Freetronics ArduSat Payload Processor Module

SKU: CE04559 Brand: Freetronics

Retired Product

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This product has been retired. It is no longer available, but this page has been kept for reference.

The most powerful Arduino-compatible board in the world (or out of it!) has now landed.

Use it to build your own satellite for your classroom or hackerspace, or for an amazing multi-processor Arduino project.

The ArduSat Payload Processor Module (ASPPM) is 17 Arduino-compatible boards all squashed into one. This board is the brains of the ArduSat-1 satellite payload scheduled to launch into space in August 2013, designed to run multiple simultaneous experiments in Low-Earth Orbit.

The ASPPM features one supervisor processor consisting of an ATmega2561 (similar to an Arduino Mega) plus 16 processor nodes each running an ATmega328P just like an Arduino Uno. The role of the supervisor is to provide mass storage on the Micro SD card for all processor nodes; power down any nodes not in use; receive new sketches to execute on nodes, and send them to the appropriate node via the serial connection; provide debug information on the serial debug console; and monitor power consumption on the 5V and 3.3V rails.

Sketches can be loaded into the individual processor nodes by the supervisor, which is connected to all their UARTs via multiplexers and to their reset lines using an addressable latch. The nodes themselves think they are regular Arduino compatible boards, and the supervisor acts in place of the Arduino IDE to send new sketches to them after asserting their reset line.

Sketches can also be loaded manually into each processor node using an ICSP programmer such as a USBasp or an AVR ISP Mk 2, just like a regular Arduino.

You can even stack these modules to create powerful but compact Arduino-compatible processor arrays with 32, 48, 64 etc MCUs.

Features

16 x processor nodes, each with an ATmega328P MCU
Each processor node runs the Arduino bootloader
1 x supervisor node with an ATmega2561
Micro SD card slot connected to supervisor
All MCUs and sensors on a shared I2C bus
All I2C devices use bidirectional isolation circuits to allow continued operation of the system with failed devices
Processor node UARTs connected via multiplexers to the supervisor's first UART
5V serial debug console with standard FTDI-style pinout on supervisor's second UART
Each processor node can be powered down independently by the supervisor
Each processor node can be reset using an I2C latch by the supervisor
Each MCU has an independent crystal for maximum reliability
TX, RX, and D13 LEDs on every processor node
Top and bottom temperature sensors on I2C bus with "disable" option to prevent address collisions
Requires external 5V and 3.3V supply
Current consumption monitoring of both power rails by the supervisor
Stackable CubeSat bus connectors
Conforms to CubeSat mechanical standards for dimensions and mounting
Selectable power bus connections
Optional I2C satellite bus pull-ups
I2C headers for spectrometer, Geiger counter, and bottom plate sensor assembly
GPS header with UART connections to node 11 via 3.3V level shifters
Switchable power supply to GPS header controlled by supervisor
Supplied with stackable CubeSat Bus connectors

Specifications

Dimensions: 95.45mm x 90.3mm
PCB material: FR4 fibreglass (requires out-gassing before vacuum use)
PCB connections: ENIG (electroless nickel immersion gold)
Module mass: 37 grams
Connector mass (pair): 15 grams
Total assembled mass including solder: 54 grams

Resources

ArduSat website
CubeSat website
CubeSat Design Specifications (PDF)
ArduSat section of the Freetronics Forum
CubeSat Bus pinouts for ArduSat missions (soon)
ASPPM design files on GitHub (soon)

Note: Supply of this board to some countries may be restricted for legal reasons.

SKU:

ASPPM (0)

This product is listed in:

Retired

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$16+ for Express International (2-5 days, tracked)

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Our physical address (here's a PDF which includes other key business details):

Unit 18, 132 Garden Grove Parade
Adamstown
NSW, 2289
Australia

Take a look at our customer service page if you have other questions such as "do we do purchase orders" (yes!) or "are prices GST inclusive" (yes they are!). We're here to help - get in touch with us to talk shop.

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