X-Git-Url: https://git.gag.com/?p=fw%2Faltos;a=blobdiff_plain;f=doc%2Faltusmetrum.xsl;h=ec8a1a5a637ba57c9ef1919deb81c9495d3189a7;hp=98a98c19aed94ddc44a2a0ffb8bf82f20d82abbc;hb=3eaaefe6d746a2f53995a2470c5024f37c87c393;hpb=f0e126251360f050b7121f167771c057bda8747e diff --git a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl index 98a98c19..ec8a1a5a 100644 --- a/doc/altusmetrum.xsl +++ b/doc/altusmetrum.xsl @@ -1,4 +1,4 @@ - + @@ -35,6 +35,15 @@ + + 1.3 + 12 November 2013 + + Updated for software version 1.3. Version 1.3 adds support + for TeleMega, TeleMetrum v2.0, TeleMini v2.0 and EasyMini + and fixes bugs in AltosUI and the AltOS firmware. + + 1.2.1 21 May 2013 @@ -94,7 +103,8 @@ - + + Acknowledgements Thanks to Bob Finch, W9YA, NAR 12965, TRA 12350 for writing "The Mere-Mortals Quick Start/Usage Guide to the Altus Metrum Starter @@ -121,7 +131,7 @@ Keith Packard, KD7SQG NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - + Introduction and Overview @@ -136,13 +146,27 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 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 - support optional capabilities in the future. + 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. Our second device was TeleMini, a dual deploy altimeter with - radio telemetry and radio direction finding. This device is only - 13mm by 38mm (½ inch by 1½ inches) and can fit easily in an 18mm - air-frame. + radio telemetry and radio direction finding. The first version + of this device was only 13mm by 38mm (½ inch by 1½ inches) and + could fit easily in an 18mm air-frame. The latest version, v2.0, + includes a beeper, USB data download and extended on-board + flight logging, along with an improved barometric sensor. + + + TeleMega is our most sophisticated device, including six pyro + channels (four of which are fully programmable), integrated GPS, + integrated gyroscopes for staging/air-start inhibit and high + performance telemetry. + + + EasyMini is a dual-deploy altimeter with logging and built-in + USB data download. TeleDongle was our first ground station, providing a USB to RF @@ -173,32 +197,48 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 "starter kit" is to charge the battery. - The TeleMetrum battery can be charged by plugging it into the - corresponding socket of the TeleMetrum and then using the USB A to - mini B - cable to plug the TeleMetrum into your computer's USB socket. The - TeleMetrum circuitry will charge the battery whenever it is plugged - in, because the TeleMetrum's on-off switch does NOT control the + For TeleMetrum and TeleMega, the battery can be charged by plugging it into the + corresponding socket of the device and then using the USB + cable to plug the flight computer into your computer's USB socket. The + on-board circuitry will charge the battery whenever it is plugged + in, because the on-off switch does NOT control the charging circuitry. - 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 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 as your - first item of business so there is no issue getting and maintaining - satellite lock. The yellow charge indicator led will go out when the - battery is nearly full and the charger goes to trickle charge. It - can take several hours to fully recharge a deeply discharged battery. + 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 + 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 + as your first item of business so there is no issue getting and + maintaining satellite lock. The yellow charge indicator led + will go out when the battery is nearly full and the charger goes + to trickle charge. It can take several hours to fully recharge a + deeply discharged battery. - The TeleMini battery can be charged by disconnecting it from the - TeleMini board and plugging it into a standalone battery charger - such as the LipoCharger product included in TeleMini Starter Kits, - and connecting that via a USB cable to a laptop or other USB - power source. + TeleMetrum v2.0 and TeleMega use a higher power battery charger, + allowing them to charge the battery while running the board at + maximum power. When the battery is charging, or when the board + is consuming a lot of power, the red LED will be lit. When the + battery is fully charged, the green LED will be lit. When the + battery is damaged or missing, both LEDs will be lit, which + appears yellow. + + + The Lithium Polymer TeleMini and EasyMini battery can be charged by + disconnecting it from the board and plugging it into a + standalone battery charger such as the LipoCharger product + included in TeleMini Starter Kits, and connecting that via a USB + cable to a laptop or other USB power source. + + + You can also choose to use another battery with TeleMini v2.0 + 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 other active device in the starter kit is the TeleDongle USB to @@ -212,13 +252,13 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 ugly bugs in some earlier versions. - Next you should obtain and install the AltOS software. These include - the AltosUI ground station program, current firmware images for - TeleMetrum, TeleMini and TeleDongle, and a number of standalone - utilities that are rarely needed. Pre-built binary packages are - available for Linux, Microsoft Windows, and recent MacOSX versions. - Full source code and build instructions are also