Overview of Status of Analysis, Design, Fabrication, Tests, etc.
Fabrication of Y-mazes complete by the end of this week
Recordings taken of mother mouse and pups, not yet analyzed
Recordings taken of known ultrasonic signal played through headphones
o 10-90 kHz signals played at same amplitude
o Found overall trend of Dodotronic’s provided sensitivity chart to be consistent
o 80-90 kHz signals (lowest sensitivity according to graph) faded from 30 db to 0 db over 0 to 9 inches of distance between source and sensor. This raises the issue of whether the microphone will be able to sense full spectrum when mice are at furthest points in the maze; however, previous recordings show that the mice output a higher SPL (the lowest signals detected for the mice in this range were 30 dB taken from 3 inches away) than the headphones. If time and the cooperation of the mice allow, testing the mice from the maximum possible distance in the maze would be helpful
o Ultrasonic frequency response of headphones caused inconsistencies and exaggerated reduction in response for upper frequencies
· Completed coding of motion sensing VI. Tested it using a direct voltage input from the DAQ.
Accomplishments from Previous Week
Tested purchased sensors and determining they will not suit our needs
Completing motion sensing LabView VI
Redesigning and fabricating Y-mazes
Analyzing recordings of mice taken under different conditions. Unfortunately these were unsuccessful as the mice did not communicate during the tests.
Goals for Next Week (list names after each item). Use specific and measurable objectives.
Testing IR motion sensors through acrylic (Phong)
Testing motion sensing LabView VI with the sensors (Sam/Phong)
Physical integration and mounting of sensors to mazes (Caren/Sonya)
Wiring of sensors to DAQ cards (Sam/Phong)
Sponsor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Sponsors would like us to do our final presentation on 5/29 (email, sent on 5/21)
Action: sent email explaining that mazes and sensor integration will not be complete at this point and requesting to push back meeting to the week after
Instructor Comments from Last Meeting and Actions Taken to Address these Comments (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Address the issue of the microphone’s varying sensitivity throughout the frequency spectrum
Provide more quantitative data
Conduct test using consistent ultrasonic signal source to replace failed test of mice
All comments in person on 5/17
Action taken: recorded known signal through headphones and extracted amplitude data for each frequency
Comments from Other Students in the Class (indicate date of comments and if via email or in person)
Risks and Areas of Concern
Non-uniform microphone frequency response
Ability to detect mouse signals from farthest points in the maze
Ability of IR sensors to function through 0.25 inch acrylic
Having enough time to integrate sensors once they are received
Resources or Information Required but not Available
Ultrasonic frequency response of headphones used for testing
Schedule
Test sensors through 0.25” acrylic – 5/29
Incorporate sensors (Hardware)- 6/1
Finalized testing- 6/2
Final sponsor presentation – 6/4 (tentative)
Budget (list amount spent and amount remaining)
~300 Ultramic 250K
~30 Sensors
~250 Acrylic
Approximately 1850 remains
Progress on Report and Webpage
Each team member’s assigned portion of the report is complete, but all parts must be integrated and properly formatted