Here's an image!! The University of Nevada, Reno did a near space launch this week. Onboard their near spacecraft was a camera with a fisheye lens pointed down. Check their Flickr site for this impressive image.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/40137058@N07/3963101620/
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Smart Proximity Detector
The PCBs I've designed for the Smart Proximity Detector are int eh mail. I expect them this week. The detector uses a PICAXE-08M to operate IREDs and a 28 kHz detector.
I'm starting to pack kits. I began by creating a spreadsheet with a list of the parts and costs. After that, I'll copy the list of parts into a word document and print that out. I follow what's int he document to pack the bag with parts. I also write the number of items that goes into each bag. That way, after I collect the parts on the list, I do a final count before packing them into their bag. However, before packing each bag, I now affix a label on the outside of the bag with teh name of the kit.
The bag for the prox detector is a sandwich bag, since the PCB is six inches wide.
The Smart Proximity Detector is for any robot that can receive serial data. Look for it under Catalog at the NearSys.com website shortly. I have a video demonstration of a robot using the detector that I am completing. That video along with directions and a copy of the code will be available online for free.
I'm starting to pack kits. I began by creating a spreadsheet with a list of the parts and costs. After that, I'll copy the list of parts into a word document and print that out. I follow what's int he document to pack the bag with parts. I also write the number of items that goes into each bag. That way, after I collect the parts on the list, I do a final count before packing them into their bag. However, before packing each bag, I now affix a label on the outside of the bag with teh name of the kit.
The bag for the prox detector is a sandwich bag, since the PCB is six inches wide.
The Smart Proximity Detector is for any robot that can receive serial data. Look for it under Catalog at the NearSys.com website shortly. I have a video demonstration of a robot using the detector that I am completing. That video along with directions and a copy of the code will be available online for free.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
NearSpace UltraLight
I had a request for the NearSpace UltraLight flight computer. I've started soldering parts together for the board, but haven't completed it yet (or tested).
The flight computer is like a BalloonSat Easy with a built in radio and GPS Port. After building one, you just need to attach the antenna, batteries, and GPS receiver and you're ready to fly. The final kit will include memory (which the version 2.0 BalloonSat Easy doesn't) and a coax cable and wire for making the antenna. It will be my most expensive kit since it includes the $60 radio transmitter. But overall, it should be one of the least expensive ways to ow a flight computer suitable for near space missions.
One day, I hope to enter into the model rocetry field with a line of model satellite payloads.
The flight computer is like a BalloonSat Easy with a built in radio and GPS Port. After building one, you just need to attach the antenna, batteries, and GPS receiver and you're ready to fly. The final kit will include memory (which the version 2.0 BalloonSat Easy doesn't) and a coax cable and wire for making the antenna. It will be my most expensive kit since it includes the $60 radio transmitter. But overall, it should be one of the least expensive ways to ow a flight computer suitable for near space missions.
One day, I hope to enter into the model rocetry field with a line of model satellite payloads.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuning a IR Beacon
I've developed a 38 kHz IR beacon for the CheapBot-08. It uses a 556 timer IC to create and combine two square waves. Half the 556 generates a 38 kHz square wave and must be adjusted for the proper frequency (this accounts for the tolerances in the resistors and cap). The second half of the 556 generates a roughly 10 Hz square wave. Combined, the output is a 10 hZ square wave of the 38 kHz beacon. Shutting off the 38 kHz beacon every 0.1 seconds prevents the robot's 38 kHz detector from losing senstitivity to 38 kHz.
I thought I'd just put the 556 on the o'scope in class and tune it up (adjust thwe PCB's pot to get the proper 38 kHz pulse). But I had forgotten that the o'scope would trigger on any signal, whether it was from the 10 hZ of the 38 kHz square wave.
I finally tapped into pin 5 of the 556 to see just the 38 kHz signal. It looks like on the next design, I'll add a test point to the PCB to make tuning the 38 kHz side easier.
I thought I'd just put the 556 on the o'scope in class and tune it up (adjust thwe PCB's pot to get the proper 38 kHz pulse). But I had forgotten that the o'scope would trigger on any signal, whether it was from the 10 hZ of the 38 kHz square wave.
I finally tapped into pin 5 of the 556 to see just the 38 kHz signal. It looks like on the next design, I'll add a test point to the PCB to make tuning the 38 kHz side easier.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
BalloonSat Kits
I think I'd like to start a line of BalloonSat kits. This would be for the airframe and not just the flight computer. A kit would consist of seven sheets of Cellfoam 88, dowels, 1/4-20 nylon bolt, washers, black marker, tubes, plastic sheet, space blanket, and some tape. There would be enough material to make an airframe large enough to hold a video camera, flight computer, and and experiments.
This means I need to get the book together (see my Citizen Scientist articles) for directions and recommendations. The book I plan to publish through Create Space. However, I'll need an ediotor to read over the book first.
Now if there was a way to make a camera kit.
This means I need to get the book together (see my Citizen Scientist articles) for directions and recommendations. The book I plan to publish through Create Space. However, I'll need an ediotor to read over the book first.
Now if there was a way to make a camera kit.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
CheapBot-08 Radio Slave
Since the PICAXE-08M has such little capability for a robot, I'm incorporating a second into a robot to handle the radio communications. Using a serial port basically converts the two I/O ports required for the radios into one. Now to figure out the two way communication protocol between the nmaster and the slave.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Find Me Spot
Find Me Spot is a GPS tracking system that communicates position reports through a satellite. If you attended GPSL 2008, you'll be familiar with this tracker, as Bill Brown gave a presentation on it. Bill is doing the coolest stuff, you should get to know him.
With all the talk about the MIT flight that used a cell phone for tracking, I'm wondering about writing an article on using Find Me Spot to track. This would allow someone who does not have an amateur radio license to launch near spacecraft. Of course, the tracking unit would have to go up as a back pack with a Tickle Me Elmo to create a Find Me Elmo.
With all the talk about the MIT flight that used a cell phone for tracking, I'm wondering about writing an article on using Find Me Spot to track. This would allow someone who does not have an amateur radio license to launch near spacecraft. Of course, the tracking unit would have to go up as a back pack with a Tickle Me Elmo to create a Find Me Elmo.
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