Apollo Guidance ComputerUsing a Programmable System on a Chip

Shane WhalenAdvisor: Dr.Andrezj Rucinski

Problem Description

Create a model of the Apollo Guidance Computer using today's technology

Created long ago using old technology Large amount of components Extra weight for mass critical mission (70 lbs)

Expensive Technology $150,000 in in 1960's Replicas are typically made for $3000

Possible SolutionsPro's Con's

Microcontroller

Features such as PWM's and Timers included Still need many peripheral

Allows for a high level programming language (c)

Not easy debugging because of peripheral

Configuration of built in features can be difficult

Not really modeling a real computer

Need other hardware in order to run the code

Large learning curve

Hard to add on

Still need peripherals

My Solution

Programmable System on a Chip Incorporates all the technology above

FPGA's Allows for both analog and digital hardware configuration in

single easy to use interface (PSoC Creator) Software Simulation

Since all the components are built in, it is easy to debug their configuration

Simulated DSKY using MATLAB Microcontroller

A built in component of the PSoC that the user doesn't have to worry about

My PSoC

PSoC 3 Configurable Analog and Digital Block

Includes PLLs, UART, LCDs, Filters, ADCs with up to 20 bit resolution

Up to 67 MHz Core PSoC Creator drag and drop interface Low power System (1microA sleep, 1.2mA Active) Inexpensive

$250 for the development kit and much cheaper for just the PsoC

Interface

Interface (Continued)

MATLAB ↔ Communication PSoC built-in USBUART Data string use to communicate with PSoC

<VERB><1><5><NOUN><6><5><ENTER> Data string used to update the DSKY

<VERB><15><NOUN><65><R1><[HOURS]><R2><[MINS]>... Interrupt every .25 seconds to update the GUI

Currently Completed

DSKY Communication Interface (USBUART) Input data parser System start-up time command implemented

Demo

Still to Come

Questions?