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+== Configuration
+
+ There are 3 things you need to configure identically in each unit
+ that is part of a TeleLaunch system for wireless communications to
+ succeed. Those are the operating frequency, the callsign, and a key
+ for the AES encryption algorithm. Additionally, each TeleFire unit
+ also needs to be configured with a unique bank number.
+
+ Please note that these values must match exactly, or the system will
+ not operate as expected. That means the callsign needs to have the
+ same choices of upper or lower case, no trailing spaces, etc. And
+ the operating frequency and AES key must match.
+
+ === Connecting to a Unit
+
+ Configuring each unit of a TeleLaunch system requires use of
+ a micro USB cable, and a computer with a suitable terminal
+ emulation program. Connect a suitable cable, open your
+ favoriate terminal emulation program, and power up the unit.
+ By pressing <enter> you should see a command prompt.
+
+ === TeleLCO
+
+ The USB connector on TeleLCO is accessible without
+ opening the lid of the Pelican box. Look for the
+ blue dust cap over the connector under the handle.
+
+ === TeleFireEight
+
+ The USB connector on TeleFireEight is located on the
+ circuit board. To access it, open the box and flip
+ the lid up. you should be able to spot a vertical
+ micro USB connector on the board near the DIP switch.
+
+ [WARNING]
+ Please take care when closing the TeleFireEight lid
+ not to pinch any wires.
+
+ === Operating Frequency
+
+ The TeleLaunch system supports operation over much of the
+ "70cm" Amateur Radio band, with the filters optimized for a
+ center frequency of 435 MHz. For each system, a single
+ operating frequency should be selected and programmed into
+ each unit.
+
+ The default frequency for units leaving the factory is
+ 435.750 MHz. Since Altus Metrum flight computers operate
+ by default on 10 100khz channels from 434.550 to 435.450 MHz,
+ we chose this frequency to be far enough away from flight
+ computers to avoid any interference, but still close enough
+ to the radio subsystem design center frequency for great
+ performance.
+
+ To configure the frequency, use your terminal emulator to
+ issue two commands. First, use 'c F xxxxxx' where the xxxxxx
+ is replaced with the desired operating frequency in kHz. Then
+ use the 'c w' command to save this value into non-volatile
+ memory. For example, the default 435.750 MHz would be
+ configured using
+
+ c f 435750 +
+ c w
+
+
+ === Callsign
+
+ In the US, you need an
+ link:http://www.altusmetrum.org/Radio/[amateur radio license]
+ or other authorization to legally operate the radio
+ transmitters that are part of TeleLaunch.
+
+ The default callsign shipped from the factory is "N0CALL",
+ which is not a valid callsign and meant to humorously point
+ out that the callsign hasn't been configured yet.
+
+ Individual owners of a TeleLaunch system should use their
+ own callsign.
+
+ Club owners of a TeleLaunch system should pick the callsign
+ of one club member who is willing to be designated as the
+ control operator of the system. Under FCC Part 97 rules,
+ being the control operator does not mean you have to be LCO
+ all the time, it just means taking responsibility for ensuring
+ the system is being operated in compliance with the rules.
+
+ To configure the callsign, use your terminal emulator to
+ issue two commands. First, use 'c c callsign' to set the
+ callsign, then use 'c w' to write to non-volatile memory.
+ For example, to set the default N0CALL, the commands would
+ be
+
+ c c N0CALL +
+ c w
+
+ === AES Key
+
+ For safety, TeleLaunch uses cryptographic checksums to help
+ prevent interference, intentional or un-intentional. This
+ means each system must have a shared AES encryption key
+ identically configured into each unit.
+
+ The key size required is 128 bits, which must be expressed
+ as a 32-digit hexadecimal number.
+
+ To configure the AES key, use 'c a key' followed by 'c w'
+ to write the key to non-volatile memory. For example, to
+ configure your system with a key that is the answer to life,
+ the universe, and everything, the commands would be
+
+ c a 00000000000000000000000000000042 +
+ c w
+
+ === Bank Number
+
+ Each TeleFire unit needs to be configured with a bank number,
+ and bank numbers should be unique within a given system. For
+ most systems with 8 or less banks, just use the DIP switch
+ on the circuit board inside the TeleFire unit to select the
+ desired bank. Only one switch should be turned on. Switch
+ one means bank one, etc.
+
+ To allow systems to have more than 8 banks, if all the DIP
+ switches are "off", the unit will use the bank configured in
+ non-volatile memory.
+
+ To configure the bank number, use 'c B bank' followed by
+ 'c w' to write to non-volatile memory. For example, to
+ set the bank to 42, the commands would be:
+
+ c B 42 +
+ c w
+
projects / fw / altos / blobdiff