ECT471P Capstone 1

Dillon Stan, Computer and Electronic Eng.

Shamlan Alzenki, Electrical Eng.
12/8/2023
Introduction:
The goal of this project is to use an aerial drone to safely deliver food from one location
to another. Dillon Stan, a fourth-year student of Computer and Electronic Engineering, has
experience with the usage of microcontrollers and computer systems for remotely controlling
robotic devices. Shamlan Alzenki, a fourth-year student of Electrical Engineering, has
experience with the designing and construction of electronic circuits for specialized purposes.
The development of a drone system for food delivery would save food couriers time and
money that they would otherwise spend driving and maintaining an automobile. The adoption of
the drone system for food delivery would also have a positive impact on the environment and
quality of life, as the usage of drones would reduce the carbon emissions and ground traffic that
would be otherwise created by conventional food delivery drivers. The reduction of automobile
usage for food delivery would result in a reduction of ground traffic and carbon emissions, which
would make cities safer and cleaner for everyone.
The widespread adoption of aerial drones for food delivery would also bring the
discussion of airspace regulation and air traffic control infrastructure into the public eye, which
may pave the road for the potential usage of aerial vehicles by the general public.

Figure 1 | Hexacopter designed by Dominoes to deliver food

Detailed Use Case:

Figure 2 | Conceptual block diagram outlining use case

The Food Delivery Drone system will be designed to be used by food couriers for
delivering food. The system could be potentially used by the general public to move a small
amount of items from one location to another, such as a phone charger that was left by a friend
who was visiting from across town, however the system will be designed and developed
specifically for the purpose of food delivery.

Requirements:

Category Constraint Explanation

Physical
Physical:
● Capable of lifting at least 2.5 lbs
● Capable of containing a cubic foot
Performance:
● Stability: Supports meal such that:
○ The bag is not broken or damaged
○ Drinks are not spilled, and
○ No items fall from the drone
● Delivery system releases food when the food is on the ground at the destination
● Travels up to 20 miles per hour with no wind
Environmental variables:
● Operable in sub-30mph winds
● Operable in light-medium rain
● Keeps food dry in light-medium rain
Cost:
● $500 or less

Design:
Architectural Decisions:
i. Architectural decisions: Describe at least one architectural decision for each member
of the team. Elaborate each in a brief paragraph.

Dillon Stan will be largely responsible for designing and programming the different flight
protocols, and creating the interface between the control system and the propulsion system.
Shamlan Alzenki will be responsible for designing the hardware system, specifically the circuitry
and power supply, which will likely consist of an array of lithium power cells. Chris Nixon will be
responsible for the development of the sound system on the drone, which will act as a safety
mechanism to alert people to be cautious and aware of the drone and its payload.

b. 4.2 Key Principles and Risk Assessment

i. Be sure to revise the Key Principles writing assignment.
1. Outline each principle from that writing assignment.
2. For each key principle you provided at least two relevant sources.
3. Include references to the sources in the References section. In this section use a
number in square brackets for each reference.
ii. For your risk assessment you will need more key principles than those you listed in
your Key Principles writing assignment.
1. Follow the example in the Considering Risk notes and assignment. To enhance the
probability of success it is important to assess the associated risk of the key principles in terms
of your knowledge and experience.
iii. Assess the Key Principles. Use the assessment data from before your investigation.
Present the risk mapping of all the key principles. In areas of ‘expertise’ the map should indicate
the initials of the members that bring this expertise.
 1. In your assessment table use light colors such as red, yellow, and green to indicate
severity. Red indicates high risk, yellow indicates moderate risk, and green indicates low risk.
2. Create a summary risk map

c. 4.3 How Your Project Evolved

i. have a brief introduction.
ii. list important feedback items your team received.
1. The minimum number of significant feedback items for your report is the number of
members in your team.
2. For each feedback item describe how the feedback was used to improve your
project.

d. 4.4 Your Investigation Prototype and Mock-Up

i. Introduce this section with at least one paragraph.
ii. In several paragraphs, as well as diagrams, photos, and figures, clearly outline the
following:
1. The purpose of your investigation, that is, “why” the investigation is important.
2. Establish what was to be approximated, learned, or verify, that is, “what”
3. Determine the form of the prototype, that is “how”

There are 3 possible approaches for the prototype. The first option is to purchase a pre-
built quadcopter drone on the consumer market. Although this may appear to be the easiest
route, as there would be more compatibility and support for a widely used pre-built system,
there could potentially be unexpected obstacles or necessary modifications, and this approach
may be the most expensive route. The second approach is to purchase a drone kit, which would
likely provide a more affordable and customizable system for our usage.

