Specifications

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also be manipulating the temperature at the remote sensing unit to simulate the
outdoor temperature. Depending on the temperature change at both locations
along with user settings the system will come up with the correct course of action
to maintain the user set points and take the appropriate course of action.
We will set up several different scenarios to demonstrate the wide range of
situations the system can handle. For example for one scenario we may have
the user interface set to “maximum energy savings”. For this scenario we may
raise the indoor temperature by only one degree. The system will recognize this
is the situation and will not turn anything on because the user has told the system
that there must be more than a one degree discrepancy in the set value and the
actual value before it is necessary to begin cooling the building. Another
scenario is that we may have the user setting to “maximum comfort” and raise
the inside temperature one or more degrees above the set point. Also, we may
manipulate the outdoor temperature to be desirable for cooling the building. In
this scenario the system will recognize the outdoor air is applicable for cooling
the building and instead of using the compressor, it will simply bring the outside
air into the building to bring the temperature back to the desired set point.
These scenarios will demonstrate the decision making capabilities of the main
control unit along with the wireless / remote sensing capabilities of the remote
sensing unit. In addition to demonstrating the functionality of these two aspects
of the control system, we must also demonstrate the wireless control capabilities.
To demonstrate this we will use one of the group member‟s smart phones to log
onto the web server and manipulate the set points of the system over the internet
instead of by using the LCD touch screen in the room.
Since we cannot bring AC units into the demonstration room, and cannot
integrate this system to the HVAC system already in place in the room we must
find some other way to show that the 24V AC control voltage is being delivered to
the appropriate appliances. In order to accomplish this we will replace the AC
units and dehumidifier with LED lights. Instead of the actual HVAC components
running for a specified amount of time, the LED lights will be illuminated for the
same duration of time and a voltmeter will be used by the group to show the
correct amount of voltage is being delivered. Overall this form of demonstration
is different from the practical application of the HVAC control system but will be
sufficient to demonstrate the system is fully functional and has met all
requirements.
Section 5: Testing
With the majority of our components for the system coming from the Microchip®
Company, one avenue that we pursued was finding development and testing kits
made by Microchip for their parts. We need a development system that could
accommodate all of our subsystems and components. After checking we were
able to find the versatile Explorer 16 Development Board which was just what we
were looking for.