Good Vibrations Conceptual Design Review University of Wyoming James Richey, Justin Thornton, Luke Voss, Jake Thatcher, Tony Allais Oct 27, 2008

Mission Overview Suppose a RockSat Payload Design group wanted to accurately and precisely measure time intervals for its experiment. Are there cheap and reliable crystal or electric oscillators that can get the job done? Are crystal or electric oscillators stable during the acceleration period of the rocket flight ? What about during the free fall period after apogee where the payload experiences microgravity? We are going to share data with the other UW group. We will use their data to analyze our results and look at different parts of the flight to see how it affected our oscillators.

Main Objective To explore the effects of the rocket flight on crystal and electric oscillators. Vibration Electric/Magnetic Fields No effects Isolate the oscillators such that each experiences only vibration or electric/magnetic field effects, and there will also be a control oscillator with minimized effects and an oscillator affected by both vibration and electric/magnetic fields.

Expectations By recording data on oscillator’s outputs under varying conditions during the rocket flight, the effects of vibrations and electric/magnetic fields will be isolated and analyzed. With the experiment complete and data analyzed it should be understood whether the oscillators used are accurate under the following conditions: –With and without vibration damping –With and without EM shielding.

Other Research The effects of temperature on oscillators is well known. Every oscillator has its specifications listed and its sensitivity to temperature is one of them. It is usually given in ±ppm (pulses per minute). The effects of acceleration on oscillators is also well known. However, this is not a commonly listed specification. Most oscillators are made to handle common vibration levels of g to g.

Success Criteria Successful rocket retrieval Successful data collection from oscillators

Benefits Future RockSat Payload Design Teams will have an idea whether the low cost oscillators used in our experiment are accurate enough for their time keeping needs. Alone, if the oscillators are not accurate enough, then vibration damping or EM shielding should be applied, as should be demonstrated in our experiment.

Required Hardware Micro Processor (1) –Mini-Dragon S12 Crystal Oscillators (4) –ACH Electronic Oscillators (4) –CMX-309 Data Storage –SD card

Functional Block Diagrams Basic Electric Component Diagram

RockSat Payload Canister User Guide Compliance –Mass, Volume Expect to use 2.75 of 4 lbs. –Payload activation We will use the G-switch. The circuit will not be powered until the G-switch is activated upon rocket launch. –Rocket Interface Shorting wires will be available outside of the can.

Shared Can Logistics Plan University of Minnesota Characterize the flight of the rocket and attempt to record data using techniques untested in suborbital flight. University of Wyoming Team 1 - Accurately measure various flight parameters. Team 2 - To explore the effects of the rocket flight on crystal and electric oscillators. Plan for collaboration on interfacing For the UW projects, there are no location constraints, since we do not need a port. UW projects will not be connected to each other, however the data obtained from team one will be used to analyze team 2’s data. Structural interfacing Each team will design their circuit boards to connect to the five support columns. The bulk heads will screw into the five support columns.

Management Organizational Chart

Schedule –See attached Schedule Mass/Monetary Budget –Mass Expect to use 2.75 of 4 lbs. –Monetary Budget of approximately $500 Expect to spend $350 Management

Conclusions –Issues and concerns It is a concern of whether or not we can effectively isolate each of the oscillators to experience only vibration or EM effects. –Closing remarks Good Vibrations hopes to gain valuable knowledge in the area of rocket science. Since every microprocessor has an oscillator, our project will help future groups understand the effects of rocket flight on their microprocessor.