Operation
We are using GitHub issues and tasks for software related tasks, and Asana for all other tasks.
The subsystem assignments:
| Firmware | Kalman Filter | HOOTL | Groundstation | Integration | Radio | Electronics/Hardware |
|---|
Subsystem descriptions:
1. Electronics/hardware:
Designing PCBs, soldering, assembling and testing them.
2. Firmware
Writing code in C++ for D.E.N.N.I.S. and supporting boards, along with all standard software testing procedures.
3. Kalman filter:
The sensor fusion algorithm. If you want to learn more about it, I recommend this video series.
Will involve lots of physics (fluids in particular) and linear algebra.
4. HOOTL:
Hardware Out Of The Loop Testing - a utility for running firmware on a non-embedded machine in a sandbox to verify correctness in simulated scenarios. Emulators-ish.
5. Groundstation:
Software in Python, used to monitor the rocket in flight. A lot of progress happened last year, so this is not on the critical path.
6. Integration:
In charge of integrating all the pieces of hardware on the rocket, including:
- D.E.N.N.I.S.
- ^Supporting boards (camera, power, RF, etc)
- Pyxida
- COTS altimeters
- Cameras
Also will focus on getting the cameras to work, with the new hardwired camera connections for power and feedback.
7. Radio communication:
In charge of radio antenna and link testing, working with RF stuff. The most undefined for now, as we have very little RF expertise, so perhaps we would be reaching out to the MIT radio society.
About the team
Subteam Leads
Year | Lead |
|---|---|
| Summer 2020 - Present | Lili S. |
| Summer 2019 - Summer 2020 | Luka G. |
| Fall 2018 - Summer 2019 | Zack H. |
| Fall 2017 - Summer 2018 | Josef B. |
| Spring 2016 - Summer 2017 | Andrew R. |
| Fall 2015 | Samir W. |
| Fall 2014 - Spring 2015 | Johannes N. |
Overview
"Avionics" refers to the system that operates the electronic systems aboard the vehicle. These systems are commonly used to deploy recovery systems, collect data, send telemetry, and activate payloads. Avionics interfaces with many subteams
- Propulsion
- Detect Launch
- Records apogee
- Recovery
- Commands parachute deployment
- Payload
- Activate the payload
- Ground Support
- Send and receive telemetry
MIT Rocket Team operates both commercial and custom avionics systems.
Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS)
COTS altimeters are proven systems, purchased from reputable vendors. These altimeters vary in cost and capability. They are well characterized, but usually lack the flexibility to support customized requirements.
| Altimeter | Features |
|---|---|
| StratoLogger CF-100 | Dual Deploy, Data Logging |
| TeleMetrum V2 | Dual Deploy, Data Logging, Telemetry, GPS |
| Marsa 54L | 4 Pyro Channels, Data Logging, On-board LCD Display, On-field configuration |
| 3 Pyro Channels, Data Logging, Dual Deploy, connectable LCD | |
| Raven |
Custom Avionics Systems
DENNIS is the current team developed avionics system. Pyxida was the 5-year project preceding it.
| Altimeter | Architecture | Features |
|---|---|---|
| D.E.N.N.I.S. | Arm Microprocessor | |
| Pyxida Rev 6.2 | ARM Microprocessor | |
| Pyxida Rev 6.1 | ARM Microprocessor | |
| Pyxida Rev 5.1 | ARM Microprocessor | |
| Pyxida Rev 5 | ARM Microprocessor | Pyxida Revision 5 Known Errors |
| Pyxida Rev 4 | ARM Microprocessor | Active GPS Antenna, Onboard Memory, rounded edges, self version checking |
| Pyxida Rev 3 | ARM Microprocessor | 8 Configurable Pyro Channels, Battery alarms |
| Pyxida V1.1 | Stand-Alone ARM Microprocessor | Data Logging, Telemetry, GPS, 6 Pyro Channels, Continuity Checking |
| Pyxida V1 | BeagleBone Shield, ARM Microprocessor | Data Logging, Telemetry, GPS, 12 Pyro Channels |
| Charybdis Avionics | Arduino Mega Shield | Roll Rate Control, Data Logging, Telemetry |