Project Description
This project will entail the design and implementation of an onboard flight computer for experimental rockets.
It will be capable of controlling recovery/satellite system deployment, staging, data recording, taking onboard
sensor readings, and sending telemetry data to a ground station. Advanced design will include active guidance.
Design will be for atmospheric flights, but expandible to eventually accomodate suborbital and/or Low Earth Orbit
(LEO) space flights.
Project Goals
Take barometric pressure reading from the atmosphere.
Use the barometric data to control recovery system ejection.
Impliment an onboard LCD screen for testing/debuging.
Setup for RS-232 communication to allow for pre-flight PC control and post-flight data download.
Take in-flight temperature readings of the atmosphere.
Take in-flight engine temperature readings.
Monitor battery voltage.
Take fuel tank pressure readings.
Store data in EEPROM for postflight analysis.
Transmitt data via RF link from rocket for realtime systems/altitude monitoring.
Project Status 7/25/05
This project has been put on hold until the rocket launch controller project is finished. 1/13/05
The software has been written for serial communication between the telemetry computer and a PC. Currently, commands can be sent through windows hyperterminal to the microcontroller in turn the microcontroller is able to process those commands and send the desired data back to the PC. Future addition will include a graphical user interface to control and send comands to the telemetry computer via a PC inplace of using hyperterminal. 1/12/05
The software drivers for the ADC have been written and successfully tested. In addition, the software was written that will take the battery voltage, read it via the ADC, interpret and display it on the LCD screen. Future addition will include storing that data or mulitplexing it with the telemetry data. Currently, the barometric sensor is being wired in, and software being written to take pressure readings. 12/30/04
The microcontroller chosen for this project is the 8051. It has the capability of serial communication, 32 I/O ports, and has many other desireable features. The LCD screen drivers have been written. Next step is to setup and calibrate the analog to digital converter chip which will multiplex the different sensor readings into the microcontroller. The software drivers for the ADC are currently being written.