4. Describe the nature of the tests and data that was gathered, that is, the “output”
iii. Present what came of your investigation. You are expected to use a combination of
text, diagrams, photos, figures, graphs, tables, and bullets.
1. If your goal was to collect data, then present the data collected in a way that is
clearly understood, along with your conclusions.
2. If your goal was to learn new concepts, then present an example that clearly
demonstrates your mastery of the concepts.
3. If your goal was to learn a skill, then present evidence that you learned the skills.
iv. The closing paragraph will tie up all the points and conclusions that you made. Did
your investigation strengthen your strategy? If there were any necessary changes to your
project strategy, describe them
e. 4.5 Overall Design: this section will divide your project into work content areas by team
member
i. Brief introductory paragraph
ii. Present a “Work Area Block Diagram”:
 1. is not a schematic, but a connection of “boxes” that each show a work content area
2. architectural decisions will be evident and identifiable in the diagram.
3. key principles should be identifiable in the diagram.
4. The work content areas should be highlighted to indicate attribution as to who’s
most responsible. Consider colors, various shapes, or something else.

Depending on the system that is used, the flight controller could be in the form of ROS (Robot
Operating System) nodes and drivers which allow a program to interface with and control the
drone. If the pre-built Parrot AR quadcopter drone is used, the system is already compatible
with ROS. Should a kit drone be used, it is possible that the Pixhawk PX4 could be used for the
flight controller, as this flight controller system is very commonly used with drone kits, and is
also compatible with ROS. For a DIY drone system, it may be possible to use an Arduino
microcontroller as a flight controller, although it may be ideal to have the Arduino in serial
communication with another device. Regardless of the approach, it is likely that the usage of a
smartphone will be employed, as this will provide wireless communication, GPS, compass, and
on-board processing, in a powerful and relatively lightweight package.

iii. Describe each work content area in a brief paragraph

iv. Component Selection
1. Describe at least one significant component your team will select
2. Describe at least two requirements for that component
The food and meal delivery system we're designing with local aerial drones is complex,
with many interconnected parts. At the heart of it all is the drone itself, which is the
vehicle that flies out to deliver orders. It's controlled by a flight controller, which is like
the drone's brain, making sure it flies smoothly and goes where it needs to. To know
where it is and where it's going, the drone uses a GPS module, which works like the
GPS in a car or phone. There's also a communication system that lets the drone talk to
the control center, which is important for sending it new orders or instructions.
Then we have the order processing system, which handles the orders that people
make, getting everything ready for the drones to pick up. The delivery manager is in
charge of figuring out the best way to get the order from the restaurant to the customer's
house. It's like a delivery planner, making sure everything runs on time. We've also set
up a tracking system so customers can see where their drone is on a map, just like
when you order a taxi on your phone.
While all this is happening, there's a notification system that keeps customers updated.
It sends messages to let them know when their order is on the way and when it has
arrived. Customers use an app to place their orders, choose their meals, and pay for
them. This app connects to a payment gateway, which is a secure way to handle the
money side of things, making sure that the payment goes through properly to the bank
servers.
Lastly, there's the web server, which is the computer that runs all the software for
ordering and delivering. It's the central hub that connects everything together. This
setup aims to provide a smooth, fast, and reliable delivery service, right from the
moment an order is placed to when it's delivered to the customer's doorstep by a drone.

Component Selection - High-Efficiency Batteries:

Significant Component: One crucial component that our team will select is the high-
efficiency batteries for the drones. These batteries will need to support extended flight
times while maintaining a light weight to not impede the drone's performance.

Requirements for the Component:

Energy Density: The batteries must have a high energy density to maximize flight time
without significantly increasing the drone's weight.
Cycle Life: They must also have a long cycle life, ensuring that they can be recharged
and used for many deliveries over their lifespan without a significant loss in capacity.

