Can-Do! Breadboarding

[alexc]

A new task that is slightly related to the Ground Hovering Test Vehicle has been created in the wiki. It concerns evaluation of the open source Can-Do! technology that has been developed by AMSAT and to be used in future AMSAT missions.
http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/index.ph ... adboarding

Edit 19 Jan 2009: Updated link

[tristancho]

I have added some subjects in this task discussion related to:

*EMC (ElectroMagnetic Compatibility). Is CAN-Do susceptible to electrostatic discharge?
*Is this system space certified?
*How a Test Harness will be?
*How could be a representative TM/TC traffic on the bus?

Some one could help me?
http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/index.ph ... adboarding

Thanks,
Joshua

[alexc]

So, Joshua has taken on this rather important task, but there is still room (and need) for more people since it is a mixed hardware, software, and system engineering activity. This is your chance to get involved and learn about some real avionics stuff, so chime in if you want to participate.
I'll be on a business trip the next few days, but I hope we can have a formal kick off with agreed work plan at the end of this week or next week.

[AndersFeder]

I initially ruled the CAN-Do task out because it looked a bit beyond my head, but I can begin with having a look at the analytical/investigative stuff, if that is useful.

Lets get a few more though. Any volunteers?

[AndersFeder]

A few more takers for this task? air.command? thuvt? ericm? anyone?

[thuvt]

Anders, there are a few guys in my team here who are working with PIC16F877A microcontroller. I'll talk to them about CAN-Do to see if we can experiment or incorporate it with our current project. This is new to us so I may ask if we have questions

[alexc]

Anders, there are a few guys in my team here who are working with PIC16F877A microcontroller. I'll talk to them about CAN-Do to see if we can experiment or incorporate it with our current project. This is new to us so I may ask if we have questions

It is new to all of us that is why we would like to do a technology evaluation

[tobiokanobi]

As an alternative bus concept we could consider the TTP/C (time triggered protocol) bus technology. Used in Aviation (e.g Dreamliner) and will be used in some spaceprogramms (e.g Orion and ISAACC).

-tobi

[tristancho]

Anders, there are a few guys in my team here who are working with PIC16F877A microcontroller. I'll talk to them about CAN-Do to see if we can experiment or incorporate it with our current project. This is new to us so I may ask if we have questions

Hi thuvt,

What about your friends? Could incorporate CAN-Do in your current project?

Thanks,
Joshua

[thuvt]

Joshua,
They're still enjoying the Lunar New Year holidays and only come back to the office next week. This is culture difference at work

I'll get back on this topic if there's any progress/question.

[Enric]

Hi all,

I am Enric Fernandez, a recent memeber of TeamFREDNET and now I am working on bus CAN-Do analysis and build, also I am posting some info in our wiki TeamFREDNET web page.

http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/index.php/Can-Do_Breadboarding

Now, we are discussing(in wiki "Article" --> "Discussion") about how many PCB will be ordered(in 1-2 weeks). We are opened to differents points of view, now is the moment to discuss it, best on forum. As a first idea I bought components to build 3 PCB.

[ryanw]

thats great Eric, good progress!
-ryan

[tristancho]

thats great Eric, good progress!
-ryan

Hi Ryan. As soon Enric test and validate the CAN-Do board I will able to complete the Lunar Lander architecture as scheduled. I need a good coordination with each Propulsion group and I don't see any activity in the Wiki.

Is there any intention to build the Lunar Lander? Perhaps a demostrator adapted to the earth? Is some one working in this matter? In this case, where the Lunar Lander will be built? We can send the CAN-Do boards to that place.

Regards,
Joshua

[AndersFeder]

Is there any intention to build the Lunar Lander? Perhaps a demostrator adapted to the earth? Is some one working in this matter? In this case, where the Lunar Lander will be built? We can sen the CAN-Do boards to that place.

I'll let Ryan respond, but AFAIK, Ryan is building the ground hovering test vehicle in Australia together with a few other guys.

[tristancho]

Yeah! We can send CAN-Do boards to Australia.

I don't have feedback in the wiki of this progress. Some of us we try to help but we are blind. In my opinion Propulsion team we may report in order to help as much as possible.

Regards,
Joshua

[AndersFeder]

I don't have feedback in the wiki of this progress. Some of us we try to help but we are blind. In my opinion Propulsion team we may report in order to help as much as possible.

I know what you mean, believe me Let's hope they hear you.

