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 TeleFireOne pyro
56 boards, or one channel each on TeleFireEight boards. TeleLCOTwo is ideal
57 for individuals or clubs that have an existing launch control system but
58 want to use TeleLaunch for an "away" launch cell.
60 TeleLCOTwo is configured in advance by USB to know which two pyro channels
61 it should interact with, and then a simple rocker switch selects between
64 TeleLCOTwo comes packaged in a weather-sealed polycarbonate box with
65 switches on one face, and BNC antenna connector and USB connectors
66 through the box walls. It can be placed on a table, but is typically
67 hand-held during operation.
69 The TeleLCOTwo hardware design is available from
70 [git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
71 [hw/telelcotwo](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telelcotwo;a=summary).
75 Each pyro board in the TeleLaunch system uses FET technology for lowest
76 possible resistance paths, allowing maximum current to be reliably
77 delivered from the power source to the igniter leads. TeleFire boards can
78 be powered by any 10-15V supply. This would typically be a 12V lead acid
79 battery, but 3-cell lithium polymer packs used in RC aircraft are also
84 * Continuity Detection. Igniter continuity uses a low-current sensing
85 system which sends only 100µA through the igniter to prevent false
88 * Super-bright LEDs for continuity, arming and RF quality indicators.
90 * Strobe and Siren. TeleFireFour has two 12V medium current (5A) outputs
91 to drive a siren and strobe light when the launch system is armed
94 * Local arming switch. When in the safe position, power is completely
95 disconnected from the igniter circuits to prevent any possibility
96 of the LCO accidentally engaging firing circuits during rocket
97 preparations at the pad.
99 * Each board is designed to fit in a standard Hammond weather-sealed
100 polycarbonate enclosure with weather-sealed rocker switches for
101 power and arming plus cable glands for DC input cable and igniter
102 output cables. Alternatively, boards can be configured to mount
103 in the user's choice of enclosure, such as a metal ammo box or
104 larger NEMA enclosure with space for the user's choice of
109 <img src="protos/telefireone.jpg">
111 TeleFireOne is a pyro board supporting a single igniter circuit. This
112 makes TeleFireOne ideal for individuals, launch trailers, or for "away
113 cells" at larger club launches.
115 All high-current connections are made on the board using standard
116 1/4-inch spade lugs, with screw terminals for the siren and strobe. This
117 allows for easy packaging and quick board swaps.
119 The photo above is of an early prototype, the design has changed slightly
120 since then. It is still possible to package the board as shown in a Hammond
121 polycarbonate box, but metal ammo boxes are a credible alternative. The two
122 switches are for power on/off and safe/arm. The two cables are for DC power
123 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 An alternate load of the TeleFireOne including support for data logging
130 sensors from a rocket motor test stand is available as a separate
131 [TeleStatic](../TeleStatic) product. A TeleStatic board can be used as the
132 equivalent of a TeleFireOne when not in use with a test stand.
134 ### TeleFireEight ###
136 <img src="protos/telefireeight.jpg">
138 TeleFireEight has eight igniter circuits, making it ideal for use at
139 club launches. Larger clubs or launch site setups can use multiple
140 boards to organize the site into multiple banks with up to 8 rockets
143 All connections are made on the board using 1/4-in spade lugs for
144 eash packaging and quick board swaps.
146 The above photo shows the unpopulated circuit board for the first version
147 of this design, it will be replaced with a photo of a packaged version when
148 we have a prototype completed. In the meantime, see the photo of a packaged
149 [TeleStatic](../TeleStatic) board for a rough idea of what we're planning,
150 except that there will be 4 AC outlets with flip-lid covers on each long
151 face of the ammo box with per-pad LED continuity indicators in the top cover.
153 The TeleFireEight hardware design is available from
154 [git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
155 [hw/telefireeight](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telefireeight;a=summary).
159 There's a cheat-sheat inside the lid of TeleLCO that has proven to be
160 completely sufficient for our prototype users to figure out and use the
161 system, but we do plan to eventually write a real manual.
165 TeleLaunch firmware is part of the larger [AltOS](/AltOS) suite of
166 software. For now, configuration of frequencies, callsigns, and crypto
167 keys requires a laptop with terminal emulator and a USB cable, but we plan
168 to produce an easier to use configuration program eventually.
172 TeleLCO and TeleFireEight are now in production. TeleLCO is available now,
173 and TeleFireEight is anticipated to be ready to ship in February 2019.
175 Prototypes of the other products in this family have been built, deployed,
176 and used successfully. Updates to the designs are underway and we hope to
177 have additional products available in 2019.
181 TeleLaunch hardware is licensed under the [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org)
182 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html)
184 TeleLaunch software is licensed
185 [GPL version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html)