5. Projected Schedule
a. Short introduction
b. Numbered list of tasks required to complete your project
i. At least one sentence to describe each task
c. Introduce and present PERT chart
d. Introduce and present GANTT chart
i. Have supplemental notes that support the Gantt chart
ii. Indicate who is primarily responsible for each task
Our project, "Food / Meal Delivery System for Local Aerial Drone has the following tasks
for our journey:
Research and Design Phase:
This initial stage involves gathering data, analyzing potential challenges, and designing
the first concept of our aerial drone delivery system.

Prototype Development:
We will construct a working model of our drone delivery system to demonstrate the
concept's feasibility.

Testing Phase I:
The prototype undergoes a series of tests to assess its performance and identify any
areas for improvement.

Refinement and Testing Phase II:

Using insights from the initial tests, we refine the prototype and subject it to further
testing to ensure reliability and efficiency.

Final Prototype Development:

Incorporating all feedback, the final prototype will be developed, which should be close
to the market-ready product.

Final Testing and Project Presentation:

The ultimate version of our drone delivery system is rigorously tested before presenting
it to stakeholders and potential investors.

Project Review and Closure:

We will review the entire project cycle, document lessons learned, and formally close
the project, setting the stage for the next steps towards commercialization.
Each phase of the project is led by a team member whose expertise aligns with the
task's requirements:

Research and Design Phase: Dillon Stan, with his background in Computer and
Electronic Engineering Technology, will spearhead the initial research and design
phase, laying the technical groundwork for the drone systems.

Prototype Development: Shamlan Alzenki, our Electrical Engineering expert, will take
the lead in developing the electrical components of the prototype, ensuring power
efficiency and safety.

Testing Phase I: Dillon Stan will again lead, utilizing his technical skills to test the
drone's electronics and computer systems, assessing performance against our design
specifications.

Refinement and Testing Phase II: Both Dillon and Shamlan will collaborate closely to
refine the prototype. Dillon will focus on refining the software and electronics, while
Shamlan fine-tunes the electrical systems based on test results.

Final Prototype Development: As the prototype moves closer to a final product,

Shamlan Alzenki will oversee the development, ensuring that all electrical components
are optimized for performance and reliability.

Final Testing and Project Presentation: Chris Nixon, with his expertise in Audio
Engineering, will be responsible for ensuring the drone operates within acceptable noise
levels and handling the acoustic testing. He will also play a significant role in the project
presentation, focusing on the user experience and service interaction.
Project Review and Closure: The entire team will participate in the project review and
closure, with each member evaluating the project from their expert standpoint. Dillon
Stan will document the computer and electronic engineering aspects, Chris Nixon will
focus on user interaction, and Shamlan Alzenki will cover the electrical engineering
outcomes.

6. Budget
a. Produce a summary estimate of the most expensive parts of your project
b. Also, list significant purchases and expenditures to date.

In the development of our "Food / Meal Delivery System for Local Aerial Drone," we
have carefully analyzed and compiled a budget that reflects the major financial
commitments of the project. Our summary estimate indicates that the most costly
components include the acquisition of advanced drones, which are pivotal for delivery
efficiency, and the implementation of a robust software system for drone navigation and
customer interface. These expenses form the bulk of our capital outlay. Additionally,
significant investments have been made in safety and compliance measures to ensure
adherence to aviation and food safety regulations. To date, our major expenditures
comprise the initial purchase of drone, software development costs, and initial testing
and certification fees.

7. References, Formatting, etc.

a. This section will be organized into subsections, one for each of the corresponding
sections that makes use of a reference.
b. Please refer to all the sections following this one for proper formatting. Etc.
Capstone 1 Report Checklist
1. Introduction
a. Outline, background, overall objective of the project. outline the specific problem.
b. Outline major and relevant interest of each member of the team.
c. Discuss an economic, environmental, or social impact that your project could have and
why this project is worth performing.
d. Discuss at least one topic involving ethics. This will be a brief scenario, such as that
associated with cyber security, the law, or safety.
e. Include at least one non-technical figure or image that makes your plan more accessible
to the general reader in a way that is easy to understand. Detailed technical drawings are not
appropriate for this section. Be sure to always introduce and discuss your figures.

