Iridium 9523 Satellite Modem Development Platform

The TechEdSat program (TES) at NASA Ames Research Center, lead by Marc Murbach, is a series of nano-satellites deployed from the International Space Station (ISS) to test a small payload quick return (SPQR) concept. SPQR will allow for the retrieval of small scientific payloads from the ISS on Earth using a rapidly de-orbiting satellite which will deploy a guided parafoil system to land the payload at a specified point on Earth. This technology may also be useful for landing experimental probes on other planets.

TES missions are designed to test the use of an "exo-brake" for controlled descent into Earth's atmosphere. At the current stage of this process, the nano-satellites do not survive re-entry, and post-mission data recovery is impossible. Therefore, it is of high importance to transmit as much data as possible as the satellite is in orbit. This is done through the use of the Iridium satellite network and the existing hardware on the satellite is the Iridium 9602 Short-Burst Data modem. The purpose of this project is to upgrade to the streaming-data-capable Iridium 9523 modem to allow for higher data rates.

Design Task
The TechEdSat program at NASA Ames is in need of an improved system of communication with the satellite. We will be developing a platform centered around the Iridium 9523 satellite modem. This upgrade will provide the satellite with a higher rate of data transfer which will enable the down-link of pictures and additional data in the time before it is destroyed upon reentry. The key outcomes of this project will be a carrier board for the modem which will allow integration of the hardware with the existing satellite and a software library to access all necessary functionality of the 9523 modem.

Interview with Marc Murbach, Jon Wheless, Austin Tanner (NASA Ames)

 * Client expectations:
 * Carrier board for new Iridium 9523 modem
 * Enable capability to stream pictures, other data to ground
 * Interface to existing data connections within TechEdSat
 * All code well-documented
 * Hardware, all pin-outs in silk
 * Stretch goals:
 * New solar panels for satellite
 * New libraries for additional electronics
 * Expansion of web dashboard capabilities
 * Existing work
 * Code from existing 9602 will be sent to us
 * Teensy microcontroller (Arduino compatible) will continue to be development platform
 * Priorities
 * Focus on replicating 9602 short-burst data capabilities on 9523
 * Move on to adding streaming data capability to 9523
 * Deadlines
 * Be ready for high-altitude balloon test Spring 2017
 * Future meeting schedule
 * Email once/week
 * Face-to-face once/month

Solar Power
The Barn’s roof area was calculated to be around 180 square meters, which is enough space to hold up to 100 solar panels and produce approximately 50 kWh per day. According to solar-estimate.org, the size of the solar system required to produce 50 kWh per day in Cascade, Idaho ranges between 10.58 kW and 15.88 kW and takes up around 130 square meters of roof space. When built, the roof was designed for future mounting of solar panels. As a result, the roof has been oriented towards the South and is built to hold the weight of solar panels. It is oriented at a 35 degree angle which is the optimal angle for optimized year round power production at the geographic location.

Hydro Power
The spillway, located on the southeast edge of Horsethief Reservoir, was measured for both flow and head during a visit to the reservoir. We found that the spillway has 30 feet of head and has a flow of ~1100 gallons-per-minute.

Wind Power
Based on models collected from various wind power companies, it is believed that wind may be lacking in the area. However, a wind turbine would serve as an excellent educational tool for camp participants. By using a small wind turbine for demonstration, the option of teaching how wind energy is harnessed and even why it might not be a viable option at the camp would be largely beneficial.

Opportunities for teaching camp participants about wind energy include but are not limited to the following:
 * Demonstration of conversions between potential, kinetic, and electrical energy
 * Real time data display of power generation
 * How wind turbines function
 * Discuss why the area is not a viable option for wind generation (economically)

Geothermal
As a result of the hot water spot found when drilling in 2006, a geothermal well near The Barn (if required) can serve as a local resource to aid in producing hot water during peak hours when the kitchen and showers are in use.

Biomass
Biomass is one of the abundant resources available to the YMCA camp. The 400-acre camp is constantly maintaining its forests and collecting a large amount of tree trimmings. These trimmings can be used as a source of fuel with a biomass gasifier.

