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
There are approximately 34,000 transtibial amputations performed each year in the United States. The causes of these amputations range from infection to tumors with the most prevalent causes being diabetes and severe traumatic injury. Patients with transtibial amputations that wish to use a prosthetic leg must wear a prosthetic liner that protects their skin from the rough prosthetic leg materials and helps suspend their leg in the prosthetic. Prosthetic liners can be difficult to don, especially for patients with limitations in flexibility, hand dexterity, or vision. Our goal is to create a donning system that will overcome many of these difficulties by ensuring that the liner sits flush against the limb,properly aligns the pin into the prosthetic, and enables those with low hand dexterity, vision, or flexibility to don their liner independently.

Interview with Sue Tacke

 * Price range:
 * Less than a million. There will be nonmonetary benefits. Environmental preferable.
 * Heating costs:
 * $75000/year
 * Current system: Radiator’s preferred over air-blown heaters.
 * Client expectations:
 * Develop options for an infrastructure for the radiator’s.
 * First estimate was 1.2 million dollars
 * Preferable that the current distribution system is the same
 * What are the alternatives to coal including electricity, geothermal, etc.?
 * Solar would be an option for running the geothermal system.
 * Initial information
 * Square footage of the main building: 55000 sq ft for annex and main building
 * Boiler: 75-80% efficiency
 * Typically use one boiler at a time unless it is really cold. Currently satisfactory.
 * In 2011, a ME and HVAC vendor looked at the building and seeing if geothermal was an option. The system specs came in at $700,000.
 * Steam radiators are only in the chapel.


 * Encrypted Data Storage:
 * Current Android implementation: All or nothing view towards encryption
 * Includes application, data, downloads, etc.
 * Integrated Cloud Storage:
 * Implemented in such a way as to require minimum user setup and interaction
 * Perhaps only require that a cloud account be verified
 * With this built in to the OS the user will gain additional privacy and security at a minimal cost
 * Encryption:
 * Will require a kernel level function to encrypt/decrypt on the fly
 * Redirects sensitive data through system call
 * Eventually allow for storing locally or to the cloud
 * Remote Service Log Retrieval:
 * Uses a Linux style daemon
 * Port knocking procedure used to access a device
 * Generates a key after each successful login so the device remains secure
 * Mandatory Access Controls (MAC):
 * AOSP contains the core SELinux MAC
 * Optional Middleware MAC functionality will be included
 * All requests are denied unless explicitly allowed
 * There are currently five types of MMAC to be included:
 * Install MMAC: Determines if an app may be installed or updated
 * Intent MMAC: Checks an app’s intents as they are delivered
 * Content Provider: Controls access to structured sets of data
 * Permission Revocation: Checks app permissions during runtime
 * Enterprise Operations (EOps): Checks app permissions during runtime
 * About App Ops:
 * App that allows policy permission management
 * Hidden release for Android 4.3 and 4.4
 * Less verbose with the access controls it employs

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

Hobbies/Interests: My professional interests have always been geared towards helping people and making a difference, and thus I have been interested in the bio-med and bioengineering fields. In my free time I enjoy several board sports, including snowboarding, wake surfing and longboarding. Along with this I am an avid rock climber.

Plan for Future: I don’t have a set plan for what I will do after college, but at this point am determined to pass the PE exam as soon as possible.

Email: osbo8726@vandals.uidaho.edu

David Handy
Computer Engineering Student

Hometown: Corbett, Oregon

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.

Email: hand1340@vandals.uidaho.edu

Jonathan Hanson
Electrical Engineering/Computer Engineering Student

Hometown: Worland, Wyoming

I enjoy skiing, reading, playing video games, and writing.

My future goals are to go into Biomedical Engineering.

Email: staa1939@vandals.uidaho.edu

Jordan Lynn
Computer Science Student

Hometown: Fargo, North Dakota

Hobbies/Interests: My professional interests center around the application of ergonomics in engineering, I apply this at my current internship working on the Advanced Accessible Pedestrian System. At the University of Idaho, I am a member of the Concrete Canoe Club in addition to being the president of the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Club and the secretary/fundraising chair to the Civil Engineering Club. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, cooking, and playing tennis.

Plan for the future: Eventually, I would love to have an engineering career focusing on how medical devices can be more functional for the user.

Email: swan5849@vandals.uidaho.edu

Chris Ocker
Computer Science Student

Hometown: Spokane, WA

Hobbies and interests: My academic interests include robotics and fluid dynamics. I have taken multiple classes that relate to these topics including Robotic Kinematics, Control Systems, and Computational Fluid Dynamics. I also enjoy running, cooking and watching my hometown basketball team, the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Plan for the future: After graduation I intend on pursuing a career in robotics. My ideal location would be somewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Wherever I end up, I plan on making a positive difference in peoples lives.

Email: witk8835@vandals.uidaho.edu

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