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Inspace ISRO Rocket Avionics PCB

The InSpace ISRO Rocket Avionics PCB is a compact and reliable avionics system designed for our rocket Trishul, responsible for telemetry, navigation, data logging, and event control during flight.

Discipline
Aerospace & Rocketry, PCB Design
Contents
8 images · 2 videos
Inspace ISRO Rocket Avionics PCB

Team Role

Riya, Shikha, Rahul & mePCB design, component selection, sensor + communication integration
Dev, Anmol, Ritish & SparshParachute, Separation Technique Mechanical integration, rocket airframe compatibility
Priyanshu, Gaurav & AnshumanGround Control Station (GCS), telemetry dashboard, live data visualization

Features

  • Dual-Controller Architecture
    • Raspberry Pi Pico 2 (primary flight computer) + Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev Sense 2 (secondary controller)
  • Dual Telemetry Links
    • XBee S3B Pro (RF telemetry)
    • Quectel EC200U CN (4G communication for backup location)
  • Multi-Sensor Suite
    • BNO085 (IMU), BMP390 (barometer), INA219 (power monitoring), MAX31856 (thermocouple), DS3231 (RTC)
  • NavIC GPS Integration
    • Uses India’s satellite positioning system for accurate rocket tracking
  • Data Logging
    • SD card module for black-box recording
  • Event / Pyro Control
    • MOSFET-based firing circuits for separation & parachute deployment

How it Works

Raspberry Pi Pico 2Primary flight computer
Arduino Nano 33 BLE Rev Sense 2Secondary controller / backup
XBee S3B ProRF telemetry link
Quectel EC200U CN4G-based backup telemetry / location
NavIC GPS ModuleAccurate real-time tracking
BNO085Orientation IMU
BMP390Altitude / pressure
INA219Power monitoring
MAX31856Temperature sensing
DS3231RTC, timestamping
SD Card ModuleBlack-box mission data logging
MOSFET Event/Pyro BoardSeparation, pyros, parachute deployment

Circuit

Schematic Layout

PCB Layout Front Side

PCB Layout Back Side

System Overview

  • Collects sensor data during flight
  • Transmits telemetry in real-time
  • Logs mission data to SD card
  • Controls events (separation / parachute deployment)

Working Demo

Serial Monitor Demo

GCS Demo

Competition Journey & Achievement

Our avionics PCB worked reliably during the launch, stable telemetry, successful event triggering, and accurate NavIC GPS tracking.
The performance and robustness of the avionics system helped us secure:
🥈 2nd Prize, IN-SPACe Rocket Competition 🏆

My Learnings

  • Learned how to design a flight-ready avionics system with a dual-MCU architecture.
  • Understood critical event control (pyro channels, MOSFET drivers, safety isolation).
  • Improved telemetry reliability with XBEE.
  • Gained hands-on experience in rocket avionics integration with mechanical and launch workflow.