Mini Mars Rover. Authors: Jay Clark Matt Johnson Jason Boline. Cost: $315. Time Period: 6 months. University of Idaho

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1 Mini Mars Rover Authors: Jay Clark Matt Johnson Jason Boline Cost: $315 Time Period: 6 months University of Idaho Department of Computer Engineering February 23, 2004

2 2 Summary This is a proposal for our senior project, the Mini Mars Rover. We will be designing and building a new one for the Palouse Discovery Science Center, in Pullman, Washington, since their models in the past have failed to remain in operating order. The Mini Mars Rover is an exhibit at the Palouse Discovery Science Center (PDSC) that allows interested patrons to drive a model of the 2003 Mars ROVs on an enclosed model track (which was sculpted to represent Mars terrain), using remote control signals and a camera, interfaced to a computer monitor on the outside shell of the track enclosure, to guide the rover around the track. The track is located behind a door that has holes covered with plastic shields to allow children to see the rover moving on the track and a lock to prevent the removal of the rover from its track. Inside the track enclosure are light sockets, for installing any type of light bulbs needed to charge solar panels. There is a hill in the center of the track, steep enough to keep the rover from being driven over it. Pictures of the track and the current model of the rover are located in Figure 2 of the appendix. We have seen a working model of the Mini Mars Rover and it is truly amazing, but needs daily battery replacement and does not quite resemble the 2003 ROVs. We propose to solve these problems by implementing the design of a rover that can be recharged through solar power, maneuver the track without flipping on its side and resemble the 2003 Mars ROVs a little better than the working model the PDSC has now.

3 3 Introduction Our problem is that the current Mini Mars Rover uses a set of batteries every day. These batteries are not rechargeable and therefore the daily replacement of these batteries becomes very expensive in the long run. The Palouse Discovery Science Center needs a way to keep this system charged and functioning. A different Mini Mars Rover that was supposed to charge on solar power exploded and caught on fire while in use. This emitted noxious gases, and startled many children. We are researching a smart recharge system. A smart recharge system is one that will recharge the battery while the rover is not in use, and is smart enough to know when to charge and when not. We understand that the Palouse Discovery Science Center (PDSC) wants children to learn about Mars and how the 2003 Rover operates, and we are excited to work on something that can assist in these children s education. This is going to help the PDSC because the rover will be very low maintenance which leads to lower labor costs. This will save someone from having to constantly monitor the system, worry about fire, or even change the batteries incorrectly, which damages most electrical/electronic devices. This has always been a problem, and the current creator for the exhibit has already built three rovers to which have failed or are high maintenance. The batteries are failing because their life does not last very long, and if they heat up too much, they catch fire. One of the designs had a recharging station, but that model was the one that ignited due to a battery problem. Currently the rover is basic enough to just change the batteries when need, but needs constant attention. This affects everyone that visits or works at the PDSC because this is an exciting exhibit and it needs to work well. We will build a sturdy, reliable rover that is completely self-contained, and this will save the PDSC money and worry.

4 4 Problem The main problem is a design problem because the Original Desktop Rover is not able hold a charge or recharge itself any way. The final project will contain technical information of how to build a smart recharging system that will work off of solar array panels. Our main area of research will be finding info about solar panels, recharging systems, and how to integrate all of it to the direct-current (DC) motors from the rover. Young children will be playing with this small scale Mars Rover, so we need it to be sturdy and reliable. It must please the PDSC, and impress its patrons. Proposed Procedure Objectives 1. An evaluation of the power the Mini Mars Rover will use. 2. An evaluation of how to keep a smart charge on the system with solar power. 3. An evaluation of a rover that we will build from a pre-assembled Desktop Rover. 4. An evaluation of maintenance costs, and added accessories. Methods 1. To complete objective 1 we will test how long it takes the rover to go through a set of store bought batteries. The camera will constantly be on, but the rover will operate off and on. 2. To complete objective 2 we will test how much power we can generate with solar cells that fit our specifications, and determine how to charge each battery. 3. To complete objective 3 we will build the entire rover that operates on a 27 MHz frequency, and keeps itself charged.

5 5 4. To complete objective 4, we will determine the rechargeable battery pack life, and consider things such as an infrared or night-vision camera. Figure 1: Time Schedule Proposal xx Research xx x xx x xx x xx x xx Order Parts xxxx xxxx xx Progress Report x x x x Reverse Engineer xxxxxx xxxxxx xxxxxx Prototype xx xx xx xx xx xx xx Debug/Test x x x x x x Accessories xxxx Final Report xxxxx Feb.15 Mar.1 15 Apr.1 15 May 1 15 Table 1: Budget Cost Estimate $ Basic Rover 40 Camera 30 Solar Cells 45 PCB board 100 Misc Parts/Batteries100 Total: 315

6 6 Qualifications and Experience We are all seniors at the University of Idaho. We have taken or are taking relevant coursework such as Digital Systems Engineering, Microcontrollers and Advanced Micro- Controllers, Pulse and Digital Circuits, Electronics, Signals and Systems 2, Power Electronics, Electromagnetic Theory 2 and Control Systems. We have many professors that are extremely knowledgeable in designing digital systems. Conclusion Funding this proposal invests in the future. If accepted, future students and colleagues will be able to understand the project much faster than we did, and therefore, begin contributing much sooner and much more substantially. In addition, next fall we will be a much more valuable employ due to the knowledge we will gain on this report.

7 7 Appendix Sources: