1 ![Altus Metrum Logo](logo.png)
3 <link href="https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569/" rel="publisher" />
5 Open hardware and software designs
6 for high powered model rocketry by
7 [Bdale Garbee](http://gag.com/bdale) and
8 [Keith Packard](http://keithp.com/keithp).
10 Bdale and Keith share a strong commitment to
11 [Free Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software), and as long time
12 contributors to the [Debian](https://www.debian.org/) project are fully
14 [Debian Social Contract](https://www.debian.org/social_contract). In the
15 context of what you find here, this translates into an absolute commitment
16 to respect user freedom:
18 <li> all of our hardware designs are licensed under the
19 [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/)
20 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html)
22 <li> all of our software is under the [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/)
23 [General Public License](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/#GPL) or
26 <li> all of our design tools and the software we use to run our business
31 Bdale's online store has a form you can use to
32 [contact us](http://shop.gag.com/contacts/).
34 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
36 # [Latest News](News) #
38 # Where to Buy the Hardware #
40 Altus Metrum products are available directly from
41 [Bdale's web store](https://shop.gag.com), and from these distributors:
44 * [AMWPro-X](http://amwprox.com)
45 * [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com)
46 * [Bay Area Rocketry](http://bayarearocketry.com)
47 * [Chris' Rocket Supplies](http://csrocketry.com)
48 * [Science Education Center](http://sciedcenter.com/)
50 * [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com)
52 * [SierraFoxHobbies](http://www.sierrafoxhobbies.com)
54 * [Alex Heffer](https://www.facebook.com/Altus-Metrum-Users-New-Zealand-2372296146391391/)
56 For ChaosKey, there is a distributor in Europe:
58 * [Vikings GmbH](https://store.vikings.net)
62 These products are available for purchase:
64 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
65 is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with
66 GPS and bidirectional RF telemetry link.
68 * [TeleMega](TeleMega/)
69 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, more and
70 better sensors, GPS, and a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link.
72 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
73 is a smaller dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
74 barometric pressure sensor
76 * [EasyMega](EasyMega/)
77 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, etc. The
78 design is essentially identical to [TeleMega](TeleMega/), but without the
79 GPS receiver and radio telemetry link.
81 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
82 is a small dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using the MS5607 barometry
85 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
86 is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets
87 using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF
88 interface for other microcontroller systems. Note that we don't actually
89 sell TeleDongle by itself, it is included in our
90 [Starter Pack](http://shop.gag.com/ground-stations/starter-pack.html) offering.
92 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
93 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. Particularly
94 useful with the [AltosDroid](http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltosDroid/) app for
95 Android devices, or a compatible iOS application available for sale from
96 our friends at [Iron Sheep Productions](http://altosui.ironsheep.biz/).
99 is a GPS tracker and logger using the uBlox Max 7Q GPS receiver for
100 high dynamic performance and a combination digital/APRS transmitter.
102 * [TeleLaunch](TeleLaunch/)
103 is a wireless launch control system capable of operating up to 792 pads.
105 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
106 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
107 Altus Metrum products.
109 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
110 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
111 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
113 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
114 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
115 download flight log data.
117 * [ChaosKey](ChaosKey/)
118 is a true hardware random number generator that connects over USB.
122 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
125 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
126 the set of hardware projects here.
128 * [AltosDroid](AltosDroid/)
129 is the name of our Android app based on AltOS.
131 * [EasyMotor](EasyMotor/)
132 is an in-flight data logger for research motor characterization.
134 * [EasyTimer](EasyTimer/)
135 is a timer-based 2-channel pyro controller with tilt limits
137 * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/)
138 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
139 prototype was built, but never flown.
141 * [TeleStatic](TeleStatic/)
142 is a wireless system for operating rocket motor test stands.
144 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
145 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
148 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
149 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
151 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
152 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
153 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
155 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
157 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
158 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
160 # [Documents](Documents) #
161 # [Awards and Recognition](awards) #
165 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
166 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
167 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
168 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
169 has published an excellent
170 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
171 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
172 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
173 fly high power rockets. And thanks to Maddie for pointing out the paghes that
174 [Lisa Richards](http://www.mapcon.com/model-rocket-maintenance-technology) maintains.
176 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
177 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
179 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
180 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
181 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
182 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
183 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
184 Keith and other friends!
186 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
188 # [Presentations](talks) #
192 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
193 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
194 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
195 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
197 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
198 free to subscribe to our
199 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
200 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
201 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
202 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
204 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
206 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
207 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
209 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
210 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) and buy a
215 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
216 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
217 United States of America.
221 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
222 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
223 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
224 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).