Electrical

Here in the Electrical team, we do everything from high-level design and PCB manufacturing to testing and integration. We put in the hours to ensure the safety of the rover and everyone around it. And in a high stakes competition environment, when the rover loses its heartbeat, Electrical is ready - multimeters in hand - to bring it back to life.

Applications open every Fall.

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The systems we build

Distribution boards with XT30 connectors.

Power Distribution

Provides electrical power to all the rover's loads.

The power distribution system takes the battery's input voltage and regulates it into our desired output voltages. The main loads we drive are the motors, the robotic arm and the science module. These all have specific power needs that our power distribution system is there to support.

Due to the nature of our competitions, we prioritise efficiency when interchanging the many loads our rover hosts. Our system makes this possible with its durable XT30 connectors and fuse holders. This way, we simply need to plug in and fuse the required power lines for a specific task - it is a flexible and intuitive design.

Our power distribution boards are built to withstand 90 A of continuous current. It can supply power on four different voltage rails, totalling 22 individual channels. All of this operates under 1000 W+ loads in high heat conditions to keep the rover's heart beating.

Tech Specs

Input voltage: 19–21 V
Output rails: 5 V, 12 V, 18 V, 24 V
Channels: 22
Continuous current: 90 A
Load: 1000 W+
Per-output connector: XT30 with fuse holder

Photo slot

ELECTRICAL-02

Lighting System on the UBC Rover.

Lighting System

Allows visibility during night tasks.

We use four separate high efficiency LED lights in our system. This allows better peripheral views, leading to a smoother and safer ride.

Competition night tasks require a lighting system that can be controlled remotely from the operations base. We have on/off as well as dimming controls, as some competition tasks have specific no-light zones. Our system allows for this flexibility, thanks to software integration.

The lighting system's water-resistant protection and brightness controls allow us to see in clear skies and rainstorms alike. We not only perform in turbulent weather, but we also perform in style thanks to the colour changing feature that allows our lights to range any HEX value.

Tech Specs

Supply rail: 18 V
LEDs: 4
Driver: Constant current
Colour range: Any HEX value
Additional: Floodlight on the PTZ camera

Motor Drivers

Powers the drivetrain motors.

The motor drivers receive software communications and send commands and power to the motors. They also deal with feedback, allowing the control base to access position, velocity and acceleration data to better understand the unique Mars-like terrains.

As the wheels and top plate of the chassis frequently need to be removed, we decided to use aviator connectors to attach the drivers to the motors. These are durable and easy to use, so assembly can happen in a timely manner - which is extremely important in a competition environment. Wiring therefore plays an important and often overlooked role in the drivetrain system's success.

The motor drivers can provide over 1000 W of power to our drivetrain. This allows masterful maneuvering of rocky terrain, loose gravel and steep cliffs. This is all operating with 50 kg of mass from the battery, chassis and arm.

Tech Specs

Drivers: Phidget VINT, one isolated per motor
Motors driven: 6
Voltage: 24 V
Current rating: 20 A
Drivetrain power: Over 1000 W