Primary Payload: Nanosecond Timers

Experiment Lead: Savva Morozov

Contact Information: savva@rice.edu

Why?

This experiment is the proof of concept for the nanosecond precision timers that I have designed. One can purchase many modules to his/her Arduino: GPS, AMU, and other sensors, but highly precise timers are not one of them. My timer is such device. My target audience are students and non-engineering faculty, for whom developing such module would require unnecessary time investment. For more information on the motivation behind the experiment, please see this page.

2 of these timers were sent as a part of the PRISMSpace-1 payload. I developed, manufactured and tested a circuitboard with 4 redundant independent timers.

What is it?

A timer module for your Arduino. This timer is the best thing you can get on the market that satisfies the following criteria:

• Precision - (close to) able to measure time dilation. Currently being investigated by new research students at PRISMS.
• Low Power Consumption - NASA has strict regulations in this regard.
• Robust - survived rocket launch,
• Small - we don’t have much *space* inside the CubeSat.
• Inexpensive - 35$, compare that to $100s for atomic
• Easy to use - plug & play. Made for lab usage.