X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Faltusmetrum.xsl;h=c5c08d4e0e1a78073361210bc49ddb135823c2c6;hb=d7973de32adff5402844cc1e1da3eced05265074;hp=66c2b339feb24013633c2b0a0fb614d11e80d923;hpb=1bd781da934c738e0c9294197c7eb622b0710a9a;p=fw%2Faltos diff --git a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl index 66c2b339..c5c08d4e 100644 --- a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl +++ b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl @@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ Towns - 2011 + 2013 Bdale Garbee and Keith Packard @@ -35,6 +35,22 @@ + + 1.1.1 + 16 September 2012 + + Updated for software version 1.1.1 Version 1.1.1 fixes a few + bugs found in version 1.1. + + + + 1.1 + 13 September 2012 + + Updated for software version 1.1. Version 1.1 has new + features but is otherwise compatible with version 1.0. + + 1.0 24 August 2011 @@ -106,7 +122,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 support optional capabilities in the future. - The newest device is TeleMini, a dual deploy altimeter with + Our second device was TeleMini, a dual deploy altimeter with radio telemetry and radio direction finding. This device is only 13mm by 38mm (½ inch by 1½ inches) and can fit easily in an 18mm air-frame. @@ -156,8 +172,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 The TeleMini battery can be charged by disconnecting it from the TeleMini board and plugging it into a standalone battery charger - board, and connecting that via a USB cable to a laptop or other USB - power source + such as the LipoCharger product included in TeleMini Starter Kits, + and connecting that via a USB cable to a laptop or other USB + power source. The other active device in the starter kit is the TeleDongle USB to @@ -258,7 +275,21 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 A typical TeleMetrum or TeleMini installation involves attaching only a suitable Lithium Polymer battery, a single pole switch for power on/off, and two pairs of wires connecting e-matches for the - apogee and main ejection charges. + apogee and main ejection charges. All Altus Metrum products are + designed for use with single-cell batteries with 3.7 volts nominal. + + + The battery connectors are a standard 2-pin JST connector and + match batteries sold by Spark Fun. These batteries are + single-cell Lithium Polymer batteries that nominally provide 3.7 + volts. Other vendors sell similar batteries for RC aircraft + using mating connectors, however the polarity for those is + generally reversed from the batteries used by Altus Metrum + products. In particular, the Tenergy batteries supplied for use + in Featherweight flight computers are not compatible with Altus + Metrum flight computers or battery chargers. Check + polarity and voltage before connecting any battery not purchased + from Altus Metrum or Spark Fun. By default, we use the unregulated output of the Li-Po battery directly @@ -355,6 +386,36 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 tower with a screw-driver trying to turn on your avionics before installing igniters! + + TeleMini is configured via the radio link. Of course, that + means you need to know the TeleMini radio configuration values + or you won't be able to communicate with it. For situations + when you don't have the radio configuration values, TeleMini + offers an 'emergency recovery' mode. In this mode, TeleMini is + configured as follows: + + + Sets the radio frequency to 434.550MHz + + + Sets the radio calibration back to the factory value. + + + Sets the callsign to N0CALL + + + Does not go to 'pad' mode after five seconds. + + + + + To get into 'emergency recovery' mode, first find the row of + four small holes opposite the switch wiring. Using a short + piece of small gauge wire, connect the outer two holes + together, then power TeleMini up. Once the red LED is lit, + disconnect the wire and the board should signal that it's in + 'idle' mode after the initial five second startup period. +
GPS @@ -464,7 +525,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 You can monitor the operation of the radio link by watching the lights on the devices. The red LED will flash each time a packet - is tramsitted, while the green LED will light up on TeleDongle when + is transmitted, while the green LED will light up on TeleDongle when it is waiting to receive a packet from the altimeter.
@@ -536,7 +597,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 or radio link via TeleDongle.
- Radio Frequencies + Radio Frequency Altus Metrum boards support radio frequencies in the 70cm band. By default, the configuration interface provides a @@ -583,6 +644,90 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 simultaneously.
