Magnetorquer-Calc

Calculates torque-maximizing properties of a PCB magnetorquer given specific constraints. Outputs a KiCad text file with the optimized magnetorquer.

Usage

1. Install scipy with pip3 install scipy

2. Modify the magnetorquer constraints in config.ini

3. Run main.py and read the output.

4. Copy the output in KiCad_spiral.txt just before the final closing parantheses of your *.kicad_pcb file

5. Add through-vias connecting the different spiral layers in KiCad.

6. The simplest way to control your magnetorquer with a microcontroller is to add a DRV8212DRLR to the circuit board.

Additional Files

The only scripts invoked for the above operations are main.py, output_KiCad_square_spiral.py and helper_conversions.py.

The other scripts are simply part of my research to find the optimal magnetorquer design through experimentaiton.

You can learn more about my reserach process by running the study_*.py files. They require the following additional dependencies: matplotlib, numpy. Run pip3 install matplotlib numpy

Real World Applications

I maded a related video that briefly introduces how I created a real PCB magnetorquer prototype for Husky Satellite Lab at UW.