CloudACM – Page 17 – Autonomous Computational Machines

ESP-32 Flight Datalogger – Supply Chain Break

October 10, 2021 Patrick Gilfeather

Hardware build can begin once the design, development, and testing phases are complete. The ESP32-Cam project development hardware could have been reused. The problem with reuse is that the hardware is no longer available in a development capacity and the project is locked. If any damage or modification occurs during the hardware build, this can cause delays. For that reason, additional parts were sourced and purchased with the intent of using them for the build. There were plenty of ESP32-Cam…

ESP-32 Flight Datalogger – Field Validation

October 5, 2021 Patrick Gilfeather

With all of the final code validated on the workbench, it was time to test it in the field. The project deadline was 3 weeks away and the field testing was a formality to ensure nothing was missing before assembly. With all of the bench testing done, it seemed that this would take a single day to complete and the next phase would begin. Field testing involves taking the hardware outside and testing it in a state that closely matches…

ESP-32 Flight Datalogger – Underground GPS

September 28, 2021 Patrick Gilfeather

When the GPS module used for the ESP32-Cam project failed to get a reliable lock while bench testing, it became clear that a mockup was the best option. Development has its challenges, but not having reliable sensor data needn’t be one. Some digital and analog sensor data can be generated either by counters, timers, or a combination of the two. Other sensor data might follow a protocol like SPI, I2C, or UART data streams. For all of these sensor types,…