available. - The latest version may always be downloaded from + Next you should obtain and install the AltOS software. These + include 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 + versions. Full source code and build instructions are also + available. The latest version may always be downloaded from . @@ -253,14 +293,14 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 strapping them down, for example. - The barometric sensors used on both TeleMetrum and TeleMini are - sensitive to sunlight. In normal TeleMetrum mounting situations, it + 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 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, both because the baro sensor is on the + 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 cardboard tube, painting them, or wrapping them with a layer of masking @@ -280,81 +320,454 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - Hardware Overview - - TeleMetrum is a 1 inch by 2.75 inch circuit board. It was designed to - 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 - 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 - bay for TeleMetrum should have at least 10 inches of interior length. - - - TeleMini is a 0.5 inch by 1.5 inch circuit board. It was designed to - fit inside an 18mm air-frame tube, but using it in a tube that - small in diameter may require some creativity in mounting and wiring - to succeed! Since there is no accelerometer, TeleMini can be mounted - in any convenient orientation. The default 1/4 - wave UHF wire antenna attached to the center of one end of - the board is about 7 inches long, and wiring for a power switch and - 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 should have at least 9 inches of interior length. - - - A typical TeleMetrum or TeleMini installation involves attaching - only a suitable Lithium Polymer battery, a single pole switch for - power on/off, and two pairs of wires connecting e-matches for the - apogee and main ejection charges. All Altus Metrum products are - designed for use with single-cell batteries with 3.7 volts nominal. - - - The battery connectors are a standard 2-pin JST connector and - match batteries sold by Spark Fun. These batteries are - single-cell Lithium Polymer batteries that nominally provide 3.7 - volts. Other vendors sell similar batteries for RC aircraft - using mating connectors, however the polarity for those is - generally reversed from the batteries used by Altus Metrum - products. In particular, the Tenergy batteries supplied for use - in Featherweight flight computers are not compatible with Altus - Metrum flight computers or battery chargers. Check - polarity and voltage before connecting any battery not purchased - from Altus Metrum or Spark Fun. - - - By default, we use the unregulated output of the Li-Po battery directly - 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 - 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. - - - Ejection charges are wired directly to the screw terminal block - at the aft end of the altimeter. You'll need a very small straight - blade screwdriver for these screws, such as you might find in a - jeweler's screwdriver set. - - - TeleMetrum also uses the screw terminal block for the power - switch leads. On TeleMini, the power switch leads are soldered - directly to the board and can be connected directly to a switch. - - - For most air-frames, the integrated antennas are more than - 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, you can unplug the integrated GPS - antenna and select an appropriate off-board GPS antenna with - cable terminating in a U.FL connector. - + Altus Metrum Hardware +
+ Overview + + Here's the full set of Altus Metrum products, both in + production and retired. + + + Altus Metrum Electronics + + + + + + + + + + + + Device + Barometer + Z-axis accelerometer + GPS + 3D sensors + Storage + RF Output + Battery + + + + + TeleMetrum v1.0 + MP3H6115 10km (33k') + MMA2202 50g + SkyTraq + - + 1MB + 10mW + 3.7V + + + TeleMetrum v1.1 + MP3H6115 10km (33k') + MMA2202 50g + SkyTraq + - + 2MB + 10mW + 3.7V + + + TeleMetrum v1.2 + MP3H6115 10km (33k') + ADXL78 70g + SkyTraq + - + 2MB + 10mW + 3.7V + + + TeleMetrum v2.0 + MS5607 30km (100k') + MMA6555 102g + uBlox Max-7Q + - + 8MB + 40mW + 3.7V + + + TeleMini v1.0 + MP3H6115 10km (33k') + - + - + - + 5kB + 10mW + 3.7V + + + TeleMini v2.0 + MS5607 30km (100k') + - + - + - + 1MB + 10mW + 3.7-12V + + + EasyMini v1.0 + MS5607 30km (100k') + - + - + - + 1MB + - + 3.7-12V + + + TeleMega v1.0 + MS5607 30km (100k') + MMA6555 102g + uBlox Max-7Q + MPU6000 HMC5883 + 8MB + 40mW + 3.7V + + + +
+ + Altus Metrum Boards + + + + + + + + + + Device + Connectors + Screw Terminals + Width + Length + Tube Size + + + + + TeleMetrum + + Antenna + Debug + Companion + USB + Battery + + Apogee pyro Main pyro Switch + 1 inch (2.54cm) + 2 ¾ inch (6.99cm) + 29mm coupler + + + TeleMini v1.0 + + Antenna + Debug + Battery + + + Apogee pyro + Main pyro + + ½ inch (1.27cm) + 1½ inch (3.81cm) + 18mm aiframe + + + TeleMini v2.0 + + Antenna + Debug + USB + Battery + + + Apogee pyro + Main pyro + Battery + Switch + + 0.8 inch (2.03cm) + 1½ inch (3.81cm) + 24mm coupler + + + EasyMini + + Debug + USB + Battery + + + Apogee pyro + Main pyro + Battery + Switch + + 0.8 inch (2.03cm) + 1½ inch (3.81cm) + 24mm coupler + + + TeleMega + + Antenna + Debug + Companion + USB + Battery + + + Apogee pyro + Main pyro + Pyro A-D + Switch + Pyro battery + + 1¼ inch (3.18cm) + 3¼ inch (8.26cm) + 38mm coupler + + + +
