1 ![Altus Metrum Logo](logo.png)
3 <link href="https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569/" rel="publisher" />
5 Open hardware and software designs
6 for high powered model rocketry by
7 [Bdale Garbee](http://gag.com/bdale) and
8 [Keith Packard](http://keithp.com/keithp).
10 Bdale and Keith share a strong commitment to
11 [Free Software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_software), and as long time
12 contributors to the [Debian](https://www.debian.org/) project are fully
14 [Debian Social Contract](https://www.debian.org/social_contract). In the
15 context of what you find here, this translates into an absolute commitment
16 to respect user freedom:
18 <li> all of our hardware designs are licensed under the
19 [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/)
20 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html)
22 <li> all of our software is under the [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/)
23 [General Public License](https://www.gnu.org/licenses/#GPL) or
26 <li> all of our design tools and the software we use to run our business
31 Bdale's online store has a form you can use to
32 [contact us](http://shop.gag.com/contacts/).
34 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
36 # [Latest News](News) #
38 # Where to Buy the Hardware #
40 Altus Metrum products are available directly from
41 [Bdale's web store](https://shop.gag.com), and from these distributors:
44 * [AMWPro-X](http://amwprox.com)
45 * [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com)
46 * [Bay Area Rocketry](http://bayarearocketry.com)
47 * [Chris' Rocket Supplies](http://csrocketry.com)
48 * [Mile High Rocketry](https://www.milehighrocketry.com)
49 * [Rocketarium](https://www.rocketarium.com)
50 * [Science Education Center](http://sciedcenter.com/)
52 * [Canadian Rocket Store](https://www.allrockets.ca)
54 * [SierraFoxHobbies](http://www.sierrafoxhobbies.com)
56 * [Reliable Rocketry](https://sites.google.com/view/reliable-rocketry)
60 These products are available for purchase:
62 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
63 was our original (and still our most popular!) product, a dual-deploy rocketry
64 altimeter with GPS and RF telemetry link.
66 * [TeleMega](TeleMega/)
67 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, more and
68 better sensors, GPS, and RF telemetry link.
70 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
71 is our smallest dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
72 barometric pressure sensor
74 * [EasyMega](EasyMega/)
75 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, tilt limits, etc. The
76 design is essentially identical to [TeleMega](TeleMega/), but without the
77 GPS receiver and radio telemetry link.
79 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
80 is a small, low-cost, dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using just a barometry
83 * [EasyTimer](EasyTimer/)
84 is a timer-based 2-channel pyro controller with tilt limits
86 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
87 is a simple USB to RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with
88 rockets using any of our products with RF telemetry.
90 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
91 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. Particularly
92 useful with the [AltosDroid](http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltosDroid/) app for
93 Android devices, or the compatible iOS application available for sale from
94 our friends at [Iron Sheep Productions](http://altosui.ironsheep.biz/).
97 is a GPS tracker and logger.
99 * [TeleLaunch](TeleLaunch/)
100 is a wireless launch control system capable of operating up to 792 pads.
102 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
103 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
104 Altus Metrum products.
106 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
107 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
108 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
110 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
111 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
112 download flight log data.
116 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
119 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
120 the set of hardware projects here.
122 * [AltosDroid](AltosDroid/)
123 is the name of our Android app based on AltOS.
125 * [ChaosKey](ChaosKey/)
126 is a true hardware random number generator that connects over USB.
128 * [EasyMotor](EasyMotor/)
129 is an in-flight data logger for research motor characterization.
131 * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/)
132 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
133 prototype was built, but never flown.
135 * [TeleStatic](TeleStatic/)
136 is a wireless system for operating rocket motor test stands.
138 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
139 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
142 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
143 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
145 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
146 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
147 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
149 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
151 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
152 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
154 # [Documents](Documents) #
155 # [Awards and Recognition](awards) #
159 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
160 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
161 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
162 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
163 has published an excellent
164 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
165 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
166 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
167 fly high power rockets. And thanks to Maddie for pointing out the paghes that
168 [Lisa Richards](http://www.mapcon.com/model-rocket-maintenance-technology) maintains.
170 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
171 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
173 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
174 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
175 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
176 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
177 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
178 Keith and other friends!
180 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
182 # [Presentations](talks) #
186 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
187 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
188 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
189 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
191 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
192 free to subscribe to our
193 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
194 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
195 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
196 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
198 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
200 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
201 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
203 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
204 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) and buy a
209 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
210 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
211 United States of America.
215 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
216 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
217 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
218 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).