Onboard computer on High altitude balloon

[siocnarf]

Hi,

I am actually on a dilemna…

I don’t have a big knowledge of programming and I am planning sending a HAB with my family next summer. The budget is relatively low.
But the onboard computer is a problem.

I would like only reading some sensors value (temperature, humidity, pressure,etc…) , storing it inside the pod and then bringing it back on my PC. So I don’t think needing power.

1. What is best for my need Parallax or Arduino?
2. Which one will have the shortest learning curve?
3. Which one will be the less costly?
4. What model would I need?
5. As my PC don’t have serial port, will I need buying separately a USB cable? Is it a USB port on the board?

Thanks,

[siocnarf]

When you say “high altitude”, does it mean you are planning to photograph the curvature of the earth?

Yes this is what I am speaking.

If you are planning to mount a camera (Cannon cameras are easier to control with a computer or microcontroller) then you will need to have USB host capabilities besides being able to read altitude, pressure and temperature sensors.

Canon cameras sound to be too expensive. We are looking for 50$/cameras. My partner suggest me to film with those cameras but I am not sure. May be a real cameras would be better but… more expensive…

read altitude, pressure and temperature sensors.

This is really my points.
I am working a lot on computers and I am familiar but I have very few knowledges about programming and creating a computer. So I would like someone put me on track by suggesting me what I need to do my task.
Parallax or Arduino?
Model?
Sensors?
Others?
As I will take the temperature inside and outside, I suppose I will need some cables to bring the sensor outside?!
USB?
Storage capacity? Do I need more storages if I read the sensors every minutes or 30 seconds?
Documentations?!

My budget is low.
May you help me?

[carlitos]

Hi Siocnarf and welcome to the RobotShop forum!

When you say “high altitude”, does it mean you are planning to photograph the curvature of the earth?

(picture form theinternetjournalist.com/photos-taken-from-a-balloon-at-117597-feet/)

This is a video of a similar project:
[video=vimeo;359554]http://vimeo.com/359554

If you are planning to mount a camera (Cannon cameras are easier to control with a computer or microcontroller) then you will need to have USB host capabilities besides being able to read altitude, pressure and temperature sensors.

Although both Parallax and Arduino microcontrollers could definitely do the job, it might be easier to read sensors using an Arduino microcontroller since it has a built-in ADC (that allows you to read analogue sensors). Reading analog data is certainly possible with a Parallax controller, see this post for more info. See this article about microcontrollers for more information about the various controllers features. Both controllers should be easy to learn.

Also, you will need a very powerful radio (with ~ 80 km range, assuming yo are going up to 40 km and that you see the balloon at 30 degrees) in order to be able to track the balloon while on the air.

Here is a similar project done using an Arduino: hexoc.com/wb/pages/hab/ferret.php
Summary form Hack a Day:

The Ferret is a high-altitude balloon tracking hardware package. Created by [Adam Greig] and [Jon Sowman], it uses an Arduino to gather NMEA data from a GPS unit, format the data into a string, and transmit that string on narrow-band FM. The project, built in one afternoon, is a tribute to the prototyping simplicity the Arduino provides.
The unit was powered by four AA batteries, using the Arduino’s on board voltage regulator. This provided a bit of heat which helps in the frigid reaches of the upper atmosphere. The bundle above was put in a project box and attached to the outside of the balloon’s payload, then covered with foam for warmth and moisture resistance. This tracking is a lot less complicated than some of the photography setups we’ve seen for balloons. It’s also more versatile because it broadcasts the GPS data so that many people can track it, rather than just logging its location.