[alexc]

The progress on the GHTV prototype has been reported in the sticky thread of this forum. No progress since the last report - at least none that I know of. It is on my personal TODO to poke people for posting some updates under progress reports; however, I need to post my own (way overdue) report before I can poke others for their reports

As for the Propulsion Group, I guess you all know that it has been a misnomer for a long time. Everything related to the lander and bus had a tendency to be put under the propulsion group - except communications for which I was available. This has now changed and will be reflected in the updated org chart that I am about to make in the wiki; hopefully I can finish tonight.

Anyway, my point is that CAN-Do is not part of propulsion anymore but part of the Command & Data Handling (C&DH) subsystem. (Currently this is only my personal opinion but it sounds reasonable, no?)

[tristancho]

Hi Alex,

Thanks for the info. CAN-Do task contact person is Ryan.
http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/index.ph ... adboarding
So, could you make a notation that this task is part of Command & Data Handling? I am agreeing with you about this matter.

We are working hard in this task because priority is High. As a researcher group we pay many effort in this sense. As soon this task is completed, many other tasks could be advanced.

As per the lander and bus we may distribute the organization in Propulsion group or new group but it is very important have a well known public organization (If it is possible).

Thanks very much,
Joshua

[alexc]

I have just finished a first draft of the new organization chart in the wiki http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/index.ph ... tion_Chart
I expect to get new updates for the TBCs and some ??? within the next few days.

As you can see the C&DH engineering lead for the lander is TBC, so I suggest we leave Ryan as contact person for the CAN-Do task for now. Ryan is the one who has best idea of the lander anyway. In case Ryan can not answer some questions you can try to ask Rich or myself, since we have some experience with spacecraft avionics.

When you get to the point of defining what I called "representative TM/TC traffic" we will need to consult all lander subsystem leads. It will be a good exercise to consolidate the amount and frequency of telemetry parameters - also with respect to required comm bandwidth.

[tristancho]

Thaks Alex for this organization chart.

Sure Ryan is the one who has best idea of the lander and thank Alex or Rich for your attention.

Telemetry budget will fix many aspects of the design. It will be a good exercise as well.

Regards,
Joshua

[Enric]

Hi,

Thanks all for yours contributions. In my opinion, we have a lot of info to "handle" and is important to maintain informed at the rest of the members about our progress (although are insignificant).


Enric.

[ryanw]

Hi Guys,
Yes, myself and a few others are working on building a prototype lander for testing "propulsion" concepts, and basic attitude control.
we havent updated in a while mainly because we cant really progress much further without additional funding.
We have built the basic structure, throttleable motors, and very basic IMU.
In terms of team structure, it is true I have taken the lander( and most subsystems) under my wing for the last year, but in the next few months I will be handing responsibilites off to others (subsystem leads) as they join.
Significant amount of work has been done in thermal, power, autonomous landing, camera vision...we now need experienced people to take over these groups that I have formed and give them direction.

[tristancho]

Thanks Ryan for updating. These are good news.
Go on!
Joshua

[Enric]

Good news Ryan.

[Enric]

New info is added to CAN-Do Breadbording page

Possibly, PCB will be received in early April.

Enric.

[tristancho]

Good job, Enric
Let's see what the CAN-Do is able of.
Joshua

[Enric]

New PCB first order photos

http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/index.ph ... arding#PCB

[tristancho]

http://wiki.xprize.frednet.org/images/C ... 1Board.JPG

[tristancho]

[alexc]

Looks very nice and professional. Where did you have the boards made?

[tristancho]

In Germany by PCB-POOL (Beta LAYOUT)
Regards,
Joshua

[tristancho]

[tristancho]

Finally,
We are ready to test the first CAN-Do board which is completed today. We will use a RS232-to-CAN adapter in order to program the CAN-Do board from the PC.
Coratulations Enric. Well done!
Joshua

[alexc]

This is great news. I'm glad to see this task move forward so well. Also a good example how one open source space project (Amsat Can-Do!) can benefit another open source space project

And nice work by the way. It's quite a challenge to solder SMD parts by hand!

[Enric]

Hello guys,

now is an important week for concluding CAN-Do building process. Once soldering is done and cable finished new updates to our wiki have been done. You can see the updates linking to our wiki CAN-Do page.

I hope you enjoy it.

Enric.

[Enric]

Second CAN-Do widget has been solded. We are in trouble with firmware but software controller is intalled and working.

Enric.

[tristancho]

Hey Enric,
These are good news. You can do the test between CAN-Do boards.
Regards,
Joshua

[Enric]

Hey Enric,
These are good news. You can do the test between CAN-Do boards.
Regards,
Joshua

Well, CAN-Do widgets only communicates with IHU(Internal Housekeeping Unit) not between them. In order to connect two CAN-Do to our IHU(now, PC) we have to build or redesing our CAN-Do cable.