All mobile agents require a power source controlled by a power module. The main purpose of power modules is to direct power to other modules within the mobile agent as well assist all the modules with shutting down when the power source runs low on power.

The aim of this project is to build a small, lightweight, portable, durable, efficient and reusable power supply module required for providing power to all modules within a mobile agent. The power supply module must be capable of delivering sustained low currents at a range of regulated voltages for applications such as stepper motors, RF transceivers, digital processing units, and a variety of other digital and analog sensors devices. The module must be intelligent, allowing for interrogation and communication of power supply data from and to other modules via the PCI bus. The module must also be sufficiently flexible so as to allow control of power-down and power-up sequences for other modules, and should include self-monitoring and safe shutdown routines for the entire mobile unit when the battery becomes sufficiently discharged.

Ashley Leget, Elizabeth Vardy, Dr Michael Cantoni, Natalie Hutchison, Dr Peter Dower