Light Barrier Test
View functional test of the light barrier.. Passage detection works and can distinguish between in/out direction.
| Status: | Functional & optimized |
| Possible improvements: | lower current consumption. |
| Next action: | Test IR LED with higher efficiency. |
RFID Reader Test (NFC)
View functional test of the NFC reader with plastic bird ring. LED turns on and blinks while RFID tag gets detected. Max. tested range: <1 cm.
| Status: | Functional but makes microcontroller crash after 1-2 minutes. |
| Possible improvements: | Increase range. Avoid crashes. |
| Next action: | Test the entire system again with lower read rates. |
Power management (Vbat to 3.3 V converter)
| Status: | Functional. Non-optimized. |
| Possible improvements: | More efficient component at given power consumption. |
| Next action: | Test different component for v2. |
Data storage (internal FRAM)
| Status: | Functional. |
| Possible improvements: | Internal storage space is too small. |
| Next action: | Add external (SD card) storage on v2 |
Real Time Clock
| Status: | Available, but not implemented. |
| Possible improvements: | - |
| Next action: | Configure microcontroller to make use of RTC. |
Component Evaluation
| Status: | Done. Transferred to Schematic |
| Possible improvements: | - |
| Next action: | |
PCB
| Status: | Schematic done. Layout pending. |
| Possible improvements: | Double check schematic. |
| Next action: | Start layout. |
LF antenna
Prototypes with coil antennas were tested (range ~1 cm, due to high resistivity: 12 Ohms) as well as wire-wound antennas (similar range if long enough wire is used). PCB antennas with >40 windings proofed to be the best performing version if placed horizontally below the tag.
| Status: | Evaluation phase completed. |
| Possible improvements: | Better matching capacitor for optimal performance. |
| Next action: | Evaluate in real test conditions. |
Weight sensor
Proof-of-concept with standard low-cost load cell successfully tested.
| Status: | Evaluation phase completed. |
| Possible improvements: | Temperature compensation. |
| Next action: | Integration of the acquisition IC on the main PCB. |
Mechanical design
We are opting for a horizontal PCB antenna fixed on the nestbox entrance's lower edge. Advantage: PCB fits inside 10x10cm board size.
| Status: | Concept is clear. Implementation needs to be tested. |
| Possible improvements: | - |
| Next action: | Add wooden enclosure & ensure waterproofing. |