Avionics schedule to prepare for Spring 2006 launch

(See also the list of tasks that need to be completed for this launch.)

We have five weekends between March 16 and April 17, which is our earliest possible launch date. This page schedules the remaining work for those weeks.

Week 1: March 13-18

Gadgetboard software interface, GPS troubleshooting

Mid-week:

  • Bruce: get an old Mac with an RS-422 serial port

Saturday:

  • Implement shutdown command in flight software
  • Troubleshoot GPS RS-422 interface and decide on a solution
  • Get GPS working

Week 2: March 20-25

Batteries, power switching circuit, nichrome and ignitor testing, apogee detection algorithm

Mid-week:

  • Bruce: order CanTainer? PC/104 enclosure on Monday
  • Bruce: pick up CanTainer? from ME office
  • Bruce: order parts for RS-422 interface solution (if needed)
  • Bruce: order Anderson Powerpole housing for CanTainer? end cap
  • Bruce: get nichrome burner from Jared (and talk to Jared about coming)
  • Bruce: find a EE professor who knows about antennas and talk to him about possible solutions for GPS and packet radio antennas
  • Bruce: find an ME to help us with the enclosure
  • Bruce: pick up ignitors from projects lab for testing
  • Bruce: get PSAS GPS data from Andrew Greenberg
  • Hyrum: order alternative batteries from Tower Hobbies since the Team Orion Super Duty ones are still out of stock. Get expedited shipping if needed to ensure that they arrive by Friday, March 24.
  • Hyrum: pick up batteries from ME office and charge them for Saturday
  • Greg and Caleb: talk to professor or other person (Chris Monson?) who can provide advice on apogee detection algorithm

Saturday:

  • Get flight software talking to Gadgetboard and GPS
  • Test oxidizer valve solenoids with HE104+DX power supply and Gadgetboard
  • Fit batteries with Anderson Powerpole connectors
  • Test nichrome burner with batteries
    • Determine max melting time
    • Determine optimal voltage and current combination (preferably one that we can switch through the Gadgetboard relays)
    • Determine if we can switch the nichrome current with the Gadgetboard; if not, find an alternative solution
  • Meet with Mark Fernelius and Jared Edgel about mounting everything in our enclosure
  • Test motor ignitors with batteries and Gadgetboard
  • Design avionics control system lockout switch circuit
  • Build and test internal/external power switching circuit
  • Implement and test apogee detection algorithm in flight software

Week 3: March 27-April 1

Pressure transducers, whole-system test, prep enclosure, avionics panel

Mid-week:

  • Have a friendly neighborhood ME punch holes in the CanTainer? end cap
  • Hyrum: get crimpers and some assorted resistors from the shop. They will be used for:
    • Measuring max battery current (and maybe internal resistance)
    • Knocking down battery power for the nichrome burner
    • Possibly knocking down battery current for motor ignitors
  • Hyrum: order PC/104 standoffs
  • Bruce: get from shop or order standoffs for GPS, GPS serial interface board, and radio board
  • Bruce: get RJ-45 snap-in connectors for panel and Can-Tainer
  • Bruce: order antennas, if necessary
  • Bruce: get pressure transducers from oxidizer folks
  • Bruce: design entire rocket cable layout to ensure that all signals are routed to the appropriate locations and all cables have appropriate connectors
  • Bruce: design CanTainer? end cap
  • Bruce: talk to oxidizer team about supplying a tank, plumbing, and compressed air for testing and calibrating pressure transducers on Saturday
  • Hyrum: get cable and connectors for antennas
  • Hyrum: charge batteries
  • Hyrum: design and get parts for "avionics panel" to be mounted by oxidizer plumbing for access to avionics system while on the launch pad. Panel includes:
    • External battery connection
    • Avionics master switch
    • Avionics control system enable switch
    • Flight computer RJ-45 jack
    • Status LEDs(?)

Saturday:

  • Measure max battery current
  • Flight computer:
    • Set correct serial port settings on boot
    • Set flight software to start on computer boot
    • Change flight computer filesystem mounting to sync mode
  • Flight software:
    • Write and test disk logging component
  • Mechanical:
    • Flip screws on the avionics enclosure so that the heads are on the inside of the box
    • Drill holes in enclosure for mounting CanTainer?, Gadgetboard, radio, GPS, and batteries
  • Complete power distribution system (ensure that cables run everywhere they need to and that all cables have matching connectors)
  • Integrate, test, and calibrate pressure transducers
  • Build avionics panel
  • Test power system with all devices connected to ensure that it doesn't brownout
    • Internal batteries
    • External batteries
    • Switching from internal to external batteries
    • Operating oxidizer valve solenoids
  • Test battery life with the entire system connected
  • Build avionics panel

Week 4: April 3-8

Radio range test, install and test everything

Note: Hyrum and Bruce will be out of town at the AIAA student conference from Wednesday evening until Saturday afternoon.

Mid-week:

  • Hyrum: charge batteries

Saturday:

  • Test effective radio range and coverage
  • Install flight computer and power supply in CanTainer? and run all wires, install all connectors.
  • Install everything in avionics enclosure
  • Finish and extensively test flight software
  • Switch flight computer to use a static IP address

Week 5: April 10-15

Final touches

  • Finish up any remaining work
  • Run simulated launch