PDS 3.0 Initial Review

[bhunt2]

Must

• GPS and WiFi are two completely separate devices and have two completely separate purposes. I believe it would be appropriate to have these separated in this list to have it be more clear.
  
• Do you plan to continue use of the Flip MWC flight controller with the MultiWii software once you start integrating the Edison into the system? This means that you will read in the sensor information to the Edison and perform the appropriate operations to find flight heading, then transmit the appropriate commands to the Flip to handle the motor controls. Then it would hold this heading until given another heading. Is there a reason why you would not just use the Edison alone or the Arduino breakout for all controls? I am ok with whatever you decide, but just wanted to see what your though process was.
  
• I would not recommend stating that you will have alternative method, USB stick, of uploading an image to the Edison in the Must section unless you plan on having that as an option.
• Keep it simple bullet does not really fall under a requirement other than I said that you should keep it simple. It does not have anything to do with the actual product itself, so it should be omitted and just remembered.
• Good job in clarifying the requirements for conditions of flight. The equipment exposure is definitely a concern.

Should

• I am glad to see that you have done some research into possible image processing techniques that could be useful. I would not pigeon whole yourself into just one option though. Instead, you could state a number of possible options or just state that object tracking will be accomplished using a variety of image processing techniques and the OpenCV library will most likely be used for implementation. Also, this is not really a Should item, but a Must. I have not said that it is required that you be able to track and follow an object at any specific speed or even that you need to make the drone follow in any specific way. Not to try and simplify it too much, but I know the tasks ahead of you and suggest that you simplify these tasks as much as possible in the Must section and the have the same tasks with greater restrictions in the Should and Maybe sections.

Here is a suggestion following one item of importance through each of the sections. Please note how the requirements change from fairly simple, to much more complex. Must section

1. Object following will be accomplished using a variety of image processing techniques as opposed to object following using a device held/attached to the object.
2. Objects will be followed from directly behind in the direction of travel at greater than 10 feet distance from the object with the object traveling only in a straight line. The object must not accelerate or decelerate faster than a rate of 3 feet per second (approximately 2 mph). The drone will fly at a height just greater than the height of the object (approximately 7 ft from the ground) to ensure optimal view of the object.

Should section

1. Objects will be followed directly behind in the direction of travel at greater than 10 feet distance from the object with the object traveling in straight lines and turns no greater than 45 degrees. The object must not turn in the same direction twice. Thus, the drone can follow the object primarily by strafing. The object must not accelerate or decelerate faster than a rate of 15 feet per second (approximately 20 mph).

Maybe section

1. Objects will be followed directly behind in the direction of travel at greater than 10 feet distance from the object with the object traveling in any direction at anytime. The object must not accelerate or decelerate faster than a rate of 15 feet per second (approximately 20 mph).

Notice how I am not requiring the use of a specific technique or putting too strict of requirements on it too early. These, of course, are not complete lists and I am not saying that you need to use them. These are just some ideas that state the requirements, but don't confine them to specific methods of accomplishing them. I am also not saying that this is this is the best way to write your requirements, but is a good template to follow.

[bhunt2]

Sabin, please tell your team mates to take a look at this as well so that they can help you take a look at your PDS to see what may need to be changed.

[sabmah]

Thanks for the suggestion Ben. This definitely helps.

[bhunt2]

Reviewed and new version will be delivered before sprint 3 kickoff on Monday.