--- /dev/null
+== AltosUI
+
+ .AltosUI Main Window
+ image::altosui.png[width="4.6in"]
+
+ The AltosUI program provides a graphical user interface for
+ 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
+ chapter is split into sections, each of which documents one of
+ the tasks provided from the top-level toolbar.
+
+ === Monitor Flight
+ ////
+ <subtitle>Receive, Record and Display Telemetry Data</subtitle>
+ ////
+
+ Selecting this item brings up a dialog box listing all
+ of the connected TeleDongle devices. When you choose
+ one of these, AltosUI will create a window to display
+ telemetry data as received by the selected TeleDongle
+ device.
+
+ .Device Selection Dialog
+ image::device-selection.png[width="3.1in"]
+
+ All telemetry data received are automatically recorded
+ in suitable log files. The name of the files includes
+ the current date and rocket serial and flight numbers.
+
+ The radio frequency being monitored by the TeleDongle
+ device is displayed at the top of the window. You can
+ configure the frequency by clicking on the frequency
+ box and selecting the desired frequency. AltosUI
+ remembers the last frequency selected for each
+ TeleDongle and selects that automatically the next
+ time you use that device.
+
+ Below the TeleDongle frequency selector, the window
+ contains a few significant pieces of information about
+ the altimeter providing the telemetry data stream:
+
+ * The configured call-sign
+
+ * The device serial number
+
+ * The flight number. Each altimeter remembers how
+ many times it has flown.
+
+ * The rocket flight state. Each flight passes through
+ several states including Pad, Boost, Fast, Coast,
+ Drogue, Main and Landed.
+
+ * The Received Signal Strength Indicator value. This
+ lets you know how strong a signal TeleDongle is
+ receiving. At the default data rate, 38400 bps, in
+ bench testing, the radio inside TeleDongle v0.2
+ operates down to about -106dBm, while the v3 radio
+ works down to about -111dBm. Weaker signals, or an
+ environment with radio noise may cause the data to
+ not be received. The packet link uses error
+ detection and correction techniques which prevent
+ 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 tabs, each of which contain some information
+ about the rocket. They're arranged in 'flight order'
+ so that as the flight progresses, the selected tab
+ automatically switches to display data relevant to the
+ current state of the flight. You can select other tabs
+ at any time. The final 'table' tab displays all of the
+ raw telemetry values in one place in a
+ spreadsheet-like format.
+
+ ==== Launch Pad
+
+ .Monitor Flight Launch Pad View
+ image::launch-pad.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ The 'Launch Pad' tab shows information used to decide when the
+ rocket is ready for flight. The first elements include red/green
+ indicators, if any of these is red, you'll want to evaluate
+ whether the rocket is ready to launch:
+
+ Battery Voltage::
+ 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.
+
+ Apogee Igniter Voltage::
+ This indicates whether the apogee
+ igniter has continuity. If the igniter has a low
+ resistance, then the voltage measured here will be close
+ to the Li-Po battery voltage. A value greater than 3.2V is
+ required for a 'GO' status.
+
+ Main Igniter Voltage::
+ This indicates whether the main
+ igniter has continuity. If the igniter has a low
+ resistance, then the voltage measured here will be close
+ to the Li-Po battery voltage. A value greater than 3.2V is
+ required for a 'GO' status.
+
+ On-board Data Logging::
+ This indicates whether there is 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. 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 even if the
+ flight data storage is full.
+
+ GPS Locked::
+ For a TeleMetrum or TeleMega device, this indicates
+ whether the GPS receiver is currently able to compute
+ position information. GPS requires at least 4
+ satellites to compute an accurate position.
+
+ GPS Ready::
+
+ For a TeleMetrum or TeleMega device, this indicates
+ whether GPS has reported at least 10 consecutive
+ positions without losing lock. This ensures that the
+ GPS receiver has reliable reception from the
+ satellites.
+
+ The Launchpad tab also shows the computed launch pad
+ position and altitude, averaging many reported
+ positions to improve the accuracy of the fix.
