X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=TeleLaunch%2Findex.mdwn;h=982f0f709b26bfa847dff85c41539cd056c628b6;hb=0221c046ea9c0651430adcda738f63265df04e0e;hp=a7c7dcb37c0e4b1b77466c6259aa9b6ce6667aec;hpb=f9d70e6c287d4b7034c75c490f336c71968783aa;p=web%2Faltusmetrum diff --git a/TeleLaunch/index.mdwn b/TeleLaunch/index.mdwn index a7c7dcb..982f0f7 100644 --- a/TeleLaunch/index.mdwn +++ b/TeleLaunch/index.mdwn @@ -3,71 +3,179 @@ # 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. A typical TeleLaunch -system consists of one LCO board and one or more pyro boards. The LCO -boards available include the full-featured TeleLCO, and the much simpler -TeleLCOTwo. Avaialbe pyro boards include TeleFireOne and TeleFireFour, -which control one or four pads, respectively. +operating up to 792 pads from a single controler. A typical TeleLaunch +system consists of one LCO board and one or more pyro boards. -## 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 boards the designated bank number. + +## Launch Control Boards ## + +All launch control boards 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 ### -TeleLCO controls up to 100 TeleFire boxes and is powered by a -rechargable lithium polymer + - * USB connection to charge battery. +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. - * Large 1.36 inch LCD display for selected pad + * Large 1.36 inch LCD display for selected bank and pad - * Rotary knobs for pad selection + * Rotary knob for pad selection - * LED indicators for remote arming, continuity and RF quality + * Packaged in [Pelican 1170 orange box](https://www.pelican.com/us/en/product/cases/protector/1170) - * Arming switch and firing button +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. -Circuit diagrams and PCB layouts are provided here: +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). -[[!map pages="TeleLaunch/telelco-v0.2/* and ! TeleLaunch/telelco-v0.2/*/*"]] +### TeleLCOTwo ### -## TeleLCOTwo ## + -More information coming soon. +A small LCO board 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. -## TeleFireOne ## +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 +the two during use. -More information coming soon. +TeleLCOTwo comes packaged in a weather-sealed polycarbonate box with +switches on one face, and BNC antenna connector and USB connectors +through the box walls. It can be placed on a table, but is typically +hand-held during operation. -## TeleFireFour ## +The TeleLCOTwo hardware design is available from +[git.gag.com](http://git.gag.com) in the project +[hw/telelcotwo](http://git.gag.com/?p=hw/telelcotwo;a=summary). -TeleFireFour 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. TeleFireFour can be powered by any -10-15V supply, from 3-cell lithium polymer packs used in RC aircraft -to a 12V lead acid battery. +## Pyro Boards ## + +Each pyro board 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. This would typically be a 12V lead acid +battery, but 3-cell lithium polymer packs used in RC aircraft are also +suitable. + +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. TeleFireFour 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: + * Each board is designed to fit in a standard Hammond weather-sealed + polycarbonate enclosure with weather-sealed rocker switches for + power and arming plus cable glands for DC input cable and igniter + output cables. Alternatively, boards can be configured to mount + in the user's choice of enclosure, such as a metal ammo box or + larger NEMA enclosure with space for the user's choice of + external connectors. -[[!map pages="TeleLaunch/telefire-v0.2/* and ! TeleLaunch/telefire-v0.2/*/*"]] +### TeleFireTwo ### -## Radio Communications ## + -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. +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 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). + +### TeleFireEight ### + + + +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. + +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 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). + +## 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, but we do plan to eventually write a real manual. + +## 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 plan +to produce an easier to use configuration program eventually. + +## 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 ## + +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) -TeleLaunch operates in the 70cm amateur band at 10mW to avoid -interference with any rocketry electronics.