Modular Electronics System for High Altitude Balloon Flights

Abstract

High Altitude balloon flights have become common place as a tool for students, researchers and hobbyists. As high altitude balloons have become an inexpensive way for groups and individuals to reach near space conditions, a need has come up to implement better support systems to accommodate a wide variety of experiments. One of those systems is with the electrical system that is used to conduct tracking, data logging, data processing and control of the balloon system. This paper covers our proposed solution to an electrical system that is both robust and flexible to cover a number of experiments in high altitude ballooning. This electrical system uses a central board concept that uses expansion ports to expand functionality from the base functions. This is then coupled with a CAN bus to enable communication between various subsystems.