1 [[!meta title="TeleLaunch"]]
3 # TeleLaunch — Multi-channel Wireless Launch Controller System #
5 TeleLaunch is secure radio-controlled rocket launch system capable of
6 operating up to 792 pads from a single controler. A typical TeleLaunch
7 system consists of one LCO board and one or more pyro boards.
9 TeleLaunch uses a two-way digital radio communications system for
10 positive indication of all operations. The communications link is
11 secured with AES CBC-MAC to prevent accidental or intentional
12 operation from unauthorized transmitters.
14 TeleLaunch operates in the 70cm amateur band at low power using
15 Altus Metrum's proven modulation and coding schem to avoid interference
16 with any rocketry electronics or other communication devices.
18 All boards in the TeleLaunch system are easily configured using USB for
19 parameters like operating frequency, callsign, cryptographic key, and
20 in the case of pyro boards the designated bank number.
22 ## Launch Control Boards ##
24 All launch control boards in the TeleLaunch system are designed to use
25 a lithium polymer battery that can be recharged over USB. They support
26 distinct arm and fire switches, continuous indication of igniter
27 continuity, and have super-bright LED indicators for remote arming,
28 continuity, and RF link quality plus an audible indication of arming.
32 <a href="telelco-v2.0/telelco-v2.0-open.jpg"> <img src="telelco-v2.0/telelco-v2.0-open_small.jpg"></a>
34 TeleLCO controls up to 100 TeleFire banks, comes packaged in a rugged
35 case, and is typically placed on a table for use by the designated LCO.
37 * Large 1.36 inch LCD display for selected bank and pad
39 * Rotary knob for pad selection
41 * Packaged in [Pelican 1170 orange box](https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/protector/1170)
43 Drag races are supported with a separate normal/drag mode selection switch,
44 drag mode LED, and select pushbutton. Channels that are included in the
45 current drag race selection have blinking continuity indicators.
47 The TeleLCO hardware design is available from
48 [git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
49 [hw/telelco](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telelco;a=summary).
53 <img src="protos/telelcotwo.jpg">
55 A small LCO board capable of handling up to two pyro channels. TeleLCOTwo
56 is ideal for individuals or clubs that have an existing launch control
57 system but want to use TeleLaunch for an "away" launch cell.
59 TeleLCOTwo is configured in advance by USB to know which two pyro channels
60 it should interact with, and then a simple rocker switch selects between
63 TeleLCOTwo comes packaged in a weather-sealed polycarbonate box with
64 switches on one face, and BNC antenna connector and USB connectors
65 through the box walls. It can be placed on a table, but is typically
66 hand-held during operation.
68 The TeleLCOTwo hardware design is available from
69 [git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
70 [hw/telelcotwo](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telelcotwo;a=summary).
74 Each pyro board in the TeleLaunch system uses FET technology for lowest
75 possible resistance paths, allowing maximum current to be reliably
76 delivered from the power source to the igniter leads. TeleFire boards can
77 be powered by any 10-15V supply. This would typically be a 12V lead acid
78 battery, but 3-cell lithium polymer packs used in RC aircraft are also
83 * Continuity Detection. Igniter continuity uses a low-current sensing
84 system which sends only 100µA through the igniter to prevent false
87 * Super-bright LEDs for continuity, arming and RF quality indicators.
89 * Strobe and Siren. TeleFireFour has two 12V medium current (5A) outputs
90 to drive a siren and strobe light when the launch system is armed
93 * Local arming switch. When in the safe position, power is completely
94 disconnected from the igniter circuits to prevent any possibility
95 of the LCO accidentally engaging firing circuits during rocket
96 preparations at the pad.
98 * Each board is designed to fit in a standard Hammond weather-sealed
99 polycarbonate enclosure with weather-sealed rocker switches for
100 power and arming plus cable glands for DC input cable and igniter
101 output cables. Alternatively, boards can be configured to mount
102 in the user's choice of enclosure, such as a metal ammo box or
103 larger NEMA enclosure with space for the user's choice of
108 <img src="protos/telefireone.jpg">
110 TeleFireTwo is a pyro board supporting two igniter circuits. This
111 makes TeleFireTwo ideal for individuals, launch trailers, or for "away
112 cells" at larger club launches.
114 All high-current connections are made on the board using standard
115 1/4-inch spade lugs, with screw terminals for the siren and strobe. This
116 allows for easy packaging and quick board swaps.
118 The photo above is of an early single-channel prototype, the design has
119 changed significantly since then and we'll take new photos soon. It is
120 still possible to package the board as shown in a Hammond polycarbonate
121 box, but the plan is for all production units to be sold packaged in
122 50-cal ammo boxes. The two switches are for power on/off and safe/arm. The
123 two cables are for DC power in and igniter leads out.
125 The TeleFireOne hardware design is available from
126 [git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
127 [hw/telefireone](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telefireone;a=summary).
129 ### TeleFireEight ###
131 <a href="telefireeight-v2/tf8-packaged.jpg"> <img src="telefireeight-v2/tf8-packaged_small.jpg"></a>
133 TeleFireEight has eight igniter circuits, making it ideal for use at
134 club launches. Larger clubs or launch site setups can use multiple
135 boards to organize the site into multiple banks with up to 8 rockets
138 All connections are made on the board using 1/4-in spade lugs for
139 eash packaging and quick board swaps.
141 The above photo shows the unpopulated circuit board for the first version
142 of this design, it will be replaced with a photo of a packaged version when
143 we have a prototype completed. In the meantime, see the photo of a packaged
144 [TeleStatic](../TeleStatic) board for a rough idea of what we're planning,
145 except that there will be 4 AC outlets with flip-lid covers on each long
146 face of the ammo box with per-pad LED continuity indicators in the top cover.
148 The TeleFireEight hardware design is available from
149 [git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
150 [hw/telefireeight](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telefireeight;a=summary).
154 There's a cheat-sheat inside the lid of TeleLCO that has proven to be
155 completely sufficient for our prototype users to figure out and use the
156 system, but we do plan to eventually write a real manual.
160 TeleLaunch firmware is part of the larger [AltOS](/AltOS) suite of
161 software. For now, configuration of frequencies, callsigns, and crypto
162 keys requires a laptop with terminal emulator and a USB cable, but we plan
163 to produce an easier to use configuration program eventually.
167 TeleLCO and TeleFireEight are now in production. TeleLCO is available now,
168 and TeleFireEight is anticipated to be ready to ship in February 2019.
170 Prototypes of the other products in this family have been built, deployed,
171 and used successfully. Updates to the designs are underway and we hope to
172 have additional products available in 2019.
176 TeleLaunch hardware is licensed under the [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org)
177 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html)
179 TeleLaunch software is licensed
180 [GPL version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html)