X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Faltusmetrum.xsl;h=da6ad02ce8dcbff5fc3d75e56986c8c9a2d425bb;hb=1d093383fe58fc8c8c11e1c7cd1cd929ae1bd9e4;hp=0430bc9410ab3104ae2ea574a67c9f5dd7db03a4;hpb=8bb6dd75a602792936d623713fb009fea25ef491;p=fw%2Faltos
diff --git a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl
index 0430bc94..da6ad02c 100644
--- a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl
+++ b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl
@@ -180,8 +180,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
For a slightly more portable ground station experience that also
provides direct rocket recovery support, TeleBT offers flight
- monitoring and data logging using a Bluetooth connection between
- the receiver and an Android device that has the Altos Droid
+ monitoring and data logging using a Bluetooth⢠connection between
+ the receiver and an Android device that has the AltosDroid
application installed from the Google Play store.
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
On TeleMetrum v1 boards, when the GPS chip is initially
searching for satellites, TeleMetrum will consume more current
- than it can pull from the USB port, so the battery must be
+ than it pulls from the USB port, so the battery must be
attached in order to get satellite lock. Once GPS is locked,
the current consumption goes back down enough to enable charging
while running. So it's a good idea to fully charge the battery
@@ -238,7 +238,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
and EasyMini, anything supplying between 4 and 12 volts should
work fine (like a standard 9V battery), but if you are planning
to fire pyro charges, ground testing is required to verify that
- the battery supplies enough current.
+ the battery supplies enough current to fire your chosen e-matches.
The other active device in the starter kit is the TeleDongle USB to
@@ -247,13 +247,13 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
driver information that is part of the AltOS download to know that the
existing USB modem driver will work. We therefore recommend installing
our software before plugging in TeleDongle if you are using a Windows
- computer. If you are using Linux and are having problems, try moving
- to a fresher kernel (2.6.33 or newer), as the USB serial driver had
- ugly bugs in some earlier versions.
+ computer. If you are using an older version of Linux and are having
+ problems, try moving to a fresher kernel (2.6.33 or newer).
- Next you should obtain and install the AltOS software. These
- include the AltosUI ground station program, current firmware
+ Next you should obtain and install the AltOS software. The AltOS
+ distribution includes the AltosUI ground station program, current
+ firmware
images for all of the hardware, and a number of standalone
utilities that are rarely needed. Pre-built binary packages are
available for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and recent MacOSX
@@ -262,9 +262,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
.
- If you're using a TeleBT instead of the TeleDongle, you'll want
- to go install the Altos Droid application from the Google Play
- store. You don't need a data plan to use Altos Droid, but
+ If you're using a TeleBT instead of the TeleDongle, you'll want to
+ install the AltosDroid application from the Google Play store on an
+ Android device. You don't need a data plan to use AltosDroid, but
without network access, the Map view will be less useful as it
won't contain any map data. You can also use TeleBT connected
over USB with your laptop computer; it acts exactly like a
@@ -297,9 +297,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
sensitive to sunlight. In normal mounting situations, the baro sensor
and all of the other surface mount components
are âdownâ towards whatever the underlying mounting surface is, so
- this is not normally a problem. Please consider this, though, when
- designing an installation, for example, in an air-frame with a
- see-through plastic payload bay. It is particularly important to
+ this is not normally a problem. Please consider this when designing an
+ installation in an air-frame with a see-through plastic payload bay. It
+ is particularly important to
consider this with TeleMini v1.0, both because the baro sensor is on the
âtopâ of the board, and because many model rockets with payload bays
use clear plastic for the payload bay! Replacing these with an opaque
@@ -329,6 +329,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Altus Metrum Electronics
+
@@ -436,6 +437,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Altus Metrum Boards
+
@@ -481,7 +483,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
½ inch (1.27cm)
1½ inch (3.81cm)
- 18mm airframe
+ 18mm coupler
TeleMini v2.0
@@ -544,6 +546,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
TeleMetrum
+
+
+
+
+
TeleMetrum is a 1 inch by 2¾ inch circuit board. It was designed to
fit inside coupler for 29mm air-frame tubing, but using it in a tube that
@@ -559,6 +566,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
TeleMini
+
+
+
+
+
TeleMini v1.0 is ½ inches by 1½ inches. It was
designed to fit inside an 18mm air-frame tube, but using it in
@@ -573,6 +585,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
the board, meaning an ideal âsimpleâ avionics bay for TeleMini
should have at least 9 inches of interior length.
