"/usr/share/xml/docbook/schema/dtd/4.5/docbookx.dtd">
<book>
<title>The Altus Metrum System</title>
- <subtitle>An Owner's Manual for TeleMetrum, TeleMini, TeleDongle and TeleBT Devices</subtitle>
+ <subtitle>An Owner's Manual for Altus Metrum Rocketry Electronics</subtitle>
<bookinfo>
<author>
<firstname>Bdale</firstname>
<dedication>
<title>Acknowledgements</title>
<para>
- Thanks to Bob Finch, W9YA, NAR 12965, TRA 12350 for writing "The
+ Thanks to Bob Finch, W9YA, NAR 12965, TRA 12350 for writing “The
Mere-Mortals Quick Start/Usage Guide to the Altus Metrum Starter
- Kit" which formed the basis of the original Getting Started chapter
+ Kit” which formed the basis of the original Getting Started chapter
in this manual. Bob was one of our first customers for a production
TeleMetrum, and his continued enthusiasm and contributions
are immensely gratifying and highly appreciated!
<para>
The first device created for our community was TeleMetrum, a dual
deploy altimeter with fully integrated GPS and radio telemetry
- as standard features, and a "companion interface" that will
+ as standard features, and a “companion interface” that will
support optional capabilities in the future. The latest version
of TeleMetrum, v2.0, has all of the same features but with
improved sensors and radio to offer increased performance.
<title>Getting Started</title>
<para>
The first thing to do after you check the inventory of parts in your
- "starter kit" is to charge the battery.
+ “starter kit” is to charge the battery.
</para>
<para>
For TeleMetrum and TeleMega, the battery can be charged by plugging it into the
<para>
The other active device in the starter kit is the TeleDongle USB to
RF interface. If you plug it in to your Mac or Linux computer it should
- "just work", showing up as a serial port device. Windows systems need
+ “just work”, showing up as a serial port device. Windows systems need
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
The barometric sensors used on all of our flight computers are
sensitive to sunlight. In normal mounting situations, the baro sensor
and all of the other surface mount components
- are "down" towards whatever the underlying mounting surface is, so
+ are “down” 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
consider this with TeleMini v1.0, both because the baro sensor is on the
- "top" of the board, and because many model rockets with payload bays
+ “top” of the board, and because many model rockets with payload bays
use clear plastic for the payload bay! Replacing these with an opaque
cardboard tube, painting them, or wrapping them with a layer of masking
tape are all reasonable approaches to keep the sensor out of direct
sunlight.
</para>
<para>
- The barometric sensor sampling port must be able to "breathe",
+ The barometric sensor sampling port must be able to “breathe”,
both by not being covered by foam or tape or other materials that might
directly block the hole on the top of the sensor, and also by having a
suitable static vent to outside air.
fit inside coupler for 29mm air-frame tubing, but using it in a tube that
small in diameter may require some creativity in mounting and wiring
to succeed! The presence of an accelerometer means TeleMetrum should
- be aligned along the flight axis of the airframe, and by default the 1/4
+ be aligned along the flight axis of the airframe, and by default the ¼
wave UHF wire antenna should be on the nose-cone end of the board. The
antenna wire is about 7 inches long, and wiring for a power switch and
the e-matches for apogee and main ejection charges depart from the
- fin can end of the board, meaning an ideal "simple" avionics
+ fin can end of the board, meaning an ideal “simple” avionics
bay for TeleMetrum should have at least 10 inches of interior length.
</para>
</section>
wires for the power switch are connected to holes in the
middle of the board. Screw terminals for the e-matches for
apogee and main ejection charges depart from the other end of
- the board, meaning an ideal "simple" avionics bay for TeleMini
+ the board, meaning an ideal “simple” avionics bay for TeleMini
should have at least 9 inches of interior length.
