In order to properly test the integration of all of the components in our payload, we built the entire circuit on a breadboard. We used the Arduino as the main power hub, connecting its Vin directly to a battery and using its 5 V and 3.3 V outputs to power separate channels on the breadboard that we could then connect to other devices. We also setup a ground channel that was connected to the arduino and all other devices to produce a common ground. The radio was powered directly from the battery, in parallel with the Arduino. This was because the radio required a higher voltage than the rest of the components.
One problem that we encountered was when we tried running the Inventek GPS and the data logger off of the 3.3 V channel, the data logger would not initialize. It was determined that this was due to a lack of current since the 3.3 V channel was already being divided out to many other devices. To remedy this, we connected the Inventek to the 5 V channel since it can run off of either 3.3 V or 5 V. This allowed for enough current to reach both the data logger and the Inventek.
One problem that we encountered was when we tried running the Inventek GPS and the data logger off of the 3.3 V channel, the data logger would not initialize. It was determined that this was due to a lack of current since the 3.3 V channel was already being divided out to many other devices. To remedy this, we connected the Inventek to the 5 V channel since it can run off of either 3.3 V or 5 V. This allowed for enough current to reach both the data logger and the Inventek.