Sam Dodge Mentored by Dr. Tom Sharp

1. Sam Dodge Mentored by Dr. Tom Sharp Electronics System

2. 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

3. OpenLog Data Logger • Connects to arduino serial pins • Writes to a standard text file

4. Sensors • Humidity Sensors • 2 Gas Sensors • 3 Axis Accelerometer • Pressure Sensor • 2 Temperature Sensors • Geiger Counter

5. 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

9. Post Launch Data Processing • File from data logger can be imported into excel for analysis • MATLAB was also used to analyze the results

10. What went wrong?

11. Problems • Battery enclosure on camera • Voltage Regulator • Low batteries • Arduino physical reset switch • Voltage on arduino pins controlling digital sensors

12. How can we fix it?

13. Circuit Board Etching • Less dependant on wire connections • A more reliable design would use one board rather than two • Can’t be easily changed

14. 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

15. Other • Better Testing • Redundant Power Systems • Is redundancy worth the extra weight? • Complexity vs Reliability

16. Future Additions • Photodiodes • More reliable sensors • Different sensors • Working Video Camera

17. Thank You