This weekend I worked on a new prototype board that at its core utilizes an Arduino Nano 33 BLE. It can fire up to four independent pyrotechnics (drogue chute, main chute, stage separation, stage ignition) or other devices like servos with up to two amps per circuit. The design is based off of an earlier and still operational prototype that I made that is used in my rocket named Next. The additional function of this version is to report voltage current levels per pyro. This insures I can easily tell continuity to external connections like ematches.
This board is at a point where I need to learn how to use PCB designing software so I an finalize.
The picture above is the front side of the circuitboard. The Arduino Nano 33 BLE will be soldered in place covering the resisters on the lower half. In addition to soldering the Arduino down, I still need to install the terminal blocks, but I need to check clearance in 3d housing before doing so.
The picture below is the nearly complete backside of the circuitboard. Unsoldered ends are where the Arduino and the terminal blocks mount. There's still about 6 connections that need to be soldered with insulated wire, but it is nearly complete.
Orientation is the same, the arduino will fit on the lower side, but on the other side of the circuitboard.
Like real rocket hardware, once the board is fully tested, I will lay a coat of epoxy on the circuitboard to cement everything in place, insuring with many launches that open circuits and shorts do not occur.
More pictures soon.
