ECC
From SparxWiki
Environmental Companion Cube
Sustaining the Environment at a 50km altitude
This year, Microsoft is calling on young programmers, artists and technologists around the world to "imagine a world where technology enables a sustainable environment." In response to that mission, we are proud to present a confined air pollution research system. Utilizing a high altitude balloon design as well as an automated return flight system, we hope to push environmental research even further in an innovative way.
Contents |
The Problem
Take a deep breath. The air you just inhaled might contain trace amounts of nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, suspended particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, ozone, radioactive radon, and toxics. According to the World Health Organization, one of every six people on the earth - more than 1.1 billion people - live in urban areas where the outdoor air is unhealthy to breathe. Human contribution of air pollutants comes from sources such as cars, industrial buildings and power plants. Certain primary air pollutants react with one another or with other chemicals in the air to form secondary air pollutants. Air pollution has become one of the most challenging environmental problems of the century.
Our Vision
We are proud to present a confined environmental research system, the Environmental Companion Cube (abbreviated as 'the Cube'). The first version of the Cube will be able to fly to the edge of the atmosphere, collecting valuable data along the way. This data is usually not available for air pollution scientists and researchers. Compared to other high altitude weather balloons, the Cube Features:
- An automated flight control system will guide the Cube according a designated descent path and parachute to a user-defined coordinate
- Modular sub-systems allow the Cube to be easily customized according to user requirements. Available modules include:
- Air sampling sub-system which collects high altitude air samples
- Vision sub-system allowing programmed image data collection
- Thermal camera allowing detection of forest fires and heat pollution
- Software that allows the Cube to be flexibly controlled on the ground through packet radio
User Scenario
The Cube is designed with an online shopping business model in mind. A science researcher, an amateur radio hobbyist or even a high altitude balloon hobbyist with ham radio certification might purchase this product online.
While the cube itself and navigation system are required parts of the product, users are able to choose which modules to purchase along with it. This includes the air sampling module, the surveillance camera module, the thermal camera module, and other modules.
This product could be shipped in a 24 x 24 x 24 box. The user will receive the shipment with the following items included:
- The Cube itself (navigation system included)
- The selected modules correctly mounted and wired inside the Cube
- Four empty meteorological balloons
- Ground station radio transceiver
- Detailed product specifications and user operation manual
- A CD that includes the following software:
- Trip planning and post data processing tool
- Ground station software for tracking and control
Before each launch of the Cube, the user would be able to use the trip planning software to plan the flight, including the coordinates it will visit during descent and the schedule for various sampling processes. The user will also be required to examine the FAA guidelines for high altitude balloon activity. The optimized flight plan will be transferred to the Cube, and the system will become ready to launch.
During the flight, the ground station software can be used in tandem with the radio transceiver to track the real time location of the Cube. The user could also send commands through ground station software to make changes to the flight plan on the fly, as well as request real time data from any sensors on the Cube.
After the descent, the fly back system will guide the Cube to targeted landing zone specified by the user. In case of a failure, the user would still be able to track the GPS coordinates of the Cube. In the highly unlikely case of a crash or depletion of main battery power, an onboard cell-phone with GPS module would send out a distress signal along with its last known position to the user through a cellular network.
Once the Cube has landed, the user can retrieve and process all data from according to the instructions in the User Manual and prepare for the next launch. Preparation for an additional launch can be accelerated by purchasing a replacement kit online for all single-use parts, for instance, the balloons as well as the vacuum tubes for air sampling module.
Technical Details
Cube Structure
The internal dimensions of the Cube are 18’’ x 18’’ x 18’’ structured by a UHMW polyethylene plastic frame with L-shaped edges. The external dimensions can extend up to two additional inches depending on the total thickness of padding and insulation foam materials.
The outer surface of the cube is mainly structured by two plastic pans (half cubes). Four plastic circles on the sides have a locking mechanism to secure the upper and bottom pans together. Foam is used for padding, covering for the outer surface as well as shock absorption on all eight corners of the Cube. A space blanket is used between the outer surface of the cube and the inner frame for insulation.
Four cold weather balloons filled with helium provide a total lifting force of 28 lbs.
Cube Core Electronics
An eBox 4300 or equivalent embedded device running a customized Windows CE image is the main processing unit in the Cube. A Puxing PX-777 VHF provides main radio communication between the Cube and ground station equipment. The radio has a direct bi-directional connection to the eBox internal sound card. Communication software on the eBox handles D/A conversion for packet radio transmission and A/D conversation for packet receipt.
A Garmin GPS 15H has been selected because of its ability to function >18km altitude. Two AXDL322 accelerometers, an IDG300 gyro, and HMC6352 magnetic compass provide supplemental position and orientation data for the GPS.
All other essential electronics components are built into a custom handheld device called the "Extremely Versatile Electronic Device" (EVE). EVE allows for preflight preparation through the use of a numeric keypad and LCD screen. The ATmega256 is selected due to its plentiful general purpose control I/O and analog inputs. The ATmega is supplemented with two ICs provided by FTDI, Inc. A FT232 allows for USB serial I/O and a FTDI FT2232 IC for onboard USB programming of the microcontroller. EVE uses I2C communicate to other subsystem control boards. Each module is stackable and has its own microcontroller as well as a unique address. The eBox has a single serial or USB connection to the EVE device and all components are able to interact with the eBox directly through the main EVE microcontroller. An MMC card slot is available allowing for up to 8GB of flight data as well as other subsystem data to be captured.
The batteries for powering up the electronic system are two Powersonic PS-6100, each capable of supplying 6V at 12Ah. While the system is estimated to constantly draw 2A at 12V, this setup is estimated to last 6 hours at maximum capability.
Modular Subsystems
Status Data Collection System
- External temperature sensor: Type-K Glass Braid Themocouple and AD595-AQ Amplifier provides 10mV per degree C accuracy
- Internal temperature and humidity sensor: SHT15
- Barometric Pressure Sensor: SCP1000
Air Sampling System
- Sensidyne AAA micro air pump keeping air fresh in the collection tube and tube probe
- Rotating tray for air sample vacuum tubes
- Automated tray rotation and needle probing
Vision System
- Two 7MP digital cameras
- Webcam used to record low resolution video during flight
- Current frame of the webcam can be retrieved from the ground station upon request
Thermal Camera
- An IR thermal camera enables the cube to fly over areas of high pollution or at risk of devistating forest fires
- Pictures are recorded during flight along with GPS coordinate data and may be reviewed after landing.
Team Structure
Our team consists of four students from three different fields; Computer Science, Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering. All team members are from the RIT Multi-Disciplinary Robotics Club and have multiple years of experience with autonomous unmanned vehicles.
Due to the complexity of this project, each team member will be leading unique sub-projects that fall most closely to their specialties. Although a sub-project may be managed separately, jobs will be assigned to everyone on the team, so that this project will also be a valuable learning experience for everyone.
Team members may submit their work at any time by the use of a networked revision control system. Day to day communication has been managed by the use of a private mailing list and document sharing services. After the end of round 1, the team will migrate to the use of a wiki, allowing the entire project to be open source and viewed by all.
Project Status and Plan
The project is at an early stage, however significant progress has been made. Currently the project plan, design documents, and prototype cube structure have been completed. We have also finished the schematic, board layout for the EVE device, GPS interface, and navigation code. Our schedule allows us to be flexible in terms of fault tolerance and gives us more opportunities for flight tests.