</para>
<para>
to fire ejection charges. This works marvelously with standard
low-current e-matches like the J-Tek from MJG Technologies, and with
Quest Q2G2 igniters. However, if you want or need to use a separate
- pyro battery, check out the "External Pyro Battery" section in this
+ pyro battery, check out the “External Pyro Battery” section in this
manual for instructions on how to wire that up. The altimeters are
designed to work with an external pyro battery of no more than 15 volts.
<title>Firmware Modes </title>
<para>
The AltOS firmware build for the altimeters has two
- fundamental modes, "idle" and "flight". Which of these modes
+ fundamental modes, “idle” and “flight”. 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
rocket (well, actually the board, of course...) at the time
- power is switched on. If the rocket is "nose up", then
+ power is switched on. If the rocket is “nose up”, then
TeleMetrum 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
- accelerometer we can use to determine orientation, "idle" mode
+ accelerometer we can use to determine orientation, “idle” mode
is selected if the board is connected via USB to a computer,
- otherwise the board enters "flight" mode. TeleMini v1.0
- selects "idle" mode if it receives a command packet within the
+ otherwise the board enters “flight” mode. TeleMini v1.0
+ selects “idle” mode if it receives a command packet within the
first five seconds of operation.
</para>
<para>
At power on, you will hear three beeps or see three flashes
- ("S" in Morse code for start up) and then a pause while
+ (“S” in Morse code for start up) and then a pause while
the altimeter completes initialization and self test, and decides
which mode to enter next.
</para>
<para>
- In flight or "pad" mode, the altimeter engages the flight
+ In flight or “pad” mode, the altimeter engages the flight
state machine, goes into transmit-only mode to
send telemetry, and waits for launch to be detected.
- Flight mode is indicated by an "di-dah-dah-dit" ("P" for pad)
+ Flight mode is indicated by an “di-dah-dah-dit” (“P” for pad)
on the beeper or lights, followed by beeps or flashes
indicating the state of the pyrotechnic igniter continuity.
One beep/flash indicates apogee continuity, two beeps/flashes
indicate main continuity, three beeps/flashes indicate both
- apogee and main continuity, and one longer "brap" sound or
+ apogee and main continuity, and one longer “brap” sound or
rapidly alternating lights indicates no continuity. For a
dual deploy flight, make sure you're getting three beeps or
flashes before launching! For apogee-only or motor eject
flights, do what makes sense.
</para>
<para>
- If idle mode is entered, you will hear an audible "di-dit" or
- see two short flashes ("I" for idle), and the flight state
+ If idle mode is entered, you will hear an audible “di-dit” or
+ see two short flashes (“I” for idle), and the flight state
machine is disengaged, thus no ejection charges will fire.
The altimeters also listen for the radio link when in idle
mode for requests sent via TeleDongle. Commands can be issued
ground testing pyro charges.
</para>
<para>
- One "neat trick" of particular value when TeleMetrum or TeleMega are used with
+ One “neat trick” of particular value when TeleMetrum or TeleMega are used with
very large air-frames, is that you can power the board up while the
rocket is horizontal, such that it comes up in idle mode. Then you can
raise the air-frame to launch position, and issue a 'reset' command
</para>
<para>
The flight computers provide backup power to the GPS chip any time a
- battery is connected. This allows the receiver to "warm start" on
+ battery is connected. This allows the receiver to “warm start” on
the launch rail much faster than if every power-on were a GPS
- "cold start". In typical operations, powering up
+ “cold start”. In typical operations, powering up
on the flight line in idle mode while performing final air-frame
preparation will be sufficient to allow the GPS receiver to cold
start and acquire lock. Then the board can be powered down during
and additional pyro event conditions
to respond to changing launch conditions. You can also
'reboot' the altimeter. Use this to remotely enable the
- flight computer by turning TeleMetrum or TeleMega on in "idle" mode,
+ flight computer by turning TeleMetrum or TeleMega on in “idle” mode,
then once the air-frame is oriented for launch, you can
reboot the altimeter and have it restart in pad mode
without having to climb the scary ladder.