+
+
+
+
+
TeleMini v2.0 is 0.8 inches by 1½ inches. It adds more
on-board data logging memory, a built-in USB connector and
@@ -583,15 +600,25 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
EasyMini
+
+
+
+
+
EasyMini is built on a 0.8 inch by 1½ inch circuit board. It's
designed to fit in a 24mm coupler tube. The connectors and
- screw terminals match TeleMini, so you can swap an EasyMini
- with a TeleMini.
+ screw terminals match TeleMini v2.0, so you can easily swap between
+ EasyMini and TeleMini.
TeleMega
+
+
+
+
+
TeleMega is a 1¼ inch by 3¼ inch circuit board. It was
designed to easily fit in a 38mm coupler. Like TeleMetrum,
@@ -612,6 +639,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Data Storage on Altus Metrum altimeters
+
@@ -720,7 +748,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
apogee and main ejection charges. All Altus Metrum products are
designed for use with single-cell batteries with 3.7 volts
nominal. TeleMini v2.0 and EasyMini may also be used with other
- batteries as long as they supply between 4 and 12 volts.
+ batteries as long as they supply between 4 and 12 volts.
The battery connectors are a standard 2-pin JST connector and
@@ -762,8 +790,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
adequate. However, if you are installing in a carbon-fiber or
metal electronics bay which is opaque to RF signals, you may need to
use off-board external antennas instead. In this case, you can
- order an altimeter with an SMA connector for the UHF antenna
- connection, and, on TeleMetrum v1, you can unplug the integrated GPS
+ replace the stock UHF antenna wire with an edge-launched SMA connector,
+ and, on TeleMetrum v1, you can unplug the integrated GPS
antenna and select an appropriate off-board GPS antenna with
cable terminating in a U.FL connector.
@@ -777,10 +805,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
The AltOS firmware build for the altimeters has two
fundamental modes, âidleâ and âflightâ. Which of these modes
the firmware operates in is determined at start up time. For
- TeleMetrum, the mode is controlled by the orientation of the
+ TeleMetrum and TeleMega, which have accelerometers, the mode is
+ controlled by the orientation of the
rocket (well, actually the board, of course...) at the time
power is switched on. If the rocket is ânose upâ, then
- TeleMetrum assumes it's on a rail or rod being prepared for
+ the flight computer assumes it's on a rail or rod being prepared for
launch, so the firmware chooses flight mode. However, if the
rocket is more or less horizontal, the firmware instead enters
idle mode. Since TeleMini v2.0 and EasyMini don't have an
@@ -1012,7 +1041,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Radio Link
- The chip our boards are based on incorporates an RF transceiver, but
+ Our flight computers all incorporate an RF transceiver, but
it's not a full duplex system... each end can only be transmitting or
receiving at any given moment. So we had to decide how to manage the
link.
@@ -1048,7 +1077,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
performance in higher altitude flights!
- TeleMetrum v2.0 and TeleMega can send APRS if desired, the
+ TeleMetrum v2.0 and TeleMega can send APRS if desired, and the
interval between APRS packets can be configured. As each APRS
packet takes a full second to transmit, we recommend an
interval of at least 5 seconds to avoid consuming too much
@@ -1123,6 +1152,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
the available storage, future flights will not get logged
until you erase some of the stored ones.
+
+ Even though our flight computers (except TeleMini v1.0) can store
+ multiple flights, we strongly recommend downloading and saving
+ flight data after each flight.
+
Ignite Mode
@@ -1130,9 +1164,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
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
- altimeters, one in the fin can and one in the
- nose.
+ descent. This was added to support an airframe Bdale designed that
+ had two altimeters, one in the fin can and one in the nose.
