Ground Side Power Distribution

Owned by Elias Kountouris
Last updated: Oct 16, 2022
3 min read

Author(s): Domenic Hampson and Elias

System Overview

Background and Motivation

At comp, a UPS overheated and turned off, killing the power to the antenna which cut off connection between mission control and ground systems. This killed our launch attempt. We need a power regulation/distribution system that will not overheat and support the power needs of all the ground side electronics. 

 

Project Description, Requirements and Scope

For this project, we will be creating a power regulation/distribution system for ground side electronics. This system will take in power from multiple sources and regulate it down to the required voltages, distributing it as needed. This project will involve the design and creation of both the electronics required and housing.

  • The system must remain within safe operating temperatures in both a hot desert and Canadian winter. 

  • It must be able to power:

    • DAQ - 24V

    • RLCS - 12V and 5V

    • Ethernet antenna - 24V

    • Router / Switch - 12V

    • Computer inside DAQ - unknown

  • Must be able to be powered by:

    • Car battery (maybe two in parallel)

    • Generator - 120VAC 

    • Possibly lipos or solar panels

  • Must be able to integrate the batteries into a containerized GSE and the electronics in a pelican case. Providing an easily portable and watertight solution for our housing.

  • The system must be able to operate without the using a generator due to stupid New Mexico rules.

  • We need means of monitoring the voltage and current levels throughout the system that can feed into DAQ.

  • Fuses and emergency shutoff buttons as a safety precaution

The scope of this project is a viable solution to the overheating issues seen at comp fulfilling the requirements above. This project involves the design and fabrication of several boards, each capable of regulating, converting and maintaining certain voltages and the design and fabrication of housing for these boards. If premade components can be found online that will simplify the design for a reasonable price they will be considered. We are also considering extra 5V ports so team members can charge their phones (these ports can also be used to charge picams and GoPros). 

Required Documentation

  • Design Doc: In short, an update to the project proposal. Once the design of the system as a whole has been decided (the completion of the system design overview step in the timeline), we will make updates to the project outline. Is it necessary?

  • System Architecture Guide: Include schematics and an electrical block diagram. Explain how the components come together and why they were selected. Explain the reasoning behind critical engineering decisions.

  • Setup and Teardown Guide: Detailing any possible nuances to improving / debugging the power distribution setup.

Deliverables Timeline

System design overview - Due October 12

 

A document describing our plan for tackling this project, this document will look at the large picture and not include any complete designs. It will describe how each board will work and include preliminary designs that will be supported with research. This document will help us figure how each board will function and how they will all come together to form the complete system. 

 

Complete Design/Selection of the boards - Due November 15

 

Have the board designs completed for each required output voltage, 24V, 12V, 5V, 120VAC as well as any other required electronics. Run simulations on these designs and ensure they work individually as well as together. In the simulations check for both the temperature of the system and the output voltages.

 

Order Boards - Due November 18

 

Order boards and components once the design has been thoroughly reviewed by the team.

 

Physical board testing - Due January 10

 

Assemble the boards, test each individually for temperature and output voltage, test for possible errors and ensure the fail safes are working. Test the entire system working together, create and test a variety of different scenarios.

 

Complete housing design - Due January 10

 

Design the housing using Solidworks. Create models of each board and component and make sure they will fit inside the housing. 

 

Build the housing and assemble the system- Due January 31

 

Create the housing by whatever means decided upon (most likely 3D printed). Mount all boards and components within the housing, ensure everything fits securely.

 

Cost Analysis

$30 - PCBs

$80 - Components

$100 - Materials for the enclosure

$75 - Connectors, cables, etc

 

Total: $285

Integration Concerns and Stakeholders

Must be aware of design changes to anything that plugs into the power distribution system. Similarly, we must ensure the electronics inside the containerized GSE can be powered by this power supply and that there is room for the batteries that supply the system with power inside the containerized GSE. 

 

Aaron who is working on the containerized GSE.