9/30/08

Status Report

The skateboard accelerometer project is well under way. In review, the project will use accelerometers attached to a skateboard to tract its movements. By doing so, we hope to develop software that can interpret this data and create a three dimensional image of the movements. Along with this three dimensional image, values of speed, jumping height and hang time will also be calculated.

The first step to this project is to research components to be used. We are looking for small accelerometer sensors that can easily be attached to a skateboard and easily protected. The accelerometers also need to be tri-axis to get the most accurate data. We have discovered that there is a need for two microcontrollers, one for the skateboard and one for the body. Each of the accelerometers will interface to these microcontrollers. The microcontrollers will interface wirelessly to the computer.

The next step will be researching the operation of the microcontroller and calibrating it with the accelerometers. Through reading and understanding the manuals and performing simple tests with just the components we will become familiar with its operation. We will also be investigating the connection of the microcontroller to the PC using the wireless 802.11 standard.

Currently the project is on schedule and in the research stage. We will soon be moving into the design of the placement of the accelerometers on the skateboard, ankle bands and helmet. So far we have not encountered any serious problems or delays with the project. From the research thus far completed, the project looks to be very plausible and should be a success that may further many applications in the future.