Avionics

Session 2
Harshal Oza
 Session Objectives and Learning Outcomes
Objectives:

1. Introduction to Avionics for rockets

2. Introduction to avionics subsystems

3. Discussion on importance of control systems

Expected learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this Avionics module, participant will be able to

1. Understand the importance of Avionics for rockets

2. Identify avionics subsystems

3. Understand functions of various control systems for a successful mission

 Recap: Session-1

• What is Avionics?

• Avionics of a Rocket

• Subsystems

• Guidance, Navigation and Control

Recap: Session-1
 Session-2 Outline

• Sensors and computers

• For Monitoring
• For Guidance, Navigation and Control
• Atomic Clocks

• Actuators
• Hydraulic
• Electric

• Communication
• Between internal subsystems
• With ground station
 Sensors & Computers

Rocket
Ground Station Telemetry

Pre-launch Tracking

Testing Tele-Command

During Launch Computer(s) for GNC and

sensors
Onboard computers are optimized for size, Power System
computing power,
power consumption,
speed and Actuators
ambient conditions
 Sensors: Telemetry
Why : The system for sending information from a spacecraft to the ground via Radio communication.
Where : Onboard the rocket
What : Scientific measurements, video feed & health data. Examples: switch positions, subsystem states to voltages,
temperatures and pressures.
When : Rocket telemetry system sends data in real-time or stores in memory and sends when mission permits.

Source: www.nasa.org
 Sensors: Telemetry
Expectations from Rocket Telemetry System

Transportable for a
Mission
• Adequate Battery Life
• Should not violate mounting dimensions
• Adequate for mission life

Communication

• Adequate range for a given mission

• Signal integrity
• Real-time communication

Storage
• Communication at a scheduled time
 Sensors: Telemetry
Radio Frequency Telemetry Communication:

Source: www.nasa.org
 Sensors: Guidance, Navigation & Control
Inertial Navigation System Gyroscope Principle

Orientation
Gyroscope: Measures angular
acceleration (needs integration to arrive
at angular position)

Source: Wikipedia

Accelerometer Principle
Position
Accelerometers: Measures angular
acceleration (needs integration to arrive
at Cartesian position)

Source: soundlab.cs.princeton.edu
 Sensors: Guidance, Navigation & Control
Inertial Navigation System: THE DRIFT

Orientation

Nominal: 𝑡 𝑡
Let C0 and C1
𝜔 = න 𝛼 d𝑡 + 𝐶0 𝜃 = න 𝜔 d𝑡 + 𝐶1
represent 0
0
initial
conditions

Off-nominal 𝑡 𝑡 𝑡
Let δ(t)
represent 𝜔 = න (𝛼 + 𝛿 𝑡 ) d𝑡 𝜃 = න න (𝛼 + 𝛿 𝑡 ) d𝑡 d𝑡
noise/inaccuracy 0 0 0
/bias in
measurement. We inadvertently integrate δ(t) twice!! ------ This leads to drift
 Sensors: Guidance, Navigation & Control
Inertial Navigation System:
Real Sensor examples

Source: epson

Source: Maxim
 Sensors: Guidance, Navigation & Control
GPS Real life examples

Terrestrial Service
Volume covers
Earth and up to LEO

Space Service
volume covers LEO
up to 22k miles

Plans for extending

coverage of GPS up
to Lunar orbit

Source: NASA
 Next sessions
Going Forward in the week

• One self-study based session

• One feedback and conclusion section