VERTIGO2 Critical Design Presentation
December 1, 2004
Team Members
ECE Team
Mimi Phan (ECE Team Leader)
Kevin Boyce
Jeff Laub
Tebo Leburu
Prateek Mohan
Ryan Strauss
Duroseme Taylor
Calvin Turzillo
AE Team
Nikhil Nair
Luke Alexander (Project Leader)
CS Team
Chris Fernando
Team Organization
VERTIGO² Project
Manager
Luke Alexander
ECE Coordinator
Mimi Phan
Circuitry Group
Kevin Boyce
Calvin Turzillo
Prateek Mohan
Tebo Leburu
Jeff Laub
Programming Group
Ryan Struass
Prateek Mohan
Mimi Phan
Duro Taylor
Chris Fernando
Web Group
Prateek Mohan
Mimi Phan
Introduction
VERTIGO—Versatile
Exploratory
Robotic Tilt-rotor for Information
Gathering Operations—is a small
dual mode aircraft designed as a
VTOL aircraft with the ability to
transition to normal horizontal flight.
Many different projects have been
undertaken to challenge the idea of
a dual mode aircraft.
The advantages of utilizing both
flight modes in one aircraft can be
realized with a simple understanding
of helicopter aerodynamics—namely
the ratio of stability to altitude.
Objectives
Primary Objectives
•
•
•
•
•
Design and integrate a proper electrical system to ensure functionality
Design a simple, sufficient tilting mechanism for the rotor assemblies
Perform laboratory testing to verify aerodynamics and functionality
Achieve vertical flight and vertical maneuverability
Land
Secondary Objectives
•
•
•
Transition to horizontal flight via tilting mechanism
Return to vertical flight
Land without catastrophe
Technical Overview
• Base Station: Laptop w/ Joystick and
transmitter
• Onboard Control
System Overview
Base Station
• Laptop: receives serial input from joystick, and send command
out serial port to transmitter
• Joystick: user input
• Transmitter: serial communication to onboard system
Onboard System
• Receiver: serial communication from base station
• Microcontroller: interprets signals from receiver and outputs to
proper device
• Servos: control position for airfoils and blade position
• Motors: spin the propellers
• Gyro: used for stabilizing aircraft
• Wireless Camera: not integrated into system-just live video
Circuitry Design
Software Overview
PIC Software
• Written in PIC Basic Pro
• Continuous loops monitor for changes in
servo position and motor speed
Base Station Software
• Written in C++
• Takes user input from joystick and converts to
a serial signal that PIC can interpret
Reliability, Testability, &
Manufacturability
•How reliable is our product? What is its expected lifetime?
•How will we test the product?
•What about manufacturability?
Reliability
Microchip’s PIC 18F4431 Microcontroller
•
•
•
Excessive Temperatures
Random Voltage Spurts
Limited Life for Onboard Flash Memory Card (5 to 10 years)
Saitek X45 Digital Joystick and Throttle
•
•
Breakage of Mechanical Parts
Limited Life due to Wear and Tear
11.1V 2200mAH Lithium Ion Batteries
•
•
Chemical Imbalance
Deterioration over Time (Batteries can lose charge over time.)
Reliability
433 MHz Dual-Mode RF Transmitter/Receiver
Module
•
•
•
Excessive Temperatures
Random Frequency Transferences
Limited Life (5 to 10 years)
Possible Problems Limiting Overall Product Life
•
•
•
Short Circuits
Soldering Errors
Dead on Arrival (DOA)
Test Points
System Element
Test Point
Location
Power System
Testing
Summary
Test
Equipment
Solder points
Check for
correct wiring.
Check solder
points, and
measure voltage.
Communications
Ensure that
the right
signals are
being sent to
the servos.
Send signals, and
observe response.
Joystick
Ensure the
joystick is
communicatin
g with the
laptop.
Observe
coordinates from
output.
Laptop
Serial Ports
Ensure the
serial ports
are working.
Plug the
transmitter/receiver,
observe response.
PIC (monitor
information
being received)
Charge and
Discharge Time
Ensure charge
lifetime, power
output.
Charge batteries,
measure output
and calculate
charge time.
Voltmeter
Servo-motor/
controller module
Transmitter/Receiver
module
Purpose
Multimeter
Cost and Gross Margin
Number of Boards
Produced
Cost for
Production Run
Cost Per
Board
3
$89.03
$29.68
12
$354.06
$29.50
27
$719.95
$26.66
51
$1,259.02
$24.69
102
$2,382.38
$23.36
300
$6,724.76
$22.42
501
$10,964.22
$21.88
1002
$21,469.12
$21.43
Gross Margin
$51 .00  $24 .69 $26 .31

 51 .58 %
$51 .00
$51 .00
Bill of Materials
Item
Quantity
Price
Cost
Vendor
PIC Microcontrollers
1
$9.58
$9.58
HVW Serial Receiver
1
$88.95
$88.95
HVW Technologies
HVW Serial Transmitter
1
$58.95
$59.95
HVW Technologies
Saitek X45 Digital Joystick and Throttle
1
$79.99
$79.99
Best Buy
Software
1
$300.00
$300.00
ECE Materials
1
$250.00
$250.00
AE/MAE Materials
1
$200.00
$200.00
Battery Charger
1
$119.00
$119.00
JR4131 Servos
2
$159.98
$319.96
JR3121 Servos
2
$159.98
$319.96
Hacker C50-13L Motor
2
$188.00
$376.00
Hobbico CS-80 Servo
1
$159.98
$159.98
Hacker Master 77-3P Opto Motor
Controller
2
$219.00
$438.00
11.1 Lithium Ion Batteries (per cell)
8
$58.95
$471.60
Batteries America
3.71 Lithium Ion Batteries (per cell)
20
$14.95
$299.00
Batteries America
Astro Flight Cobalt 40 Geared Motor
1
$169.95
$169.95
Tower Hobbies
Printed Circuit Boards (assembled)
2
$29.68
$59.36
$3192.46
Microchip
Tower Hobbies
Financial Status
Florida Tech Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department
$200
Florida Tech Mechanical and Aerospace
Engineering Department
$200 with an additional $400
*Currently in the process of finalizing sponsors and
funding.
Budgeted Hours
Name
Hours Worked
Hours Budgeted
Percentage Worked
Mimi Phan
66.5
72
92.36%
Kevin Boyce
31.5
72
43.75%
Jeff Laub
12
72
16.67%
Tebo Leburu
25
72
34.72%
Prateek Mohan
32
72
55.56%
Ryan Strauss
20.75
72
28.81%
Duroseme Taylor
20
72
27.78%
Calvin Turzillo
31
72
43.06%
Total
99.5
576
43.26%
Questions?