SYSTEM DESIGN DOCUMENT

NUCLEAR FOOTBALL

GENERAL ATOMICS: ELECTROMAGNETIC SYSTEMS

16969 MESAMINT RD
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92127

JANUARY 5, 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................3
PURPOSE...........................................................................................................................................3
SYSTEM OVERVIEW..........................................................................................................................3
DESIGN CONSTRAINTS.....................................................................................................................4
SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE...................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
This System Design Document has been created to outline the proposed design for the Nuclear
Football. The device is intended to replace traditional launch controllers currently in use. By
designing, testing, and deploying this device, there will be improvements in launch efficiency
and audience response during a launch.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to provide a description for how the device will be constructed.
The System Design Document provides a description of the system design, software, and
hardware.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW
The system must fit inside an old style Samsonite briefcase (See dimensions below). The system
will be constructed with the wiring and circuit boards seated on a polycarbonate base measuring
11x17x0.25 inches with 1 standoffs on each corner. There will be an aluminum panel attached
to the standoffs. The panel will be of identical dimensions with assorted holes to fit the listed
electrical components. The panel will also feature a 12v output for rocket launches. When not in
use the label above the output will read: KEEP COVERED to ensure there are no accidental
discharges.
There will be 7 stages to ignition following a launch order: Launch Enable, Batteries Activated,
APS Power, Silo-Soft, Guidance Go, Fire Engine, and Liftoff. This will be explained in further
detail below. Though there are no actual systems being activated, these functions will serve as
the countdown to launch. These stages will be shown by an indicator panel which is also detailed
in specifics below. Each indicator light will be a 0.5x1.5x1 inch cardboard enclosure with the top
face open and a translucent material under its corresponding label. These enclosures will be fixed
beneath the aluminum panel stated in the previous paragraph. The end result should appear
similar to this:
(Fig. 1)

The board will have four covered toggle switches; The first will be the main power switch, the
second will be a lamp test which activates every light on the board to check if any are
dysfunctional, the third is the arm switch that will change the Go/No-Go panel (shown below) to
display Launch Verification, Ready to Launch and will enable the launch key. The fourth switch
is the abort switch, which sets all lamps to their Disable/Hold setting and terminates the launch.
All of the details can be found on the design documents.
The device will also create sounds. When the launch sequence is at the Silo-Soft stage, a small
bell will sound. The sound can come from a mechanical or digital source. Additionally the fire
alarm panel will feature a buzzer sound following launch.
*Each cell color is representative of the indicators LED color.
*Cells are assigned a letter and a number for reference. Do not print on the actual indicator.
Launch Order Panel (fig. 2)
LAUNCH
ENABLE
(A1)
LAUNCH
DISABLE
(A8)

BATTERIES
ACTIVATED
(A2)
BATTERY
HOLD
(A9)

APS
POWER
(A3)
APS HOLD

SILO-SOFT
(A4)

(A10)

GUIDANCE
GO
(A5)
GUIDANCE
HOLD
(A12)

FIRE ENGINE

LIFT-OFF

(A6)
HOLD FIRE

(A7)
ABORT

(A13)

(A14)

Go/No-Go Panel (fig. 3)

MISSILE
VERIFICATION
(B1)
LAUNCH
VERIFICATION
(B3)

READY TO
LAUNCH
(B2)
LAUNCH
NO-GO
(B4)

Fire Warning Panel (fig. 4) (Darker sections indicate which light after the liftoff sequence)
FIRE IN ENGINE
(C1)
SPRAY
ON/OFF
(C4)
FIRE LAUNCH DUCT
(C7)
SPRAY
ON/OFF
(C10)

EXPLOSIVE
FUEL LCH DUCT
(C2)
SPRAY
ON/OFF
(C5)
FIRE FUEL
PUMP ROOM
(C8)
SPRAY
ON/OFF
(C11)

FIRE DIESEL
FUEL AREA
(C3)
FOAM
ON/OFF
(C6)
FIRE
ALARM
(C9)
AREA LIGHTS
ON/OFF
(C12)

*Refer to Figures 2-4

*Sequence progresses chronologically from left to right.
User flips arm User turns key
1 Second
1 Second
switch
Delay
Delay
On:
On:
On:
On:
B1, B2, B3
n/a
A1
A2
Off:
Off:
Off:
Off:
B4
n/a
n/a
n/a
0 Second
Delay
On: (1 Sec.)
Silo Bell
Off:
n/a

1 Second
Delay
On:
A5
Off:
n/a

1 Second
Delay
On:
A6
Off:
n/a

1 Second
Delay
On:
A7
Off:
n/a

2 Second
Delay
On:
A3
Off:
n/a

2 Second
Delay
On:
A4
Off:
n/a

0 Second
Delay
On:

2 Second
Delay
On: (2 Sec.)
Fire Buzzer
Off:
Fire Buzzer

C1, C3, C7, C8

Off:
n/a

Following the fire engine sequence the case will activate the 12v output for actual rocket
launch.

DESIGN CONSTRAINTS
There are several constraints which will impact and limit the design of the device. These must
be carefully factored into the system design. To date, the following constraints have been
identified:
The unit must cost under $100.00
The unit must fit in under 11x17x4.5 inches of space
The unit must be able to run off of internal power.
The unit must weigh under 7 pounds*

*Weight restriction may change.

SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE
Hardware:
The design is based on existing components already used across the electronics industry. This
hardware consists of the following components:
Indicator Panels
o 16x Red LEDs
o 10x Amber LEDs
o 4x Lime Green LEDs
o Assorted resistors
o 4x Covered Toggle Switches
o 1x 0.5 inch polycarbonate sheet
o 1x 0.5inch aluminum sheet

Bell system
o placeholder
Fire Alarm System
o placeholder