3.
DESIGN APPROACH
The Camp-Tenna allows users to connect any device to the internet from rural locations. This section
gives a comprehensive analysis of two design approaches. This implementation was carefully considered
after extensive research on necessary materials as well as frequent meetings with external advisors. The
biggest factors considered in the design approach are portability and convenience. The Camp-Tenna is
targeted towards an audience that spends time outdoors, so the Camp-Tenna needs to be transported to
and from a campsite easily. However, most antennas that can receive a signal at these locations are not
small enough to fit into a backpack or carrying case. The Camp-Tenna designers’ solution to these
concerns is described herein.
3.1. Design Options
While the design team decided on the most optimal design approach for the Camp-Tenna, many factors
were considered. Each approach has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. Two different options
are explained and explored in the following sections.
3.1.1. Design Option 1
One of the design options considered for the Camp-Tenna was its integration into a backpack, aiming to
provide robust signal connectivity while users were mobile. Initially conceived as a backpack attachment,
this version of the Camp-Tenna enabled users to connect to the internet both while in transit and
stationary. It consisted of a compact directional antenna linked to a base that could be slotted into the
backpack.
However, this design was ultimately dismissed due to concerns regarding its unwieldiness and safety. The
antenna that the Camp-Tenna utilizes is loaned by C Spire. This antenna measures twelve inches tall and
six inches wide (30.48x15.24cm), rendering it too large to fit easily within a backpack. With the
accompanying support structure, the Camp-Tenna would weigh approximately 15 pounds or 6.8
kilograms, posing a significant inconvenience for target customers. Moreover, the proximity of the active
antenna to the user's body raised safety concerns as highlighted in the Over-The-Air Reception Devices
engineering standard. Unlike omnidirectional antennas, the stronger signal emitted by directional antennas
could potentially pose risks to the user's health. After careful consideration, the design team concluded
that the drawbacks outweighed the potential increase in portability, leading to the rejection of this
approach.
3.1.2. Design Option 2
Another design option for the Camp-Tenna deemphasizes the portability aspect and focuses more on
connectivity. The Camp-Tenna remains portable for transportation by both vehicle and hand, but it is not
compact enough to be carried in a bag. The chosen solution necessitates setting up the Camp-Tenna in a
semi-permanent location to provide internet connectivity within a designated area, such as a campsite. By
adopting this approach, the Camp-Tenna designers enhance its signal scanning capabilities and also
ensure user safety by eliminating user contact with the antenna’s front during operation. The Camp-Tenna
comprises several components, including the antenna itself, along with a modem, microcontroller, user
interface, and motorization unit. Due to these factors, along with the antenna's bulkier size, this approach
is the most optimal.
3.2. System Overview
A basic overview of the Camp-Tenna is specified in Figure 3-1. The two inputs are a 12-volt battery
power source and a cellular long-term evolution (LTE) signal from cell towers. The two outputs are a
screen interface to display information and a Wi-Fi connection to extend the cellular signal.
Fig. 3-1: The Camp-Tenna System Basic Overview (Level 0)
The overall functionality of the Camp-Tenna is provided in Figure 3-2. The inputs into the
microcontroller are the modem, 12-volt battery, and user input and the outputs are to the user screen
interface and the motors.
Fig. 3-2: Camp-Tenna Functionality (Level 1)
The most critical device to operate these functions is the central microcontroller. The Camp-Tenna utilizes
one to function properly with every subsystem in the product.
3.2.1. Microcontroller
The Raspberry Pi 4B is the most central part of the Camp-Tenna. Information from the modem is fed in
and used to control the motor functions. The other microcontroller option considered by the team was an
Arduino Uno. The reason that the Pi 4B was chosen is due to its overall flexibility in software and
hardware. The ribbon cable connector allows for an external display to be connected easily, and the
software capabilities far outweigh those of the Arduino Uno. Table 3-1 displays the differences in the two
devices. While the Pi 4B is more expensive than the Uno, its capabilities far outweigh the price
difference.
Table 3-1: Microcontroller Options
Product CPU RAM I/O Price
Requirements N/A 512 MB Ribbon <$100
connection
Raspberry Pi 4B 1.5GHz quad-core 4 GB Ribbon $55.00
[1] Arm Cortex-A72 connection/ GPIO
Arduino Uno 16 MHz 2 KB GPIO $27.60
[2] ATMega328P
Raspberry Pi Zero 1Ghz quad-core 512 MB Ribbon $15.00
2 W [3] Arm Cortex-A53 connection/ GPIO
Figure 3-3 shows an image of the Raspberry Pi 4B. To the far left of the board, the ribbon connector is
shown as previously described.
Fig. 3-3: Raspberry Pi 4 Model B [1]
The microcontroller controls all the subsystems featured in the Camp-Tenna. A high-level description is
provided below about each subsystem’s functionality and purpose.
