OzU Rover Team Leverages Cadence Tools to Explore the Red Planet

The Role of Robotics in Space Exploration: A Journey with the Özyeğin University Rover Team

Robotics is the cornerstone in overcoming the formidable challenges of space exploration in humanity's grand quest to explore the cosmos. Severe temperatures, unsafe radiation levels, and the peculiarities of microgravity are just some of the conditions in space that make exploration by humans hazardous and often impractical. In this regard, robots become our great heroes: they are designed to sustain such extreme environments and become an imperative ally in our quest for knowledge beyond Earth. The dream of creating perfect robots to perform every task requires innovative minds. Searching for hidden design talent is much like a treasure hunt, and there is no better place to start than with the bright minds of university students.

An excellent example of this spirit of creativity and inquiry is the Özyeğin University (OzU) rover team, preparing for the next generation of Mars rovers. These rovers have been designed to explore Martian terrain alongside astronauts in the future. Without a doubt, these have been established as an engineering marvel, a live testimony of how academia and industry can combine to get things done. As a platinum sponsor of the OzU Rover Team, Cadence supports the team with access to top-notch and advanced tools and resources.

The team regularly competes in prestigious events like the University Rover Competition (URC) and European Rover Competition (ERC), where students are challenged to solve real-world problems. This year, the team is also participating in the Anatolian Rover Challenge (ARC) in Ankara, Turkey, and the AIDAA Student Team Challenge at the International Astronautical Congress (IAC) in Milan, Italy. ARC is known for its narrative-driven missions that transport participants into the realms of the Moon, Mars, and Earth, blending cutting-edge technology with the vibrant culture of Anatolia. The AIDAA Student Team Challenge, on the other hand, focuses on “Responsible Space for Sustainability,” connecting students with business and research sectors.

This blog post delves into the problems that the OzU rover design team faced while designing the rover and how Cadence tools surprisingly helped remedy the situation. It underpins how state-of-the-art Cadence tool technology powers the OzU Rover team's space exploration journey. Learn more about how Cadence tools impact the team's endeavors and drive their success in these prestigious competitions.

A Glimpse Into the OzU Rover Design

The OzU rover team is a pioneering force in rover design and competition, serving as a vibrant center of learning and collaboration that shapes the future. At the core of the team's efforts is the development of a rover, enhanced by an advanced robotic arm that is a testament to their innovative spirit and engineering prowess. Engineered to perfection, the rover arm features multiple degrees of freedom (DOFs) and is equipped with tailor-made cycloidal gearboxes. This intricate design ensures that the arm achieves the optimal torque for each DOF, enhancing the rover's operational efficiency and reliability. This is not just a component; it is a pivotal breakthrough in the success of the OzU rover team.

The rover's unique arm design enables it to perform essential tasks such as precise panel manipulation and soil sample collection. Additionally, its ability to interact with diverse environments, operate complex equipment, and navigate obstacles is well-suited for real-world challenges.

Overcoming Design Challenges with Cadence Tools

Launching a rover successfully involves overcoming various challenges, such as effectively managing current density dissipation, cooling components, and time. The OzU rover design conquered all odds by utilizing Cadence tools innovatively.

Current Density Dissipation and Cooling

Overheating in high-performance systems like rovers can result in catastrophic failures. The team faced a significant challenge in managing current density dissipation and cooling components and modules. By utilizing Cadence’s Celsius Thermal Solver, the team enhanced the cooling of their PCB designs, pinpointing heat-concentrated areas for effective thermal management. This tool enabled the OzU rover team to develop thermal solutions at a schematic level, saving time and resources.

Production Capabilities

The design needed to align with Turkey's PCB manufacturing capabilities. The team guaranteed their designs met local manufacturing requirements by leveraging Cadence Allegro's PCB Design's Design Rule Check (DRC) Manager. This was essential for ensuring the practicality and manufacturability of their groundbreaking designs.

Schematic-Level Prototyping

Facing the relentless tick of the clock, the team was in a position where every second counted, and there was absolutely no room for error. Choosing to leverage the power of Cadence's PSPICE simulator was not just a decision—it was a strategic move that set them on a course toward unbridled success. This innovative platform became their secret weapon, allowing for meticulous schematic-level prototyping that dramatically slashed the risks of post-manufacture disappointments. The true value of PSPICE shone brightest during the intricate development of their groundbreaking science board, Libidines V2. Ensuring that the components fit perfectly while guaranteeing flawless performance and reliability was essential.

Current Chokepoints and Voltage Differences

Power integrity is an essential aspect of rover design. The team utilized Cadence Sigrity PowerDC to identify and address current chokepoints and voltage differences on the ground plane. This tool played a crucial role in alleviating current bottlenecks and safeguarding stable voltage distribution across the board, significantly enhanced the overall reliability of their systems. Sigrity PowerDC effectively analyzed and resolved current chokepoints and voltage differences, thus improving the reliability and efficiency of the PCB design.

Innovating the Future of Space Robotics: The Journey of the OzU Rover Team

The OzU Rover Team, composed of passionate undergraduate students, has been leading space robotics innovation since its establishment in November 2014. By focusing on autonomous operation and resilient designs for extreme conditions, the team plays a crucial role in advancing Mars exploration and making significant progress in the space sector. Each development cycle enhances student specialization and encourages multidisciplinary teamwork, preparing the next generation of engineers for the challenges of space exploration. Their dedication to developing pioneering concepts for future Mars rovers is demonstrated through participation in prestigious international competitions, where they showcase their advanced designs and exchange ideas with industry peers and experts.

This mission serves a dual purpose: providing young engineers with essential skills for space robotics careers and gaining insights through contest participation.

Conclusion

The incredible journey of the OzU Rover Team exemplifies the potential of collaboration between academia and industry. With Cadence's advanced tools, the team has surmounted significant design obstacles and continues to drive innovation in space robotics. Their efforts prepare them for future careers and serve as a wellspring of inspiration for the next generation of Mars rover designs. Explore the Cadence academic network to discover how it provides universities and innovators with Intelligent System Design technology, training, and programs on a global scale.