IEEE HardwAIre Challenge Q&A
On this page we will post questions asked by HART competitors, and the answers provided by the volunteer committee.
Q: What test method should teams use to measure energy consumption, wireless range, and temperature accuracy?
A: We do not want to mandate the test method. You do the measurement, and explain to us how you did it. In the video you will need to show us how you verified your system performance.
Q: “Does “tenths of degrees” mean a resolution of 0.1°C or an accuracy of ±0.1°C?
A: Resolution
Q: If local radio regulations limit the permitted LoRa frequency, EIRP, or duty cycle, should we report only the maximum legally compliant measured range? May we add a theoretical link-budget or simulated range as supplementary evidence? Is there any maximum range cap, or is longer measured range always better?
A: Don’t break the law. Please operate within the boundaries of your jurisdiction. If you feel that your jurisdiction limits the capabilities of your prototype relative to other jurisdictions, please note that early on in your submitted document and video. The review committee will take this into consideration in the scoring, but if that is the case it would also be helpful to show that your system has a margin of usability beyond your legal limits.
Q: How much of the reader must be designed by each team? Can we use an MCU development board, RF module, Raspberry Pi, or laptop as part of the reader?
A: Items like an MCU development board or a Raspberry Pi are fine, but we discourage the use of prefabricated off-the-shelf subsystems for things like the temperature sensor. And keep in mind that cost is a factor in the scoring. If you use a laptop as part of the reader, the cost of that laptop will be in your BoM. This sounds to us like using a hammer to kill a bug.
Q: Does an external battery charger count toward the scored cost? Please clarify the treatment of a dedicated charger, a general-purpose charger already owned by the university, and an integrated charging circuit.
A: Yes, whichever solution you choose will count toward your BoM because it is part of the delivered prototype. Your choice will also be considered in your overall technical evaluation, and going for the least expensive option does not always result in the best product.
Q: For Coverage Range and Temperature Accuracy, the criterion reads, “Maximum distance (in centimeters) for readings of temperature with a resolution in tenths of degrees.” Does this distance refer to the wireless link — how far the sensor node can transmit a reading to the reader — or to the distance between the sensor node and the object being measured?
A: The distance refers to the wireless communication link, namely the maximum distance between the sensor node and the reader while maintaining temperature readings with a resolution of tenths of a degree. It does not refer to the distance between the sensor node and the object being measured.
Q: For Energy Consumption, is this measured for the whole system (sensor node plus reader) or for the battery-powered sensor node only? And is it evaluated as average power, or as total watt-hours over a defined test period?
A: The evaluation should focus on the energy consumption of the sensor node, rather than the complete system including the reader. Please report average power consumption.
Q: We are considering using a PCB assembly service (such as JLCPCB) to perform SMT soldering onto our custom-designed PCB. Is this considered a permissible manufacturing process for a custom-designed PCB?
A: Use of an external soldering service is allowed, but you need to list its cost in the BOM.
Q: Are a battery fuel gauge module and a Hall Effect sensor module considered a subsystem that must be manufactured from scratch?
A: These can be considered auxiliary subsystems and are permitted for purchase, but making them from scratch would prove less expensive on your BOM.
Q: Should shipping charges incurred for receiving components/tools be included in the BOM submission?
A: Shipping should not be included in the BOM, but it must be considered part of the US$1,000 reimbursement limit.
Q: Should reimbursement be processed after each purchase/invoice, or only after project completion?
A: We recommend submitting one expense report when you think you have all the components/tools you need. If a second expense report is needed later on that is ok.
Q: Approximately how long does the reimbursement process take after submitting the required documents and project details?
A: It can take 4 to 6 weeks, but it could be as fast as 2 weeks.
Q: Regarding the volunteer requirement, does the volunteer assisting the project need to be an IEEE member, or can it be any individual who is helping with the project? If an IEEE member is required, does it have to be a member from our college chair, section chief or can it be any IEEE member?
A: An IEEE account is required to access IEEE’s NextGen Expense/Concur system. We would prefer someone who already has experience with the Concur expense/reimbursement process, but training/tutorials are available if it’s someone who is new to the process. More information can be found here: www.ieee.org/expense