'Engineers of Innovation Wiki' - User contributions [en]

Hub Sensor

2025-06-13T07:57:21Z

Maarten:

The hub sensor is an AS5047 magnetic encoder mounted behind the Lehner BLDC motor inside the rudder. The hub sensor communicated the position of the rotor to provide a reference position to the motordriver during startup.

== Architecture ==
[[File:250525135749 Scope Screen.png|thumb|Scope screen of the RS422 in blue and SPI from the VESC. Showing the timing of the various data transfers]]
The hubsesnor is build around two PCBs, one that connects to the VESC and the other that sits behind the motor. These boards are build around the atxmega16e5 and communicate with each other though RS422. The bottom board reads out the AS5047 and NTC and sens this data to the top over serial at 2 Megabaud. This link is quite fast to be able to send this data at the sample rate of the VESC at around 12kHz. The data and power to the hub sensor are separated with functional isolation to make sure the top electronics are protected from water Ingres and shorts.

== Startup and Timing Behavior ==
The top and hub MCUs share the same flash image so they are easy to update and their protocol is always in sync. During boot the flash of the hub MCU is cleared and it waits for a copy of the top MCU's flash. If this is successful the '''top green LED will blink every second in three quick bursts'''. During running this LED should be blinking continuously. If there is no data from the bottom board for 8ms the top board will reboot the hub and send another flash config, blinking of the red LED will occur during.

== VESC tool ==
[[File:Vesc.png|thumb|VESC tool showing a counter value that has been generated on the hub PCB for testing. small steps in the data can be seen for unknown reason]]
[[File:Vesc tool.png|thumb|Showing the hub sensor with magnet data. Note the noise on the right side when the magnet is removed]]
The encoder was tested using VESC tool and a counter value generated at the bottom hub PCB. The data transmission is quite reliable without a motor attached, a spike of 360 degrees can be seen about every 10 minutes as of git hash "b45a45a" .DMA on the RX UART could ease the timing requirements on the top board and perhaps reduce this.

== Future Tests and Features ==
Some additional features or tests that could be implemented or done in the future:

* Actually test on the VESC 300/75
** Currently only tested on the UBOX 75 v2
*Test with high currents though the motor cables next to the data
* Implement error detection when for instance no magnet is found
** Perhaps set the parity bit wrong on the top to let the VESC know there is only garbage
* Check the temperature sensor accuracy
** We send the ADC values at the bottom as is to the top DAC. The idea is that we set the same voltage as measured at the bottom with the same resistor divider that's used on the VESC. We havent checked if this actually measures the temperature correctly

== Wire color mishap ==
The wire used to connect the hub sensor with the motor driver is color coded. On both the PCB's the colors are labeled on the silkscreen. On the PCB with the encoder this is correct. On the PCB that connects directly to the VECS it is NOT correct. Because there is no grey wire in the cable we connector in the top PCB will not match it's cable colors to the colors on the silkscreen. The table below shows how it should be connected.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Color on cable
!Color on PCB
!Function
!Notes
|-
|Blue
|Grey
|5V supply
|
|-
|Black
|White
|GND
|
|-
|White
|Black
|DATp
|
|-
|Brown
|Brown
|DATn
|
|-
|
|Blue
|Temp
|The cable only has 4 wires
|}

MPPT

2025-06-11T12:21:30Z

Maarten:

The Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) are the abdomens of the SolarBoat (BoII) that gives the battery juice from the solar panels.

The MPPTs are self made, where the hardware can be found on the altium365 [https://engineers-of-innovation.365.altium.com workspace] and the software on [https://git.engineersofinnovation.nl/boat-fw/mppt-software Git].

== What is a MPPT? ==
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) is a device that ensures that a solar panel is used at the most efficient point of its I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar panel can be redrawn into an P-V curve by summing the voltage and current, resulting in the voltage at which the panel generates the most power. Because the output of the MPPT is connected to a battery (which is a very constant voltage source) any adjustments in the dutycycle of the MPPT influence the voltage over the solar panel, making it possible to steer the panel towards its maximum power point.

