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Problem Statement PrototypesOur Approach

EE 1.14 - Toad Phone: Data Compression and Transmission

Laura Adams, Jose Hernandez, Regino LopezDr. McCracken, Dr. Forstner, Dr. Koutitas, Dr. Stern

Automated Recording Devices (ARD)These devices are positioned at locations inhabited by the Houston Toad. It work by recording the sound in the area and running the samples through a software program that recognizes the toads call. Although these ARD’s have been proven useful, problems with their use have been recognized. The cost of the ARD’s are around $800 and have to be maintained once every 40 days.

Top-Level Design-Level

User:

We would like to thank: Dr. McCracken (Sponsor)Dr. Forstner (Sponsor)

Dr. Koutitas (Faculty Advisor)Dr. Stern (Faculty Advisor)Dr. Compeau (Design Mentor)

Acknowledgements

Team Juliet

Laura Adams Regino LopezJose Hernandez

Toad Phone Administrative User

Houston Toad

Apply Analyzed Data

Analyzes stored data

Recordings of sounds are made and stored

Compresses and transmits data Cloud

Server

Project Overview

Dr. McCracken’s PrototypeDr. McCracken created the first Toad Phone prototype. This prototype includes an Android phone, a microphone, a power supply, and a spyware program for data uploads. Dr. McCracken has seen the realization of this device being cost effective, but is still only specific to the Houston Toad.

Goals

Project Progress

InterfacesSoftwareHardware

Performance

Constraints

Business Need

Hardware Performance Parameters

Hardware Use Runs on

Raspberry Pi 3 Model B The computer responsible for the compression and transmission of the audio samples

5 V power supplyPython Code to run commands

LTE IoT Add-on-kit Antenna which will transmit data via LTE network 5 V power supply

Project Goals:• Compress the collected data• Transmit the compressed

data to a cloud service• Program a user interface

Stretch Goals:• Ping for data • Transmit notifications (i.e. low

battery, memory full)• Onboard frequency detection• Error Coding

Raspberry Pi

CompressionModule

TransmissionModule

IoT

Administrative User

Deliverables

Software Performance ParametersFunction Description How it will be Tested

Compression Uses FLAC to compress audio samples for smaller memory storage relative to WAV.

Running FLAC, transmitted FLAC and WAV samples through the Acoustic Audio Analyzer and comparing false flags pulled up.

Storage Sampled audio is stored in local memory and Cloud Service for convenient access.

Through verification of uploaded sample on Cloud access web page.

Transmission Cell Module sends out recorded audio after every 10 minute sampling through use of LTE network.

Through verification of uploaded sample on Cloud access web page.

Test Parameters

• Raspberry Pi -> AT&T Cell Module

• AT&T Cell Module -> Antenna

• Raspberry Pi -> Cloud server

• Administrative Interface - Allows for customization of frequency range, sampling time and length, and to power via computer running putty.

• Student Interface - Allows user to change frequency, range and sampling time for audio, temperature, humidity and barometric readings

• Regular/”Farmer Joe” Interface - Power on/off Toad Phone via button

Project Milestones

Challenges and Concerns

MILESTONECompletion

Date Person(s)

Hardware and Software prepped for Fall Semester

5/3/2017 Jose Hernandez

Program Raspberry Pi to interact with cellular IoT module and cloud

9/4/2017 Laura Adams

Program module to transmit data to cloud

9/11/2017 Laura Adams

Program Raspberry Pi to compress different data files

9/11/2017 Regino Lopez

Finish testing Data Compression and Transmission in Lab

10/30/2017 Regino Lopez

Create Interface for Toad Phone 11/2/2017 Jose Hernandez

The Houston Toad is an endangered species. The current method ofmonitoring the Houston Toad has been an inefficient method due to theinability to transmit data and manage power consumption. Toad Phone willbe a heavily integrated project that involves research from the BiologyDepartment of Texas State University concerning Houston Toadvocalizations and resources from the Ingram Engineering Department ofTexas State University to help facilitate efficient research efforts.

This team will design a product that lowers cost and increases autonomousfield deployment time. The device needs to be very simple to use for awide audience to perform rudimentary tasks, such as turning themicroprocessor on and off and switching out storage media withoutneeding extensive guidance. The simplicity of the device will help morelandowners to become a part of the Safe Harbor program. This is aprogram in which landowners who help the preservation of the HoustonToad will receive major tax reductions on their property.

This project is a continuing effort to further develop the research of theHouston Toad species, through means of monitoring from a distance. TheToad Phone will be developed to be able to have a microprocessorcompress audio and environmental data and store the data on-board. Themicroprocessor will be able to transmit the data at designated times aswell as on request.

This project will be designed for expandability. The audio acousticanalyzer, currently being developed by a graduate student, will eventuallybe added to the design when ready. For the current state, a frequencyanalyzer module on the Raspberry Pi will be used to detect a possible call.This may produce more false negatives or positives than desired, sincethere are at least two other species whose calls are in the same range asthe Houston Toad. In this phase in the development, all acquired data willbe accepted for research.

Research completed for:Raspberry Pi ModelAT&T IoTAT&T Carrier Plans

Parts procured: Raspberry PiSnowflake MicrophoneAdafruit Fona 3g systemFLAC - open source for compression

Cloud Server

• Cost of a Cellular Carrier• Privacy of Users• User Error• Preference of Platforms: Windows vs Mac• Compatibility• Price• Industry Standard

• Environmental: Device can effectively operate within the temperature ranges 20℉ to 100℉

• Transmission: Accuracy of data received by the cloud compared to data stored on-board

• Compression: Accuracy of compressed data compared to ARD audio sample

Figure 1. Raspberry Pi Model 3 Figure 2. AT&T Internet of Things Starter Kit

Figure 3. Sound Wave of Houston Toad Call in the Frequency Domain

Figures

• Instill compression of data into the abilities of the hardware of the Toad Phone

• Making the connection of the Toad Phone to the cellular network via AT&T Cell Module

• Establishing a storage area in the cloud server where Toad Phone will deliver transmit data

Constraint Type Specific Project ConstraintEconomic Budget per product is $250

Environmental Product cannot emit chemicals to environment

Health and Safety Safety of other animals that may encounter the product

Social and Ethical Recordings could include human interactions and interference

Applicable Standards ANSI-EESCC; IEEE 802 Wireless Standards

Frequency (HZ)

Mag

nitu

de (d

B)