First, I'd like to say; first post here, so I don't quite know how things work and etc... But aside from that, I have a project going ahead and I can see how an arduino can make it very easy. At this point, its a case of is there any way the arduino can pull anything like this off or anything that can be done to an arduino to make it do the following:
Module side:
1.) Support a long range transmission system effective up to ~3KM
2.) Take input from a HD (>4MP) CCD sensor attached to it and save it in RAW or some usable format to an SD card or equivalent (once every minute or so) or
2.b) Trigger a seperate camera unit somehow
3.) Contain a beacon that broadcasts a 'pulse' every interval for location tracking
4.) run for extended periods of time in <0 centigrade conditions
5.) fit in a small enclosure < 1kg
Ground control side:
1.) control an emitter to transmit/recieve data from the above module
2.) have a human interface of some sort...
I know this is pushing it, but putting a balloon up in space on a budget does not happen too often so it comes down to the bleeding edge of things once again... I'm just curious to know if there is any way I can achieve the above - at all - anyhow... Depending on the feasibility of it with an arduino/other board depends on when the project goes ahead (which it has to) since its a student based event to publicize our school as leading science (basically PR event).
Thanks for any replies and I KNOW IT SOUNDS CRAZY but as a programmer I know just about anything can be done and that this was done years ago, so why can't we do something to show off the open source community's resources too?
cheers,
code_glitch overhwelmed also by how little the rest of the team know of what they are going to do. Ie: we're sending up a balloon with a camera to take pictures. We dont know how to get the camera there, what camera to use, how to trigger it, check its facing the right way up or recover it at the end...
The problem I have here, is that smartphones don't operate too well in 40 below freezing and in the stratosphere...
What I guess I'm going to have to divulge is this is a project to photograph earth from 35-40km altitude: hence the need for more specialist equipment if you get what I'm saying...
Besides that, I've been told a resolution of over 4 megapixels is the target with 7 being the upper limit of the original draft... I know Arduino does VGA - but can it do HD?
pretty much any... But I mean that VGA is well below the targeted 4MP which we are aiming for (so about 13.5x as much) data. The problem is (i guess) ram. Which I don't know how much it can be expanded by. I believe that 32meg should cut it easy considering it has to control everything too. Can any arduino handle that?
What puzzles me is the thinking that a complex electro-mechanical device like an SLR will be any more robust in extreme conditions than a solid-state device like a phone.
Thinking again, the N8 may have autofocus, so scratch that.
Go for a camera with fixed focus. Depth-of-field shouldn't be a problem!
As far is goes, they think they can pull it off so there you go. However, when I'm done with this project, I plan to start a new one with one requirement: all tech must be 100% open source and as close as possible with a target of low orbit so yay... I'd say I'm about done down this trail for this project but for the next one, the first post says it all.
At any rate, if I remember correctly, arduino programs compile for ARM right? Theoretically, could arduino programs work on any ARM 'computers' like say an ARM 7 based system with 64mb ram and etc? Or is there not a high end arduino under development somewhere?
Now this is one very nice link. I guess an X86 route is not bad after all then... Might go for a eee motherboard or similar embedded options... Although they I still want to use an arduino for comms/data gathering.
PS: A lot of people know quite a bit about this, is there an open source space exploration programme? Once this project is over, I would very much like to start a new programme with a new long duration balloon to gather meterological data and perhaps eventually use similar techniques (one is way crazy but somehow feasible) with open source hardware and software that everyone can listen to etc...
Of course, it means producing some kind of engine to work in space to detach from the balloon. Yes you read correctly: use a balloon to get the initial 30KM or so of the way where we could launch a small liquid fuel propelled craft (picture how little air resistance) could work better than expected as it only has gravity to contend with and no air resistance. Any say on how far a 1kg object would go away from gravity at over 100m/s? I bet it'd be a fair penny closer to 235km low orbit of sputnik than many people have gone before. Interested?
My view is that thanks to the first launch, we can get some real world results on this madness. From that data it may be possible to go a bit further with community and personal funds into space at some point in the future. The way I see it the hard part is getting out of the atmosphere - from there its just fly straight away from earth. Although it has its own challenges I think that an arduino could make it. XD
Its a little crazy, but if some braun or goddard can find the courage to go liquid fuel in the middle of the earth age, it shouldnt be too hard to put 350g of 'stuff' into space. Even if it only 'pings' and sends the occasional 'power left, GPS position & its cold' then that is progress. Even if it is just for a week. The problem is the karman line: there is no way it would survive re-entry. or would it: big mylar parachute, large and very light. the maths say it might be possible; have to wait for the first launch in summer to confirm though. definitely an interesting thought. looks like I have a lot of discussions tomorrow and I get to revisit physics again - yay.
I think it might almost be safe to say thread almost closed here although any valid info on the first post is very welcome...
