Application of microprocessors in an upper atmosphere instrument package
Abstract
A servo-driven magnetometer table measuring offset from magnetic north has been developed by NASA to calculate payload azimuth required to point at a celestial target. Used as an aid to the study of gamma-ray phenomena, the high-altitude balloon-borne instrument determines a geocentric reference system, and calculates a set of pointing directions with respect to the system. Principal components include the magnetometer, stepping motor, microcomputer, and gray code shaft encoder. The single-chip microcomputer is used to control the orientation of the system, and consists of a central processing unit, program memory, data memory and input/output ports. Principal advantages include a low power requirement, consuming 6 watts, as compared to 30 watts consumed by the previous system.
- Publication:
-
SOUTHEASTCON 1981; Proceedings of the Region 3 Conference and Exhibit
- Pub Date:
- 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981ieee.conf..832L
- Keywords:
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- Balloon-Borne Instruments;
- Gamma Ray Astronomy;
- Instrument Packages;
- Magnetometers;
- Microprocessors;
- Upper Atmosphere;
- Computer Design;
- Computer Programs;
- Digital Computers;
- Microcomputers;
- Instrumentation and Photography