+
+ Maximum Flight Log + + TeleMetrum version 1.1 and 1.2 have 2MB of on-board flash storage, + enough to hold over 40 minutes of data at full data rate + (100 samples/second). TeleMetrum 1.0 has 1MB of on-board + storage. As data are stored at a reduced rate during descent + (10 samples/second), there's plenty of space to store many + flights worth of data. + + + The on-board flash is partitioned into separate flight logs, + each of a fixed maximum size. Increase the maximum size of + each log and you reduce the number of flights that can be + stored. Decrease the size and TeleMetrum can store more + flights. + + + All of the configuration data is also stored in the flash + memory, which consumes 64kB on TeleMetrum v1.1/v1.2 and 256B on + TeleMetrum v1.0. This configuration space is not available + for storing flight log data. + + + To compute the amount of space needed for a single flight, + you can multiply the expected ascent time (in seconds) by + 800, multiply the expected descent time (in seconds) by 80 + and add the two together. That will slightly under-estimate + the storage (in bytes) needed for the flight. For instance, + a flight spending 20 seconds in ascent and 150 seconds in + descent will take about (20 * 800) + (150 * 80) = 28000 + bytes of storage. You could store dozens of these flights in + the on-board flash. + + + The default size, 192kB, allows for 10 flights of storage on + TeleMetrum v1.1/v1.2 and 5 flights on TeleMetrum v1.0. This + ensures that you won't need to erase the memory before + flying each time while still allowing more than sufficient + storage for each flight. + + + As TeleMini does not contain an accelerometer, it stores + data at 10 samples per second during ascent and one sample + per second during descent. Each sample is a two byte reading + from the barometer. These are stored in 5kB of + on-chip flash memory which can hold 256 seconds at the + ascent rate or 2560 seconds at the descent rate. Because of + the limited storage, TeleMini cannot hold data for more than + one flight, and so must be erased after each flight or it + will not capture data for subsequent flights. + +
+
+ Ignite Mode + + Instead of firing one charge at apogee and another charge at + a fixed height above the ground, you can configure the + altimeter to fire both at apogee or both during + descent. This was added to support an airframe that has two + TeleMetrum computers, one in the fin can and one in the + nose. + + + Providing the ability to use both igniters for apogee or + main allows some level of redundancy without needing two + flight computers. In Redundant Apogee or Redundant Main + mode, the two charges will be fired two seconds apart. + +
+
+ Pad Orientation + + TeleMetrum measures acceleration along the axis of the + board. Which way the board is oriented affects the sign of + the acceleration value. Instead of trying to guess which way + the board is mounted in the air frame, TeleMetrum must be + explicitly configured for either Antenna Up or Antenna + Down. The default, Antenna Up, expects the end of the + TeleMetrum board connected to the 70cm antenna to be nearest + the nose of the rocket, with the end containing the screw + terminals nearest the tail. + +
@@ -655,6 +800,15 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 incorrect data from being reported. + + + The age of the displayed data, in seconds since the last + successfully received telemetry packet. In normal operation + this will stay in the low single digits. If the number starts + counting up, then you are no longer receiving data over the radio + link from the flight computer. + + Finally, the largest portion of the window contains a set of @@ -779,14 +933,16 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 be below 10m/s when under the main parachute in a dual-deploy flight. - For TeleMetrum altimeters, you can locate the rocket in the sky - using the elevation and - bearing information to figure out where to look. Elevation is - in degrees above the horizon. Bearing is reported in degrees - relative to true north. Range can help figure out how big the - rocket will appear. Note that all of these values are relative - to the pad location. If the elevation is near 90°, the rocket - is over the pad, not over you. + For TeleMetrum altimeters, you can locate the rocket in the + sky using the elevation and bearing information to figure + out where to look. Elevation is in degrees above the + horizon. Bearing is reported in degrees relative to true + north. Range can help figure out how big the rocket will + appear. Ground Distance shows how far it is to a point + directly under the rocket and can help figure out where the + rocket is likely to land. Note that all of these values are + relative to the pad location. If the elevation is near 90°, + the rocket is over the pad, not over you. Finally, the igniter voltages are reported in this tab as @@ -1093,31 +1249,6 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 size. A smaller value will allow more flights to be stored, a larger value will record data from longer flights. - - During ascent, TeleMetrum records barometer and - accelerometer values 100 times per second, other analog - information (voltages and temperature) 6 times per second - and GPS data once per second. During descent, the non-GPS - data is recorded 1/10th as often. Each barometer + - accelerometer record takes 8 bytes. - - - The default, 192kB, will store over 200 seconds of data at - the ascent rate, or over 2000 seconds of data at the descent - rate. That's plenty for most flights. This leaves enough - storage for five flights in 1MB systems, or 10 flights in 2MB - systems. - - - The configuration block takes the last available block of - memory, on v1.0 boards that's just 256 bytes. However, the - flash part on the v1.1 boards uses 64kB for each block. - - - TeleMini has 5kB of on-board storage, which is plenty for a - single flight. Make sure you download and delete the data - before subsequent flights, or TeleMini will not log any data. -
Ignite Mode @@ -1231,6 +1362,16 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 your local radio regulations.