While using biomass to generate electricity is a very viable option, using it to heat water instead will address some major problems relevant to the building’s load profile and lower the camp’s demand charges. These heaters are tank-less and consume large amount of electricity during shower-hours at specific day times. This is a prominent cause of the high demand charges of the building.

Terrain Model
Due to insufficient funding, the ideas presented were not able to be installed this year. However, in order to demonstrate the validity of this system, a micro-scale model was designed. This design is an educational tool that can be used to reach out to children participating in the YMCA camp. It provides both visual and hand’s on components that exhibit functionality for hydro, solar, and wind generation. To begin, a rough, approximate terrain was constructed out of fiber glass. The terrain was modeled based off of a topographical map and was then made to look like the environment surrounding the YMCA camp. This provides an “overhead” view of the region

The tools installed on the terrain model are used to provide insight on several of the power generation ideas presented. A solar panel was mounted onto the terrain model in order to demonstrate the idea of harnessing the sun’s natural energy. Even though wind power was not dependable for generation, a small turbine was installed onto the terrain model for demonstration. A water tower was also installed to demonstrate how power is generated through hydro. The geothermal and biofuels were not installed on the model as it would be difficult to safely operate such components and the “hands on” experience would be dissolved. These three components are then integrated together to an Arduino micro-controller providing digital display of power data from both solar and wind generation. The system also used a hydro sensor to display changes in water levels which is then interpreted to increasing or decreasing power generation. All data is easily displayed in Microsoft Excel. Another visual tool that was added consists of several LED displays. Based on certain amounts of power generation, the LEDs light up accordingly. The goal of this is to use the power generated by these renewable sources and show students some of the advantages and disadvantages of these technologies.

This section will document any work which contributes to the final design. This will include prioritizing design functionalities using a design matrix, preliminary testing of concepts, design/testing of prototypes. The below is only an example, the order/completeness may of course be modified as needed.

Consider including an initial system diagram (could be a sketch) which shows initial organization/understanding of subsystems.

Tessa Aus
Electrical Engineering Student

Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA

Email: aus1567@vandals.uidaho.edu

Tessa is a senior specializing in Radio Frequency Engineering with the goal to work in the Telecommunications Industry. She is an avid fitness enthusiast as well as a passionate outdoorsman. She was born and raised in Alaska and graduated from a small school in Boise. She hopes to someday have 2 dogs and travel back to Alaska for more adventure.

David Handy
Computer Engineering Student

Hometown: Corbett, Oregon

Email: hand1340@vandals.uidaho.edu

Intersests include building and programing computer systems. Designing applications for implementation on microcontrollers and FPGA's. Ultimately would like to get into building and designing prosthetics or new medical technologies. Also spend time cooking, playing baseball and target shooting.

Jonathan Hanson
Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering Student

Hometown: Kent, Washington

Email: hans3767@vandals.uidaho.edu

Jonathan is an Electrical Engineering and Computer Science student interested in embedded computing and data communications. He’s honed his skills working at NASA Ames Research Center and The Boeing Company, leading the Idaho RISE Near-Space Engineering Team, and tinkering with a Raspberry Pi or BeagleBone Black in his spare time. One day he hopes to work in R&D the Space Industry designing and integrating electronic systems.

Jordan Lynn
Computer Science Student

Hometown: Pingree, Idaho

Email: lynn8983@vandals.uidaho.edu

Jordan studies Computer Science here at the University of Idaho, his preferred area of study is anything in the field of artificial intelligence. In his spare time Jordan enjoys coding competitions and running the Astronomy club here at U of I.

Chris Ocker
Computer Science Student

Hometown: Kuna, Idaho

Email: ocke8865@vandals.uidaho.edu

Chris is a Computer Science student at the University of Idaho. His focuses are in cyberwarfare and video game development. In his free time, he plays wargames and works with the Unity engine.

Design Documents

 * Project Schedule
 * Meeting Minutes
 * Design Review Presentation
 * Design Matrix
 * Liner Donning Force Test Results

Resources

 * Denso VSG Series Robot datasheet
 * RC7 Controller Specifications
 * WINCAPS III Guide
 * Programmer's Manual I
 * Controller Manual
 * Setting-up Manual
 * Safety Precautions
 * Beginner's Guide