2006 ECE Capstone Project Homepage
Introduction
Since the successful but finally disastrous launch of Launch Vehicle No. 2 (LV2), the PSAS Avionics Team has been redesigning the avionics system. This new system, called the "LV2b" avionics system, should avoid the limitations of the old system:
- Replace the Microchip PIC processors, which require Windows-based development tools and a proprietary commercial compiler, with a more open source microcontroller.
- Use a more sane communication protocols: either a more easy-to-use CAN system of IDs, or possibly switch to USB.
The goal of the PSAS Capstone team is to design the generic front-end that interfaces between all the nodes of the system (GPS, IMU, recovery system, etc) and the communication bus. This communication bus will be either a CAN bus or a USB 1.1 bus. The front-end will use an ARM chip; see below for the list of candidates.
The Capstone will last six months, so this design must be completed by June 2006. Capstone students are Sarah Bailey, Glenn LeBrasseur and ?Jacob Davidson.
Specification and Reports
Requirements
- lv2b capstone proposal.pdf: Original Capstone proposal
- General requirements for the v4 node front end
Project Proposal
Final Report
2006 Capstone Project Final Report
Design
Bus Discussion
- communication bus requirements for LV2b
- pros and cons of busses that might fit the criteria
- decision matrix for busses
Hardware
- Microcontroller discussion
- Switching power supply
- Node glue subsystems
- Eval boards and misc hardware
Software
- Info on RTOS (real-time operating systems)
- Info on eCos, the RTOS chosen for this project.
- Front-end software.
Links
Here are links to things discovered and used during the design research phase.
Team Meetings
- Wednesdays at 7pm, FAB 155
Meeting Notes
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Avionics Team meeting: STM Microcontoller dissection 2 |
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Avionics Team meeting: STM Microcontoller dissection |
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Avionics Team meeting: Microcontoller discussion |
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Roundtable discussion: Microcontrollers |
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Technical Workshop |
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Project proposal presentation to Mark Faust. |
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Team meeting; Finalize presentation. |
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Project proposal workshop. #2 |
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Project proposal workshop. |
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Team meeting, ask Tim questions. |
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Roundtable discussion, start project proposal. |
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USB discussion and schedule planning. |
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Discussed the overall goals of PSAS and how they relate to the capstone project. |
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Official meeting with faculty advisor, Mark Faust. |
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Discussed milestones, meeting with Faust, deliverables, some technical stuff. |
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First meeting of the capstone team. Introductions, discussion of USB vs. CAN, and EagleCAD |
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