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)
49 * [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com)
51 * [SierraFoxHobbies](http://www.sierrafoxhobbies.com)
53 * [Aerospace Education](http://www.rockets.co.nz)
55 For ChaosKey, there is a distributor in Europe:
57 * [Vikings GmbH](https://store.vikings.net)
61 These products are available for purchase:
63 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
64 is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with
65 GPS and bidirectional RF telemetry link.
67 * [TeleMega](TeleMega/)
68 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, more and
69 better sensors, GPS, and a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link.
71 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
72 is a smaller dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
73 barometric pressure sensor
75 * [EasyMega](EasyMega/)
76 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, etc. The
77 design is essentially identical to [TeleMega](TeleMega/), but without the
78 GPS receiver and radio telemetry link.
80 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
81 is a small dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using the MS5607 barometry
84 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
85 is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets
86 using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF
87 interface for other microcontroller systems. Note that we don't actually
88 sell TeleDongle by itself, it is included in our
89 [Starter Pack](http://shop.gag.com/ground-stations/starter-pack.html) offering.
91 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
92 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. Particularly
93 useful with the [AltosDroid](http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltosDroid/) app for
94 Android devices, or a compatible iOS application available for sale from
95 our friends at [Iron Sheep Productions](http://altosui.ironsheep.biz/).
98 is a GPS tracker and logger using the uBlox Max 7Q GPS receiver for
99 high dynamic performance and a combination digital/APRS transmitter.
101 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
102 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
103 Altus Metrum products.
105 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
106 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
107 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
109 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
110 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
111 download flight log data.
113 * [ChaosKey](ChaosKey/)
114 is a true hardware random number generator that connects over USB.
118 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
121 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
122 the set of hardware projects here.
124 * [AltosDroid](AltosDroid/)
125 is the name of our Android app based on AltOS.
127 * [EasyMotor](EasyMotor/)
128 is an in-flight data logger for research motor characterization.
130 * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/)
131 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
132 prototype was built, but never flown.
134 * [TeleLaunch](TeleLaunch/)
135 is a wireless launch control system capable of operating up to 792 pads.
137 * [TeleStatic](TeleStatic/)
138 is a wireless system for operating rocket motor test stands.
140 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
141 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
144 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
145 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
147 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
148 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
149 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
151 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
153 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
154 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
156 # [Documents](Documents) #
157 # [Awards and Recognition](awards) #
161 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
162 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
163 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
164 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
165 has published an excellent
166 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
167 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
168 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
169 fly high power rockets. And thanks to Maddie for pointing out the paghes that
170 [Lisa Richards](http://www.mapcon.com/model-rocket-maintenance-technology) maintains.
172 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
173 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
175 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
176 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
177 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
178 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
179 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
180 Keith and other friends!
182 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
184 # [Presentations](talks) #
188 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
189 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
190 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
191 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
193 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
194 free to subscribe to our
195 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
196 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
197 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
198 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
200 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
202 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
203 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
205 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
206 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) and buy a
211 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
212 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
213 United States of America.
217 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
218 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
219 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
220 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).