Providing the ability to use both igniters for apogee or
@@ -1156,7 +1189,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
- Pyro Channels
+ Configurable Pyro Channels
In addition to the usual Apogee and Main pyro channels,
TeleMega has four additional channels that can be configured
@@ -1205,7 +1238,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
system. Because this value is computed by integrating
rate gyros, it gets progressively less accurate as the
flight goes on. It should have an accumulated error of
- less than .2°/second (after 10 seconds of flight, the
+ less than 0.2°/second (after 10 seconds of flight, the
error should be less than 2°).
@@ -1324,8 +1357,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
interacting with the Altus Metrum product family. AltosUI can
monitor telemetry data, configure devices and many other
tasks. The primary interface window provides a selection of
- buttons, one for each major activity in the system. This manual
- is split into chapters, each of which documents one of the tasks
+ buttons, one for each major activity in the system. This chapter
+ is split into sections, each of which documents one of the tasks
provided from the top-level toolbar.
@@ -1415,8 +1448,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Battery Voltage
- This indicates whether the Li-Po battery
- powering the TeleMetrum has sufficient charge to last for
+ This indicates whether the Li-Po battery powering the
+ flight computer has sufficient charge to last for
the duration of the flight. A value of more than
3.8V is required for a 'GO' status.
@@ -1454,13 +1487,15 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
space remaining on-board to store flight data for the
upcoming flight. If you've downloaded data, but failed
to erase flights, there may not be any space
- left. TeleMetrum can store multiple flights, depending
- on the configured maximum flight log size. TeleMini
- stores only a single flight, so it will need to be
+ left. Most of our flight computers can store multiple
+ flights, depending on the configured maximum flight log
+ size. TeleMini v1.0 stores only a single flight, so it
+ will need to be
downloaded and erased after each flight to capture
data. This only affects on-board flight logging; the
altimeter will still transmit telemetry and fire
- ejection charges at the proper times.
+ ejection charges at the proper times even if the flight
+ data storage is full.
@@ -1507,7 +1542,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
flight.
- The current latitude and longitude reported by the TeleMetrum GPS are
+ The current latitude and longitude reported by the GPS are
also shown. Note that under high acceleration, these values
may not get updated as the GPS receiver loses position
fix. Once the rocket starts coasting, the receiver should
@@ -1535,7 +1570,7 @@ 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
+ With GPS-equipped flight computers, 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
@@ -1572,7 +1607,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
unit and have that compute a track to the landing location.
- Both TeleMini and TeleMetrum will continue to transmit RDF
+ Our flight computers will continue to transmit RDF
tones after landing, allowing you to locate the rocket by
following the radio signal if necessary. You may need to get
away from the clutter of the flight line, or even get up on
@@ -1583,7 +1618,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
during the flight are displayed for your admiring observers.
The accuracy of these immediate values depends on the quality
of your radio link and how many packets were received.
- Recovering the on-board data after flight will likely yield
+ Recovering the on-board data after flight may yield
more precise results.
@@ -1627,16 +1662,14 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
system can handle, and is not subject to radio drop-outs. As
such, it provides a more complete and precise record of the
flight. The 'Save Flight Data' button allows you to read the
- flash memory and write it to disk. As TeleMini has only a barometer, it
- records data at the same rate as the telemetry signal, but there will be
- no data lost due to telemetry drop-outs.
+ flash memory and write it to disk.
Clicking on the 'Save Flight Data' button brings up a list of
- connected TeleMetrum and TeleDongle devices. If you select a
- TeleMetrum device, the flight data will be downloaded from that
+ connected flight computers and TeleDongle devices. If you select a
+ flight computer, the flight data will be downloaded from that
device directly. If you select a TeleDongle device, flight data
- will be downloaded from an altimeter over radio link via the
+ will be downloaded from a flight computer over radio link via the
specified TeleDongle. See the chapter on Controlling An Altimeter
Over The Radio Link for more information.
@@ -1742,10 +1775,10 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
This tool takes the raw data files and makes them available for
external analysis. When you select this button, you are prompted to
- select a flight
- data file (either .eeprom or .telem will do, remember that
- .eeprom files contain higher resolution and more continuous
- data). Next, a second dialog appears which is used to select
+ select a flight data file, which can be either a .eeprom or .telem.
+ The .eeprom files contain higher resolution and more continuous data,
+ while .telem files contain receiver signal strength information.