</para>
<para>
Just prep the rocket for flight, then power up the altimeter
- in "idle" mode (placing air-frame horizontal for TeleMetrum or TeleMega, or
+ in “idle” mode (placing air-frame horizontal for TeleMetrum or TeleMega, or
selecting the Configure Altimeter tab for TeleMini). This will cause
- the firmware to go into "idle" mode, in which the normal flight
+ the firmware to go into “idle” mode, in which the normal flight
state machine is disabled and charges will not fire without
manual command. You can now command the altimeter to fire the apogee
or main charges from a safe distance using your computer and
</para>
<para>
By design, the altimeter firmware listens for the radio link when
- it's in "idle mode", which
+ it's in “idle mode”, which
allows us to use the radio link to configure the rocket, do things like
ejection tests, and extract data after a flight without having to
- crack open the air-frame. However, when the board is in "flight
- mode", the altimeter only
+ crack open the air-frame. However, when the board is in “flight
+ mode”, the altimeter only
transmits and doesn't listen at all. That's because we want to put
ultimate priority on event detection and getting telemetry out of
the rocket through
<para>
Configuring an Altus Metrum altimeter for flight is very
simple. Even on our baro-only TeleMini and EasyMini boards, the use of a Kalman
- filter means there is no need to set a "mach delay". The few
+ filter means there is no need to set a “mach delay”. The few
configurable parameters can all be set using AltosUI over USB or
or radio link via TeleDongle.
</para>
<para>
Altus Metrum boards support radio frequencies in the 70cm
band. By default, the configuration interface provides a
- list of 10 "standard" frequencies in 100kHz channels starting at
+ list of 10 “standard” frequencies in 100kHz channels starting at
434.550MHz. However, the firmware supports use of
any 50kHz multiple within the 70cm band. At any given
launch, we highly recommend coordinating when and by whom each
<section>
<title>Maximum Flight Log</title>
<para>
- Each flight computer logs data at 100 samples per second
- during ascent and 10 samples per second during descent. Data
- are logged to an on-board flash memory part, which can be
- partitioned into several equal-sized blocks, one for each
- flight.
- </para>
- <table frame='all'>
- <title>Data Storage on Altus Metrum altimeters</title>
- <tgroup cols='4' align='center' colsep='1' rowsep='1'>
- <colspec align='center' colwidth='*' colname='Device'/>
- <colspec align='center' colwidth='*' colname='Bytes per sample'/>
- <colspec align='center' colwidth='*' colname='Total storage'/>
- <colspec align='center' colwidth='*' colname='Minutes of
- full-rate'/>
- <thead>
- <row>
- <entry align='center'>Device</entry>
- <entry align='center'>Bytes per Sample</entry>
- <entry align='center'>Total Storage</entry>
- <entry align='center'>Minutes at Full Rate</entry>
- </row>
- </thead>
- <tbody>
- <row>
- <entry>TeleMetrum v1.x</entry>
- <entry>8</entry>
- <entry>2MB</entry>
- <entry>40</entry>
- </row>
- </tbody>
- </tgroup>
- </table>
- <para>
- 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.
- </para>
- <para>
- Configuration data is also stored in the flash memory on
- TeleMetrum v1.x, TeleMini and EasyMini. This consumes 64kB
- of flash space. This configuration space is not available
- for storing flight log data. TeleMetrum v2.0 and TeleMega
- store configuration data in a bit of eeprom available within
- the processor chip.
- </para>
- <para>
- To compute the amount of space needed for a single flight,
- you can multiply the expected ascent time (in seconds) by
- 100 times bytes-per-sample (8 for TeleMetrum v1.x, 16 for
- TeleMetrum v2.0 and 32 for TeleMega), 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.
- </para>
- <para>
- 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.
- </para>
- <para>
- 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.
+ Changing this value will set the maximum amount of flight
+ log storage that an individual flight will use. The
+ available storage is divided into as many flights of the
+ specified size as can fit in the available space. You can
+ download and erase individual flight logs. If you fill up
+ the available storage, future flights will not get logged
+ until you erase some of the stored ones.
