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Daniel Vagg

Graduate of WIT | Physics with Computing

A regular guy

Presentation Overview

 

  • Quick intro/background
     
  • Undergrad experience
  • Masters experience
  • Projects

5 min

5-10 min

15-30 min
(TOTAL)

5 min

  • Presentations rarely end on time

Quick Intro

  • I'm Dan
     
  • I studied here

Background

  • BSc (Hons) Physics with Computing in 2011
    • Internships (FH, ESA)
       
  • Worked with FH afterwards
    • Sent a thing to space*
       
  • MSc in Space Science
    • Led to current job
       
  • None of that really matters to you

*Actually not space; stratosphere.

Undergrad experience

Overview

  • Lost, nervous
  • Struggled
  • Internships - you picked me, really?
  • Graduated
  • Offered a place with FeedHenry
    • Python/Ubuntu/Paid/Coffee
  • Offered a place with ESA in May
    • Space experience/lived abroad
    • Found something in a solar flare

Undergrad experience

Why mention it

  • Be prepared for ANY opportunity to demonstrate what you're able to do
    • Project/Internship/etc
       
  • Don't burn yourself out
     
  • Find something to motivate you
     
  • Opportunities don't feel special - let motivation drive you

Glider

To the stratosphere!

  • High altitude videos = cool
  • Figured glider = better video
  • So...
    • I designed that
    • Tested it..
    • Flew it & Lost it (eventually)

Glider

To the stratosphere!

 How did it work?

  • Python on android phone
    • GPS + Orientation + GSM
    • Sent command over BT
  • Arduino parsed commands
    • Controlled all servos
  • Power
    • Battery pack powered most
    • Charged phone using USB
    • Phone had own power

Humble beginnings

Glider body (and box)

Some progress

 

Basic servo control

Balloon/Glider cable

Some promise

Arduino

Bluetooth module

Parachute

Parachute release

Power regulator

Tape (30% of structure)

Ready to fly

Parachute

HD Camera

Glider

To the stratosphere!

 Outcomes

  • First flight: success!
  • A lot of interviews focus on it..
  • Got an internship offer from Captec
    • Philae programming

Glider

Why did I show it?

Because it was a poorly thought out idea

It was guesswork built around that idea

It was incremental work

Glider

Version Comparison

Part list

System Design

Glider V1 (Hermes)

Glider V2 - anon

Phone -(BT)> Arduino

Phone ran Python

Simple, 1-way comms

Weather

Bad planning

RasPi -(SPI)> Arduino

RasPi runs similar Python code

2 way comms

SW/Antenna Failure (no backup)

Glider V3 (ICARO)

Glider V2 - anon

RasPi -(I2C)> PCA9685

RasPi runs upgraded Python code

2 way comms + Backup tracker

Interference mitigated

RasPi -(SPI)> Arduino

RasPi runs similar Python code

2 way comms

Interference

Glider Part list

  • GoDiscover FPV (glide)
  • Battery pack (power)
  • Raspberry Pi 2 B (software)
  • PCA9685 chip (control wings)
  • Ublox-8 GPS receiver (location)
  • MPU 9250 (pointing)
  • Raspberry Pi camera (look back)
  • LoRa transceiver​ (radio)
  • Antenna (range)
  • GoPro (good video)
  • Speaker (informed video)
  • Parachute(s) (don't crash)

Groundstation Part list

  • Battery pack (power)
  • Raspberry Pi 2 B (software)
  • LoRa transceiver​ (radio)
  • Antenna (range)
  • WiFi dongle (show others)

Why show parts?

  • That list is the 4th/5th revision of parts
  • Anyone can buy them

An interesting video

The END

 

Science is interesting

whatever bit you're studying

You don't wake up and feel successful

I think it only happens if you look back

If you have an idea for a project

WIT presentation (19-09-2017)

By Daniel V

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WIT presentation (19-09-2017)

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