Rocket Avionics STM32H743ZIT6

SPIN Avionics Flight Computer – STM32H743 Aerospace Flight Computer

The SPIN Avionics Flight Computer is a custom-designed, 4-layer aerospace avionics PCB developed by Chris Tzikeras as part of the SPIN Space Innovation project.

The board is built around the STMicroelectronics STM32H743ZIT6 high-performance ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller and is designed as a compact, highly integrated electronics platform for experimental rocketry, aerospace applications, embedded systems development, sensor integration and onboard data handling.

The objective of the project is to integrate the major avionics functions required by an experimental flight computer into a single purpose-built PCB, providing a compact and reliable platform for development, testing and future aerospace applications.

MAIN HARDWARE FEATURES:

• STM32H743ZIT6 ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller

• BMI088 high-performance IMU

• BMP388 precision barometric pressure sensor

• W25Q64-series SPI NOR Flash memory

• microSD card storage

• GPS interface

• 4 × MOSFET-based power channels

• Dedicated power-management circuitry

• USB Type-C connector

• SWD programming and debugging interface

• Hardware RESET button

• Status LED

• Buzzer

• 5 V system power input

• Compact 4-layer PCB construction

PROCESSING:

The core of the flight computer is the STM32H743ZIT6, providing the processing capability required for real-time embedded aerospace applications.

The high-performance ARM Cortex-M7 microcontroller provides the computational resources required for sensor acquisition, onboard data processing, system monitoring, data storage and other flight-computer functions.

A dedicated SWD interface is included for firmware programming, debugging and hardware development.

SENSORS:

The board integrates dedicated inertial and environmental sensing hardware.

The BMI088 provides high-performance accelerometer and gyroscope measurements, while the BMP388 provides high-resolution barometric pressure measurements.

Integrating these sensors directly onto the main PCB creates a compact and self-contained avionics sensing platform.

DATA STORAGE:

The flight computer provides two onboard storage solutions:

• W25Q64-series SPI NOR Flash for non-volatile onboard data storage

• microSD card interface for higher-capacity and removable storage

This combination provides flexibility for development, testing and flight-data logging.

POWER & SWITCHING:

The flight computer includes dedicated power-management and switching circuitry.

Four MOSFET-based power channels are integrated directly into the PCB, providing controlled power switching for external avionics loads and subsystems.

The system is designed around a 5 V power input, with onboard power-management circuitry providing the required supply rails for the different electronics.

A USB Type-C connector is also included for convenient access to board power and development functionality.

DEVELOPMENT & DEBUGGING:

The PCB has been designed with hardware development, testing and validation in mind.

Development features include:

• SWD programming and debugging

• USB Type-C connectivity

• Hardware RESET button

• Status LED

• Buzzer

• Accessible development and test interfaces

These features allow the board to be conveniently tested and debugged throughout the development process.

PCB DESIGN:

The flight computer is implemented as a compact 4-layer custom PCB.

The design focuses on efficient component integration, practical development accessibility, power distribution, sensor placement and reliable operation of the embedded electronics.

The result is a highly integrated avionics platform that combines processing, sensing, storage and power-control capabilities on a single PCB.

APPLICATIONS:

The SPIN Avionics Flight Computer is designed for applications such as:

• Experimental rocketry

• Aerospace electronics

• Flight computers

• Embedded systems

• Sensor data acquisition

• Flight-data logging

• Student aerospace projects

• Custom avionics development

• Research and prototyping

PROJECT STATUS:

The project is currently under active development and is being continuously improved through hardware testing, PCB revisions and manufacturing verification.

The current PCB revision represents a step toward a more integrated and capable avionics platform for future experimental aerospace applications.

PROJECT & COLLABORATION:

Project: SPIN Avionics Flight Computer

Developer: Chris Tzikeras

Organization: SPIN – Space Innovation

MCU: STM32H743ZIT6

PCB: 4-layer custom PCB

System Voltage: 5 V

Application: Aerospace / Experimental Rocketry / Avionics

OPEN SOURCE PROJECT:

The project repository, including selected hardware files and project documentation, is available on GitHub:

https://github.com/tzikerasfa-debug/spin-avionics-flight-computer

The repository provides additional information about the project and its development.

CONTACT:

For technical discussion, collaboration, questions or potential aerospace and embedded-systems collaboration:

Chris Tzikeras

Email: tzikerasfa@gmail.com

GitHub: https://github.com/tzikerasfa-debug

I am always interested in connecting with other students, engineers, makers, aerospace enthusiasts and creators working on embedded systems, avionics, rocketry and PCB development.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Special thanks to PCBWay for supporting the development and manufacturing of this project.

Their PCB manufacturing and prototyping support helped transform the digital flight-computer design into a professionally manufactured aerospace electronics platform.

We are very grateful to the PCBWay team for supporting student engineering and aerospace development.

PUBLIC PROJECT SCOPE:

To keep the project suitable for public collaboration while protecting mission-specific implementation details, this description focuses on the hardware architecture and major components.

Internal communication architecture, firmware implementation, control logic, mission-specific operating procedures and other implementation details are intentionally not described in this public project page.