2. Detailed Use Case

a. conceptual block diagram that outlines your use case.
b. Outline an actual scenario in which you foresee your project being used by your
customer.
i. Clearly describe who the user/customer is
ii. what the project role is or how it will be used
iii. where and when the project will be used
iv. why or for what purpose.

3. Requirements
a. In a table organize the requirements and constraints into groups relevant for your project
i. In a subsection for each of these groups provide an outline elaborating each
requirement or constraint in detail
1. Indicate where it came from
2. Account for the value you have chosen
3. In this section use a number in square brackets for each reference.

4. The Design
a. 4.1 Architectural decisions
i. Architectural decisions: Describe at least one architectural decision for each member
of the team. Elaborate each in a brief paragraph.

b. 4.2 Key Principles and Risk Assessment

i. Be sure to revise the Key Principles writing assignment.
1. Outline each principle from that writing assignment.
2. For each key principle you provided at least two relevant sources.
3. Include references to the sources in the References section. In this section use a
number in square brackets for each reference.
ii. For your risk assessment you will need more key principles than those you listed in
your Key Principles writing assignment.
 1. Follow the example in the Considering Risk notes and assignment. To enhance the
probability of success it is important to assess the associated risk of the key principles in terms
of your knowledge and experience.
iii. Assess the Key Principles. Use the assessment data from before your investigation.
Present the risk mapping of all the key principles. In areas of ‘expertise’ the map should indicate
the initials of the members that bring this expertise.
1. In your assessment table use light colors such as red, yellow, and green to indicate
severity. Red indicates high risk, yellow indicates moderate risk, and green indicates low risk.
2. Create a summary risk map

c. 4.3 How Your Project Evolved

i. have a brief introduction.
ii. list important feedback items your team received.
1. The minimum number of significant feedback items for your report is the number of
members in your team.
2. For each feedback item describe how the feedback was used to improve your
project.

d. 4.4 Your Investigation Prototype and Mock-Up

i. Introduce this section with at least one paragraph.
ii. In several paragraphs, as well as diagrams, photos, and figures, clearly outline the
following:
1. The purpose of your investigation, that is, “why” the investigation is important.
2. Establish what was to be approximated, learned, or verify, that is, “what”
3. Determine the form of the prototype, that is “how”
4. Describe the nature of the tests and data that was gathered, that is, the “output”
iii. Present what came of your investigation. You are expected to use a combination of
text, diagrams, photos, figures, graphs, tables, and bullets.
1. If your goal was to collect data, then present the data collected in a way that is
clearly understood, along with your conclusions.
2. If your goal was to learn new concepts, then present an example that clearly
demonstrates your mastery of the concepts.
3. If your goal was to learn a skill, then present evidence that you learned the skills.
iv. The closing paragraph will tie up all the points and conclusions that you made. Did
your investigation strengthen your strategy? If there were any necessary changes to your
project strategy, describe them
e. 4.5 Overall Design: this section will divide your project into work content areas by team
member
i. Brief introductory paragraph
ii. Present a “Work Area Block Diagram”:
1. is not a schematic, but a connection of “boxes” that each show a work content area
2. architectural decisions will be evident and identifiable in the diagram.
3. key principles should be identifiable in the diagram.
 4. The work content areas should be highlighted to indicate attribution as to who’s
most responsible. Consider colors, various shapes, or something else.
iii. Describe each work content area in a brief paragraph
iv. Component Selection
1. Describe at least one significant component your team will select
2. Describe at least two requirements for that component
5. Projected Schedule
a. Short introduction
b. Numbered list of tasks required to complete your project
i. At least one sentence to describe each task
c. Introduce and present PERT chart
d. Introduce and present GANTT chart
i. Have supplemental notes that support the Gantt chart
ii. Indicate who is primarily responsible for each task

6. Budget
a. Produce a summary estimate of the most expensive parts of your project
b. Also, list significant purchases and expenditures to date.

7. References, Formatting, etc.

a. This section will be organized into subsections, one for each of the corresponding
sections that makes use of a reference.
b. Please refer to all the sections following this one for proper formatting. Etc.