+
+ ==== Ascent
+
+ .Monitor Flight Ascent View
+ image::ascent.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ This tab is shown during Boost, Fast and Coast
+ phases. The information displayed here helps monitor the
+ rocket as it heads towards apogee.
+
+ The height, speed, acceleration and tilt are shown along
+ with the maximum values for each of them. This allows you to
+ quickly answer the most commonly asked questions you'll hear
+ during flight.
+
+ 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
+ start reporting position again.
+
+ Finally, the current igniter voltages are reported as in the
+ Launch Pad tab. This can help diagnose deployment failures
+ caused by wiring which comes loose under high acceleration.
+
+ ==== Descent
+
+ .Monitor Flight Descent View
+ image::descent.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ Once the rocket has reached apogee and (we hope)
+ activated the apogee charge, attention switches to
+ tracking the rocket on the way back to the ground, and
+ for dual-deploy flights, waiting for the main charge
+ to fire.
+
+ To monitor whether the apogee charge operated
+ correctly, the current descent rate is reported along
+ with the current height. Good descent rates vary based
+ on the choice of recovery components, but generally
+ range from 15-30m/s on drogue and should be below
+ 10m/s when under the main parachute in a dual-deploy
+ flight.
+
+ 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 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 well, both to monitor the main charge as well as to
+ see what the status of the apogee charge is. Note
+ that some commercial e-matches are designed to retain
+ continuity even after being fired, and will continue
+ to show as green or return from red to green after
+ firing.
+
+ ==== Landed
+
+ .Monitor Flight Landed View
+ image::landed.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ Once the rocket is on the ground, attention switches
+ to recovery. While the radio signal is often lost once
+ the rocket is on the ground, the last reported GPS
+ position is generally within a short distance of the
+ actual landing location.
+
+ The last reported GPS position is reported both by
+ latitude and longitude as well as a bearing and
+ distance from the launch pad. The distance should give
+ you a good idea of whether to walk or hitch a ride.
+ Take the reported latitude and longitude and enter
+ them into your hand-held GPS unit and have that
+ compute a track to the landing location.
+
+ 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 a hill (or your neighbor's RV roof)
+ to receive the RDF signal.
+
+ The maximum height, speed and acceleration reported
+ 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 may yield more precise results.
+
+ To get more detailed information about the flight, you
+ can click on the 'Graph Flight' button which will
+ bring up a graph window for the current flight.
+
+ ==== Table
+
+ .Monitor Flight Table View
+ image::table.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ The table view shows all of the data available from the
+ flight computer. Probably the most useful data on
+ this tab is the detailed GPS information, which includes
+ horizontal dilution of precision information, and
+ information about the signal being received from the satellites.
+
+ ==== Site Map
+
+ .Monitor Flight Site Map View
+ image::site-map.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ When the TeleMetrum has a GPS fix, the Site Map tab
+ will map the rocket's position to make it easier for
+ you to locate the rocket, both while it is in the air,
+ and when it has landed. The rocket's state is
+ indicated by color: white for pad, red for boost, pink
+ for fast, yellow for coast, light blue for drogue,
+ dark blue for main, and black for landed.
+
+ The map's default scale is approximately 3m (10ft) per
+ pixel. The map can be dragged using the left mouse
+ button. The map will attempt to keep the rocket
+ roughly centered while data is being received.
+
+ You can adjust the style of map and the zoom level
+ with buttons on the right side of the map window. You
+ can draw a line on the map by moving the mouse over
+ the map with a button other than the left one pressed,
+ or by pressing the left button while also holding down
+ the shift key. The length of the line in real-world
+ units will be shown at the start of the line.
+
+ Images are fetched automatically via the Google Maps
+ Static API, and cached on disk for reuse. If map
+ images cannot be downloaded, the rocket's path will be
+ traced on a dark gray background instead.
+
+ You can pre-load images for your favorite launch sites
+ before you leave home; check out the 'Preload Maps'
+ section below.
+
+ ==== Igniter
+
+ .Monitor Flight Additional Igniter View
+ image::ignitor.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ TeleMega includes four additional programmable pyro
+ channels. The Ignitor tab shows whether each of them has
+ continuity. If an ignitor has a low resistance, then the
+ voltage measured here will be close to the pyro battery
+ voltage. A value greater than 3.2V is required for a 'GO'
+ status.
