Altus Metrum Electronics

- Pyro Channels + Configurable Pyro Channels In addition to the usual Apogee and Main pyro channels, TeleMega has four additional channels that can be configured @@@ -1210,7 -1233,7 +1238,7 @@@ 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 .2Â°/second (after 10 seconds of flight, the + less than 0.2Â°/second (after 10 seconds of flight, the error should be less than 2Â°). @@@ -1329,8 -1352,8 +1357,8 @@@ 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.

@@@ -1420,8 -1443,8 +1448,8 @@@ 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. @@@ -1459,15 -1482,13 +1487,15 @@@ 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. @@@ -1514,7 -1535,7 +1542,7 @@@ 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 @@@ -1542,7 -1563,7 +1570,7 @@@ 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 @@@ -1579,7 -1600,7 +1607,7 @@@ 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 @@@ -1590,7 -1611,7 +1618,7 @@@ 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. @@@ -1634,14 -1655,16 +1662,14 @@@ 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. @@@ -1747,10 -1770,10 +1775,10 @@@ 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. @@@ -1798,35 -1821,47 +1826,47 @@@ 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. @@@ -1918,58 -1953,73 +1958,73 @@@ 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 - 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. - - - + + + Antenna Up + + + In this mode, the antenna end of the - TeleMetrum board must point forward, in line with the ++ flight computer 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 ++ flight computer must point aft, in line with the + expected flight path. + + + +

Configure Pyro Channels @@@ -2116,27 -2166,36 +2171,36 @@@ 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. @@@ -2165,7 -2224,7 +2229,7 @@@

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 @@@ -2214,17 -2273,17 +2278,17 @@@

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 @@@ -2261,8 -2320,8 +2325,8 @@@ 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 @@@ -2294,7 -2353,7 +2358,7 @@@ AltosDroid provides the same flight monitoring capabilities as AltosUI, but runs on Android devices and is designed to connect - to a TeleBT receiver over Bluetoothâ¢. Altos Droid monitors + to a TeleBT receiver over Bluetoothâ¢. 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. @@@ -2341,9 -2400,9 +2405,9 @@@

- 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 @@@ -2443,7 -2502,7 +2507,7 @@@

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 @@@ -2603,7 -2662,7 +2667,7 @@@ 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. + Bluetoothâ¢ that will work with Android phones and tablets. Because all of our work is open, both the hardware designs and the @@@ -4109,4 -4168,4 +4173,4 @@@ +-->