+
+
+ 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 + 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 + 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 + bay for TeleMetrum should have at least 10 inches of interior length. + +
+
+ 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 + a tube that small in diameter may require some creativity in + mounting and wiring to succeed! Since there is no + accelerometer, TeleMini can be mounted in any convenient + orientation. The default ¼ wave UHF wire antenna attached to + the center of one end of the board is about 7 inches long. Two + 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 + 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 + screw terminals for the battery and power switch. The larger + board fits in a 24mm coupler. There's also a battery connector + for a LiPo battery if you want to use one of those. + +
+
+ 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. + +
+
+ TeleMega + + TeleMega is a 1¼ inch by 3¼ inch circuit board. It was + designed to easily fit in a 38mm coupler. Like TeleMetrum, + TeleMega has an accelerometer and so it must be mounted so that + the board is aligned with the flight axis. It can be mounted + either antenna up or down. + +
+
+ Flight Data Recording + + Each flight computer logs data at 100 samples per second + during ascent and 10 samples per second during descent, except + for TeleMini v1.0, which records ascent at 10 samples per + second and descent at 1 sample per second. Data are logged to + an on-board flash memory part, which can be partitioned into + several equal-sized blocks, one for each flight. + + + Data Storage on Altus Metrum altimeters + + + + + + + + Device + Bytes per Sample + Total Storage + Minutes at Full Rate + + + + + TeleMetrum v1.0 + 8 + 1MB + 20 + + + TeleMetrum v1.1 v1.2 + 8 + 2MB + 40 + + + TeleMetrum v2.0 + 16 + 8MB + 80 + + + TeleMini v1.0 + 2 + 5kB + 4 + + + TeleMini v2.0 + 16 + 1MB + 10 + + + EasyMini + 16 + 1MB + 10 + + + TeleMega + 32 + 8MB + 40 + + + +
+ + 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 you can store more flights. + + + 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, leaving that space available in flash for + more flight data. + + + 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, multiply the expected descent time (in + seconds) by 10 times the bytes per sample and add the two + together. That will slightly under-estimate the storage (in + bytes) needed for the flight. For instance, a TeleMetrum v2.0 flight spending + 20 seconds in ascent and 150 seconds in descent will take + about (20 * 1600) + (150 * 160) = 56000 bytes of storage. You + could store dozens of these flights in the on-board flash. + + + The default size allows for several flights on each flight + computer, except for TeleMini v1.0, which only holds data for a + single flight. You can adjust the size. + + + Altus Metrum flight computers will not overwrite existing + flight data, so be sure to download flight data and erase it + from the flight computer before it fills up. The flight + computer will still successfully control the flight even if it + cannot log data, so the only thing you will lose is the data. + +
+
+ Installation + + A typical installation involves attaching + only a suitable battery, a single pole switch for + power on/off, and two pairs of wires connecting e-matches for the + 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. + + + The battery connectors are a standard 2-pin JST connector and + match batteries sold by Spark Fun. These batteries are + single-cell Lithium Polymer batteries that nominally provide 3.7 + volts. Other vendors sell similar batteries for RC aircraft + using mating connectors, however the polarity for those is + generally reversed from the batteries used by Altus Metrum + products. In particular, the Tenergy batteries supplied for use + in Featherweight flight computers are not compatible with Altus + Metrum flight computers or battery chargers. Check + polarity and voltage before connecting any battery not purchased + from Altus Metrum or Spark Fun. + + + By default, we use the unregulated output of the battery directly + 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 + 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. + + + + Ejection charges are wired directly to the screw terminal block + at the aft end of the altimeter. You'll need a very small straight + blade screwdriver for these screws, such as you might find in a + jeweler's screwdriver set. + + + Except for TeleMini v1.0, the flight computers also use the + screw terminal block for the power switch leads. On TeleMini v1.0, + the power switch leads are soldered directly to the board and + can be connected directly to a switch. + + + For most air-frames, the integrated antennas are more than + 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 + antenna and select an appropriate off-board GPS antenna with + cable terminating in a U.FL connector. + +
