Recipient Organization
INSULIGHTS.COM, INC.
121 S 2ND ST
AKRON,IA 510017730
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
The non-technical summary of the Proposed Research is to develop and prove the technical feasibility of anelectric fence insulator that monitors the electric fences of live-stock owner/managers and by text message informs them if their fences are in working order. This research will expand our previous research and allow our team to assess the units and expand our reach into satellite connectivity in rural America and outside the United States. In addition, this research will determine the feasibility of moving into the security market and the scope necessary to develop a cell phone application for potential users. This innovative technology, specifically manufactured for small and midsized farms, reduces the daily or weekly expense of manually testing their electric fences.
Animal Health Component
20%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
20%
Developmental
60%
Goals / Objectives
Our major goals of thisproject is to develop an Electric Fence Alarm System(EFAS)that will offer real time monitoring notification. This technology saves time and eliminates the need to check the electric fence manually. Our research will focus on three major components:Task 1). Modify and improve the developed EFAS flashing device and enhance the connectivity to new satellite capabilities in rural areas. Also, it is particularly important to improve the flashing device to continue delivering stable values and status such as voltage.Task 2). Research the capabilities of the EFAS to locate and identify the break in the line. This technology is currently used with power companies monitoring power lines. The next enhanced research will identify not only the event of a failed electric fence but the location of the break.Task 3). Develop a user-friendly testing unit for the EFAS. Currently there is not a testing unit able to evaluate an electric fence monitor and determine the functions, flaws, and capabilities.
Project Methods
The technical discussion of the proposed concept is extensive.The proposed concept will use voltage detection techniques and cellular technology to monitor electric fence status and notify end-users in real time. A battery will be used to power the Electronic Fence Alarm System (EFAS) for a longer operating time at a lower cost. The proposed concept will be based on a combination of hardware (flashing device, power circuit, cellular technology,etc.) and software (communications techniques and notification system). This will be an innovative approach to create an integrated end-user product, which will allow users to better monitor their electronic fences in real time at a lower cost.A sequence of Experiments, Tests, and Computations to Measure ObjectivesTask 1. Modify and improve the developed flashing device.The flashing device is designed to show the working status of a fence by flashing red with the pulse of an electric field. It is powered by a 2032 battery with a lifetime expectancy of 18 months. However, thus far, it lacks the ability to be connected to other devices. Also, it cannot derive stable information that can precisely represent the fence's status in terms of voltage. Therefore, the developing team plans to improve the flashing device to be connected to other devices such as microcontrollers, data storage cards, and internet gateways. Also, it is especially important to improve the flashing device to deliver stabile values that show fence status, such as voltage.To deliver alerts on fence status to the end-users anytime and anywhere, the flashing device will be connected to the cellular-technology-based module (Adafruit Feather 32u4 FONA). It can offer audio/SMS/data services. The cellular module will send the fence status to the cloud server to create a fence's history and notify end-user in real time as well.Task 2. Develop a user-friendly app.A most important part of the proposed system is how the end-user will deal with the system in an easy and efficient way. Thus, a free and easy to use mobile-based app will be offered for EFAS users to receive their fence status notifications. The end-user will be able to download the free app from google/apple stores and register themselves in the Insulights database.End-userregistration.Only valid email and phone numbers are required for end-user registration. The email and phone number will be used for security purposes like end-used identity, variation code, and system notification. Once the end-user registration has been successfully completed, he/she can register an EFAS device in his/her account.EFAS device registrationThe developed app will offer amazingly simple steps to register an EFAS device as follows.1. End-user needs to log in to his/her account.2. Click on the main menu at the upper right corner.3. Click add a new EFAS device.4. Scan a printed bar code or enter the EFAS ID.5. Click add. 6. Message of "Your new EFAS is successfully added" will show up.Real time notification system The notification system will be developed based on Firebase Cloud Messaging (FCM). The FCM is a cross-platform messaging solution from Google that offers reliably delivered messages to the end users in various formats. Based on the fence status the system will send a notification message when the fence is compromised. However, the user can check fence status at any time by clicking on the fence status on his/her app.Related Research of Research and DevelopmentIn performing this SBIR Phase I project, the Insulights team will follow a well-defined task activity plan which has developed a commercial prototype of the Electronic Fence Alarm System for detecting fence voltage and viability. In building off our previous research, the primary goal of Phase I is proof of concept, including three essential components:Task 1). Modify and improve the developed EFAS flashing device and enhance the connectivity to new satellite capabilities in rural areas. Also, it is particularly important to improve the flashing device to continue delivering stabile values that show fence status, such as voltage.Task 2). Research the capabilities of the EFAS to locate and identify the break in the line. This technology is currently used with the power companies monitoring power lines. The next enhanced research will identify not only the event of a failed electric fence but the location of the break.Task 3). Develop a user-friendly testing unit for the EFAS. Currently there is not a testing unit that is able to monitor an electric fence monitor and evaluate the functions, flaws, and capabilities in an EFAS Electric Fence Alarm Systems.