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Communication With a High Altitude Balloon. Team HAB- Comm : Ryan Overman Brian Thomas Thomas Rawls Trenton Katter. Agenda. Introduction Thomas Rawls Background Trenton Katter Challenges and Proposed Solutions Ryan Overman Schedule and Resources Brian Thomas Summary Thomas Rawls
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Communication With aHigh Altitude Balloon Team HAB-Comm: Ryan Overman Brian Thomas Thomas Rawls Trenton Katter
Agenda • Introduction • Thomas Rawls • Background • Trenton Katter • Challenges and Proposed Solutions • Ryan Overman • Schedule and Resources • Brian Thomas • Summary • Thomas Rawls • Questions
Background • WSU’s High Altitude Balloon project: • Began in 2005 and has received funding through NASA, AFRL, the National Science Foundation, and the Ohio Space Grant Consortium. • It is multi-disciplinary. • It is interested in studying near-space and its potential applications.
What is “Near-Space?” • Near-space is a region of our atmosphere between 65,000 and 350,000 ft. • The air is thin, dry, and cold.
Previous Groups Have: • Previous Successes include: • A controlled ground antenna. • Ability to transmit video from air-to-ground. • Development of a Software Defined Radio system that can be used for air-to-ground communication. • Others
Our Objective • To develop a reliable ground-to-air communication system and demonstrate its functionality by releasing a package on command.
Can a High Altitude Balloon serve as an emergency communications platform?
Our Scope Our scope does NOT include: - integrating the two communication systems. - designing the release mechanism. - responsibility for steering the ground antenna. Our scope is limited to: - designing the electronics to reliably receive a signal at the balloon at a height of 100,000 ft. and a radius of 100 miles.
Approach • Licensed Ham Operation • Each member of HAB-Comm capable of operating radio transmission • Ground test • 1 mile transmission at 4kbps with line of sight • Calculate theoretical power for implementation • Launch balloon
Challenges • Noise • Spectrum analysis from balloon in near-space • Frequency hopping communication system • Device on balloon selects quiet frequency, transmits accordingly • Balloon antenna modification possibility • Temperature • Select previously-tested electronic components
Results • Reliable Ground-to-air communication system installed • Allows future ME and EE teams to install control systems on the balloon • Future implementation of an integrated two-way communication device • Significant step towards emergency system implementation
Resources • Personnel • Facilities and Equipment
Personnel • HAB-Comm is comprised of 4 undergraduate electrical engineering students with varied background. • Multiple Wright State University Professors as consultants: Dr. Wu (EE), Dr. Slater (ME), Dr. Gallagher (CEG)
Facilities and Equipment • HIBAL Laboratory located in Russ 018 • Transmit/Receive Antenna on the roof of Russ • Python/Linux based PCs • 50 W Power Supply of transmitting • Wiki Page running for 8 years documenting all previous launches
Project Costs • Fiscal • Time
Fiscal • Receiver/Transmitter broadcasting HAM frequencies • Batteries • RF Amplifier • Misc electronics
Time Frame • Research and selection of electronic components –Sept 27th, 2013 • Design and test transmitter/receiver combo – Nov 15th, 2013 • Deliver a status report – Dec 6th, 2013 • Communication device on balloon and launched – Jan 31st, 2014 • Reconfigure device and second launch – March 16th, 2014 • Deliver final presentation with results – April 21st, 2014
Design Considerations • To develop a system that operates amidst ambient noise and extremely low temperatures. • Investigation: • Clever filter design • Power amplification • Frequency hopping • Utilization of the air to ground communication • Antenna design/control
Summary • Develop reliable communication system • Possible control of the release of the package • Implement a cost effective system • Cheap, reliable emergency communication system • Aid future HIBAL groups