+
+ === Save Flight Data
+
+ The altimeter records flight data to its internal
+ flash memory. TeleMetrum data is recorded at a much
+ higher rate than the telemetry 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.
+
+ Clicking on the 'Save Flight Data' button brings up a
+ list of 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 a flight computer over radio link via
+ the specified TeleDongle. See the chapter on
+ Controlling An Altimeter Over The Radio Link for more
+ information.
+
+ After the device has been selected, a dialog showing
+ the flight data saved in the device will be shown
+ allowing you to select which flights to download and
+ which to delete. With version 0.9 or newer firmware,
+ you must erase flights in order for the space they
+ consume to be reused by another flight. This prevents
+ accidentally losing flight data if you neglect to
+ download data before flying again. Note that if there
+ is no more space available in the device, then no data
+ will be recorded during the next flight.
+
+ The file name for each flight log is computed
+ automatically from the recorded flight date, altimeter
+ serial number and flight number information.
+
+ === Replay Flight
+
+ Select this button and you are prompted to select a flight
+ record file, either a .telem file recording telemetry data or a
+ .eeprom file containing flight data saved from the altimeter
+ flash memory.
+
+ Once a flight record is selected, the flight monitor interface
+ is displayed and the flight is re-enacted in real time. Check
+ the Monitor Flight chapter above to learn how this window operates.
+
+ === Graph Data
+
+ Select this button and you are prompted to select a flight
+ record file, either a .telem file recording telemetry data or a
+ .eeprom file containing flight data saved from
+ flash memory.
+
+ Note that telemetry files will generally produce poor graphs
+ due to the lower sampling rate and missed telemetry packets.
+ Use saved flight data in .eeprom files for graphing where possible.
+
+ Once a flight record is selected, a window with multiple tabs is
+ opened.
+
+ ==== Flight Graph
+
+ image::graph.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ By default, the graph contains acceleration (blue),
+ velocity (green) and altitude (red).
+
+ The graph can be zoomed into a particular area by
+ clicking and dragging down and to the right. Once
+ zoomed, the graph can be reset by clicking and
+ dragging up and to the left. Holding down control and
+ clicking and dragging allows the graph to be panned.
+ The right mouse button causes a pop-up menu to be
+ displayed, giving you the option save or print the
+ plot.
+
+ ==== Configure Graph
+
+ image::graph-configure.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ This selects which graph elements to show, and, at the
+ very bottom, lets you switch between metric and
+ imperial units
+
+ ==== Flight Statistics
+
+ image::graph-stats.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ Shows overall data computed from the flight.
+
+ ==== Map
+
+ image::graph-map.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ Shows a satellite image of the flight area overlaid
+ with the path of the flight. The red concentric
+ circles mark the launch pad, the black concentric
+ circles mark the landing location.
+
+ === Export Data
+
+ 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,
+ 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.
+
+ ==== Comma Separated Value Format
+
+ This is a text file containing the data in a form
+ suitable for import into a spreadsheet or other
+ external data analysis tool. The first few lines of
+ the file contain the version and configuration
+ information from the altimeter, then there is a single
+ header line which labels all of the fields. All of
+ these lines start with a '#' character which many
+ tools can be configured to skip over.
+
+ The remaining lines of the file contain the data, with
+ each field separated by a comma and at least one
+ space. All of the sensor values are converted to
+ standard units, with the barometric data reported in
+ both pressure, altitude and height above pad units.
+
+ ==== Keyhole Markup Language (for Google Earth)
+
+ This is the format used by Google Earth to provide an
+ overlay within that application. With this, you can
+ use Google Earth to see the whole flight path in 3D.
+
+ === Configure Altimeter
+
+ image::configure-altimeter.png[width="3.6in"]
+
+ Select this button and then select either an altimeter or
+ TeleDongle Device from the list provided. Selecting a TeleDongle
+ device will use the radio link to configure a remote altimeter.
+
+ 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.
+
+ 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.