System Operation @@ -370,11 +783,12 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 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 doesn't have an accelerometer we can - use to determine orientation, "idle" mode is selected when the - board receives a command packet within the first five seconds - of operation; if no packet is received, the board enters - "flight" mode. + idle mode. Since TeleMini v2.0 and EasyMini don't have an + 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 + first five seconds of operation. At power on, you will hear three beeps or see three flashes @@ -403,14 +817,14 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 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 - to a TeleMetrum in idle mode over either USB or the radio link - equivalently. TeleMini only has the radio link. Idle mode is - useful for configuring the altimeter, for extracting data from - the on-board storage chip after flight, and for ground testing - pyro charges. + in idle mode over either USB or the radio link + equivalently. TeleMini v1.0 only has the radio link. Idle + mode is useful for configuring the altimeter, for extracting + data from the on-board storage chip after flight, and for + ground testing pyro charges. - One "neat trick" of particular value when TeleMetrum is 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 @@ -421,24 +835,32 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 installing igniters! - TeleMini is configured via the radio link. Of course, that + TeleMini v1.0 is configured solely via the radio link. Of course, that means you need to know the TeleMini radio configuration values or you won't be able to communicate with it. For situations - when you don't have the radio configuration values, TeleMini + when you don't have the radio configuration values, TeleMini v1.0 offers an 'emergency recovery' mode. In this mode, TeleMini is configured as follows: + Sets the radio frequency to 434.550MHz + + Sets the radio calibration back to the factory value. + + Sets the callsign to N0CALL + + Does not go to 'pad' mode after five seconds. + @@ -454,17 +876,17 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
GPS - TeleMetrum includes a complete GPS receiver. A complete explanation - of how GPS works is beyond the scope of this manual, but the bottom - line is that the TeleMetrum GPS receiver needs to lock onto at least - four satellites to obtain a solid 3 dimensional position fix and know - what time it is. + TeleMetrum and TeleMega include a complete GPS receiver. A + complete explanation of how GPS works is beyond the scope of + this manual, but the bottom line is that the GPS receiver + needs to lock onto at least four satellites to obtain a solid + 3 dimensional position fix and know what time it is. - TeleMetrum provides backup power to the GPS chip any time a + The flight computers provide backup power to the GPS chip any time a 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 TeleMetrum + "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 @@ -485,10 +907,10 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 computer. - Any operation which can be performed with TeleMetrum can - either be done with TeleMetrum directly connected to the + Any operation which can be performed with a flight computer can + either be done with the device directly connected to the computer via the USB cable, or through the radio - link. TeleMini doesn't provide a USB connector and so it is + link. TeleMini v1.0 doesn't provide a USB connector and so it is always communicated with over radio. Select the appropriate TeleDongle device when the list of devices is presented and AltosUI will interact with an altimeter over the radio link. @@ -514,10 +936,11 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - Configure altimeter apogee delays or main deploy heights + Configure altimeter apogee delays, main deploy heights + 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 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. @@ -526,7 +949,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 Fire Igniters—Test your deployment charges without snaking - wires out through holes in the air-frame. Simply assembly the + wires out through holes in the air-frame. Simply assemble the rocket as if for flight with the apogee and main charges loaded, then remotely command the altimeter to fire the igniters. @@ -541,9 +964,10 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 close the window before performing other desired radio operations. - TeleMetrum only enables radio commanding in 'idle' mode, so - make sure you have TeleMetrum lying horizontally when you turn - it on. Otherwise, TeleMetrum will start in 'pad' mode ready for + The flight computers only enable radio commanding in 'idle' mode. + TeleMetrum and TeleMega use the accelerometer to detect which orientation they + start up in, so make sure you have the flight computer lying horizontally when you turn + it on. Otherwise, it will start in 'pad' mode ready for flight, and will not be listening for command packets from TeleDongle. @@ -570,14 +994,14 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 An important aspect of preparing a rocket using electronic deployment for flight is ground testing the recovery system. Thanks to the bi-directional radio link central to the Altus Metrum system, - this can be accomplished in a TeleMetrum or TeleMini equipped rocket + this can be accomplished in a TeleMega, TeleMetrum or TeleMini equipped rocket with less work than you may be accustomed to with other systems. It can even be fun! Just prep the rocket for