PCB design that houses sensors and actuators required to stabilize the Satellite
July 2022
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INTRO
Research components and design a custom PCB for determining and controlling the attitude of a miniature satellite (CubeSat). Create a layout that fits with the specifications of the needs of the satellite and fits within a 90x90mm area.
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The cube Satellite that won first place at the 6th CSDC (Canadiaan Satellite Design Challenge) in 2023. We're preparing for launch now.
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Block diagram illustrates the connections between the onboard computer (OBC), attitude determination sensors (IMU, GPS/GNSS) and the actuators (DC Motors, Magnetorquers)
The schematic is segregated into their respective functions.
1. The top right is the connections between the VN-100 (IMU) and the board's M80 connector, which is broken out to header pins.
2. The bottom left is the power supply for the board which connects a 5V rail directly to the VN-100 and a 3V3 supply to a decoupling circuit and an LED for debugging. An LC filter is employed to remove high frequencies from the power lines. Inductor also used as a current limiter in the case of high current surges.
3. Broke out a 8 pin header to control 4 PWM H-Bridge drivers for controlling DC motor actuators.
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The first iteration of the design was a apart of our "flat SAT" testing phase, which entailed testing for functionality. Therefore the board was compact and had multiple test points, and breakout headers which could be probed using a digital multimeter and oscilloscope.
The second layout was designed for the 2023 CSDC-6 design challenge. Therefore, while the new design had similar components, the area of board had to be fitted to dimensions of 90x90mm. Furthermore, a PC104 header stack was implemented so that the board could share pins with the entire Satellite stack, transmitting IMU data and controls back and forth along the header pins.