by Web FishJan 1, 2013 @ 10:55am
In a series of articles over the next few weeks we'll cover the various components of the on-board electronics driving the PilotFish vessel. Many components are still in flux, so expect changes as the project develops. As sub-modules and connection paths / interface points get solidified, those will be marked as finalized in future revisions of the diagram.
Here is a quick summary of the navionics sub-systems (click image for full size):

- Central Processor: The main control unit. Runs the custom software which makes things move (and find their way)
- Comm uplink: Telemetry uplink (current position, system status and sensor data reporting)
- GPS receiver: Current position tracking
- Compass: Current bearing and acceleration;
- Aux navigation sensors: additional sensors needed for proper orientation and navigation
- Additional sensors: environmental and other sensors not directly related to navigation;
- Image acquisition: live video / snapshots of surroundings
- Motor controller: accepting control input from CPU and converting it to high-power electric current control
- Propulsion motors: electric drive motors and propellers
- Rudder control: directional control
- Propulsion solar panels: high-power solar harvesting, dedicated to powering main drive motors
- Propulsion battery bank: high-capacity energy storage dedicated to powering main drive motors in the absence of sufficient solar power
- Aux solar panels: additional solar harvesting capacity dedicated to powering navionics
- Navionics battery bank: navionics battery back-up
Tags: Netduino, navigation, navionics, gps, iridium, satellite, compass, sensor, video, image, motors, batteries
Navionics: Schematics