3.3. Subsystems
The Camp-Tenna is comprised of four subsystems that are integral to the functionality of the project. The
first subsystem is the signal processing hardware consisting of the antenna, modem, Ethernet connection,
and router. The motor subsystem is the servo motor and its implementation that adjusts the antenna’s
signal direction. The user interface subsystem enables users to prompt the Camp-Tenna to conduct a
search, and upon completion, informs the user of the successful search outcome. Finally, the power
subsystem is the 12-volt battery source and its circuitry for the other devices.
3.3.1. Signal Processing
The processing of the signals using the antenna is the backbone of the system as it provides the primary
input for the Camp-Tenna. The use of a unidirectional over a directional antenna gives a significant
increase in range in comparison to the commonly used omnidirectional antennas for obtaining a cellular
signal. The antennas considered for use are listed in Table 3-2. The modem sends a request signal to be
transmitted from the antenna, and then the antenna receives the service signal in response. When
prompted by the user, the modem and antenna automatically perform a scan by default to locate a cell
tower for establishing a connection. When a signal is found, the modem warns the microcontroller to stop
output to the motors.
Table 3-2: Antenna Options
Product Gain Size Weight Price
Requirements > 11 dBi < 50 x 20 x 20 < 15 lbs/6.8kg < $250.00
inches /127 x 50.8
x 127 cm
Galtronics 5.5 - 12.2 dBi 12.6 x 12.0 x 5.9 11.5 lbs/5.2kg $1,560.00
GP1210-06830 inches /32 x 30.5
[4] x 15 cm
Wilson weBoost 11.2 - 13.1 dBi 44 x 2.8 x 7.6 3.5 lbs/1.6kg $249.99
High Gain LPDA inches /112 x 7 x
[5] 19.3 cm
PCTEL 6.5 - 8 dBi 9.8 x 7.2 x 2 1.6 lbs/0.72kg $196.46
PLTE7027S-I inches /24.9 x
Directional LTE 18.3 x 5 cm
Antenna [6]
The Galtronics GP1210-06830 was lent to the team by C Spire. For that reason and the high quality of the
antenna, the GP1210-06830 was an easy choice. Figure 3-4 shows an image of this antenna.
Fig 3-4: Galtronics GP1210-06830 [4]
A powered modem is needed for the antenna to send a cell signal to the cellular base station. The modem
functions as the registered device that contains the subscriber identity module (SIM) card. The listed
options of the modems are in Table 3-3.
Table 3-3: Modem Options
Product Throughput Power Draw Weight Price
Requirements 100 Mbps <10 W <2 lbs $200.00
Sierra Wireless 100 Mbps 8W 0.705 lbs/.320kg $709.00
Airlink RV50
[7]
InHand 100 Mbps 10 W 1 lbs/.454kg $178.00
Networks IR302
[8]
SURFboard G54 10 Gbps 24W 3.12 lbs/1.415kg $599.00
DOCSIS 3.1 [9]
The Airlink RV50, pictured below in Figure 3-5, is another item that has been lent to the team by C Spire.
Its low power draw makes it an ideal choice in terms of battery power. It also has a very low idle power
draw of only 95 milliamps at 12 volts, allowing the battery to keep the modem charged for significantly
longer.
Fig 3-5: Sierra Wireless Airlink RV50 [7]
The modem is required to give the microcontroller information about the antenna’s connectivity to the cell
towers and the signal strength over the modem to provide to the user. This information is utilized to give
feedback to the servo motor that helps the antenna scan.
3.3.2. Motor Functions Subsystem
The motor subsystem rotates the antenna 360 degrees from a stand approximately 10 feet or 3 meters high
for optimal use. The Camp-Tenna’s main feature is the ability to adjust itself automatically to locate the
strongest cell signal that is performed by rotating the front-facing side that transmits to and receives from
cellular base stations. On startup, these motors rotate the antenna slowly at full range to locate a signal
and stop only when the microcontroller confirms that a signal has been found. Table 3-4 mentions the
servo options considered to perform rotations on the antenna.
Table 3-4: Servo Motor Options
Product Type Voltage Torque Size Price
Requirements DC 4.8 V >1800 milli 1.5 x 1 in /3.8 < $20
Newton meters x 2.5 cm
(mNm)
CN0193 Servo DC 4.8 V 2010 mNm 1.5 x 0.79 in $15.56
Motor [10] /3.8 x 2 cm
Readytosky DC 4.8 V 90.25 mNm 1.6 x 0.79 in /4 $17.99
Waterproof x 2 cm
12kg Servo
Motor [11]
DS3235 Servo DC 5.0 V 2843.93 mNm 1.6 x 0.79 in/ 4 $28.99
Motor [12] x 2 cm
The best option for the Camp-Tenna is the CN0193 Servo Motor, seen in Figure 3-6. Not only is it more
cost-effective, but it also provides a high torque value, which is essential for the Camp-Tenna to function
properly.
