Wednesday, July 22, 2009
July 22, 2009
I am spending way too much time on the implementation plan. Maybe it's writer's block. I think the finish line is in sight and I am slowing down instead of speeding up. The team thought everything would fall into place without a glitch. Oh well, a learning experience for us all. Let's prepare for 3 overnights. :(
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
July 10, 2009
This will be a big weekend for all of us. We need to get a good draft of the CDR and powerpoint presentation done by Monday morning. I better get my sleep tonight. It's going to be a looooooooooooooong weekend!
Friday, July 3, 2009
July 3, 2009
Look at what I did. I shrunk the Figures. Why did it take a whole day to get it right?
CRAP! Now how do I get the pictures in my blog????
3.3.1.2 Analysis of Temperature and Pressure Variation at the Launch Site
The document of the U.S. Standard Atmosphere Model of 1962 was not available for review. To determine the variability of temperature and pressure data for this mission, the team decided to collect NOAA data from the National Weather Service site at Ft Worth, Texas [12]. This location is the closest the site of the mission launch at Palestine, Texas. Since the launch will occur during the last week in July 2009, sounding balloon data was collected during the last week in July from 2005 through 2008.
Composite graphs of temperature and pressure vs. altitude constructed from the data are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The figures show variability in both temperature and pressure. A regression analysis was done on the composite data to examine the curve fit and the variation in the data in more detail. A piecewise linear regression analysis was done on the temperature graph to focus on the troposphere, tropopause, and the stratosphere separately. However, the exponential trend of the pressure data required a regression analysis on the natural log of pressure versus altitude.
Figure 4 shows the results of the regression analysis for the temperature data. The equation representing the troposphere indicates a -6.73 deg C/km trend. This is in agreement with the standard model. The equation representing the tropopause has an intercept on the temperature axis of -72 deg C, which is in agreement with temperatures of the tropopause. The equation representing the stratosphere indicates a 1.8 deg C/km trend.
Figure 5 shows the results of the regression analysis for the pressure data. The equation reasonably fits the data. The Standard Model uses 4 piecewise equations to fit the data in this range. Even though the fit in Figure 5 could be improved by sectioning the data, using one equation for all of the data still will show that pressure is not the critical factor in the collection process with respect to data variation.
Figures 6 through 8 show the residual plots of the data corresponding to the troposphere, tropopause, and the stratosphere. Figure 6 shows a temperature variation of 3 C for the troposphere. Figure 7 shows a temperature variation of 6 C for the tropopause. Figure 8 shows a temperature variation of 4 C for the stratosphere. Figure 9 shows a 0.1 cyclic variation in the natural log of pressure throughout the data. That is equivalent to a 1 mbar variation in the pressure. Inconsistency of the regression model with the data as seen in Figure 5 is due primarily to the increasing percent error as pressure values fall toward zero.
Results from the regression analysis indicate a variation in temperature and pressure specific for Ft Worth, Texas during the last week in July. Any measurement of temperature must be accurate to within 3 C and any measurement of pressure must be accurate to within 1 mbar to compare against the regression models.
3.3.1.3 Albedo Factors and Measurement
Albedo encountered during flight can effect changes in the heat budget affecting atmospheric temperature. Photographs of the earth give a good representation of how terrain, clouds, and precipitation affect albedo. Photographs taken from the payload will be erratic due to the pendulous motion during the flight, and all pictures taken will not capture the albedo factors. Enough photographs need to be taken during flight to account for this motion. Photographs need not be taken more often than sampled temperature.
CRAP! Now how do I get the pictures in my blog????
3.3.1.2 Analysis of Temperature and Pressure Variation at the Launch Site
The document of the U.S. Standard Atmosphere Model of 1962 was not available for review. To determine the variability of temperature and pressure data for this mission, the team decided to collect NOAA data from the National Weather Service site at Ft Worth, Texas [12]. This location is the closest the site of the mission launch at Palestine, Texas. Since the launch will occur during the last week in July 2009, sounding balloon data was collected during the last week in July from 2005 through 2008.
Composite graphs of temperature and pressure vs. altitude constructed from the data are shown in Figures 2 and 3. The figures show variability in both temperature and pressure. A regression analysis was done on the composite data to examine the curve fit and the variation in the data in more detail. A piecewise linear regression analysis was done on the temperature graph to focus on the troposphere, tropopause, and the stratosphere separately. However, the exponential trend of the pressure data required a regression analysis on the natural log of pressure versus altitude.
Figure 4 shows the results of the regression analysis for the temperature data. The equation representing the troposphere indicates a -6.73 deg C/km trend. This is in agreement with the standard model. The equation representing the tropopause has an intercept on the temperature axis of -72 deg C, which is in agreement with temperatures of the tropopause. The equation representing the stratosphere indicates a 1.8 deg C/km trend.
Figure 5 shows the results of the regression analysis for the pressure data. The equation reasonably fits the data. The Standard Model uses 4 piecewise equations to fit the data in this range. Even though the fit in Figure 5 could be improved by sectioning the data, using one equation for all of the data still will show that pressure is not the critical factor in the collection process with respect to data variation.
