[roc-chat] Re: ROC Launch Control System
- From: James Dougherty <jafrado@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: roc-chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2012 13:30:34 -0700
Sweet! Agreed on all points!
The continuity checking circuit and firmware is not difficult
I could give you all that ...
On the multi/single master concept; I guess it really depends on what
we're trying to do.
Jack sells a really nice Wireless controller which merits some investigation...
Ok, it's not mil-spec, but with a relay like some other folks have built,
it really will get you 90% of what you need...
Scaling to support 50 pads, well, that's the challenge right... I think the away
pad is the real work.. and lucky for us we don't have that many high power
birds out there...
Let's talk sometime and make some plans on this.
On 10/7/12, David Erbas-White <derbas@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> On 10/7/2012 6:03 PM, Richard Dierking wrote:
>
> In my 'real life' job I'm working with some wireless systems (actually,
> using a wireless module with our own proprietary control circuitry --
> but as the module is FCC approved, don't need to worry about that end of
> it). I have tested this system on the lakebed to over a mile,
> reliably. If we were to come up with some definitions of exactly such a
> 'wireless dream system' were to do, I could perhaps cobble something up
> that would be extensible.
>
> Effectively, the system I'm working with is a single-master,
> multiple-slave system, which would be ideal for what we're doing. To
> avoid interference from other sources, we would have to use secure
> encoding, along with timing, to ensure safety (i.e., a secure code to
> arm the system, system disarms if it either times out or loses signal
> from the master, etc.).
>
> If we design a modular system (i.e., a relay box with batteries for
> doing the actual firing, and a 'receiver section' that handles the
> wireless and intelligence, we should be good to go. Current systems (as
> I envision them using these components) would require a PC to act as the
> launch controller. If we really wanted to, we could simply build a
> wireless box that 'looks' like the current launch controller, but sends
> the proper signals via the wireless master -- but I'm just kind of
> thinking out loud...
>
> What might be the more difficult aspect (possibly) would be the
> continuity detection (wirelessly), as we would need to have the
> circuitry in the range-head box to 'tell' the wireless unit if
> continuity was present, etc. And this circuitry would need to work in
> conjunction with the current system of the push-button/buzzer for the
> pad area itself. We'd also need to ensure that we can handle the
> wider-range of igniter firing levels (like the new Quest igniters) with
> such a system..
>
> Love to hear what other folks might think...
>
> David Erbas-White
>
>
>> *Wireless System:*
>> These types of systems (particularly multi pad systems) are just being
>> developed and there's not a lot of experience using them. If we had
>> to obtain a new system today, I would suggest a wireless system
>> because of the savings on the weight and cable cost. But we don't
>> need a new system currently, so let's see what's developed over the
>> next couple of years and listen to their experiences. In the
>> meantime, we can save for a system so when ROC's ready, we'll have the
>> money for a safe and reliable system.
>> For me, my 'dream system' would look something like this: A small
>> control box would be located at each launch pad that would be the
>> receiver for a computer based wireless system. The LCO would launch
>> rockets using a computer and daylight monitor connected to a powerful
>> (over 2,500' range) wireless transmitter. The pad control box would
>> have a shunt and power switch controlled by the person loading the
>> rocket and be located on a ground stake that would also have the pad
>> number sign. There would be both audible and visual arm signal on the
>> box and it would also have a connection for a larger battery if
>> necessary (i.e. more firing amps). So, no central control boxes, just
>> place the launch control box with the pad number sign were you want a
>> pad, attach the launch leads with clips, and away you go. This would
>> allow for any kind of spacing on rows.
>> Richard Dierking
>
>
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