Skip to content

2025

  • 1 min read

June 6th Order

Friday I ordered the GPS module using the ublox NEO-M9N through JLCPCB PCB Assembly.

alt text

It’s now completed assembly and heading from the workshop to the warehouse. Total cost was $118.10 USD ($161.61 CAD including shipping). Ran into an issue early on, the GPS module was already out of stock before ordering, so I had to place a pre-order. Unfortunately, the original pre-order supplier also ran out of stock right as the board design was finished. JLCPCB support found an alternative channel to source the modules. Took some emails back and forth, but everything is finally on track now. The module has passed final assembly inspection and is now moving from the workshop to the warehouse for shipping.

Next up:

Testing u-center setting up the modules for integration into the avionics system. Making steady progress!

  • 1 min read

Winning The Esch Awards

I am proud to announce that we won the stage 1 Norman Esch Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award!

Norman Esch Stage 1 Certificate
Presentation of Award Cheque
Stage 2 Presentation Ceremony

February 16 Order

Two orders were made today/

This from Data AllianceTotal. Total $76.17 CAD. alt text

And this from Digikey. Total $20.83 CAD. alt text

Progress marches ahead. We'll be ordering the GPS module

Sensors, PowerSim and Backplate Arrive

It only took 7 days for the boards to arrive this time!

alt text

Lessons

Sensor Module

For a reason I still don't quite understand, the only cables that have been working for the data transmission are USB-C to USB-A. The USB-C to UCB-C cables don't. I though it had something to do with USB 2 vs 3 but I've tried a both 2 and 3 and they work.

Test points, silk screen labels and an LED or two on the next version. Not necessary, the board works fine right now but it's important for troubleshooting.

PowerSim

Only some power supplies work. Macbook port doesn't unless there's I use an adapter thing, and my 40W Anker wall adapter doesn't either, Alienware ports do work. The reason for this is due to protection circuits present on some power supplies.

The idea is they don't want a live wire lying around because it acts like an inductor and could potentially have high transient current. So if you have a very very small load, it will just shut off the power to the port to prevent that.

Backplate

I used 0805 resistors. I could have made them even bigger. Soldering all the PCIe pins is more annoying than it looks. I wish JLC assembled that.

Next Steps

I'll be testing out CAN bus soon. I have 4 sensor boards to test with. (I broke one during testing) If all goes well I'll start work on the power module.

The CAD and 3D printing for the enclosure needs to be finalized as well.