Individual CAN Components

The Deutsches Zentrum für Luft und Raumfahrt (DLR) is concerned with autonomous vehicles for the usage at a high attitude. In stratosphere unmanned vehicles could supplement satellites in data collection and distribution. This could enable the connection of regions with bad infrastructure to the world wide web or build up a communication structure while facing a crisis. Additionally environmental and climate data can be collected extensively in the aimed high of 20 km, which is far above the line traffic with 12 km. In these high an ideal environment for the mentioned applications can be found. Nevertheless the permanent stratosphere flight is at the edge of these days technical possibility.

For the system development of high altitude platforms at the institute for robotic and mechatronic in Oberfpaffenhofen it was necessary to connected several components with CANOpen and RS232 interfaces. EMS Dr. Thomas Wünsche developed a free programmable module with four RS232 and two CAN Interfaces following DLR requirements. The peripheral connectors of the micro controller were linked with optional plugbars, hence the module can easily be used in other applications. Currently the module is used in the project HABLEG (High Altitude Balloon Launched Experimental Glider). In the process of this experiment an unmanned glider is released in 20 km high from a balloon. Afterwards it is automatically switched to gliding and flight back to basis safely.

This success was secured through extensive tests like verification of the overall system in a thermal vacuum chamber.

The company EMS Dr. Thomas Wünsche has developed several solutions like this in its 20 years of history. The aim in such projects is always to find the technological and economical best solution for the customer.