Hardware

The hardware resources include a barometer, an inertial measurement unit, an SD card and a point-to-point communication radio.

The picture below shows the pins for using the extension header for adding external electronics to the board.

Pinout

Here is the full list of pins used by CanSat NeXT board. The internal use refers to the pin being used for the on-board resources, and extension refers to the pins having been routed to the extension interface. Some pins, those for I2C and SPI, are used both internally and externally. The library name refers to a macro name, which can be used instead of the pin number when CanSatNeXT library has been included.

Pin Number	Library name	Note	Internal/External
0	BOOT		Used internally
1	USB_UART_TX	Used for USB	Used internally
3	USB_UART_RX	Used for USB	Used internally
4	SD_CS	SD card chip select	Used internally
5	LED	Can be used to blink on-board LED	Used internally
12	GPIO12		Extension interface
13	MEAS_EN	Drive high to enable LDR and thermistor	Used internally
14	GPIO14	Can be used to read if SD-card is in place	Used internally
15	GPIO15		Extension interface
16	GPIO16	UART2 RX	Extension interface
17	GPIO17	UART2 TX	Extension interface
18	SPI_CLK	Used by the SD-card, also available externally	Both
19	SPI_MISO	Used by the SD-card, also available externally	Both
21	I2C_SDA	Used by the on-board sensors, also available externally	Both
22	I2C_SCL	Used by the on-board sensors, also available externally	Both
23	SPI_MOSI	Used by the SD-card, also available externally	Both
25	GPIO25		Extension interface
26	GPIO26		Extension interface
27	GPIO27		Extension interface
32	GPIO32	ADC	Extension interface
33	GPIO33	ADC	Extension interface
34	LDR	ADC for the on-board LDR	Used internally
35	NTC	ADC for the thermistor	Used internally
36	VDD	ADC used to monitor supply voltage	Used internally
39	BATT	ADC used to monitor battery voltage	Used internally

Interface

1. User pins, top

2. User pins, bottom

3. USB Micro port

4. Reset Switch

5. SD Card

6. Power Switch

7. Antenna

8. Thermistor

9. AAA Battery holder (on the backside of the board).

Board layout render

CanSat hardware layout reference:

For creating custom payloads, a board template reference:

Power

During development, the CanSat kit can be powered on with a USB Micro - Type A cable.

During flight, an external power source must be used. Plug in three AAA alkaline batteries to the Cansat’s bottom side.