+
+ The rest of the dialog contains the parameters to be configured.
+
+ ==== Main Deploy Altitude
+
+ This sets the altitude (above the recorded pad
+ altitude) at which the 'main' igniter will fire. The
+ drop-down menu shows some common values, but you can
+ edit the text directly and choose whatever you
+ like. If the apogee charge fires below this altitude,
+ then the main charge will fire two seconds after the
+ apogee charge fires.
+
+ ==== Apogee Delay
+
+ When flying redundant electronics, it's often
+ important to ensure that multiple apogee charges don't
+ fire at precisely the same time, as that can over
+ pressurize the apogee deployment bay and cause a
+ structural failure of the air-frame. The Apogee Delay
+ parameter tells the flight computer to fire the apogee
+ charge a certain number of seconds after apogee has
+ been detected.
+
+ ==== Apogee Lockout
+
+ Apogee lockout is the number of seconds after boost
+ where the flight computer will not fire the apogee
+ charge, even if the rocket appears to be at
+ apogee. This is often called 'Mach Delay', as it is
+ intended to prevent a flight computer from
+ unintentionally firing apogee charges due to the
+ pressure spike that occurrs across a mach
+ transition. Altus Metrum flight computers include a
+ Kalman filter which is not fooled by this sharp
+ pressure increase, and so this setting should be left
+ at the default value of zero to disable it.
+
+ ==== Frequency
+
+ This configures which of the frequencies to use for
+ both telemetry and packet command mode. Note that if
+ you set this value via packet command mode, the
+ TeleDongle frequency will also be automatically
+ reconfigured to match so that communication will
+ continue afterwards.
+
+ ==== RF Calibration
+
+ The radios in every Altus Metrum device are calibrated
+ at the factory to ensure that they transmit and
+ receive on the specified frequency. If you need to
+ you can adjust the calibration by changing this value.
+ Do not do this without understanding what the value
+ means, read the appendix on calibration and/or the
+ source code for more information. To change a
+ TeleDongle's calibration, you must reprogram the unit
+ completely.
+
+ ==== Telemetry/RDF/APRS Enable
+
+ Enables the radio for transmission during
+ flight. When disabled, the radio will not
+ transmit anything during flight at all.
+
+ ==== Telemetry baud rate
+
+ This sets the modulation bit rate for data
+ transmission for both telemetry and packet
+ link mode. Lower bit rates will increase range
+ while reducing the amount of data that can be
+ sent and increasing battery consumption. All
+ telemetry is done using a rate 1/2 constraint
+ 4 convolution code, so the actual data
+ transmission rate is 1/2 of the modulation bit
+ rate specified here.
+
+ ==== APRS Interval
+
+ How often to transmit GPS information via APRS
+ (in seconds). When set to zero, APRS
+ transmission is disabled. This option is
+ available on TeleMetrum v2 and TeleMega
+ boards. TeleMetrum v1 boards cannot transmit
+ APRS packets. Note that a single APRS packet
+ takes nearly a full second to transmit, so
+ enabling this option will prevent sending any
+ other telemetry during that time.
+
+ ==== APRS SSID
+
+ Which SSID to report in APRS packets. By
+ default, this is set to the last digit of the
+ serial number, but can be configured to any
+ value from 0 to 9.
+
+ ==== Callsign
+
+ This sets the call sign included in each
+ telemetry packet. Set this as needed to
+ conform to your local radio regulations.
+
+ ==== Maximum Flight Log Size
+
+ This sets the space (in kilobytes) allocated
+ for each flight log. The available space will
+ be divided into chunks of this size. A smaller
+ value will allow more flights to be stored, a
+ larger value will record data from longer
+ flights.
+
+ ==== Ignitor Firing Mode
+
+ This configuration parameter allows the two standard ignitor
+ channels (Apogee and Main) 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.
+
+ ==== Pad Orientation
+
+ Because they include accelerometers,
+ TeleMetrum, TeleMega and EasyMega are
+ sensitive to the orientation of the board. By
+ 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 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.
