TeleLaunch is secure radio-controlled rocket launch system capable of
operating up to 792 pads from a single controler. A typical TeleLaunch
-system consists of one LCO board and one or more pyro boards.
+system consists of one LCO unit and one or more pyro units.
TeleLaunch uses a two-way digital radio communications system for
positive indication of all operations. The communications link is
All boards in the TeleLaunch system are easily configured using USB for
parameters like operating frequency, callsign, cryptographic key, and
-in the case of pyro boards the designated bank number.
+in the case of pyro units the designated bank number.
-## Launch Control Boards ##
+## Launch Control Products ##
-All launch control boards in the TeleLaunch system are designed to use
+All launch control units in the TeleLaunch system are designed to use
a lithium polymer battery that can be recharged over USB. They support
distinct arm and fire switches, continuous indication of igniter
continuity, and have super-bright LED indicators for remote arming,
### TeleLCO ###
-<a href="telelco-v2.0/telelco-v2.0-optn.jpg"> <img src="telelco-v2.0/telelco-v2.0-open_800.jpg"></a>
+<a href="telelco-v2.0/telelco-v2.0-open.jpg"> <img src="telelco-v2.0/telelco-v2.0-open_small.jpg"></a>
TeleLCO controls up to 100 TeleFire banks, comes packaged in a rugged
case, and is typically placed on a table for use by the designated LCO.
* Packaged in [Pelican 1170 orange box](https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/protector/1170)
-Note that while the photo of the prototype above gives a good feel for many
-of the system features, production units will have several changes. We're
-moving to a bright orange Pelican box, instead of separate knobs for bank
-select and pad select there will be one knob with in-built push button, there
-will be 8 continuity LEDs instead of 4, and the choice and placement of
-switches is changing.
-
-In production versions, drag races are supported with a separate normal/drag
-mode selection switch, drag mode LED, and select pushbutton. Channels that
-are included in the current drag race selection have blinking continuity
-indicators.
+Drag races are supported with a separate normal/drag mode selection switch,
+drag mode LED, and select pushbutton. Channels that are included in the
+current drag race selection have blinking continuity indicators.
The TeleLCO hardware design is available from
[git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
<img src="protos/telelcotwo.jpg">
-A small LCO board capable of handling up to two TeleFireOne pyro
-boards, or one channel each on TeleFireEight boards. TeleLCOTwo is ideal
-for individuals or clubs that have an existing launch control system but
-want to use TeleLaunch for an "away" launch cell.
+A small LCO unit capable of handling up to two pyro channels. TeleLCOTwo
+is ideal for individuals, or clubs that have an existing launch control
+system but want to use TeleLaunch for an "away" launch cell.
TeleLCOTwo is configured in advance by USB to know which two pyro channels
it should interact with, and then a simple rocker switch selects between
larger NEMA enclosure with space for the user's choice of
external connectors.
-### TeleFireOne ###
+### TeleFireTwo ###
<img src="protos/telefireone.jpg">
-TeleFireOne is a pyro board supporting a single igniter circuit. This
-makes TeleFireOne ideal for individuals, launch trailers, or for "away
+TeleFireTwo is a pyro board supporting two igniter circuits. This
+makes TeleFireTwo ideal for individuals, launch trailers, or for "away
cells" at larger club launches.
All high-current connections are made on the board using standard
1/4-inch spade lugs, with screw terminals for the siren and strobe. This
allows for easy packaging and quick board swaps.
-The photo above is of an early prototype, the design has changed slightly
-since then. It is still possible to package the board as shown in a Hammond
-polycarbonate box, but metal ammo boxes are a credible alternative. The two
-switches are for power on/off and safe/arm. The two cables are for DC power
-in and igniter leads out.
+The photo above is of an early single-channel prototype, the design has
+changed significantly since then and we'll take new photos soon. It is
+still possible to package the board as shown in a Hammond polycarbonate
+box, but the plan is for all production units to be sold packaged in
+50-cal ammo boxes. The two switches are for power on/off and safe/arm. The
+two cables are for DC power in and igniter leads out.
The TeleFireOne hardware design is available from
[git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
-[hw/telefireone](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telefireone;a=summary).
-
-An alternate load of the TeleFireOne including support for data logging
-sensors from a rocket motor test stand is available as a separate
-[TeleStatic](../TeleStatic) product. A TeleStatic board can be used as the
-equivalent of a TeleFireOne when not in use with a test stand.
+[hw/telefiretwo](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telefiretwo;a=summary).
### TeleFireEight ###
-<img src="protos/telefireeight.jpg">
+<a href="telefireeight-v2/tf8-packaged.jpg"> <img src="telefireeight-v2/tf8-packaged_small.jpg"></a>
TeleFireEight has eight igniter circuits, making it ideal for use at
club launches. Larger clubs or launch site setups can use multiple
boards to organize the site into multiple banks with up to 8 rockets
each.
-All connections are made on the board using 1/4-in spade lugs for
-eash packaging and quick board swaps.
+For ease of use and quick reconfiguration, a simple DIP switch on the board
+inside the ammo box is used to select any of the first 8 banks, which is more
+than sufficient for most club needs. If all switches are off, the bank
+number up to 99 configured over USB will be used instead.
-The above photo shows the unpopulated circuit board for the first version
-of this design, it will be replaced with a photo of a packaged version when
-we have a prototype completed. In the meantime, see the photo of a packaged
-[TeleStatic](../TeleStatic) board for a rough idea of what we're planning,
-except that there will be 4 AC outlets with flip-lid covers on each long
-face of the ammo box with per-pad LED continuity indicators in the top cover.
+The above photo shows a fully packaged early production version, with integral
+12 Ah sealed lead acid battery. There are another four pyro outlets on the
+other side of the box, making the design ideal for placing in the middle of
+an 8-rail bank.
The TeleFireEight hardware design is available from
[git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
## Documentation ##
-Not written yet.
+There's a cheat-sheat inside the lid of TeleLCO that has proven to be
+completely sufficient for our prototype users to figure out and use the
+system, but we do plan to eventually write a real manual.
## Software ##
TeleLaunch firmware is part of the larger [AltOS](/AltOS) suite of
-software.
+software. For now, configuration of frequencies, callsigns, and crypto
+keys requires a laptop with terminal emulator and a USB cable, but we plan
+to produce an easier to use configuration program eventually.
## Availability ##
-Several prototype systems have been built and successfully
-deployed. Lessons learned from use of those systems are currently
-being incorporated into new board revisions, and general availability
-of the system for sale is expected in the first half of 2018. Watch
-this space for updates on price and availability.
+TeleLCO and TeleFireEight are now in production. TeleLCO is available now,
+and TeleFireEight is anticipated to be ready to ship in February 2019.
+
+Prototypes of the other products in this family have been built, deployed,
+and used successfully. Updates to the designs are underway and we hope to
+have additional products available in 2019.
## Licenses ##
projects / web / altusmetrum / blobdiff