS’s and tracking systems before receiving their degree. Although the focus would be GPS’s, the content would also apply to improving all digital signals.
[1]global.umn.edu/about/gps.html [2] sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817101935.htm [3]web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2001/quantum-0829.html [4]keyringer.com [5]garmin.com/ces/gtu10 [6]arrl.org/about-arrl [7]arrl.org/served-agencies-and-partners [8]arrl.org/membership [9]ysu.edu/home [10]udmercy.edu |