Fig 3-6: CN0193 Servo Motor [10]
The motors operated by the Pi 4B microcontroller are coded using Python. A simple diagram of the
logical operation of the code is given in Figure 3-7.
Fig. 3-7: High-Level Python Design
Using Python, the microcontroller coordinates the motor to work with the modem to locate a signal. A
user interface for the Camp-Tenna provides a way for users to see the internet diagnostics of located
signals.
3.3.3. User Interface (UI)
The UI subsystem is vital to the Camp-Tenna because it allows the user to have a visual representation of
the signals that the Camp-Tenna is receiving. The Camp-Tenna utilizes a small liquid crystal display
(LCD) to provide users with essential information about the signal strength and quality it detects.
Table 3-5: UI Options
Product Interface Size Screen Color Backlight Price
Requirements 8-bit parallel 3 x 2 x 0.5 Blue or Green Yes < $25.00
SPI inches
Hosyond 480x320 TFT 3.5 inches RGB Yes $17.99
480x320 LCD SPI
Touch Screen
TFT LCD [13]
CN0295D I2C, Serial 4.9 x 1.7 x 0.4 Blue Yes $8.86
LCD Module inches
Display [14]
CFAG12864Q 8-bit parallel 3.15 x 2.126 x Blue Yes $20.23
1-TMI Graphic SPI 0.374 inches
LCD [15]
Table 3-5: Screen Interface Options
The Camp-Tenna utilizes the Hosyond 480x320 Touch Screen TFT LCD, chosen for its touchscreen
capabilities. At a medium cost, its superior quality is well worth the expense. The display is pictured
below in Figure 3-8.
Fig. 3-8: Hosyond 480x320 touch screen TFT LCD[13]
3.3.4. Power
The power subsystem is straightforward. The Raspberry Pi microcontroller as well as the RV50 Series
Gateway modem is powered by a 12-volt, 230 cold cranking amps (CCA) battery. The battery is charged
by a pulse-repair trickle charger. In Table 3-7, the batteries considered for providing the power are listed.
Table 3-7: Battery Options
Product Voltage and Size Weight Price
Current
Requirements 10 V/5 A < 8 x 5 x 7 inches < 20 lbs < $50
EverStart Lead 12 V/230 CCA 7.75 x 5.19 x 7.19 17.11 lbs $29.87
Acid Lawn and inches
Garden Battery
[16]
Traveller Powered 12 V/ 350 CCA 6.26 x 7.72 x 5.2 18.5 lbs $57.99
by Interstate Rider inches
Mower Battery
[17]
LiFePO4 Deep 12 V/10 A 5.94 x 2.56 x 3.7 2.64 lbs $35.99
Cycle Lithium inches
Battery [18]
The EverStart Lead Acid Lawn and Garden Battery is the best option due to its more compact and
lightweight design. It is also the most cost effective. Details of how the components of the Camp-Tenna is
connected is displayed in Figure 3-9.
Fig. 3-9: Power Design
The trickle charger is operated through a 120V outlet which charges the 12V DC battery. The battery
powers the Long-Term Evolution Modem and the Raspberry Pi. The Raspberry Pi powers the motor and
the user I/O.
3.4. Level 2 Prototype Design
The finalized Camp-Tenna design incorporates fewer moving parts, enhancing its simplicity. To
accomplish this, the Camp-Tenna is integrated into a single unit. This holistic design approach improves
portability significantly. Due to the numerous components required for operation, transporting and setting
up the Camp-Tenna can be tedious. Nonetheless, the revised design is compact and lightweight enough to
be carried with ease.
3.4.1. Level 2 Diagram
The Camp-Tenna’s components are a complex web of interchanging connections. At the foundation of the
prototype is the 12-volt battery that provides power to the entire device. This battery ties into the
Raspberry Pi, GlobTek AC Power Supply, and the RV50 Gateway Modem. From those points, the entire
system has power. The heart of the build lies within the Raspberry Pi. This part gathers information from
Python code, user input from the tactile button that is present on the breadboard, and the RV50 Gateway
Modem. The Raspberry Pi then displays its gathered information back to the user on the monochrome
LCD. The servo motor, which receives its input from the Raspberry Pi, begins to rotate until further
instructions from the device. Finally, all information is relayed from the unidirectional antenna that
establishes the frequency registered in a certain direction.
Fig. 3-10: Diagram for the Camp-Tenna (Level 2)
While completing the final design of the Camp-Tenna the team is carefully considering all of the design
specifications aforementioned. The final result adheres to the design specification requirements. The team
would also like to acknowledge C Spire for their help in designing the Camp-Tenna.
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