Overview

In my Sophomore and Junior courses, I took Introduction of Engineering Dynamics and Space Flight (Orbital Mechanics) with professor N. Jeremy Kasdin and was so interested in the courses that I asked him if I could work in his lab.

When I joined the lab I was shown a ferrofluid deformable mirror. The prototype wasn't sending the proper signals and I was given the task to find the issue. I had only worked bit with Arduino before so the idea of accomplishing this task in less than two months seemed daunting. I began by studying the fundamentals of logic design and understanding how to fix inductive spikes. From there, I slowly went to building small circuits and eventually intoduced the Digital to Analog Converters (DAC) to set up the control for seven inductors. I then learned LabVIEW and I2C protocol to control the indutors from a computer through a myRIO device.

A very generic chart that simplifies the system the I built over my summer internship.


My first excercise in using diodes and resistor to reduce inductive kickback.


My first circuit to produce a PWM signal to an inductor.


Controlling the device using myRIO to send signals to the DACs. Digital signals probed with a Saleae.


Controlling the device using myRIO to send signals to the DACs. Digital signals probed with a Saleae.


All of these electronics are based off the circuit board on the ferroDM prototype.