The Launch Ground Station System
Like just about every other post on this website, I will kick it off in a familiar manner…. “Like many projects on this website, this one got out of hand quick”.
The original idea
Our previous rocket launching system broke…. by the accidental force of a toddler…….
I was online shopping for one and saw that for about 50 bucks I could get a heavier duty one that would support our custom rocket. I decided that for about that price I could build a much more satisfactory launch system. This could be achieved for under 15 bucks.
What the idea morphed into…
A launch system that could support video, interconnectivity, and wifi capability to allow us to launch the rocket remotely without wires. We immediately turned to the PI5 Orange board as the correct option. The PI5 board is essentially an octo core computer with 16gigs of RAM built in, and the ability to use an SSD, and microSD card. Basically, a spicy fast computing micro-board.
Capabilities needed
- Multiple HD cameras – used to record, launch pad, upwards rocket launch view, tracking system integration.
- output to a wifi keyboard that is solar powered.
- wireless connectivity to the FPV station
- wireless launching capable.
- Timer based launching capable
- data logging.
- Temp sensors to measure launch temp.
- GPS integration to record rocket trajectory
- Connectivity to rocket onboard flight computer data for logging and reporting.
- Long Range wifi capable for Low Altitude Field testing (400ft-1000ft range on 2.4Ghz).
All of the above sounds complicated, but in reality all of the systems we are using have one method or other of reporting data. With the PI5 Orange board we are able to make all of this an easy and simple reality by using Linux Debian Buster on it. This allows us options to go as far as measuring and reporting sensors and data transmissions telemetry. Essentially it would be like having a decent laptop integrated into the system while allowing complete connectivity by a hardened and proven Debian Buster edition that will allow the integration of many other independent sensors measuring software to report onto one block of spreadsheet data, where all other data is being added. Ultimately providing a complete dataset for every launch and systems activation. PI5 Orange could also allow us to have it automatically update a file on this website to share the data automatically once it connects to our internal wireless network. This would provide us with the ability to automatically share our launch data with you all in near real-time.
In all reality the PI board system is finally robust enough to run some serious hardware with low power consumption and massive versatility.
Now, let’s look at the facts and details of the Orange PI5 Board.
Top view
Bottom view
Board Specifications
Hardware Specification
| SoC | Rockchip RK3588S (8nm LP process) |
| CPU | • 8-core 64-bit processor • Big.Little Architecture: 4xCortex-A76 and 4xCortex-A55, Big core cluster is 2.4GHz, and Little core cluster is 1.8GHz frequency. |
| GPU | • Arm Mali-G610 MP4 “Odin” GPU • Compatible with OpenGL ES1.1/2.0/3.2, OpenCL 2.2 and Vulkan 1.2 • 3D graphics engine and 2D graphics engine |
| NPU | Built-in AI accelerator NPU with up to 6 TOPS, supports INT4/INT8/INT16 mixed operation |
| PMU | RK806-1 |
| RAM | 4GB/8GB/16GB /32GB（LPDDR4/4x） |
| Memory | • QSPI Nor FLASH 16MB • MicroSD (TF) Card Slot • M.2 M-KEY Socket |
| USB | USB3.0 × 1 USB2.0 × 2 Type-C (USB3.1) ×1 |
| Video Output | • HDMI2.1, up to 8K @60Hz • DP1.4 (DisplayPort), DP1.4 and USB3.1 ports are multiplexed, and the port is shared with Type-C • 2 * MIPI D-PHY TX 4Lane, configurable up to 4K @60Hz |
| Camera | • MIPI CSI 4Lane • 2 * MIPI D-PHY RX 4Lane |
| Audio | CODEC: ES8388 • 3.5mm headphone jack audio input/output • Input: Onboard MIC • HDMI 2.1 eARC |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000Mbps Ethernet |
| Expansion Port | For extending UART, PWM, I2C, SPI, CAN and GPIO interfaces. |
| M.2 M-KEY Socket Expansion Slot | Support PCIe NVMe SSD Support custom PCIe Wi-Fi6+BT5.0 module |
| Button | 1×MaskROM key 1×Recovery key 1×On/Off key |
| Power Source | Support Type-C power supply, 5V @ 4A |
| LED | Power indicator: red Status indicator: green |
| Debugging | 3 Pin debug serial port (UART) |
| Supported OS | Orangepi OS（Droid）、Orangepi OS（Arch）、Ubuntu、Debian、Android12 |
Appearance specification introduction
| Dimension | 62mm*100mm |
| Weight | 46g |
With stats as such, who wouldnt be interested?!
Currently, im picturing a tiny, fast pc monitoring everything and recording data, all while allowing control through a wireless keyboard and mouse for on-field use. Since it allows two screens we can incorporate this into two lcd panels in a suitcase, for portability and easy connectivity in the field.
Screen Type im considering is the following below:
https://www.tindie.com/products/oleddisplay/55-inch-raspberry-pi-hdmi-1080p-display/
Product Feature:
5.5inch IPS full Angle display
- ○The viewing Angle is large
- ○true color
- ○picture quality is excellent 1920X1080 resolution
- ○HD vision
- ○The display is very delicate HDMI interface
- ○HD input
- ○Can be used as HDMI display
- Support multiple device access
- ○Can be connected to mainstream development boards such as Raspberry Pi, banana Pi and BB black
- ○Can be connected to PS4, XBOX360, switch and other mainstream game consoles
- ○Can be connected to mainstream TV box and digital camera
- Support multiple system display
- ○Support Raspberry Pi OS, Kali Linux, Ubuntu, Kodi, win10 IOT and other systems
- ○Support win7/8/10/11 and other systems
Second monitor would of course be a touch screen, while the one above would remain as the FPV monitor to constantly display the HUD. Considering of adding a built in r/c Tx/Rx to allow for Drone positioning while testing rocket launchings. This would allow us to get aerial video via drone for the launches without requiring much.