Modeling and Measurement of Permittivity for Near Space Communications

Team NASAE, Not your Average Socially Awkward Engineers, is designing a circuit and package that can measure the permittivity of the air, as altitude changes, even near space, at 100 thousand feet.

Problem Statement
Our mission is to make new and exciting discoveries by designing, fabricating, and testing new devices to collect and analyze information about near space. The information to be measured is a quantity known as permittivity which describes a substance’s ability to resist an electric field. In order to measure permittivity in near space, aspects such as temperature, humidity, and signal frequency will need to be taken into consideration for accurate data collection. It is desirable to then plot this quantity with respect to time and position.

Mechanical Engineering Design Goals
Create a functional package (housing) for the electrical components to work and collect data properly. Model/Simulate forces, temperature, and other conditions on payload and package. Ensure that the payload will return to ground safely without affecting any of the packages inside. Find a material that will insulate our electric components to function at certain temperatures that will not interfere with data recording. Allows airflow to measurement devices. Allow component to work in different environments.

Electrical Engineering Design Goals
The goal of this project is to measure the permittivity of the air, from the ground to near space. We want to send a payload to near space, one hundred thousand kilometers, while measuring the permittivity as it goes up. At the very least, we will simulate this behavior using circuit design software. Permittivity: the ability of a substance to store electrical energy in an electric field. Basically, we want to measure the resistance of the air has to an electric field, or how long it takes for a charged particle to get from point A to point B. We will do this by measuring the capacitance of the air, as it goes higher into the atmosphere. Using equations that relate capacitance to permittivity, we will find what the permittivity of the air is, at certain points in the atmosphere.

Capacitor Method
Measure the capacitance of a parallel plate capacitor then use the equation, C = ε 𝐴/𝑑, to solve for the permittivity. Viable up to roughly 1 Ghz

Laser/Phase Velocity Method
Measure the phase velocity of a signal and use the equation, vp = 𝑐/sqrt(μ𝑠*ε𝑠), assuming μs is 1.

Boundary Condition Method
Using the relationship between a conductor and a dielectric we can find the electric field in free space and the surface charge of the conductor to calculate ε using the equation, ρs = ε Et.

Benjamin VanSant
'Mechanical Engineering Student'



Brett Morris
'Mechanical Engineering Student'



Cameron Murdock
'Electrical Engineering Student'



Jeffrey Craig
'Electrical Engineering Student'

Hometown: Enumclaw, WA

Hobbies and interests: I am interested in technology in general. I like to build models, draw, and play videogames. It is fascinating how fast technology is growing, take the Nintendo Switch for example, it is so innovative. I have been involved with many engineering related clubs on campus, including IEEE, IMAPS, and ECE Ambassadors. Working on electrical projects on the side is also pastime of mine, I recently build a board that lights up with LEDs.

Plan for the future: After graduation I would like to work in the Seattle area. I have worked for the same company the past two summers, and would like to work for them again, in the avionics industry. It would be fun to eventually end up working for Nintendo though.

Email: crai5936@vandals.uidaho.edu



Ryan May
'Electrical Engineering Student'

Hometown: Boise, ID

Hobbies and interests: I am interested in communication systems as far as electrical engineering goes, I am also interested in science in general. Since my freshman year I have been involved in a research lab in the biology department investigating how transmissible vaccines could improve how we combat viruses in both epidemic and endemic situations through mathematical models. My hobbies include video games, mountain biking, and skiing.

Plan for the future: After graduating I do not plan to pursue a career involving communication, ideally working either with satellite communication or radar with ships and submarines.

Email: may6552@vandals.uidaho.edu