+ Next, a second dialog appears which is used to select
where to write the resulting file. It has a selector to choose
between CSV and KML file formats.
@@ -1793,35 +1826,47 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
At the bottom of the dialog, there are four buttons:
-
-
-
- Save. This writes any changes to the
- configuration parameter block in flash memory. 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.
-
-
-
-
- Reboot. This reboots the device. Use this to
- switch from idle to pad mode by rebooting once the rocket is
- oriented for flight, or to confirm changes you think you saved
- are really saved.
-
-
-
-
- Close. This closes the dialog. Any unsaved changes will be
- lost.
-
-
-
+
+
+ Save
+
+
+ This writes any changes to the
+ configuration parameter block in flash memory. 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.
+
+
+
+
+ Reboot
+
+
+ This reboots the device. Use this to
+ switch from idle to pad mode by rebooting once the rocket is
+ oriented for flight, or to confirm changes you think you saved
+ are really saved.
+
+
+
+
+ Close
+
+
+ This closes the dialog. Any unsaved changes will be
+ lost.
+
+
+
+
The rest of the dialog contains the parameters to be configured.
@@ -1913,58 +1958,73 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
computers. This configuration parameter allows the two
channels to be used in different configurations.
-
-
-
- Dual Deploy. This is the usual mode of operation; the
- 'apogee' channel is fired at apogee and the 'main'
- channel at the height above ground specified by the
- 'Main Deploy Altitude' during descent.
-
-
-
-
- Redundant Apogee. This fires both channels at
- apogee, the 'apogee' channel first followed after a two second
- delay by the 'main' channel.
-
-
-
-
- Redundant Main. This fires both channels at the
- height above ground specified by the Main Deploy
- Altitude setting during descent. The 'apogee'
- channel is fired first, followed after a two second
- delay by the 'main' channel.
-
-
-
+
+
+ Dual Deploy
+
+
+ This is the usual mode of operation; the
+ 'apogee' channel is fired at apogee and the 'main'
+ channel at the height above ground specified by the
+ 'Main Deploy Altitude' during descent.
+
+
+
+
+ Redundant Apogee
+
+
+ This fires both channels at
+ apogee, the 'apogee' channel first followed after a two second
+ delay by the 'main' channel.
+
+
+
+
+ Redundant Main
+
+
+ This fires both channels at the
+ height above ground specified by the Main Deploy
+ Altitude setting during descent. The 'apogee'
+ channel is fired first, followed after a two second
+ delay by the 'main' channel.
+
+
+
+
Pad Orientation
- Because it includes an accelerometer, TeleMetrum and
+ Because they include accelerometers, TeleMetrum and
TeleMega are sensitive to the orientation of the board. By
- default, it expects the antenna end to point forward. This
+ default, they expect the antenna end to point forward. This
parameter allows that default to be changed, permitting the
board to be mounted with the antenna pointing aft instead.
-
-
-
- Antenna Up. In this mode, the antenna end of the
- TeleMetrum board must point forward, in line with the
- expected flight path.
-
-
-
-
- Antenna Down. In this mode, the antenna end of the
- TeleMetrum board must point aft, in line with the
- expected flight path.
-
-
-
+
+
+ Antenna Up
+
+
+ In this mode, the antenna end of the
+ flight computer must point forward, in line with the
+ expected flight path.
+
+
+
+
+ Antenna Down
+
+
+ In this mode, the antenna end of the
+ flight computer must point aft, in line with the
+ expected flight path.
+
+
+
+
Configure Pyro Channels
@@ -2111,27 +2171,36 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
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.
-
-
-
+
+
+ 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.
@@ -2160,7 +2229,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Flash Image
- This reprograms Altus Metrum device with new
+ This reprograms Altus Metrum devices with new
firmware. TeleMetrum v1.x, TeleDongle, TeleMini and TeleBT are
all reprogrammed by using another similar unit as a
programming dongle (pair programming). TeleMega, TeleMetrum v2
@@ -2209,17 +2278,17 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Fire Igniter
- This activates the igniter circuits in TeleMetrum to help test
- recovery systems deployment. Because this command can operate
+ This activates the igniter circuits in the flight computer to help
+ test recovery systems deployment. Because this command can operate
over the Packet Command Link, you can prepare the rocket as
for flight and then test the recovery system without needing
to snake wires inside the air-frame.
