Low Altitude Balloon Experiments in Technology

(LABET)Version IV

EcpE 492: Dec09-14Engr 467: LABETIV_SP09

Henri BaiSteve Beckert

Ian MoodieMike Rau

Matthew Nelson, AdvisorJohn Basart, Advisor

November 19, 2009

Project Overview Key Requirements

• Yaw Control• Altitude Control• Wireless Control• Capable of Autonomous Landing

Operating Environment• Howe Hall Atrium

Intended User• Space Systems and Controls Lab• Promotional Tool

Aircraft Hardware Processor

• PIC24FJ64GA004 Sensors

• 3-axis Accelerometer• 2-axis Gyroscope• Sonar

Communication• RF Transceiver

Flight Control• 2 Ducted Fans• 4 Servo Motors

Power• 7.4 Volt Li-Ion Array

Structural Design

Two fan design Thin member design with cross member support Includes two cradle cross members for balloon

attachment and support Includes two landing pad attachment cross members Two fans will be mounted using a bi-axial swivel ring

Base Station Purpose

• Communicate fromground to aircraft• Send aircraft movement commands• Receive aircraft status messages• Modify memory or inject code

Technical Detail• Implemented in LABVIEW• Control scheme uses XBOX360 Controller

AircraftFirmware

7

Base Station

LABET

Testing Learn about PIC24FJ64GA004

• Timers, UART, SPI, ADC, Interrupts, PWM Generation Component Testing (PIC24FJ16GB002

Development Board)• Accelerometer – SPI• Gyroscope/Sonar – Analog, ADC• Wireless Transceiver – UART• Servo – Timers, PWM Generation

RC Aircraft Testing Component Integration

• Prototype Board• Explorer 16 Development Board (PIC24FJ64GA004)

Aircraft Schematic

Questions?