The project will have three modules: sensor, control and power
Programming has been the hardest part for the team
IES Benjamín Jarnés in Fuentes de Ebro, Zaragoza, presents the scientific project with which they will take part in the #ServetVI launches in spring 2022. Since last January we have been developing prototypes and organising the project. At this point (early March 2022) our project is being developed in three phases:
- Sensor module. We have designed and 3D-printed two parts that serve as supports for the motors and keep the propellers facing each other. The module will have four connection terminals, two for powering the motor and two for reading the voltage produced by the generator.
- Control module. For the moment, on a breadboard and with an Arduino UNO as controller, it will have a four-terminal connector to connect the sensor module and four or six to connect it to the power module.
The control module includes:
A relay to start/stop the motor.
A button that can work as a “test button”
An SD card to record measurements
A BMP180 to measure temperature and pressure
Depending on development difficulties, we also want to add a clock module, to save the time of the measurements.
If the LoRa modules arrive and we have time to implement them, transmitting the same thing that is being stored on the SD card would be our most advanced goal.
There are proposals for a Bluetooth to configure the capsule from a mobile phone, or an RFM69 radio, to see its range. A video camera to record “life on board” on SD is also among the proposals. But it is unlikely that we will have time to incorporate these ideas.
- Power module. Still undeveloped, it will have two power sources (normally two batteries), one to power the control side (Arduino and electronics) and another for power (motor). We have run tests with solar panels, but incorporating them directly will not be possible because of their low power and the variability of the power with strong or weak sunlight. Depending on weight and on whether there is time to develop it, in addition to insulating the batteries, we would like to design a battery “heating” system that switches on above a certain altitude or temperature. We plan to test power consumption as soon as the sensor module is ready and also to try low-temperature tests. The module will initially have four terminals to connect it to the control module, or six if heating is included.
We are having difficulties with programming, since we are not used to working with libraries and components more complex than a button or an LED. It is also hard to work for more than an hour at a time because of how the school day is organised, which rules out some tasks that would need longer periods (tests, workshop work…). Despite everything, we are optimistic that we will have a working prototype soon.
You can follow the up-to-date project at servet.iesbenjaminjarnes.com