Selecting the 'Fire Igniter' button brings up the usual device
- selection dialog. Pick the desired TeleDongle or TeleMetrum
- device. This brings up another window which shows the current
- continuity test status for both apogee and main charges.
+ selection dialog. Pick the desired device. This brings up another
+ window which shows the current continuity test status for both
+ apogee and main charges.
Next, select the desired igniter to fire. This will enable the
@@ -2256,8 +2325,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
There's a drop-down menu of launch sites we know about; if
your favorites aren't there, please let us know the lat/lon
and name of the site. The contents of this list are actually
- downloaded at run-time, so as new sites are sent in, they'll
- get automatically added to this list.
+ downloaded from our server at run-time, so as new sites are sent
+ in, they'll get automatically added to this list.
If the launch site isn't in the list, you can manually enter the lat/lon values
@@ -2289,7 +2358,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
AltosDroid provides the same flight monitoring capabilities as
AltosUI, but runs on Android devices and is designed to connect
- to a TeleBT receiver over Bluetoothâ¢. Altos Droid monitors
+ to a TeleBT receiver over Bluetoothâ¢. AltosDroid monitors
telemetry data, logging it to internal storage in the Android
device, and presents that data in a UI the same way the 'Monitor
Flight' window does in AltosUI.
@@ -2302,8 +2371,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Installing AltosDroid
- AltosDroid is included in the Google Play store. To install
- it on your Android device, open open the Google Play Store
+ AltosDroid is available from the Google Play store. To install
+ it on your Android device, open the Google Play Store
application and search for âaltosdroidâ. Make sure you don't
have a space between âaltosâ and âdroidâ or you probably won't
find what you want. That should bring you to the right page
@@ -2336,9 +2405,9 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
- Altos Droid Flight Monitoring
+ AltosDroid Flight Monitoring
- Altos Droid is designed to mimic the AltosUI flight monitoring
+ AltosDroid is designed to mimic the AltosUI flight monitoring
display, providing separate tabs for each stage of your rocket
flight along with a tab containing a map of the local area
with icons marking the current location of the altimeter and
@@ -2438,7 +2507,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Downloading Flight Logs
- Altos Droid always saves every bit of telemetry data it
+ AltosDroid always saves every bit of telemetry data it
receives. To download that to a computer for use with AltosUI,
simply remove the SD card from your Android device, or connect
your device to your computer's USB port and browse the files
@@ -2460,20 +2529,22 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
In the Rocket
- In the rocket itself, you just need a TeleMetrum or
- TeleMini board and
+ In the rocket itself, you just need a flight computer and
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.
+ run a TeleMetrum or TeleMega for hours.
+ A 110mAh battery weighs less than a triple A battery and is a good
+ choice for use with TeleMini.
- By default, we ship the altimeters with a simple wire antenna. If your
- electronics bay or the air-frame it resides within is made of carbon fiber,
- which is opaque to RF signals, you may choose to have an SMA connector
- installed so that you can run a coaxial cable to an antenna mounted
- elsewhere in the rocket.
+ By default, we ship flight computers with a simple wire antenna.
+ If your electronics bay or the air-frame it resides within is made
+ of carbon fiber, which is opaque to RF signals, you may prefer to
+ install an SMA connector so that you can run a coaxial cable to an
+ antenna mounted elsewhere in the rocket. However, note that the
+ GPS antenna is fixed on all current products, so you really want
+ to install the flight computer in a bay made of RF-transparent
+ materials if at all possible.
@@ -2492,6 +2563,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Linux, Mac OS and Windows. There's also a suite of C tools
for Linux which can perform most of the same tasks.
+
+ Alternatively, a TeleBT attached with an SMA to BNC adapter at the
+ feed point of a hand-held yagi used in conjunction with an Android
+ device running AltosDroid makes an outstanding ground station.
+
After the flight, you can use the radio link to extract the more detailed data
logged in either TeleMetrum or TeleMini devices, or you can use a mini USB cable to plug into the
@@ -2501,10 +2577,12 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
of digital cameras and other modern electronic stuff will work fine.