Figures 6 through 8 show the residual plots of the data corresponding to the troposphere, tropopause, and the stratosphere. Figure 6 shows a temperature variation of 3 C for the troposphere. Figure 7 shows a temperature variation of 6 C for the tropopause. Figure 8 shows a temperature variation of 4 C for the stratosphere. Figure 9 shows a 0.1 cyclic variation in the natural log of pressure throughout the data. That is equivalent to a 1 mbar variation in the pressure. Inconsistency of the regression model with the data as seen in Figure 5 is due primarily to the increasing percent error as pressure values fall toward zero.
Results from the regression analysis indicate a variation in temperature and pressure specific for Ft Worth, Texas during the last week in July. Any measurement of temperature must be accurate to within 3 C and any measurement of pressure must be accurate to within 1 mbar to compare against the regression models.
3.3.1.3 Albedo Factors and Measurement
Albedo encountered during flight can effect changes in the heat budget affecting atmospheric temperature. Photographs of the earth give a good representation of how terrain, clouds, and precipitation affect albedo. Photographs taken from the payload will be erratic due to the pendulous motion during the flight, and all pictures taken will not capture the albedo factors. Enough photographs need to be taken during flight to account for this motion. Photographs need not be taken more often than sampled temperature.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Friday June 26, 2009
Hey, I have a question for you out there. Can I list an item as a science objective for the PDR if it really needs to be done to determine the accuracy required for a given measurement? More specifically, I would like to list the following science objective:
Determine the variability in temperature of the troposphere, tropopause, and stratosphere during the last week in July in Ft. Worth, TX from 2005-2008
That objective would be accomplished through NOAA sounding data during that time period. The variability would be found from graphs of the data and regression analysis of the composite data. But I would use the results to make a statement on the required accuracy of the temperature measurement.
I am open to any suggestions.
Determine the variability in temperature of the troposphere, tropopause, and stratosphere during the last week in July in Ft. Worth, TX from 2005-2008
That objective would be accomplished through NOAA sounding data during that time period. The variability would be found from graphs of the data and regression analysis of the composite data. But I would use the results to make a statement on the required accuracy of the temperature measurement.
I am open to any suggestions.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Friday June 19, 2009
The contract is signed, and the fun now begins. I will try to global look at the entire project one more time before we have our next meeting. The trick to most of this hinges on our ability to communicate well and give clear and concise directives.
Good luck to us!
Good luck to us!
Friday June 19, 2009
This is the weekend we will find out how much we naturally gel as a team. I hope I am able to discern the strengths and weaknesses of each of us. I think this is a team where assignments must be aimed at those with the strength to do them more or less independently. Beyond lab exercises, we somewhat flounder when working on the same task at the same time.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Friday June 12, 2009
This was a busy week. The last 2 days were especially tiring. But that was my doing.
I was determined to get the balloonsat software organized and done 2 days ago. Wednesday night, I decided to come back to the lab to work more on it. The next thing I knew it was 2 AM. But I said let's do a little bit more. Long story short, I left the lab at 5:30 am and got 2 hours of sleep.
I was a walking zombie at times Thursday. I did better than I thought I would, but I was determined to go to bed early . After the ham radio class last night, I checked my voicemail. My son called and wanted to look over some dynamics problems before his final.
Ok, my son and I will talk over several problems over the phone, then I can go to bed. It did not work out that way. Instead, we went over many problems over several phone calls for the whole night. Two consecutive nights with barely 2 hours of sleep?
Needless to say, I really feel the effects of little sleep today. I upped my caffeine intake by 3. I will definitely get to sleep by midnight tonight.
Overall, the day did go quite well. The instrumentation amplifier circuit was built and tested with a bit of troubleshooting. The lecture on batteries was good, but I did fight hard to stay focused. The students I believe want to do well, but I know the focus is not always as sharp as it should be. I am glad Greg keeps us on notice. I think the message comes across better through him. If I can stay away from the lab at 3 am, I might be able give the same message.
We will all know and feel the effects of crunch time in the coming weeks.
I was determined to get the balloonsat software organized and done 2 days ago. Wednesday night, I decided to come back to the lab to work more on it. The next thing I knew it was 2 AM. But I said let's do a little bit more. Long story short, I left the lab at 5:30 am and got 2 hours of sleep.
I was a walking zombie at times Thursday. I did better than I thought I would, but I was determined to go to bed early . After the ham radio class last night, I checked my voicemail. My son called and wanted to look over some dynamics problems before his final.
Ok, my son and I will talk over several problems over the phone, then I can go to bed. It did not work out that way. Instead, we went over many problems over several phone calls for the whole night. Two consecutive nights with barely 2 hours of sleep?
Needless to say, I really feel the effects of little sleep today. I upped my caffeine intake by 3. I will definitely get to sleep by midnight tonight.
Overall, the day did go quite well. The instrumentation amplifier circuit was built and tested with a bit of troubleshooting. The lecture on batteries was good, but I did fight hard to stay focused. The students I believe want to do well, but I know the focus is not always as sharp as it should be. I am glad Greg keeps us on notice. I think the message comes across better through him. If I can stay away from the lab at 3 am, I might be able give the same message.
