Curie Wireless Sensor Network

Intel Curie based WSN System for Scalable Distributed Control System in Satellites and Launch Vehicles

Comment 39

Intel Curie based wireless sensor network

Introduction

Rockets are an engineering marvel in human history. It is a group of various subsystems. It is very prone to accidents. So it need very close monitoring of these subsystems.For that, typically about 2500+ individual transducers are distributed throughout the rocket. These sensors, subsystems and harness weighs about 50 Kg, involves huge amount of skilled labour, time for testing etc…

Limitation of Existing System

  • Different Systems are hardwired
  • Limited Flexibility & Testability
  • EMI problems when measuring Subtle signals
  • Very High Integration & Check-out Time
  • Misinterpretation of Wiring Diagram
  • Huge Harness Weight & Complexity
  • Multipoint ground loop & signal Integrity Issues

    • Advantages of Proposed System

  • Harness mass reduction
  • Simpler Integration
  • Elimination of Test & Debug Connectors
  • Allows Subsystems to join/leave network at any time
  • Self Healing Network Implementation
  • Reduced Assembly, Integration & Testing Time
  • SWaP CR ( Size, Weight and Power savings less Cost & high Reliability)

    • Intel Curie WSN : Overview

    Intel Curie Based :

  • IMU Nodes for navigation
  • Sensor Nodes for Sensing
  • Control Actuator Nodes for Thrust Vector Control
  • Central Node acting as gateway to existing System
  • Storage & Display Node

    • IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) Node

  • IMU Node contains all the required hardware such as 3-axis accelerometer, 3-axis gyro and 3-axis magnetometer for a 9-DOF (Degrees of Freedom) Inertial measurement.
  • Included GPS can used for aided navigation application.
  • Sensor data fusion is employed for gyro drift, accelerometer/GPS error Compensation.
  • Depending on the firmware this module can act as :
    • ▪ 6-axis IMU ▪ 3-axis Magnetometer ▪ 66 channel High Accuracy GPS Module with fast TTFT

    Sensor Node

  • Sensor Node is built around Arduino 101 Board
  • It acts as a scalable multi-parameter monitoring Node
  • Basic Node Consists of Pressure, temperature & humidity sensor
  • Basic Node has the capability to attach following sensors:

    • ▪ An Acoustic Pick-up sensor ▪ A Strain-gauge based on FSR ( Force Sensitive resistor ) ▪ A high precision Shock sensor

    Actuator Node

    Actuator Node is built around an Arduino-101 with two Servo motor based linear actuators. Both actuators are attached to the Nozzle for Thrust vector Controlling and thus forming an Engine Gimbal Control. Actuator has a BLE Service and its characteristics can be written from central node.

    Central Node

    Central Node handles the task of data acquisition from all sensor nodes and is also responsible for updating the actuator node variables. The Central node also has the capability to analyse the incoming data for any errors.The Nodes work on the concept of publish/subscribe model. Each Sensor node & actuator node has a BLE service and associated characteristics which can be read or written into.All nodes will be in the advertisement mode initially.Central node connects to each nodes sequentially and will read / write the required services & characteristics.

    Storage & Display Node

    Storage & Display Node does the task of receiving the data from central node via a UART link and It stores the data in a micro-SD based card and uses the On-board TFT display to show the parameters and connection status in near real time.

    What it does

    Altogether It does the Task of remote multi-parameter monitoring and control in a launch vehicle/satellite scenario without the need of bulky harness and has a huge impact by the reduction of amount of effort & time involved in assembly and integration of launch vehicles / satellites

    How we built it

    Rapid prototyping Techniques such as 3D printing is used extensively in the development of Prototypes. Initially all circuits are designed and tested in breadboards before final integration. NRF Connect App is used to verify the Sensor Nodes Services and Characteristics UUIDs.

    Challenges we ran into

    Design and development of the demo model of the linear actuator for Thrust Vector Controlling as it involves complex mechanical assembly and linkages

    Accomplishments that I'm proud of

    Within the time bound we are able complete a functional prototype of the idea conceived by us and we successfully incorporated the Intel Curie Chip for our project

    What we learned

    We learned a lot by working on a real-world project and all the members of team has the spirit of learning by doing.

    What's next for Curie Wireless Sensor Network

  • Including more sensors and actuators
  • Dual redundancy in central node
  • Fail safe communication
  • On-Board Autonomy Feature

  • All the schematics , source codes , firmware & 3D Design Files are attached as a ZIP file along with necessary Documentation

    • Built With

    • 2.4-inch-serial-lcd-display-with-storage
    • 3d-printing
    • arduino-101
    • avionics
    • broadcom-wiced-sense-kit
    • cubesat
    • embedded-c
    • gps
    • intel-curie
    • intel-edison
    • launch-vehicle-technology
    • magnetometer
    • sensor-interfacing
    • servo-motors
    + 281 more
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    Updates

    posted an update —

    I worked on the design and fabrication of the system. I custom designed and 3D printed the enclosures for the controller, casing and mound for all sensors, also the thrust vector control mechanism for the nozzle. The major challenge was to make each design as small as possible while maintaining the structural integrity of the design, functionality of the model and the visual appearance of the design. I made a locking mechanism for attaching the body and cap of the boxes for the controllers so that we can eliminate the use of Nuts, Bolts and other types of fasteners. This enabled us to easily open and close the enclosure during the development process without wasting precious time. Another challenge was the thrust vector controlling system. For that, I had to design a system that allows slight motions in 2 angles and a small spin for the easy movement of the nozzle.

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