flight, then power up the altimeter - in "idle" mode (placing air-frame horizontal for TeleMetrum or - selected the Configure Altimeter tab for TeleMini). This will cause + 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 state machine is disabled and charges will not fire without manual command. You can now command the altimeter to fire the apogee @@ -607,26 +1031,35 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 data later... - We don't use a 'normal packet radio' mode like APRS because they're - just too inefficient. The GFSK modulation we use is FSK with the - base-band pulses passed through a - Gaussian filter before they go into the modulator to limit the - transmitted bandwidth. When combined with the hardware forward error - correction support in the cc1111 chip, this allows us to have a very - robust 38.4 kilobit data link with only 10 milliwatts of transmit - power, a whip antenna in the rocket, and a hand-held Yagi on the - ground. We've had flights to above 21k feet AGL with great reception, - and calculations suggest we should be good to well over 40k feet AGL - with a 5-element yagi on the ground. We hope to fly boards to higher - altitudes over time, and would of course appreciate customer feedback - on performance in higher altitude flights! + We don't generally use a 'normal packet radio' mode like APRS + because they're just too inefficient. The GFSK modulation we + use is FSK with the base-band pulses passed through a Gaussian + filter before they go into the modulator to limit the + transmitted bandwidth. When combined with forward error + correction and interleaving, this allows us to have a very + robust 19.2 kilobit data link with only 10-40 milliwatts of + transmit power, a whip antenna in the rocket, and a hand-held + Yagi on the ground. We've had flights to above 21k feet AGL + with great reception, and calculations suggest we should be + good to well over 40k feet AGL with a 5-element yagi on the + ground with our 10mW units and over 100k feet AGL with the + 40mW devices. We hope to fly boards to higher altitudes over + time, and would of course appreciate customer feedback on + performance in higher altitude flights! + + + TeleMetrum v2.0 and TeleMega can send APRS if desired, 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 + battery power or radio channel bandwidth.
Configurable Parameters Configuring an Altus Metrum altimeter for flight is very - simple. Even on our baro-only TeleMini board, the use of a Kalman + 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 configurable parameters can all be set using AltosUI over USB or or radio link via TeleDongle. @@ -682,13 +1115,38 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Maximum Flight Log - TeleMetrum version 1.1 and 1.2 have 2MB of on-board flash storage, - enough to hold over 40 minutes of data at full data rate - (100 samples/second). TeleMetrum 1.0 has 1MB of on-board - storage. As data are stored at a reduced rate during descent - (10 samples/second), there's plenty of space to store many - flights worth of data. + 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. + + Data Storage on Altus Metrum altimeters + + + + + + + + Device + Bytes per Sample + Total Storage + Minutes at Full Rate + + + + + TeleMetrum v1.x + 8 + 2MB + 40 + + + +
The on-board flash is partitioned into separate flight logs, each of a fixed maximum size. Increase the maximum size of @@ -697,21 +1155,25 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 flights. - All of the configuration data is also stored in the flash - memory, which consumes 64kB on TeleMetrum v1.1/v1.2 and 256B on - TeleMetrum v1.0. This configuration space is not available - for storing flight log data. + 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. To compute the amount of space needed for a single flight, you can multiply the expected ascent time (in seconds) by - 800, 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. + 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. The default size, 192kB, allows for 10 flights of storage on @@ -739,7 +1201,7 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 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 - TeleMetrum computers, one in the fin can and one in the + altimeters, one in the fin can and one in the nose. @@ -752,17 +1214,23 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
Pad Orientation - TeleMetrum measures acceleration along the axis of the - board. Which way the board is oriented affects the sign of - the acceleration value. Instead of trying to guess which way - the board is mounted in the air frame, TeleMetrum must be - explicitly configured for either Antenna Up or Antenna - Down. The default, Antenna Up, expects the end of the - TeleMetrum board connected to the 70cm antenna to be nearest - the nose of the rocket, with the end containing the screw + TeleMetrum and TeleMega measure acceleration along the axis + of the board. Which way the board is oriented affects the + sign of the acceleration value. Instead of trying to guess + which way the board is mounted in the air frame, the + altimeter must be explicitly configured for either Antenna + Up or Antenna Down. The default, Antenna Up, expects the end + of the board connected to the 70cm antenna to be nearest the + nose of the rocket, with the end containing the screw terminals nearest the tail.
