WIT chat
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)
- Internships (FH, ESA)
- Worked with FH afterwards
- Sent a thing to space*
- Sent a thing to space*
- MSc in Space Science
- Led to current job
- 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
- 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
