The Avionics page was put together using the output of GPT4. Check out the recent posts on the home page for more information.
An avionics bay is an essential component of any rocket, as it contains all the electronics necessary for flight control, telemetry, and other critical functions. Today we’ll explore the design of an avionics bay for a boosted dart rocket, which is a two-stage rocket with an unpowered second stage.
The first stage of the rocket is powered, while the second stage relies on momentum and altitude to carry it through its flight path. To ensure that the rocket operates safely and efficiently, the avionics package must be designed to meet the specific requirements of its mission. In the case of the boosted dart rocket, the avionics package is stored in the 38mm diameter dart, which is the second stage of the rocket. This placement ensures that the electronics travel to the maximum altitude.
PCBs
Designing the printed circuit boards (PCBs) is one of the most critical aspects of creating an avionics package for a rocket like the boosted dart. To ensure that the PCBs are precise and functional, designers often turn to online tools like EasyEDA.
EasyEDA, an affordable solution for high-quality PCB design, interfaces seamlessly with JLCPCB’s BOM system, simplifying direct component ordering and ensuring precision for every project. It incorporates built-in schematic capture and 3D model export functionality for rapid creation and visualization of PCB designs, thus contributing to overall project budget control, a vital aspect in any spaceflight endeavor.
To constrain our Avionics requirements, we must first recollect our overall Project or Platform requirements:
Platform Requirements
- The rocket shall be a boosted dart configuration. This consists of a booster stage with a non-powered dart.
- The booster stage shall be 6 inches in diameter and utilize a home-mixed solid rocket motor.
- The dart shall be 38mm and made of fiberglass.
- The rocket shall have the ability to transmit telemetry.
- Both the booster and dart stages shall be recoverable via drogue and main parachute recovery methods.
Design Requirements
Let’s begin with a list of design requirements:
- FPGA: Use of an easy-to-use, modern, compact, and speedy FPGA.
- Sensor Array: Incorporation of a gyroscope, a GPS module, and a pressure sensor capable of read rates exceeding 5000 samples per second.
- Connectivity: Inclusion of a mini-USB serial port for programming and a terminal block serial port for radio communication.
- Power Management: A terminal block for battery input that can charge an 18650 battery, complemented by a DC jack for charging input.
- Energy Efficiency: The design should prioritize low power consumption.
- Safety Measures: The PCA needs to be equipped with reverse voltage protection.
- Component Sourcing: All components should be sourced from DigiKey or LCSC, with a focus on cost-effectiveness.
