1. Mid-Semester Presentation Senior Design October 5, 2010
CAVS Flight Simulator
Mid-Semester Presentation
Senior Design
October 5, 2010

2. Our Team Rebecca Owens Team Leader Computer Engineering PCB Design
Gauge & Throttle
Software
Candace Allgood
Computer Engineering
PCB Design
Gauge & Throttle
Software
Amol Patel
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Design
Wiring
Ebi Izonfuo
Electrical Engineering
Mechanical Design
Wiring
Dr. J.W. Bruce
Academic Advisor
Sponsor

3. Outline Problem Statement Solution Technical Design Constraints
Practical Design Constraints
System Overview
Design Refinements
Testing Plan
PCB & Packaging

4. Problem
Our sponsor, CAVS, primarily researches problems with vehicles and human factors relating to vehicular systems
CAVS does not currently have a device to perform aviation research
CAVS wants to convert a cockpit familiarization trainer into a working, realistic simulator

5. Solution
Design gauges and throttle to integrate with the current hardware of the cockpit.
Use data from
Microsoft Flight
Simulator to
drive the
instruments

6. The T-37 Cockpit
Gauges
Throttle
Switches
Yoke
Rudder Pedals

7. Constraints
Technical Constraints
Practical Constraints

8. Technical Constraints
Name
Description
Gauges
The device must implement five flight gauges for display (airspeed, fuel quantity, climb, compass, and altimeter).
System Response
The device must appear to be real-time and have a delay of < 20 ms.
Voltage
The device must be wall-powered.
Interface
The device must interface with Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Input
The device must implement a dual-engine throttle control with flaps.

9. Practical Constraints
Name
Category
Description
Economic
Affordability
The device must be manufactured for less than $1,500
Sustainability
Maintenance
The device must require little maintenance

10. Economic Budget: $1500 Needed Items: Competitor’s Price: ~$37,000
MFS / FSUIPC
Yoke
Stepping Motors
PCB Manufacturing
Assorted Electrical Components
Competitor’s Price: ~$37,000

11. Sustainability End Users: Researchers and Pilots
Knowledge of End Users
Reliable Hardware
Reliable Software and Data Communication

12. System Overview

13. Design Changes / Refinements
Altimeter
Needed a device that could reproduce a clock movement using metric steps
Metric Clock
Internal hand driving mechanism can be bypassed

14. Test Plan PCB Wiring CAN messages Motor Drive & reset
Mechanical Linkages & Switches
Full System Test

15. Testing PCB Footprints, component placement Continuity & Shorts
Subsystem testing
Power supply
Microcontroller
Motor Driver Chip
CAN transceiver

16. Testing Wiring Gauge Enclosure IR sensor Stepper Motor Power / CAN
External GPIO
Enclosure
Potentiometers
Switches

17. Testing CAN Messages Motor Drive & Reset
Simple echo test to confirm communication between device and PC.
Motor Drive & Reset
Test drive command
Check accuracy
Fine-tune IR positioning for home position

18. Testing Mechanical linkages & Switches Full System Test
Mechanical durability
Linkage Range of Motion
Switches mounted and wired for correct on/off operation
Full System Test
All components are wired and powered on
Every function is evaluated, i.e. gauge, throttle movement, switch actuation

19. Printed Circuit Board

20. Printed Circuit Board Ground Plane for heat dissipation 2.5” X 2.5”
Octagonal shape designed to fit in circular enclosure
Mostly surface mount

21. Printed Circuit Board

22. Packaging Mounting Plate and Screws Printed Circuit Board Line Sensor
Face plate and needle
Line Sensor
Stepper Motor
Mounting Brackets
Printed Circuit Board
Circular Connector
Cylindrical Enclosure
Removable Cap

23. Packaging Left: PCB mounted with stepper motor
Right: PVC enclosure for gauge
PVC enclosure with threaded cap removed.

24. Packaging Internal rotational mechanism
Attach potentiometer to pivot via mechanical arm

25. Packaging
Linear Motion
Toe brakes – Revolute Motion

26. Packaging
Mechanical design for attaching potentiometers to linear and revolute joints

27. Questions / Comments