</para>
</section>
<section>
<section>
<title>Pyro Channels</title>
<para>
- TeleMega
+ In addition to the usual Apogee and Main pyro channels,
+ TeleMega has four additional channels that can be configured
+ to activate when various flight conditions are
+ satisfied. You can select as many conditions as necessary;
+ all of them must be met in order to activate the
+ channel. The conditions available are:
</para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Acceleration away from the ground. Select a value, and
+ then choose whether acceleration should be above or
+ below that value. Acceleration is positive upwards, so
+ accelerating towards the ground would produce negative
+ numbers. Acceleration during descent is noisy and
+ inaccurate, so be careful when using it during these
+ phases of the flight.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Vertical speed. Select a value, and then choose whether
+ vertical speed should be above or below that
+ value. Speed is positive upwards, so moving towards the
+ ground would produce negative numbers. Speed during
+ descent is a bit noisy and so be careful when using it
+ during these phases of the flight.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Height. Select a value, and then choose whether the
+ height above the launch pad should be above or below
+ that value.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Orientation. TeleMega contains a 3-axis gyroscope and
+ accelerometer which is used to measure the current
+ angle. Note that this angle is not the change in angle
+ from the launch pad, but rather absolute relative to
+ gravity; the 3-axis accelerometer is used to compute the
+ angle of the rocket on the launch pad and initialize the
+ 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
+ error should be less than 2°).
+ </para>
+ <para>
+ The usual use of the orientation configuration is to
+ ensure that the rocket is traveling mostly upwards when
+ deciding whether to ignite air starts or additional
+ stages. For that, choose a reasonable maximum angle
+ (like 20°) and set the motor igniter to require an angle
+ of less than that value.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Flight Time. Time since boost was detected. Select a
+ value and choose whether to activate the pyro channel
+ before or after that amount of time.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Ascending. A simple test saying whether the rocket is
+ going up or not. This is exactly equivalent to testing
+ whether the speed is > 0.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Descending. A simple test saying whether the rocket is
+ going down or not. This is exactly equivalent to testing
+ whether the speed is < 0.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ After Motor. The flight software counts each time the
+ rocket starts accelerating (presumably due to a motor or
+ motors igniting). Use this value to count ignitions for
+ multi-staged or multi-airstart launches.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Delay. This value doesn't perform any checks, instead it
+ inserts a delay between the time when the other
+ parameters become true and when the pyro channel is
+ activated.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Flight State. The flight software tracks the flight
+ through a sequence of states:
+ <orderedlist>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Boost. The motor has lit and the rocket is
+ accelerating upwards.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Fast. The motor has burned out and the rocket is
+ descellerating, but it is going faster than 200m/s.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Coast. The rocket is still moving upwards and
+ decelerating, but the speed is less than 200m/s.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Drogue. The rocket has reached apogee and is heading
+ back down, but is above the configured Main
+ altitude.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Main. The rocket is still descending, and is blow
+ the Main altitude
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+ Landed. The rocket is no longer moving.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </orderedlist>
+ </para>
+ <para>
+ You can select a state to limit when the pyro channel
+ may activate; note that the check is based on when the
+ rocket transitions *into* the state, and so checking for
+ 'greater than Boost' means that the rocket is currently
+ in boost state.
+ </para>
+ <para>
+ When a motor burns out, the rocket enters either Fast or
+ Coast state (depending on how fast it is moving). If the
+ computer detects upwards acceleration again, it will
+ move back to Boost state.
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </itemizedlist>
</section>
</section>
<title>AltosUI</title>
<para>
The AltosUI program provides a graphical user interface for
- interacting with the Altus Metrum product family, including
- TeleMetrum, TeleMini and TeleDongle. AltosUI can monitor telemetry data,
- configure TeleMetrum, TeleMini and TeleDongle devices and many other
+ 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
<section>
<title>Configure Altimeter</title>
<para>
- Select this button and then select either a TeleMetrum or
+ 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.
