NASA - Local Positioning System

The goal of this project is to create a relatively cheap and easy to set up method of tracking people, vehicles, and equipment in real time in an area where GPS is unavailible (i.e. Mars).

=Problem Definition=

Background
Current Global Postitioning Systems(GPS) require the use of satellites in order to determine a location. On another planet like Mars they would be expensive to ship and difficult to repair or move to a different location. By using a series of balloons tethered around a specified point, it is possible to create a system that would function at a much cheaper cost and be easier to set-up and use than satellites.

Deliverables
The Local Positioning System must act as an easy to set up replacement for GPS systems mounted on a series of tethered balloons. It must cost less than the price of shipping a satellite to Mars and update a users location in "real-time"

Functional Requirements

 * User Interface
 * The system shall take no more than 3 hours for 3 people to set up and launch
 * All set up activity shall take place no more than 250 m from a defined central point.
 * Postitioning Requirements
 * Position information shall be displayed to a user at the defined central point or to a mobile user.
 * The system shall determine the positions of one mobile unit relative to a defined central point.
 * Positions shall be determined with an accuracy of +/- 4 m in any direction.
 * shall be determined and displayed within 10s of a mobile unit occupying that position.
 * Position measurements should be time stamped and recorded.
 * The system shall be capable of determining positions of mobile units anywhere within a 7 km radius of the reference point.
 * The system shall operate continuously for at least 8 hours.

Flight Requirements

 * Critical subsystems shall be designed to fly on moored (tethered) balloons.
 * At least one balloon shall be launched as a critical part of a demonstration of the system.

Environmental Requirements

 * The system is expected to have full operational capabilities in environments with ambient temperatures of -20°C to 40°C and winds of up to 9 m/s and no precipitation.

Regulatory Requirements

 * FAA Requirements
 * 14 CFR 101.13
 * 14 CFR 101.15
 * 14 CFR 101.17
 * 14 CFR 101.19


 * FCC Requirements
 * Communications devices must operate in amateur radio or unlicensed frequency bands, and comply with all regulations that apply to the selected bands. See FCC frequency allocations (3) and relevant regulations.
 * All components must comply with FCC regulations at all times.

Cost Requirements

 * Cost of a theoretical final product shall not exceed the cost of a GPS satellite launch.
 * Cost to produce the prototype shall not exceed $10,000.

=Design Considerations=

=Project Learning=

=Final Design=

=Validation=

=Team Members=

=Additional Documentation=


 * | Project Schedule


 * | Project Value Proposition


 * | Snapshot 1


 * | Client Interview