HardLabs

NSSL EFM Tracker

LeemanGeophysicalLLC·NSSL_EFM_Tracker_PCB·KiCAD_Project/tracker.kicad_pcb

NSSL EFM Tracker PCB layout, top view — open source AVR/Arduino board by LeemanGeophysicalLLC

About the NSSL EFM Tracker PCB

NSSL EFM Tracker is an open source AVR/Arduino PCB design by LeemanGeophysicalLLC, published on GitHub under the MIT license. It is a 4-layer board measuring 78.7 × 57.2 mm, with 52 components from 25 distinct parts.

Its main chip is the 1-0000566, from the AVR/Arduino family. Other key parts include the 1-0000785, 1-0000748, 1-0000789, 1-0000446 and 1-0000658. By type, the board carries 18 resistors, 14 capacitors, 6 ICs, 4 diodes, 3 connectors and 2 transistors.

It belongs with the rf & radio designs in this gallery.

From the project

Tracker for the NSSL EFM

The tracker provides GPS location data to instrument operators via a satellite connection. It is designed to enable easy location of the instrument package during and after flight, supporting both flight termination decisions and efficient recovery of the full payload. The tracker uses a progressive rate strategy to optimize battery life, providing high-rate position updates during the most dynamic and critical phases of the flight.

Main components on the NSSL EFM Tracker

1-00007851-00005661-00007481-00007891-00004461-0000658

NSSL EFM Tracker bill of materials (BOM)

52 components, 25 distinct parts — part numbers from the project's BOM.

QtyPartRefs
1
1-0000785
XBee
U1
1
1-0000566
ATmega328P-AU
U2
1
1-0000748
TSR2
U3
1
1-0000789
RockBlockMechanical
U4
1
1-0000446
ublox_SAM-M8Q
U5
1
1-0000658
MIC5219-3.3YM5
U6
2
1-0000340
BSS138
Q1, Q2
1
1-0000569
16MHz
Y1
1
1-0000790
RockBlock9603
J1
1
0-0000000
ICSP
J2
1
0-0000000
Battery
J4
1
1-0000246
CR1220
BT1
1
1-0000002
Polyfuse
F1
1
3-0000068
barepcb
PCB1
1
1-0000786
SW_SPST
SW1
2
1-0000599
Blue
D1, D2
1
1-0000601
Yellow
D3
1
1-0000598
Green
D4
10
1-0000007
C1, C2, C3, C6, C7, C8, C9, C10 +2
3
1-0000075
C4, C12, C13
Show 5 more
QtyPartRefs
1
1-0000018
C5
4
1-0000013
R1, R2, R3, R4
3
1-0000010
R5, R16, R18
4
1-0000008
R6, R8, R9, R17
7
1-0000006
R7, R10, R11, R12, R13, R14, R15

NSSL EFM Tracker design files

The KiCad project lives in the LeemanGeophysicalLLC/NSSL_EFM_Tracker_PCB repository on GitHub; these links point at the commit this page was built from.

NSSL EFM Tracker: common questions

What microcontroller does the NSSL EFM Tracker use?

The NSSL EFM Tracker is built around the 1-0000566, from the AVR/Arduino family.

How big is the NSSL EFM Tracker PCB?

The NSSL EFM Tracker measures 78.7 × 57.2 mm, has 4 copper layers and is 1.6 mm thick.

How many components are on the NSSL EFM Tracker?

52 components, from 25 distinct parts, with part numbers taken from the project's own BOM. The full bill of materials is listed on this page.

Where can I download the NSSL EFM Tracker design files?

From the LeemanGeophysicalLLC/NSSL_EFM_Tracker_PCB repository on GitHub, which has the KiCad layout and the BOM; the links under Design files point to each one.

Can I use the NSSL EFM Tracker design in my own project?

Yes, under the terms of its MIT license, which LeemanGeophysicalLLC chose for the repository.

Can I test firmware for the NSSL EFM Tracker without the hardware?

Yes. HardLabs builds a simulation of the board from its netlist and BOM, so you can run and debug AVR/Arduino firmware against it before you order a PCB.

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