+
+ ==== Beeper Frequency
+
+ The beeper on all Altus Metrum flight
+ computers works best at 4000Hz, however if you
+ have more than one flight computer in a single
+ airframe, having all of them sound at the same
+ frequency can be confusing. This parameter
+ lets you adjust the base beeper frequency
+ value.
+
+ ==== Configure Pyro Channels
+
+ image::configure-pyro.png[width="5.5in"]
+
+ This opens a separate window to configure the
+ additional pyro channels available on TeleMega
+ and EasyMega. One column is presented for
+ each channel. Each row represents a single
+ parameter, if enabled the parameter must meet
+ the specified test for the pyro channel to be
+ fired.
+
+ Select conditions and set the related value;
+ the pyro channel will be activated when *all*
+ of the conditions are met. Each pyro channel
+ has a separate set of configuration values, so
+ you can use different values for the same
+ condition with different channels.
+
+ At the bottom of the window, the 'Pyro Firing
+ Time' configuration sets the length of time
+ (in seconds) which each of these pyro channels
+ will fire for.
+
+ Once you have selected the appropriate
+ configuration for all of the necessary pyro
+ channels, you can save the pyro configuration
+ along with the rest of the flight computer
+ configuration by pressing the 'Save' button in
+ the main Configure Flight Computer window.
+
+ include::pyro-channels.raw[]
+
+ === Configure AltosUI
+
+ image:configure-altosui.png[width="2.4in"]
+
+ This button presents a dialog so that you can
+ configure the AltosUI global settings.
+
+ ==== Voice Settings
+
+ AltosUI provides voice announcements during
+ flight so that you can keep your eyes on the
+ sky and still get information about the
+ current flight status. However, sometimes you
+ don't want to hear them.
+
+ Enable::
+ Turns all voice announcements on and off
+
+ Test Voice::
+ Plays a short message allowing you to verify
+ that the audio system is working and the volume settings
+ are reasonable
+
+ ==== Log Directory
+
+ AltosUI logs all telemetry data and saves all
+ TeleMetrum flash data to this directory. This
+ directory is also used as the staring point
+ when selecting data files for display or
+ export.
+
+ Click on the directory name to bring up a
+ directory choosing dialog, select a new
+ directory and click 'Select Directory' to
+ change where AltosUI reads and writes data
+ files.
+
+ ==== Callsign
+
+ This value is transmitted in each command
+ packet sent from TeleDongle and received from
+ an altimeter. It is not used in telemetry
+ mode, as the callsign configured in the
+ altimeter board is included in all telemetry
+ packets. Configure this with the AltosUI
+ operators call sign as needed to comply with
+ your local radio regulations.
+
+ Note that to successfully command a flight
+ computer over the radio (to configure the
+ altimeter, monitor idle, or fire pyro
+ charges), the callsign configured here must
+ exactly match the callsign configured in the
+ flight computer. This matching is case
+ sensitive.
+
+ ==== Imperial Units
+
+ This switches between metric units (meters)
+ and imperial units (feet and miles). This
+ affects the display of values use during
+ flight monitoring, configuration, 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
+
+ Selects the set of fonts used in the flight
+ monitor window. Choose between the small,
+ medium and large sets.
+
+ ==== Serial Debug
+
+ This causes all communication with a connected
+ device to be dumped to the console from which
+ AltosUI was started. If you've started it from
+ an icon or menu entry, the output will simply
+ be discarded. This mode can be useful to debug
+ various serial communication issues.
+
+ ==== Manage Frequencies
+
+ This brings up a dialog where you can
+ configure the set of frequencies shown in the
+ various frequency menus. You can add as many
+ as you like, or even reconfigure the default
+ set. Changing this list does not affect the
+ frequency settings of any devices, it only
+ changes the set of frequencies shown in the
+ menus.
+
+ === Configure Groundstation
+
+ image:configure-groundstation.png[width="3.1in"]
+
+ Select this button and then select a
+ TeleDongle or TeleBT 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 TeleDongle and TeleBT don't save any
+ configuration data, the settings here are
+ recorded on the local machine in the Java
+ preferences database. Moving the device 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.