+
+ Imperial Units + + This switches between metric units (meters) and imperial + units (feet and miles). This affects the display of values + use during flight monitoring, data graphing and all of the + voice announcements. It does not change the units used when + exporting to CSV files, those are always produced in metric units. + +
Font Size @@ -1260,6 +1401,73 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
+
+ Configure Groundstation + + Select this button and then select a TeleDongle Device from the list provided. + + + The first few lines of the dialog provide information about the + connected device, including the product name, + software version and hardware serial number. Below that are the + individual configuration entries. + + + Note that the TeleDongle itself doesn't save any configuration + data, the settings here are recorded on the local machine in + the Java preferences database. Moving the TeleDongle to + another machine, or using a different user account on the same + machine will cause settings made here to have no effect. + + + At the bottom of the dialog, there are three buttons: + + + + + Save. This writes any changes to the + local Java preferences file. If you don't + press this button, any changes you make will be lost. + + + + + Reset. This resets the dialog to the most recently saved values, + erasing any changes you have made. + + + + + Close. This closes the dialog. Any unsaved changes will be + lost. + + + + + The rest of the dialog contains the parameters to be configured. + +
+ Frequency + + This configures the frequency to use for both telemetry and + packet command mode. Set this before starting any operation + involving packet command mode so that it will use the right + frequency. Telemetry monitoring mode also provides a menu to + change the frequency, and that menu also sets the same Java + preference value used here. + +
+
+ Radio Calibration + + The radios in every Altus Metrum device are calibrated at the + factory to ensure that they transmit and receive on the + specified frequency. To change a TeleDongle's calibration, + you must reprogram the unit completely, so this entry simply + shows the current value and doesn't allow any changes. + +
+
Flash Image @@ -1388,8 +1596,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 In the rocket itself, you just need a TeleMetrum or TeleMini board and - a Li-Po rechargeable battery. An 860mAh battery weighs less than a 9V - alkaline battery, and will run a TeleMetrum for hours. + a single-cell, 3.7 volt nominal Li-Po rechargeable battery. An + 850mAh battery weighs less than a 9V alkaline battery, and will + run a TeleMetrum for hours. A 110mAh battery weighs less than a triple A battery and will run a TeleMetrum for a few hours, or a TeleMini for much (much) longer. @@ -1405,7 +1614,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 On the Ground To receive the data stream from the rocket, you need an antenna and short - feed-line connected to one of our TeleDongle units. The + feed-line connected to one of our TeleDongle units. If possible, use an SMA to BNC + adapter instead of feedline between the antenna feedpoint and + TeleDongle, as this will give you the best performance. The TeleDongle in turn plugs directly into the USB port on a notebook computer. Because TeleDongle looks like a simple serial port, your computer does not require special device drivers... just plug it in. @@ -1442,7 +1653,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 So, to recap, on the ground the hardware you'll need includes: - an antenna and feed-line + an antenna and feed-line or adapter a TeleDongle @@ -1465,7 +1676,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 Arrow Antennas. The 440-3 and 440-5 are both good choices for finding a - TeleMetrum- or TeleMini- equipped rocket when used with a suitable 70cm HT. + TeleMetrum- or TeleMini- equipped rocket when used with a suitable + 70cm HT. TeleDongle and an SMA to BNC adapter fit perfectly + between the driven element and reflector of Arrow antennas.
@@ -1491,22 +1704,36 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Future Plans - In the future, we intend to offer "companion boards" for the rocket that will - plug in to TeleMetrum to collect additional data, provide more pyro channels, - and so forth. + In the future, we intend to offer "companion boards" for the rocket + that will plug in to TeleMetrum to collect additional data, provide + more pyro channels, and so forth. - We are also working on the design of a hand-held ground terminal that will - allow monitoring the rocket's status, collecting data during flight, and - logging data after flight without the need for a notebook computer on the - flight line. Particularly since it is so difficult to read most notebook - screens in direct sunlight, we think this will be a great thing to have. + Also under design is a new flight computer with more sensors, more + pyro channels, and a more powerful radio system designed for use + in multi-stage, complex, and extreme altitude projects. - Because all of our work is open, both the hardware designs and the software, - if you have some great idea for an addition to the current Altus Metrum family, - feel free to dive in and help! Or let us know what you'd like to see that - we aren't already working on, and maybe we'll get excited about it too... + We are also working on alternatives to TeleDongle. One is a + a stand-alone, hand-held ground terminal that will allow monitoring + the rocket's status, collecting data during flight, and logging data + after flight without the need for a notebook computer on the + flight line. Particularly since it is so difficult to read most + notebook screens in direct sunlight, we think this will be a great + thing to have. We are also working on a TeleDongle variant with + Bluetooth that will work with Android phones and tablets. + + + Because all of our work is open, both the hardware designs and the + software, if you have some great idea for an addition to the current + Altus Metrum family, feel free to dive in and help! Or let us know + what you'd like to see that we aren't already working on, and maybe + we'll get excited about it too... + + + Watch our + web site for more news + and information as our family of products evolves!
@@ -1783,7 +2010,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 Select the image you want put on the TeleMetrum, which should have a - name in the form telemetrum-v1.1-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible + name in the form telemetrum-v1.2-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it. @@ -2043,7 +2270,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - RF interface for battery charging, configuration, and data recovery. + RF interface for configuration, and data recovery. @@ -2313,6 +2540,37 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 once you enable the voice output! + + Drill Templates + + These images, when printed, provide precise templates for the + mounting holes in Altus Metrum flight computers + +
+ TeleMetrum template + + TeleMetrum has overall dimensions of 1.000 x 2.750 inches, and the + mounting holes are sized for use with 4-40 or M3 screws. + + + + + + +
+
+ TeleMini template + + TeleMini has overall dimensions of 0.500 x 1.500 inches, and the + mounting holes are sized for use with 2-56 or M2 screws. + + + + + + +
+ Calibration @@ -2421,11 +2679,14 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 Release Notes - - - - - + Version 1.2 + Version 1.1.1 + Version 1.1 + Version 1.0.1 + Version 0.9.2 + Version 0.9 + Version 0.8 + Version 0.7.1