== PCBs ==
[[File:2023-07-17 Updated MPPTS WHITEBG.png|thumb|815x815px|Deck layout with corresponding MPPTs ID per panel.]]
There are probably 8 MPPT PCBs in total. Where 4 are used in the current SolarBoat. The picture on the right shows the layout of the solar panels with the corresponding MPPTs.
{| class="wikitable"
|+MPPT's in boat
!Possition
!MPPT
!ID
!Channel
!Panel
!Notes
|-
|Front box front
|4
|2
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|-
|Front box back
|2
|5
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|-
|Back box front
|3
|4
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|-
|Back box back
|5
|3
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+All MPPT's
!MPPT
!ID
!State
!Notes:
|-
|1
|3
|Reserve
|Channel 3 broken
|-
|2
|5
|In boat
|Second
|-
|3
|4
|In boat
|Third
|-
|4
|2
|In boat
|Most forward (Channel 1 not used)
|-
|5
|3
|In boat
|Fourth, Channel 1 broken(LTC4444)
|-
|6
|1
|Reserve
|Diodes of buck broken
|-
|7
|7
|Reserve
|Harvested for donor componends
|-
|8
|?
|Reserve
|Need to be checked
|}

MPPT

2025-06-08T11:37:02Z

Maarten: /* PCBs */

The Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) are the abdomens of the SolarBoat (BoII) that gives the battery juice from the solar panels.

The MPPTs are self made, where the hardware can be found on the altium365 [https://engineers-of-innovation.365.altium.com workspace] and the software on [https://git.engineersofinnovation.nl/boat-fw/mppt-software Git].

== What is a MPPT? ==
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) is a device that ensures that a solar panel is used at the most efficient point of its I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar panel can be redrawn into an P-V curve by summing the voltage and current, resulting in the voltage at which the panel generates the most power. Because the output of the MPPT is connected to a battery (which is a very constant voltage source) any adjustments in the dutycycle of the MPPT influence the voltage over the solar panel, making it possible to steer the panel towards its maximum power point.

== PCBs ==
[[File:2023-07-17 Updated MPPTS WHITEBG.png|thumb|815x815px|Deck layout with corresponding MPPTs ID per panel.]]
There are probably 8 MPPT PCBs in total. Where 4 are used in the current SolarBoat. The picture on the right shows the layout of the solar panels with the corresponding MPPTs.
{| class="wikitable"
|+MPPT's in boat
!Possition
!MPPT
!ID
!Channel
!Panel
!Notes
|-
|Front box front
|4
|2
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|-
|Front box back
|2
|5
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|-
|Back box front
|3
|4
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|-
|Back box back
|5
|3
|1
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|2
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|3
|
|
|-
|
|
|
|4
|
|
|}
{| class="wikitable"
|+MPPT's in reserve
!MPPT
!ID
!State
!Notes:
|-
|1
|3
|Reseve
|Channel 3 broken
|-
|2
|5
|In boat
|Second
|-
|3
|4
|In boat
|Third
|-
|4
|2
|In boat
|Most forward (Channel 1 not used)
|-
|5
|3
|In boat
|Fourth, Channel 1 broken(LTC4444)
|-
|6
|1
|Reserve
|Diodes of buck broken
|-
|7
|7
|Reserve
|Harvested for donor componends
|-
|8
|?
|Reserve
|Need to be checked
|}

MPPT

2025-06-08T11:31:40Z

Maarten:

The Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) are the abdomens of the SolarBoat (BoII) that gives the battery juice from the solar panels.

The MPPTs are self made, where the hardware can be found on the altium365 [https://engineers-of-innovation.365.altium.com workspace] and the software on [https://git.engineersofinnovation.nl/boat-fw/mppt-software Git].

== What is a MPPT? ==
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) is a device that ensures that a solar panel is used at the most efficient point of its I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar panel can be redrawn into an P-V curve by summing the voltage and current, resulting in the voltage at which the panel generates the most power. Because the output of the MPPT is connected to a battery (which is a very constant voltage source) any adjustments in the dutycycle of the MPPT influence the voltage over the solar panel, making it possible to steer the panel towards its maximum power point.

== PCBs ==
[[File:2023-07-17 Updated MPPTS WHITEBG.png|thumb|815x815px|Deck layout with corresponding MPPTs ID per panel.]]
There are probably 8 MPPT PCBs in total. Where 4 are used in the current SolarBoat. The picture on the right shows the layout of the solar panels with the corresponding MPPTs.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!MPPT
!ID
!State
!Notes:
|-
|1
|3
|Reseve
|Channel 3 broken
|-
|2
|5
|In boat
|Second
|-
|3
|4
|In boat
|Third
|-
|4
|2
|In boat
|Most forward (Channel 1 not used)
|-
|5
|3
|In boat
|Fourth, Channel 1 broken(LTC4444)
|-
|6
|1
|Reserve
|Diodes of buck broken
|-
|7
|7
|Reserve
|Harvested for donor componends
|}

MPPT

2025-06-08T11:31:17Z

Maarten:

The Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) are the abdomens of the SolarBoat (BoII) that gives the battery juice from the solar panels.

The MPPTs are self made, where the hardware can be found on the altium365 [https://engineers-of-innovation.365.altium.com workspace] and the software on [https://git.engineersofinnovation.nl/boat-fw/mppt-software Git].

