X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?p=fw%2Faltos;a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Faltusmetrum.xsl;h=da6ad02ce8dcbff5fc3d75e56986c8c9a2d425bb;hp=eed6b7d702627ee098afe49314c753b33c246c3e;hb=1d093383fe58fc8c8c11e1c7cd1cd929ae1bd9e4;hpb=54f7888dc65ffc27c6ee5ef93953bd9b8fc029ed diff --git a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl index eed6b7d7..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 “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 + 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 “top” 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 “simple” 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, “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 + 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 “nose up”, 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 Bluetooth™. Altos Droid monitors + to a TeleBT receiver over Bluetooth™. 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 “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 @@ -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 “HT” 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 “companion boards” 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 “companion boards” 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.
@@ -2865,19 +2941,16 @@ 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) are reprogrammed by connecting them to your computer over USB - - The big concept to understand is that you have to use a - TeleMega, TeleMetrum or TeleDongle as a programmer to update a - pair programmed device. Due to limited memory resources in the - cc1111, we don't support programming directly over USB for these - devices. -
Updating TeleMega, TeleMetrum v2 or EasyMini Firmware @@ -2933,6 +3006,72 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 </para> </listitem> </orderedlist> + <section> + <title>Recovering From Self-Flashing Failure + + If the firmware loading fails, it can leave the device + unable to boot. Not to worry, you can force the device to + start the boot loader instead, which will let you try to + flash the device again. + + + On each device, connecting two pins from one of the exposed + connectors will force the boot loader to start, even if the + regular operating system has been corrupted in some way. + + + + TeleMega + + + Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the companion connector. Pin 1 + can be identified by the square pad around it, and then + the pins could sequentially across the board. Be very + careful to not short pin 8 to + anything as that is connected directly to the battery. Pin + 7 carries 3.3V and the board will crash if that is + connected to pin 1, but shouldn't damage the board. + + + + + TeleMetrum v2 + + + Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the companion connector. Pin 1 + can be identified by the square pad around it, and then + the pins could sequentially across the board. Be very + careful to not short pin 8 to + anything as that is connected directly to the battery. Pin + 7 carries 3.3V and the board will crash if that is + connected to pin 1, but shouldn't damage the board. + + + + + EasyMini + + + Connect pin 6 and pin 1 of the debug connector, which is + the six holes next to the beeper. Pin 1 can be identified + by the square pad around it, and then the pins could + sequentially across the board, making Pin 6 the one on the + other end of the row. + + + + +
+
+
+ Pair Programming + + The big concept to understand is that you have to use a + TeleMega, TeleMetrum or TeleDongle as a programmer to update a + pair programmed device. Due to limited memory resources in the + cc1111, we don't support programming directly over USB for these + devices. +
Updating TeleMetrum v1.x Firmware @@ -3024,9 +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. @@ -3272,8 +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. @@ -3569,15 +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 “locked” mode. The battery charges best when TeleMetrum is turned off. - 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. @@ -3586,21 +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 “dit-dah-dah-dit” sound or lights like the manual mentions? + 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 + It is also possible that the flight computer 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. - 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 @@ -4045,4 +4188,4 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 \ No newline at end of file +-->