Bombardier Software

GUI

Computer Interface

• Manual Abort
  • Will allow operator to manually abort launch
  • On-screen at all times in prominent location
• Display the status of x valves
  • Use color coding (make sure operator is not color blind) to signify status for better usability
  • Possibly use indicators on the P&ID in place of labeling the valve statuses
• Countdown timer
  • Because countdown timers are really cool
  • Show elapsed time of rocket launch
  • Since time of launch will be short, only seconds and milliseconds will be needed
• Thermocouple temps
  • Display the main thermocouple temp updating as fast as possible (max update time 500ms | ideal update time <100ms)
  • Option to open a popup window with bar graph of all 7 thermocouples
  • Show temps in degrees C
  • Accuracy to the individual degree (decimal places are likely inaccurate and unnecessary)
• Thrust graph
  • Display the thrust data collected from the load cell in graph form
  • Graph should have scale labeled on axes
  • Possibly also graph modeled thrust curve from simulations to compare on-the-fly
• Pressure data
  • Display the pressure of all four pressure transducer
• Save live data to a file after launch
  • Everything sent to the laptop should be recorded

Tech Stack

• Python
• Tkinter (because James knows how to use it)
• Serial coms (library undecided)
  • Must be able to access data via usb
  • Will be talking with arduino

Physical Interface (LED Board for Pad Techs)

We’ll get here when we get further in the project

Data Collection

Sensors we need data from:

• 6 Limit Switches (pneumatic valve states)
  • Arduino DIN
• 1 Potentiometer (motorized valve state)
  • Arduino AnalogIn
• 7 Thermocouples
  • DAQ board uses signal amplification/conditioning board MAX31855, which uses SPI. Arduino interfaces w these chips over SPI.
• 4 Pressure Transducers
  • On-device signal amplification/conditioning, producing either a voltage or current range output. If current (current plan[haha]), drop over a resistor to fit arduino AnalogIn.
• 1 Load Cell
  • mV output range, will need signal amplification/conditioning (see Analog Front End document)

Communication

We have to decide on a communication hardware/software protocol. Currently considering:

• CAN
• Modbus TCP(over ethernet?)
• RS-232
• RS-485

We also have to decide whether we want communication to happen over a wired or wireless connection.