== What is a MPPT? ==
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) is a device that ensures that a solar panel is used at the most efficient point of its I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar panel can be redrawn into an P-V curve by summing the voltage and current, resulting in the voltage at which the panel generates the most power. Because the output of the MPPT is connected to a battery (which is a very constant voltage source) any adjustments in the dutycycle of the MPPT influence the voltage over the solar panel, making it possible to steer the panel towards its maximum power point.

== PCBs ==
[[File:2023-07-17 Updated MPPTS WHITEBG.png|thumb|815x815px|Deck layout with corresponding MPPTs ID per panel.]]
There are probably 8 MPPT PCBs in total. Where 4 are used in the current SolarBoat. The picture on the right shows the layout of the solar panels with the corresponding MPPTs.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!MPPT
!ID
!State
!Notes:
|-
|1
|3
|Reseve
|Channel 3 broken
|-
|2
|5
|In boat
|Second
|-
|3
|4
|In boat
|Third
|-
|4
|2
|In boat
|Most forward (Channel 1 not used)
|-
|5
|3
|In boat
|Forth, Channel 1 broken(LTC4444)
|-
|6
|1
|Reserve
|Diodes of buck broken
|-
|7
|7
|Reserve
|Harvested for donor componends
|}

MPPT

2025-06-02T10:21:05Z

Maarten: /* PCBs */

The Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) are the abdomens of the SolarBoat (BoII) that gives the battery juice from the solar panels.

The MPPTs are self made, where the hardware can be found on the altium365 [https://engineers-of-innovation.365.altium.com workspace] and the software on [https://git.engineersofinnovation.nl/boat-fw/mppt-software Git].

== What is a MPPT? ==
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) is a device that ensures that a solar panel is used at the most efficient point of its I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar panel can be redrawn into an P-V curve by summing the voltage and current, resulting in the voltage at which the panel generates the most power. Because the output of the MPPT is connected to a battery (which is a very constant voltage source) any adjustments in the dutycycle of the MPPT influence the voltage over the solar panel, making it possible to steer the panel towards its maximum power point.

== PCBs ==
[[File:2023-07-17 Updated MPPTS WHITEBG.png|thumb|815x815px|Deck layout with corresponding MPPTs ID per panel.]]
There are probably 8 MPPT PCBs in total. Where 4 are used in the current SolarBoat. The picture on the right shows the layout of the solar panels with the corresponding MPPTs.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!MPPT
!ID
!State
!Notes:
|-
|1
|3
|Reseve
|Channel 3 broken
|-
|2
|5
|In boat
|Second
|-
|3
|4
|In boat
|Third
|-
|4
|2
|In boat
|Most forward
|-
|5
|3
|Reserve
|Channel 1 broken(LTC4444)
|-
|6
|1
|Reserve
|Diodes of buck broken
|-
|7
|7
|Reserve
|Harvested for donor componends
|}
Note: Most reward position not populated ATM!

MPPT

2025-04-28T16:08:06Z

Maarten: /* PCBs */

The Maximum Power Point Trackers (MPPT) are the abdomens of the SolarBoat (BoII) that gives the battery juice from the solar panels.

The MPPTs are self made, where the hardware can be found on the altium365 [https://engineers-of-innovation.365.altium.com workspace] and the software on [https://git.engineersofinnovation.nl/boat-fw/mppt-software Git].

== What is a MPPT? ==
A MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracker) is a device that ensures that a solar panel is used at the most efficient point of its I-V curve. The I-V curve of a solar panel can be redrawn into an P-V curve by summing the voltage and current, resulting in the voltage at which the panel generates the most power. Because the output of the MPPT is connected to a battery (which is a very constant voltage source) any adjustments in the dutycycle of the MPPT influence the voltage over the solar panel, making it possible to steer the panel towards its maximum power point.

== PCBs ==
[[File:2023-07-17 Updated MPPTS WHITEBG.png|thumb|815x815px|Deck layout with corresponding MPPTs ID per panel.]]
There are probably 8 MPPT PCBs in total. Where 4 are used in the current SolarBoat. The picture on the right shows the layout of the solar panels with the corresponding MPPTs.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!MPPT
!ID
!State
!Notes:
|-
|1
|3
|In boat
|Most forward, Channel 3 broken
|-
|2
|5
|In boat
|Second
|-
|3
|4
|In boat
|Third
|-
|4
|2
|In boat
|Most rearward
|-
|5
|3
|Reserve
|Channel 1 broken(LTC4444)
|-
|6
|1
|Reserve
|Diodes of buck broken
|-
|7
|7
|Reserve
|Harvested for donor componends
|}