We will all know and feel the effects of crunch time in the coming weeks.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
June 11, 2009 5:25 AM
The flight computer program works. I cannot believe I spent the last 2 hours to find one small problem that kept the program from writing onto the eeprom correctly. On the basic stamp 1, you can use a for next loop with a step -1 to decrement a loop. However, on the basic stamp 2, the decrement is implied if the counter is from a higher to lower number. It did not say; however, that the looping would not take place if I included the step -1 portion.
I am very tired and will pay for this today. Don't get mad if I come in late or snore throughout the day. I am getting 2 hours of sleep.
73
I am very tired and will pay for this today. Don't get mad if I come in late or snore throughout the day. I am getting 2 hours of sleep.
73
Friday, June 5, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
June 4, 2009 1:00 AM
Ok, I just finished spending too much time on the skeetersat temperature calibration. I say that because a lot of time was spent looking for fundamental frequencies of the skeetersat response at various temperatures. I was trying to make (force) a one to one correspondence with the temperature vs frequency. A vague recall of the 555 timer formula finally told me the relation ship would be nonlinear.
I found the formula on the internet and did a quick and dirty plot on excel. I do not know if I could have posted the graph on this blog or not. It is definitely nonlinear. The graph looks like y = 1/x^2 for x>0. The effect may not really be that pronounced, but it is a good enough answer for me today.
I wanted to finish the second half of the balloonsat tonight, but I am starting to get tired. I am pleased with the reponse of my team up to this point. All of them are rising to the challenge. Cayla came back this evening and finished the balloonsat. I hope it all works for her. She may very well become the clutch member of our team.
The lecture tonight was a good one for me. I wish I knew more about astronomy - but the adventure of conducting a mission in Antartica excites me. However, I am not sure if I am hearty enough to brave the cold or poop over a snow hole. I am out.
I found the formula on the internet and did a quick and dirty plot on excel. I do not know if I could have posted the graph on this blog or not. It is definitely nonlinear. The graph looks like y = 1/x^2 for x>0. The effect may not really be that pronounced, but it is a good enough answer for me today.
I wanted to finish the second half of the balloonsat tonight, but I am starting to get tired. I am pleased with the reponse of my team up to this point. All of them are rising to the challenge. Cayla came back this evening and finished the balloonsat. I hope it all works for her. She may very well become the clutch member of our team.
The lecture tonight was a good one for me. I wish I knew more about astronomy - but the adventure of conducting a mission in Antartica excites me. However, I am not sure if I am hearty enough to brave the cold or poop over a snow hole. I am out.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Ham Radio Class
I am very excited about what I can learn in the ham radio class. The introduction tonight was not new to me, but the delivery really caught my attention. I received my license several years ago and have done very little with it. I did play with APRS a bit last summer.
The hands-on activities of this class will give me what I did not have before, the exposure and confidence to actually use ham radio outside of APRS. I am really looking forward to fox hunting and trying out QSO.
When this is over, I think I will get involved with Skywarn.
The hands-on activities of this class will give me what I did not have before, the exposure and confidence to actually use ham radio outside of APRS. I am really looking forward to fox hunting and trying out QSO.
When this is over, I think I will get involved with Skywarn.
skeetersat
This was a very good day for hands on activities. We had the opportunity to learn how to solder, get reasonably good at it, and use our new skill to build a neat circuit; the skeetersat.
I have soldered many times before, but I have not used it consistently enough to maintain a good technique. I hope I can keep what I learned today a little longer.
My skeetersat worked well after carefully and slowly building it. I spent most of my break before ham radio class finishing it.
After the ham radio class, I went back to the lab to help out Ashle' Easley and D'Lonzo Taylor with their skeetersat. Both of the students did not trust their testing measurements. Ashle' and D'Lonzo reversed polarity on the electrolytic capacitor. Ashle' s circuit worked before she left for dinner. D'Lonzo's circuit still had problems. I offered to look at it while he left with Ashle'.
It took a while, but I found what I hope is his only problem. Both transistors were installed backwards. Dr. Sinha suggested I allow D'Lonzo to correct the problem. I guess he will be up later tonight after he and Ashle' returns from dinner.
I have soldered many times before, but I have not used it consistently enough to maintain a good technique. I hope I can keep what I learned today a little longer.
My skeetersat worked well after carefully and slowly building it. I spent most of my break before ham radio class finishing it.
After the ham radio class, I went back to the lab to help out Ashle' Easley and D'Lonzo Taylor with their skeetersat. Both of the students did not trust their testing measurements. Ashle' and D'Lonzo reversed polarity on the electrolytic capacitor. Ashle' s circuit worked before she left for dinner. D'Lonzo's circuit still had problems. I offered to look at it while he left with Ashle'.
It took a while, but I found what I hope is his only problem. Both transistors were installed backwards. Dr. Sinha suggested I allow D'Lonzo to correct the problem. I guess he will be up later tonight after he and Ashle' returns from dinner.
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