# TeleLaunch — Multi-channel Wireless Launch Controller System #
-TeleLaunch is secure radio-controlled rocket launch system capable of
-operating up to 400 pads from a single controler. TeleLaunch consists
-of two pieces, TeleLCO and TeleFire.
+TeleLaunch is a secure radio-controlled rocket launch system capable of
+operating up to 792 pads from a single controler. A typical TeleLaunch
+system consists of one TeleLCO unit and one or more TeleFire units.
-## TeleLCO ##
+TeleLaunch uses a two-way digital radio communications system for
+positive indication of all operations. The communications link is
+secured with AES CBC-MAC to prevent accidental or intentional
+operation from unauthorized transmitters.
+
+TeleLaunch operates in the 70cm amateur band at low power using
+Altus Metrum's proven modulation and coding schem to avoid interference
+with any rocketry electronics or other communication devices.
+
+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 units the designated bank number.
+
+## Launch Control Products ##
+
+All TeleLCO devices 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,
+continuity, and RF link quality plus an audible indication of arming.
-TeleLCO controls up to 100 TeleFire boxes and is powered by a
-rechargable lithium polymer
+### TeleLCO ###
- * USB connection to charge battery.
+<a href="telelco-v2.0/lco-open.png"> <img src="telelco-v2.0/lco-open-small.png"></a>
- * Large 1.36 inch LCD display for selected pad
+TeleLCO controls up to 99 TeleFire banks, comes packaged in a rugged
+case, and is typically placed on a table for use by the designated LCO.
- * Rotary knobs for pad selection
+ * Large 1.36 inch LCD display for selected bank and pad
- * LED indicators for remote arming, continuity and RF quality
+ * Rotary knob for pad selection
- * Arming switch and firing button
+ * Packaged in [Pelican 1170 orange box](https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/protector/1170)
-Circuit diagrams and PCB layouts are provided here:
+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.
-[[!map pages="TeleLaunch/telelco-v0.2/* and ! TeleLaunch/telelco-v0.2/*/*"]]
+The TeleLCO hardware design is available from
+[git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project
+[hw/telelco](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telelco;a=summary).
-## TeleFire ##
+For those who don't have ready access to the Lepton-EDA and pcb-rnd tool suites,
+here are pdf snapshots of the files for PCB version 2.0 in more easily
+readable form:
-TeleFire has four igniter circuits, each of which uses a 70A
-automotive relay to provide a low resistance path, high-current from
-the power source to the igniter leads. TeleFire can be powered by any
-10-15V supply, from 3-cell lithium polymer packs used in RC aircraft
-to a 12V lead acid battery.
+* [schematic](telelco-v2.0/telelco-sch.pdf)
+* [pcb artwork](telelco-v2.0/telelco-pcb.pdf)
+
+## TeleFire Boxes ##
+
+Each TeleFire box in the TeleLaunch system uses FET technology for lowest
+possible resistance paths, allowing maximum current to be reliably
+delivered from the power source to the igniter leads. TeleFire boards can
+be powered by any 10-15V supply, typically a 12V sealed lead acid
+battery.
+
+Each board features:
* Continuity Detection. Igniter continuity uses a low-current sensing
system which sends only 100µA through the igniter to prevent false
- ignition. The circuit also detects a shorted relay.
+ ignition.
- * Local LED continuity, arming and RF quality indicators.
+ * Super-bright LEDs for continuity, arming and RF quality indicators.
- * Strobe and Siren. TeleFire has two 12V medium current (5A) outputs
- to drive a siren and strobe light when the launch system is armed
+ * Strobe and Siren. TeleFire boards have has two 12V medium current (5A)
+ outputs to drive a siren and strobe light when the launch system is armed
and ready to fire.
- * Local arming switch. A positive power switch shutting off the
- igniters and relays prevents the LCO from engaging the firing
- circuit.
+ * Local arming switch. When in the safe position, power is completely
+ disconnected from the igniter circuits to prevent any possibility
+ of the LCO accidentally engaging firing circuits during rocket
+ preparations at the pad.
-Circuit diagrams and PCB layouts are provided here:
+### TeleFireEight ###
-[[!map pages="TeleLaunch/telefire-v0.2/* and ! TeleLaunch/telefire-v0.2/*/*"]]
+<a href="telefireeight-v2/tf8-overview.png"> <img src="telefireeight-v2/tf8-overview-small.png"></a>
-## Radio Communications ##
+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.
-TeleLaunch uses a two-way digital radio communications system for
-positive indication of all operations. The communications link is
-secured with AES CBC-MAC to prevent accidental or intentional
-operation from unauthorized transmitters.
+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 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
+[hw/telefireeight](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telefireeight;a=summary).
+
+For those who don't have ready access to the Lepton-EDA and pcb-rnd tool suites,
+here are pdf snapshots of the files for PCB version 2 in more easily
+readable form:
+
+* [schematic](telefireeight-v2/telefireeight-sch.pdf)
+* [pcb artwork](telefireeight-v2/telefireeight-pcb.pdf)
+
+## Documentation ##
+
+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.
+
+A complete manual for the TeleLaunch system is available in
+[html](../AltOS/doc/telelaunch.html) and [pdf](../AltOS/doc/telelaunch.pdf)
+formats.
+
+## Software ##
+
+TeleLaunch firmware is part of the larger [AltOS](/AltOS) suite of
+software. For now, configuration of frequencies, callsigns, and crypto
+keys requires a laptop with terminal emulator and a USB cable, but we are
+likely to produce an easier to use configuration program eventually.
+
+## Availability ##
+
+TeleLCO and TeleFireEight are now in production, and available for purchase
+directly through the [Garbee and Garbee](https://shop.gag.com/telelaunch.html)
+online store.
+
+## Licenses ##
+
+TeleLaunch hardware is licensed under the [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org)
+[Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html)
+
+TeleLaunch software is licensed
+[GPL version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html)
+
+## [Future Products](futures.html)
-TeleLaunch operates in the 70cm amateur band at 10mW to avoid
-interference with any rocketry electronics.
projects / web / altusmetrum / blobdiff