+
+ Pyro Channels + + TeleMega + +
@@ -919,12 +1387,12 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - - The Launchpad tab also shows the computed launch pad position - and altitude, averaging many reported positions to improve the - accuracy of the fix. - + + The Launchpad tab also shows the computed launch pad position + and altitude, averaging many reported positions to improve the + accuracy of the fix. +
Ascent @@ -1749,12 +2217,12 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - - The Launchpad tab also shows the computed launch pad position - and altitude, averaging many reported positions to improve the - accuracy of the fix. - - + + + The Launchpad tab also shows the computed launch pad position + and altitude, averaging many reported positions to improve the + accuracy of the fix. +
@@ -1841,19 +2309,29 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 So, to recap, on the ground the hardware you'll need includes: - an antenna and feed-line or adapter + + an antenna and feed-line or adapter + - a TeleDongle + + a TeleDongle + - a notebook computer + + a notebook computer + - optionally, a hand-held GPS receiver + + optionally, a hand-held GPS receiver + - optionally, an HT or receiver covering 435 MHz + + optionally, an HT or receiver covering 435 MHz + @@ -1949,14 +2427,18 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - Make sure TeleMetrum is aligned precisely along the axis of - acceleration so that the accelerometer can accurately - capture data during the flight. + + Make sure TeleMetrum is aligned precisely along the axis of + acceleration so that the accelerometer can accurately + capture data during the flight. + - Watch for any metal touching components on the - board. Shorting out connections on the bottom of the board - can cause the altimeter to fail during flight. + + Watch for any metal touching components on the + board. Shorting out connections on the bottom of the board + can cause the altimeter to fail during flight. +
@@ -2022,18 +2504,22 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 attenuate the GPS signal. - Conductive tubing or coatings. Carbon fiber and metal - tubing, or metallic paint will all dramatically attenuate the - GPS signal. We've never heard of anyone successfully - receiving GPS from inside these materials. + + Conductive tubing or coatings. Carbon fiber and metal + tubing, or metallic paint will all dramatically attenuate the + GPS signal. We've never heard of anyone successfully + receiving GPS from inside these materials. + - Metal components near the GPS patch antenna. These will - de-tune the patch antenna, changing the resonant frequency - away from the L1 carrier and reduce the effectiveness of the - antenna. You can place as much stuff as you like beneath the - antenna as that's covered with a ground plane. But, keep - wires and metal out from above the patch antenna. + + Metal components near the GPS patch antenna. These will + de-tune the patch antenna, changing the resonant frequency + away from the L1 carrier and reduce the effectiveness of the + antenna. You can place as much stuff as you like beneath the + antenna as that's covered with a ground plane. But, keep + wires and metal out from above the patch antenna. + @@ -2060,16 +2546,21 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 - Keep wires from different circuits apart. Moving circuits - further apart will reduce RFI. + + Keep wires from different circuits apart. Moving circuits + further apart will reduce RFI. + + Avoid parallel wires from different circuits. The longer two wires run parallel to one another, the larger the amount of transferred energy. Cross wires at right angles to reduce RFI. + + Twist wires from the same circuits. Two wires the same distance from the transmitter will get the same amount of induced energy which will then cancel out. Any time you have @@ -2077,14 +2568,17 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 even out distances and reduce RFI. For altimeters, this includes battery leads, switch hookups and igniter circuits. + + 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 70cm amateur band, so you should avoid lengths that are a simple ratio of that length; essentially any multiple of 1/4 of the wavelength (17.5cm). + @@ -2166,59 +2660,83 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 Updating TeleMetrum Firmware + Find the 'programming cable' that you got as part of the starter kit, that has a red 8-pin MicroMaTch connector on one end and a red 4-pin MicroMaTch connector on the other end. + + Take the 2 screws out of the TeleDongle case to get access to the circuit board. + + Plug the 8-pin end of the programming cable to the matching connector on the TeleDongle, and the 4-pin end to the matching connector on the TeleMetrum. Note that each MicroMaTch connector has an alignment