+ === Understanding Beeps
+
+ Altus Metrum flight computers include a beeper to
+ provide information about the state of the system.
+ TeleMini doesn't have room for a beeper, so instead it
+ uses an LED, which works the same, except for every
+ beep is replaced with the flash of the LED.
+
+ Here's a short summary of all of the modes and the beeping (or
+ flashing, in the case of TeleMini v1) that accompanies each
+ mode. In the description of the beeping pattern, “dit” means a
+ short beep while "dah" means a long beep (three times as
+ long). “Brap” means a long dissonant tone.
+
+ .AltOS Modes
+ [options="border",cols="1,1,2,2"]
+ |====
+ |Mode Name
+ |Abbreviation
+ |Beeps
+ |Description
+
+ |Startup
+ |S
+ |battery voltage in decivolts
+ |Calibrating sensors, detecting orientation.
+
+ |Idle
+ |I
+ |dit dit
+ |Ready to accept commands over USB or radio link.
+
+ |Pad
+ |P
+ |dit dah dah dit
+ |Waiting for launch. Not listening for commands.
+
+ |Boost
+ |B
+ |dah dit dit dit
+ |Accelerating upwards.
+
+ |Fast
+ |F
+ |dit dit dah dit
+ |Decelerating, but moving faster than 200m/s.
+
+ |Coast
+ |C
+ |dah dit dah dit
+ |Decelerating, moving slower than 200m/s
+
+ |Drogue
+ |D
+ |dah dit dit
+ |Descending after apogee. Above main height.
+
+ |Main
+ |M
+ |dah dah
+ |Descending. Below main height.
+
+ |Landed
+ |L
+ |dit dah dit dit
+ |Stable altitude for at least ten seconds.
+
+
+ |Sensor error
+ |X
+ |dah dit dit dah
+ |Error detected during sensor calibration.
+ |====
+
+ === Turning On the Power
+
+ Connect a battery and power switch and turn the switch
+ to "on". The flight computer will signal power on by
+ reporting the battery voltage and then perform an internal self
+ test and sensor calibration.
+
+ Once the self test and calibration are complete, there
+ are two modes that an Altus Metrum flight computer can
+ operate in:
+
+ Flight/Pad::
+ The flight computer is waiting to detect
+ launch and then fly the rocket. In this mode, the USB
+ link is disabled, and the radio goes into
+ transmit-only mode. The only way to get out of this
+ mode is to power the flight computer down.
+
+ Idle::
+ The flight computer is ready to communicate over USB
+ and in packet mode over the radio. You can configure
+ the flight computer, download data or display
+ the current state.
+
+ For flight computers with accelerometers (TeleMetrum,
+ EasyMega and TeleMega), the mode is selected by the
+ orientation of the board during the self test
+ interval. If the board is pointing upwards as if ready
+ to fly, it will enter Flight/Pad mode. Otherwise, it will
+ enter Idle mode.
+
+ For EasyMini, if the USB cable is connected to a
+ computer, it will enter Idle mode. Otherwise, it will
+ enter Flight/Pad mode.
+
+ For TeleMini v1.0, if a packet link is waiting to
+ connect when the device is powered on, it will enter
+ Idle mode, otherwise it will enter Flight/Pad mode.
+
+ You can see in <<_understanding_beeps>>
+ how to tell which mode the flight computer is in.
+