</para>
<section>
<title>Radio Frequency</title>
<para>
- This configures which of the configured frequencies to use for both
+ 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, you will have to reconfigure
- the TeleDongle frequency before you will be able to use packet
- command mode again.
+ value via packet command mode, the TeleDongle frequency will
+ also be automatically reconfigured to match so that
+ communication will continue afterwards.
</para>
</section>
<section>
- <title>Radio Calibration</title>
+ <title>RF Calibration</title>
<para>
The radios in every Altus Metrum device are calibrated at the
factory to ensure that they transmit and receive on the
you must reprogram the unit completely.
</para>
</section>
+ <section>
+ <title>Telemetry/RDF/APRS Enable</title>
+ <para>
+ Enables the radio for transmission during flight. When
+ disabled, the radio will not transmit anything during flight
+ at all.
+ </para>
+ </section>
+ <section>
+ <title>APRS Interval</title>
+ <para>
+ How often to transmit GPS information via APRS. 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.
+ </para>
+ </section>
<section>
<title>Callsign</title>
<para>
<section>
<title>Pad Orientation</title>
<para>
- Because it includes an accelerometer, TeleMetrum is
- sensitive to the orientation of the board. By default, it
- expects 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.
+ Because it includes an accelerometer, TeleMetrum and
+ TeleMega are sensitive to the orientation of the board. By
+ default, it expects 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.
</para>
<itemizedlist>
<listitem>
</listitem>
</itemizedlist>
</section>
+ <section>
+ <title>Configure Pyro Channels</title>
+ <para>
+ This opens a separate window to configure the additional
+ pyro channels available on TeleMega. 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.
+ </para>
+ <itemizedlist>
+ <listitem>
+ <para>
+
+ </para>
+ </listitem>
+ </itemizedlist>
+ </section>
</section>
<section>
<title>Configure AltosUI</title>
<title>Monitor Idle</title>
<para>
This brings up a dialog similar to the Monitor Flight UI,
- except it works with the altimeter in "idle" mode by sending
+ except it works with the altimeter in “idle” mode by sending
query commands to discover the current state rather than
listening for telemetry packets.
</para>
<para>
AltosDroid is included in the Google Play store. To install
it on your Android device, open open the Google Play Store
- application and search for "altosdroid". Make sure you don't
- have a space between "altos" and "droid" or you probably won't
+ application and search for “altosdroid”. Make sure you don't
+ have a space between “altos” and “droid” or you probably won't
find what you want. That should bring you to the right page
from which you can download and install the application.
</para>
Geo-Caching... just go to the way-point and look around starting from there.
</para>
<para>
- You may also enjoy having a ham radio "HT" that covers the 70cm band... you
+ You may also enjoy having a ham radio “HT” that covers the 70cm band... you
can use that with your antenna to direction-find the rocket on the ground
the same way you can use a Walston or Beeline tracker. This can be handy
if the rocket is hiding in sage brush or a tree, or if the last GPS position
<section>
<title>Future Plans</title>
<para>
- In the future, we intend to offer "companion boards" for the rocket
+ 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.
</para>
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" balsa to fit
+ TeleMini, 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.
in the environment and avoid having wire lengths near a
natural resonant length. Altusmetrum products transmit on the
70cm amateur band, so you should avoid lengths that are a
- simple ratio of that length; essentially any multiple of 1/4
+ simple ratio of that length; essentially any multiple of ¼
of the wavelength (17.5cm).
</para>
</listitem>
<para>
Confirm that the TeleMini board seems to have updated OK, which you
can do by configuring it over the radio link through the TeleDongle, or
- letting it come up in "flight" mode and listening for telemetry.
+ letting it come up in “flight” mode and listening for telemetry.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
<listitem>
<para>
Find the USB cable that you got as part of the starter kit, and
- plug the "mini" end in to the mating connector on TeleMetrum or TeleDongle.
