Hey everyone! I’ve been learning about electronics through examples and lots of googling for the past few months. I figured I would post my current project and see if I can get advice/help/comments and also just share it. I figure it may be useful for other beginners.
So the project is this:
A “pretend” satellite! Inspired by the CubeSat form factor and use of “off-the-shelf” components, I wanted to make a little Arduino-powered gizmo that would replicate some of the systems used in these tiny satellites.
I’ll keep posting in this thread as issues come up or are hurdled over!
Here are my own requirements for my ProtoSat:
Uses SparkFun RedBoard for the main “computer.”
Wirelessly transmits data.
Takes sensor readings, either at intervals or on command.
Able to take and send a picture wirelessly.
Powered by batteries, either alkaline or rechargeable.
“May” be solar-powered, but probably not.
Inexpensive to develop!
Right now, I have the ProtoSat started! It’s a Sparkfun Redboard, and it takes atmospheric readings from a SparkFun BME280 sensor. It sends these readings to an Arduino Uno via 434MHz transmitter/receiver. So far, so good!
I’ve been working out how the different systems will work - I plan to use Sparkfun’s microSD and LiPower shields, and one of the “bare PCB” ProtoShields. Wired to the prototyping area will be a small circuit for blinking LEDs (what satellite project doesn’t have blinking lights?), resistors for the other LEDs, and the sensors will be attached.
The camera will take a picture whenever there is movement (detected by an infra-red proximity sensor) and save it to the SD card. It will also take atmosphere data at that time.
I want to use two sets of cheap RF links (315MHz and 434MHz) to add uplink/downlink capabilities - that is, send a message to the ProtoSat telling it to transfer today’s data, and it will send the contents of the SD card over the RF link.
I’m not worried about range or interference, this isn’t a weather station or anything - I’m just using it to learn. In all reality, it probably won’t leave my living room.
Anyways, I have some pictures and a video to share!
Thanks!
http://i.imgur.com/kBJNnNL.jpg
3D STL files for printing a CubeSat frame:
http://i.imgur.com/qclUj3r.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/EK8JskK.jpg
GIF of blinking video:
http://i.imgur.com/hd8uBEn.gif