+
+ ==== RF 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 or TeleBT's
+ calibration, you must reprogram the unit
+ completely, so this entry simply shows the
+ current value and doesn't allow any changes.
+
+ ==== Telemetry Rate
+
+ This lets you match the telemetry and packet
+ link rate from the transmitter. If they don't
+ match, the device won't receive any data.
+
+ === Flash Image
+
+ This reprograms Altus Metrum devices with new
+ firmware. TeleMetrum v1.x, TeleDongle v0.2, TeleMini
+ and TeleBT are all reprogrammed by using another
+ similar unit as a programming dongle (pair
+ programming). TeleMega, EasyMega, TeleMetrum v2,
+ EasyMini and TeleDongle v3 are all programmed directly
+ over their USB ports (self programming). Please read
+ the directions for flashing devices in the Updating
+ Device Firmware chapter below.
+
+ === Fire Igniter
+
+ image::fire-igniter.png[width="1.2in"]
+
+ 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
+ device. This brings up another window which shows the
+ current continuity test status for all of the pyro
+ channels.
+
+ Next, select the desired igniter to fire. This will
+ enable the 'Arm' button.
+
+ Select the 'Arm' button. This enables the 'Fire'
+ button. The word 'Arm' is replaced by a countdown
+ timer indicating that you have 10 seconds to press the
+ 'Fire' button or the system will deactivate, at which
+ point you start over again at selecting the desired
+ igniter.
+
+ === Scan Channels
+
+ image::scan-channels.png[width="3.2in"]
+
+ This listens for telemetry packets on all of the
+ configured frequencies, displaying information about
+ each device it receives a packet from. You can select
+ which of the baud rates and telemetry formats should
+ be tried; by default, it only listens at 38400 baud
+ with the standard telemetry format used in v1.0 and
+ later firmware.
+
+ === Load Maps
+
+ image::load-maps.png[width="5.2in"]
+
+ Before heading out to a new launch site, you can use
+ this to load satellite images in case you don't have
+ internet connectivity at the site.
+
+ 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 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
+
+ There are four different kinds of maps you can view;
+ you can select which to download by selecting as many
+ as you like from the available types:
+
+ Hybrid::
+ A combination of satellite imagery and road data. This
+ is the default view.
+
+ Satellite::
+ Just the satellite imagery without any annotation.
+
+ Roadmap::
+ Roads, political boundaries and a few geographic
+ features.
+
+ Terrain::
+ Contour intervals and shading that show hills and
+ valleys.
+
+ You can specify the range of zoom levels to download;
+ smaller numbers show more area with less
+ resolution. The default level, 0, shows about
+ 3m/pixel. One zoom level change doubles or halves that
+ number. Larger zoom levels show more detail, smaller
+ zoom levels less.
+
+ The Map Radius value sets how large an area around the
+ center point to download. Select a value large enough
+ to cover any plausible flight from that site. Be aware
+ that loading a large area with a high maximum zoom
+ level can attempt to download a lot of data. Loading
+ hybrid maps with a 10km radius at a minimum zoom of -2
+ and a maximum zoom of 2 consumes about 120MB of
+ space. Terrain and road maps consume about 1/10 as
+ much space as satellite or hybrid maps.
+
+ Clicking the 'Load Map' button will fetch images from
+ Google Maps; note that Google limits how many images
+ you can fetch at once, so if you load more than one
+ launch site, you may get some gray areas in the map
+ which indicate that Google is tired of sending data to
+ you. Try again later.
+
+ === Monitor Idle
+
+ image::monitor-idle.png[width="5.2in"]
+
+ This brings up a dialog similar to the Monitor Flight
+ UI, except it works with the altimeter in “idle” mode
+ by sending query commands to discover the current
+ state rather than listening for telemetry
+ packets. Because this uses command mode, it needs to
+ have the TeleDongle and flight computer callsigns
+ match exactly. If you can receive telemetry, but
+ cannot manage to run Monitor Idle, then it's very
+ likely that your callsigns are different in some way.
+
+ You can change the frequency and callsign used to
+ communicate with the flight computer; they must both
+ match the configuration in the flight computer
+ exactly.
projects / fw / altos / blobdiff