pin that goes through a hole in the PC board when you have the cable oriented correctly. + + Attach a battery to the TeleMetrum board. + + Plug the TeleDongle into your computer's USB port, and power up the TeleMetrum. + + Run AltosUI, and select 'Flash Image' from the File menu. + + Pick the TeleDongle device from the list, identifying it as the programming device. + + Select the image you want put on the TeleMetrum, which should have a name in the form telemetrum-v1.2-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it. + + 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. + + Hit the 'OK' button and the software should proceed to flash the TeleMetrum with new firmware, showing a progress bar. + + Confirm that the TeleMetrum board seems to have updated OK, which you can do by plugging in to it over USB and using a terminal program to connect to the board and issue the 'v' command to check the version, etc. + + If something goes wrong, give it another try. + @@ -2226,16 +2744,21 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 Updating TeleMini Firmware + 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. - + + + Take the 2 screws out of the TeleDongle case to get access to the circuit board. - + + + Plug the 8-pin end of the programming cable to the matching connector on the TeleDongle, and the 4-pins into the holes in the TeleMini circuit board. Note that the MicroMaTch @@ -2243,44 +2766,63 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 the PC board when you have the cable oriented correctly, and that pin 1 on the TeleMini board is marked with a square pad while the other pins have round pads. - + + + Attach a battery to the TeleMini board. - + + + Plug the TeleDongle into your computer's USB port, and power up the TeleMini - + + + Run AltosUI, and select 'Flash Image' from the File menu. - + + + Pick the TeleDongle device from the list, identifying it as the programming device. - + + + Select the image you want put on the TeleMini, which should have a name in the form telemini-v1.0-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it. - + + + 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. - + + + Hit the 'OK' button and the software should proceed to flash the TeleMini with new firmware, showing a progress bar. - + + + 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. - + + + If something goes wrong, give it another try. - + +
@@ -2291,68 +2833,94 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200 + Find the 'programming cable' that you got as part of the starter kit, that has a red 8-pin MicroMaTch connector on one end and a red 4-pin MicroMaTch connector on the other end. - + + + 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. - + + + Take the 2 screws out of the TeleDongle case to get access to the circuit board. - + + + Plug the 8-pin end of the programming cable to the matching connector on the programmer, and the 4-pin end to the matching connector on the TeleDongle. Note that each MicroMaTch connector has an alignment pin that goes through a hole in the PC board when you have the cable oriented correctly. - + + + Attach a battery to the TeleMetrum board if you're using one. - + + + Plug both the programmer and the TeleDongle into your computer's USB ports, and power up the programmer. - + + + Run AltosUI, and select 'Flash Image' from the File menu. - + + + Pick the programmer device from the list, identifying it as the programming device. - + + + Select the image you want put on the TeleDongle, which should have a name in the form teledongle-v0.2-1.0.0.ihx. It should be visible in the default directory, if not you may have to poke around your system to find it. - + + + 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 usually be read through the translucent blue plastic case without needing to remove the board from the case. - + + + Hit the 'OK' button and the software should proceed to flash the TeleDongle with new firmware, showing a progress bar. - + + + Confirm that the TeleDongle board seems to have updated OK, which you can do by plugging in to it over USB and using a terminal program to connect to the board and issue the 'v' command to check the version, etc. Once you're happy, remove the programming cable and put the cover back on the TeleDongle. - + + + If something goes wrong, give it another try. - + + Be careful removing the programming cable from the locking 8-pin @@ -2864,20 +3432,80 @@ NAR #88757, TRA #12200
- + Release Notes - Version 1.21 - Version 1.2 - Version 1.1.1 - Version 1.1 - Version 1.0.1 - Version 0.9.2 - Version 0.9 - Version 0.8 - Version 0.7.1 + + Version 1.3 + + + + Version 1.2.1 + + + + Version 1.2 + + + + Version 1.1.1 + + + + Version 1.1 + + + + Version 1.0.1 + + + + Version 0.9.2 + + + + Version 0.9 + + + + Version 0.8 + + + + Version 0.7.1 + + - + \ No newline at end of file