+ plug the “mini” end in to the mating connector on TeleMetrum or TeleDongle.
</para>
</listitem>
<listitem>
Make sure the configuration parameters are reasonable
looking. If the serial number and/or RF configuration
values aren't right, you'll need to change them. The TeleDongle
- serial number is on the "bottom" of the circuit board, and can
+ serial number is on the “bottom” of the circuit board, and can
usually be read through the translucent blue plastic case without
needing to remove the board from the case.
</para>
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 "locked" mode. The battery charges best when TeleMetrum
+ GPS enters “locked” mode. The battery charges best when TeleMetrum
is turned off.
</para>
<para>
- It's impossible to stop the TeleDongle when it's in "p" mode, I have
- to unplug the USB cable? Make sure you have tried to "escape out" of
+ It's impossible to stop the TeleDongle when it's in “p” mode, I have
+ to unplug the USB cable? Make sure you have tried to “escape out” 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 "escape out" ('~~') does not work.
+ outgoing buffer IF your “escape out” ('~~') does not work.
At this point using either 'ao-view' (or possibly
'cutemon') instead of 'cu' will 'clear' the issue and allow renewed
communication.
then the battery is being charged at a 'trickle' rate.
</para>
<para>
- There are no "dit-dah-dah-dit" sound or lights like the manual mentions?
- That's the "pad" mode. Weak batteries might be the problem.
+ There are no “dit-dah-dah-dit” sound or lights like the manual mentions?
+ That's the “pad” mode. Weak batteries might be the problem.
It is also possible that the TeleMetrum is horizontal and the output
- is instead a "dit-dit" meaning 'idle'. For TeleMini, it's possible that
- it received a command packet which would have left it in "pad" mode.
+ is instead a “dit-dit” meaning 'idle'. For TeleMini, it's possible that
+ it received a command packet which would have left it in “pad” mode.
</para>
<para>
How do I save flight data?
</para>
<para>
Now might be a good time to take a break and read the rest of this
- manual, particularly about the two "modes" that the altimeters
+ manual, particularly about the two “modes” that the altimeters
can be placed in. TeleMetrum uses the position of the device when booting
- up will determine whether the unit is in "pad" or "idle" mode. TeleMini
- enters "idle" mode when it receives a command packet within the first 5 seconds
- of being powered up, otherwise it enters "pad" mode.
+ up will determine whether the unit is in “pad” or “idle” mode. TeleMini
+ enters “idle” mode when it receives a command packet within the first 5 seconds
+ of being powered up, otherwise it enters “pad” mode.
</para>
<para>
You can access an altimeter in idle mode from the TeleDongle's USB
connection using the radio link
by issuing a 'p' command to the TeleDongle. Practice connecting and
disconnecting ('~~' while using 'cu') from the altimeter. If
- you cannot escape out of the "p" command, (by using a '~~' when in
+ you cannot escape out of the “p” command, (by using a '~~' when in
CU) then it is likely that your kernel has issues. Try a newer version.
</para>
<para>
is in 'idle mode' and then place the
rocket vertically on the launch pad, walk away and then issue a
reboot command. The altimeter will reboot and start sending data
- having changed to the "pad" mode. If the TeleDongle is not receiving
+ having changed to the “pad” mode. If the TeleDongle is not receiving
this data, you can disconnect 'cu' from the TeleDongle using the
procedures mentioned above and THEN connect to the TeleDongle from
inside 'ao-view'. If this doesn't work, disconnect from the
The +1g and -1g calibration points are included in each telemetry
frame and are part of the header stored in onboard flash to be
downloaded after flight. We always store and return raw ADC
- samples for each sensor... so nothing is permanently "lost" or
- "damaged" if the calibration is poor.
+ samples for each sensor... so nothing is permanently “lost” or
+ “damaged” if the calibration is poor.
</para>
<para>
In the unlikely event an accel cal goes badly, it is possible
projects / fw / altos / blobdiff