- If your TeleMetrum-equipped rocket lands out of sight, you may enjoy having a hand-held GPS
- receiver, so that you can put in a way-point for the last reported rocket
- position before touch-down. This makes looking for your rocket a lot like
- Geo-Caching... just go to the way-point and look around starting from there.
+ If your rocket lands out of sight, you may enjoy having a hand-held
+ GPS receiver, so that you can put in a way-point for the last
+ reported rocket position before touch-down. This makes looking for
+ your rocket a lot like Geo-Caching... just go to the way-point and
+ look around starting from there. AltosDroid on an Android device
+ with GPS receiver works great for this, too!
You may also enjoy having a ham radio âHTâ that covers the 70cm band... you
@@ -2580,25 +2658,20 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Future Plans
+
+ We've designed a simple GPS based radio tracker called TeleGPS.
+ If all goes well, we hope to introduce this in the first
+ half of 2014.
+
- In the future, we intend to offer âcompanion boardsâ for the rocket
- that will plug in to TeleMetrum to collect additional data, provide
- more pyro channels, and so forth.
-
-
- 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.
-
-
- 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.
+ We have designed and prototyped several âcompanion boardsâ that
+ can attach to the companion connector on TeleMetrum and TeleMega
+ flight computers to collect more data, provide more pyro channels,
+ and so forth. We do not yet know if or when any of these boards
+ will be produced in enough quantity to sell. If you have specific
+ interests for data collection or control of events in your rockets
+ beyond the capabilities of our existing productions, please let
+ us know!
Because all of our work is open, both the hardware designs and the
@@ -2619,19 +2692,21 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Building high-power rockets that fly safely is hard enough. Mix
in some sophisticated electronics and a bunch of radio energy
- and oftentimes you find few perfect solutions. This chapter
+ and some creativity and/or compromise may be required. This chapter
contains some suggestions about how to install Altus Metrum
- products into the rocket air-frame, including how to safely and
+ products into a rocket air-frame, including how to safely and
reliably mix a variety of electronics into the same air-frame.
Mounting the Altimeter
The first consideration is to ensure that the altimeter is
- securely fastened to the air-frame. For TeleMetrum, we use
- nylon standoffs and nylon screws; they're good to at least 50G
- and cannot cause any electrical issues on the board. For
- TeleMini, we usually cut small pieces of 1/16 inch balsa to fit
+ securely fastened to the air-frame. For most of our products, we
+ prefer nylon standoffs and nylon screws; they're good to at least 50G
+ and cannot cause any electrical issues on the board. Metal screws
+ and standoffs are fine, too, just be careful to avoid electrical
+ shorts! For TeleMini v1.0, we usually cut small pieces of 1/16 inch
+ balsa to fit
under the screw holes, and then take 2x56 nylon screws and
screw them through the TeleMini mounting holes, through the
balsa and into the underlying material.
@@ -2639,7 +2714,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
- Make sure TeleMetrum is aligned precisely along the axis of
+ Make sure accelerometer-equipped products like TeleMetrum and
+ TeleMega are aligned precisely along the axis of
acceleration so that the accelerometer can accurately
capture data during the flight.
@@ -2677,7 +2753,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
culprit here -- CF is a good conductor and will effectively
shield the antenna, dramatically reducing signal strength and
range. Metallic flake paint is another effective shielding
- material which is to be avoided around any antennas.
+ material which should be avoided around any antennas.
If the ebay is large enough, it can be convenient to simply
@@ -2698,7 +2774,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
consuming very little space.
- If you need to place the antenna at a distance from the
+ If you need to place the UHF antenna at a distance from the
altimeter, you can replace the antenna with an edge-mounted
SMA connector, and then run 50Ω coax from the board to the
antenna. Building a remote antenna is beyond the scope of this
@@ -2708,11 +2784,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Preserving GPS Reception
- The GPS antenna and receiver in TeleMetrum are highly
- sensitive and normally have no trouble tracking enough
+ The GPS antenna and receiver used in TeleMetrum and TeleMega is
+ highly sensitive and normally have no trouble tracking enough
satellites to provide accurate position information for
- recovering the rocket. However, there are many ways to
- attenuate the GPS signal.
