Change Description
ICARUS IMACs
GS Vrx Power
Daniel Puratich
daniel.puratich@uwaterloo.ca
Description of Change
Adding definition for how the groundstation video receiver module tower will be powered.
There are a handful of options for powering this device which may or may not be placed on a long pole and held in the air. Any of these options could be diode ORed (with actual diodes or an ideal diode ORing circuit) together if we so desired though this is a lot of extra effort for not that much pay off. These options are as follows and we can go with any of these options at competition depending on how things go:
120VAC extension cable runs up the tower and then a standard 12VDC power supply powers the unit
extension cable at 120VAC used to avoid voltage drop over long 12VDC wire
Power is promised by competition organizers, though I guess we’re worried about possibly tripping the cable
We may not have extension cables long enough
In order of preference the groundstation video receiver tower will be powered by one of the following options at a time:
Using a LiPo battery with a voltage in excess of 15VDC & a stepdown
This could be a 5S battery (which we have) or two 3S batteries in series (which we have for Houston)
Stepdown handled by End User Guide
A single 3S battery and a COTS buck-boost
Would require purchasing a buck-boost pcbaThe disadvantage of this is battery life time
120VAC extension cable runs up the tower and then a standard 12VDC power supply powers the unit
extension cable at 120VAC used to avoid voltage drop over long 12VDC wire
This disadvantage of this is this power source may not be available in some cases and extension cables will be required
Implementation
See above.
Reason for Change
Clarity.
Priority
Medium
Impact of Not Responding to Change
Confusion
What Groups, People, Sub-teams Need to be Notified?
Anni
Ethan
Michael
Nolan
Farris
Daniel
Aidan
Change Impact
Additional Parts/Resources Required and Costs
Extension cable option
Ordering an extension cable
stepdown option
Making harness for 3S series
Assembling more boards so we ensure we have spares (we have the components for this already)
buckboost option
Ordering COTS buck boost board
Impact on deadlines
Most of the work here is discussion.
Alternatives and Recommendations
Any other alternatives will be added above following discussion.
Comments
NA
Change Request Sign Off
Status
✅ Accepted / ⏸️ On Hold / ❌ Rejected / 
More info Requested