PCB-STEVE

STM32F4 based Flight Computer Development PCB

STEVE

STEVE, the name of this flight computer, is an acronym: Starter Testbed for Evolving the Vehicle Electronics

As the name implies, the intention of STEVE is to be a testbed circuitboard for proving out avionics functionality. STEVE is very much a development board as this is the first STM32 PCB that I have designed.

Future versions of STEVE will have a focus on exapnding a flight vehicle's envelope (Starter Testbed for Expanding the Vehicle Envelope)

STEVE is intended to be used on a flight vehicle such as a model rocket but can also be used in static environments such as a ground test stand.

Planned Hardware Features for STEVE Version 1

• Host 1 STM32F407 Microcontroller
  • 128 Mbit / 16 MB external flash
  • Micro SD card
  • Reset and Boot buttons
• Have 1 BMI270 Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) connected over SPI
• Have 1 BMP388 Barometric Pressure Sensor connected over SPI
• Have a battery input voltage range that covers 6 to 16.8V
  • This voltage range ensures that 2s to 4s LiPo batteries can be used to power STEVE
  • Use terminal blocks for battery connection
  • Have a second set of terminal blocks and 2 diodes for a supplementary battery input
• Have a voltage regulator circuit that converts the battery input voltage to 5V
  • This voltage regulator should be rated to handle at least 5A continuous
• Have a voltage regulator that converts the 5V to 3.3V
• Have a dedicated telemetry modem connection
  • Use screwless terminal blocks or a JST-GH connector
  • only GND, 5V, RX, and TX need to be connected
  • Microcontroller UART pins should be connected here
• Have 2 JST-SH 4 pin connectors for I2C
• Have 1 buzzer
• Have 3 standard LEDS
• Have 1 WS2812 (NeoPixel) Addressable LED
• Have 5 Mosfet channels
  • 2 5V channels
  • 3 VBatt channels
  • continuity checking on all channels
• Have 4 Servo connections
  • Use "Screwless - Spring Cage, Tension Clamp" terminal blocks
  • Each set of 3 terminals should have a GND pin and a 5V pin
• Have additional GPIO and bus pins broken out
  • Use screwless terminal blocks

Planned Hardware Features for STEVE Version 2

• Use a PMOS mosfet for reverse polarity protection
• Have a second PMIC (6-8A) to support 2 additional servos