+ recovering the rocket. However, there are many ways the GPS signal
+ can end up attenuated, negatively affecting GPS performance.
@@ -2785,7 +2861,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Avoid resonant lengths. Know what frequencies are present
in the environment and avoid having wire lengths near a
- natural resonant length. Altusmetrum products transmit on the
+ natural resonant length. Altus Metrum products transmit on the
70cm amateur band, so you should avoid lengths that are a
simple ratio of that length; essentially any multiple of ¼
of the wavelength (17.5cm).
@@ -2811,10 +2887,10 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
decreasing pressure.
- The barometric sensor in the altimeter is quite sensitive to
- chemical damage from the products of APCP or BP combustion, so
- make sure the ebay is carefully sealed from any compartment
- which contains ejection charges or motors.
+ All barometric sensors are quite sensitive to chemical damage from
+ the products of APCP or BP combustion, so make sure the ebay is
+ carefully sealed from any compartment which contains ejection
+ charges or motors.
@@ -2865,7 +2941,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
version from .
- We recommend updating the altimeter first, before updating TeleDongle.
+ If you need to update the firmware on a TeleDongle, we recommend
+ updating the altimeter first, before updating TeleDongle. However,
+ note that TeleDongle rarely need to be updated. Any firmware version
+ 1.0.1 or later will work, version 1.2.1 may have improved receiver
+ performance slightly.
Self-programmable devices (TeleMega, TeleMetrum v2 and EasyMini)
@@ -3083,9 +3163,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
You'll need a special 'programming cable' to reprogram the
- TeleMini. It's available on the Altus Metrum web store, or
- you can make your own using an 8-pin MicroMaTch connector on
- one end and a set of four pins on the other.
+ TeleMini. You can make your own using an 8-pin MicroMaTch
+ connector on one end and a set of four pins on the other.
@@ -3331,8 +3410,8 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
- Uses Li-Po to fire e-matches, can be modified to support
- optional separate pyro battery if needed.
+ Can use either main system Li-Po or optional separate pyro battery
+ to fire e-matches.
@@ -3628,15 +3707,17 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
FAQ
- TeleMetrum seems to shut off when disconnected from the
- computer. Make sure the battery is adequately charged. Remember the
+ TeleMetrum seems to shut off when disconnected from the
+ computer.
+ Make sure the battery is adequately charged. Remember the
unit will pull more power than the USB port can deliver before the
GPS enters âlockedâ mode. The battery charges best when TeleMetrum
is turned off.
- It's impossible to stop the TeleDongle when it's in âpâ mode, I have
- to unplug the USB cable? Make sure you have tried to âescape outâ of
+ It's impossible to stop the TeleDongle when it's in âpâ mode, I have
+ to unplug the USB cable?
+ Make sure you have tried to âescape outâ of
this mode. If this doesn't work the reboot procedure for the
TeleDongle *is* to simply unplug it. 'cu' however will retain it's
outgoing buffer IF your âescape outâ ('~~') does not work.
@@ -3645,21 +3726,24 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
communication.
- The amber LED (on the TeleMetrum) lights up when both
- battery and USB are connected. Does this mean it's charging?
+ The amber LED (on the TeleMetrum) lights up when both
+ battery and USB are connected. Does this mean it's charging?
+
Yes, the yellow LED indicates the charging at the 'regular' rate.
If the led is out but the unit is still plugged into a USB port,
then the battery is being charged at a 'trickle' rate.
- There are no âdit-dah-dah-ditâ sound or lights like the manual mentions?
+ There are no âdit-dah-dah-ditâ sound or lights like the manual
+ mentions?
That's the âpadâ mode. Weak batteries might be the problem.
- It is also possible that the TeleMetrum is horizontal and the output
+ It is also possible that the flight computer is horizontal and the
+ output
is instead a âdit-ditâ meaning 'idle'. For TeleMini, it's possible that
it received a command packet which would have left it in âpadâ mode.
- How do I save flight data?
+ How do I save flight data?
Live telemetry is written to file(s) whenever AltosUI is connected
to the TeleDongle. The file area defaults to ~/TeleMetrum
but is easily changed using the menus in AltosUI. The files that
@@ -4104,4 +4188,4 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
\ No newline at end of file
+-->