Sam Dodge

Mentored by Dr. Tom Sharp

Electronics System

Arduino Microcontroller

• Programmable in C

• 6 Analog Inputs/Outputs, 15 Digital Inputs/Outputs

• A multiplexer was used to extend the number of analog pins to 13

• Records time

OpenLog Data Logger

• Connects to arduino serial pins

• Writes to a standard text file

Sensors

• Humidity Sensors

• 2 Gas Sensors

• 3 Axis Accelerometer

• Pressure Sensor

• 2 Temperature Sensors

• Geiger Counter

Camera Control

• Still camera takes a picture every 8 seconds

• Video camera takes 10 minute video clips to prevent from turning off

• Both are controlled by digital pins

Post Launch Data Processing

• File from data logger can be imported into excel for analysis

• MATLAB was also used to analyze the results

What went wrong?

Problems

• Battery enclosure on camera

• Voltage Regulator

• Low batteries

• Arduino physical reset switch

• Voltage on arduino pins controlling digital sensors

How can we fix it?

Circuit Board Etching

• Less dependant on wire connections

• A more reliable design would use one board rather than two

• Can’t be easily changed

Better Cameras

• Video Camera

• Still Camera– Some cameras can be hacked to take

pictures by themselves at a set time interval

• With better cameras, they can be isolated from the rest of the system

Other

• Better Testing

• Redundant Power Systems– Is redundancy worth the extra weight?

• Complexity vs Reliability

Future Additions

• Photodiodes

• More reliable sensors

• Different sensors

• Working Video Camera

Thank You