RoboTek
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Al-Falak Virtual Reality Solar System
ATSB® has developed a virtual reality solar system for Kompleks falak Al-Khawarizmi (Jabatan Mufti Melaka) as part of Al-Khawarizmi's Education Programme to promote Astronomy Science.The Al-Falak VR Solar System is a 3D virtual reality application which enables the user to interact and explore our solar system. A Head Mounted Display and a pair of VR gloves allow the user to immerse oneself as the user navigates through the virtual solar system.
Robotic Telescope
The availability of powerful CCD Cameras and automated telescopes has revolutionize Observational astronomy because of the technology's precise, practical, economic and efficient operation. The observer can remotely control the telescope and its instruments from convenient places, either in real -time or in automated mode. The robotic observatory is an application of spin-off space technology. The robotic observatory are located on Langkawi Island, National Planetrium Kuala Lumpur, and Melaka.
National Tsunami Early Warning System (NTEWS)
ATSB® experience in managing complex high-tech projects has enabled it to secure several high profile national level projects. Typically in these projects, sensors and instruments are placed throughout the country and data is subsequently sent back to central location for processing, modeling, decision making, and subsequent dissemination. Among these projects are the National Tsunami Early Warning System. For the Tsunami project, various types of sensors such as deep ocean buoys, seismic sensors, tidal gauges and coastal cameras are used. Data from the sensors is transmitted back to the National Tsunami Early ,Warning Control Centre for processing, modeling and subsequent analysis. Results of that analysis are then communicated to decision-makers via sms and facsimile. Sirens are also placed all over the country to provide warning to the public broadcast over the electronic media. As part of the regional effort to co-perate on early warning data and disasters, data from the sensors is also shared with neighbouring countries and the international community.
RazakSAT
The High Resolution EO Satellite
In brief, the specifications of RazakSAT® are as follows:
The RazakSAT® is a cost-effective 180kg mini satellite capable of high resolution Earth Observation missions.
The satellite will be launched in the middle of July 2009. The design and manufacturing process of this satellite follows the exacting and rigorous established standards of space programs. Using these standards, the RazakSAT® has passed through the phases of Engineering, Qualification and Flight Models.
The primary payload of RazakSAT® is a high resolution Medium-Sized Aperture Camera or MAC, that will provide 2.5 meter resolution panchromatic (black-and-white) and 5 meter resolution multispectral (red, green, blue and near-infrared) images of the earth. RazakSAT will orbit the Earth fourteen times a day. The satellite is three-axis stabilized and has a comprehensive sensor suite including space borne GPS receiver, star tracker, fiber optic gyroscopes, magnetometers, fine and coarse sun sensors. Satellite actuator systems, which include reaction wheels and magnetorquers, allow accurate positioning of the satellite.
The combination of high resolution and large attitude maneuverability allows RazakSAT® to provide highly customised and configurable imaging missions according to customer requirements.
RazakSAT® Satellite Images can be applied for the following applications:
- Agriculture
- Landscape Mapping
- Forest Biomass
- Urban Planning
- Road Network Planning
In brief, the specifications of RazakSAT® are as follows:
Subsystems | Specifications |
---|---|
Altitude | 685 km |
Inclination | 9 ° |
Payload (MAC) | GSD : 2.5 m (PAN), 5 m (MS) Swathwidth : 20 km @ 685 km |
Attitude Determination & Control Subsystem (ADCS) | Three-axis stabilization based on four (reaction wheels) Pointing Accuracy : < 0.2° (2 s) Pointing Knowledge : 1 arcmin (2 s) |
Electrical Power Subsystem (EPS) | GaAs/Ge solar cells on honeycomb substrate NiCd batteries (18 Ahr) Peak Power Tracking (PPT) & constant current control Solar Power : >300 W @ EOL |
Command & Data Handling Subsystem (C&DH) | Two on-board computers Telemetry and command interface modules Analog Telemetry channels : up to 90 Digital Telemetry channels : up to 120 |
Telecommunication Subsystem (TS) | 9,600 bit/s / 1,200 bit/s S-brand TT&C uplink 38.4 kbs / 9,600 bit/s / 1,200 bit/s S-brand TT&C downlink |
Payload Data Management | 32 Gbit On-board solid-state memory 30 Mbit/s X band payload data downlink |
Structure & Thermal | Ø1,200 x 1,200 mm Hexagonal shape Mass : 180 kg Modular structure Passive & Active thermal control |
Mission Lifetime | > 3 Years |
RazakSAT® Launch and Early Operation Phase (LEOP)
RazakSAT® Launch and Early Operation Phase (LEOP) is the next phase in the satellite's lifecycle after completion of the satellite Flight Model. The primary objective is to commision the satellite after separation from the Falcon-1 launcher. The LEOP activities consist of the satellite launch, separation from the launcherm first contact with the satellite with the ground station, conduct in-orbit performance check, calibrating the first payload images and declaring the satellite is ready for nominal operations. All in-orbit operational requirements must be met to ensure full readiness of the satellite.
Friday, August 20, 2010
Robots: Distributed Flight Array
In its latest episode, the Robots Podcast interviews the lead researcher of the Distributed Flight Array and one of my colleagues at the ETH Zurich's IDSC, Raymond Oung. The Distributed Flight Array (DFA) is an aerial modular robot. Each individual module has a single, large propellor and a set of omniwheels to move around. Since a single propellor does not allow stable flight, modules move around to connect to each other. As shown in this video of the DFA, the resulting random shape then takes flight. After a few minutes of hovering the structure breaks up and modules fall back to the ground, restarting the cycle. As most projects at the IDSC, the DFA is grounded in rigorous mathematics and design principles and combines multiple goals: It serves as a real-world testbed for research in distributed estimation and control, it abstracts many of the real-world issues of the next generation of distributed multi-agent systems, and it provides an illustration for otherwise abstract concepts like distributed sensing and control to a general public. For more information on current work, future plans and real-world applications, read on or tune in!
WPI named Rookie of Year at IGVC
A team of Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) seniors was named "Rookie of the Year" for the design and development of its robot, Prometheus, whose purpose is to safely drive around any environment while avoiding obstacles. The team was recognized at the 18th annual Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC), held this summer at Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. Prometheus has a custom-welded frame made out of aluminum, two drive wheels in the back, and one steering wheel in the front. The vehicle uses an array of sensors including differential GPS, a digital compass, video cameras, and a distance sensor that constantly collect and process information about its environment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)