This is a recording dual-deploy altimeter for high power model rocketry
with integrated GPS and telemetry link.
-These are photos of our current version,
-which includes an integrated GPS receiver and patch antenna:
+Production units are available from the
+[Garbee and Garbee](http://auric.gag.com) web store.
+
+These are photos of our current production version, which includes an
+integrated GPS receiver with active patch antenna:
+
+<a href="v1.0/cimg5972-crop.jpg"> <img src="v1.0/cimg5972-thumb.jpg"></a>
+<a href="v1.0/cimg5974-crop.jpg"> <img src="v1.0/cimg5974-thumb.jpg"></a>
+
+These are photos of our second version, which included the integrated Venus
+GPS receiver, but with a passive patch antenna that turned out to have
+disappointing performance due to our many PCB geometry constraints:
<a href="v0.2/cimg5164-cropped.jpg"> <img src="v0.2/cimg5164-thumb.jpg"></a>
<a href="v0.2/cimg5171-cropped.jpg"> <img src="v0.2/cimg5171-thumb.jpg"></a>
* SPI interface
* other parts in this Atmel DataFlash series can optionally be used
* [SkyTraq](http://www.skytraq.com.tw/) Venus634FLPx GPS receiver
- * on-board passive patch antenna
- * U.FL connector with 3.3V DC for optional external amplified antenna
+ * on-board [Taoglas AP.17A.01[(http://www.taoglas.com/antennas/GPS_Antennas/Internal_GPS_-_Active_Patch_Modules/)
+ single-stage active patch antenna
+ * U.FL connector with 3.3V DC can be re-purposed for optional external amplified antennas
* async serial interface
* [Freescale MP3H6115A](http://www.freescale.com/webapp/search.partparamdetail.framework?PART_NUMBER=MP3H6115A6U) pressure sensor
* [Freescale MMA2202EG](http://www.freescale.com/webapp/search.partparamdetail.framework?PART_NUMBER=MMA2202EG) 50g accelerometer. Can use 40-200g variants!
* 128k x 8
* SPI interface
* [Microchip MCP9700A](http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en027103) discrete temperature sensor
- * eliminated in v0.2 to free GPIO line for companion interface
* used 1000uF electrolytic capacitor charged to 5V for pyro supply
* two LEDs instead of one attached to CPU
- * eliminated second LED to free GPIO line for companion interface
-## [Production History](production) ##
+The elimination of the discrete temperature sensor and second LED were
+necessary to support the companion board interface added in v0.2.
+
+## [Production History](../production) ##
## [Flight Logs](flightlogs) ##
place parts! Without an inspection microscope, loading and testing these
boards might be impossible.
+* The addition of on-board GPS in v0.2 means that the total power consumption
+ can exceed the rate at which we draw power from the USB interface,
+ particularly when the GPS is in cold start mode. This means a battery must
+ be attached during operation, and also that the battery will only charge
+ effectively from USB when the board is turned off.
+
* The v0.1 artwork had three issues, two of which required physical rework
on each board. All of these issues were fixed in v0.2.
## Future Plans ##
-As of early February 2010, three prototypes of v0.2 are done and working on
-the bench. We hope to flight test them shortly, then arrange a production
-run in time to make TeleMetrum available in assembled and tested form to
-others in the rocketry hobby who have expressed interest in time for the
-2010 flying season.
+As of early March 2010, three prototypes of v0.2 exist and have flown with
+great success. We will initiate a production run shortly with the goal of
+making TeleMetrum available in assembled and tested form to others in the
+rocketry hobby in time for the 2010 flying season.
-Because we understand that not everyone uses Linux, we've started discussing
+Because we understand that not everyone uses Linux, we are investigating
the best way to make a cross-platform ground station program for use with
[AltOS](../AltOS), perhaps in Java...
projects / web / altusmetrum / blobdiff