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 All hardware designs on this site are licensed under the
11 [TAPR](http://www.tapr.org/)
12 [Open Hardware License](http://www.tapr.org/ohl.html),
13 and all the software is under the
14 [GNU](http://www.gnu.org/)
15 [General Public License, version 2](http://www.gnu.org/licenses/old-licenses/gpl-2.0.html)
16 or compatible licenses.
18 # [Latest News](News) #
20 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
24 Altus Metrum products are available directly from
25 [Bdale's web store](https://shop.gag.com), and from these distributors:
28 * [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com)
29 * [Bay Area Rocketry](http://bayarearocketry.com)
30 * [Chris' Rocket Supplies](http://csrocketry.com)
32 * [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com)
34 * [Rebel Space](http://rebelspace.eu)
36 * [Aerospace Education](http://www.rockets.co.nz)
40 These products are available for purchase:
42 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
43 is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with
44 GPS and bidirectional RF telemetry link.
46 * [TeleMega](TeleMega/)
47 is a high-end flight computer with 6 pyro channels, more and better sensors,
48 GPS, and a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link.
50 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
51 is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets
52 using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF
53 interface for other microcontroller systems. Note that we don't actually
54 sell TeleDongle by itself, it is included in our
55 [Starter Pack](http://shop.gag.com/ground-stations/starter-pack.html) offering.
57 * [TeleBT](TeleBT) is a variation on [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/) that adds
58 [Bluetooth](http://www.bluetooth.com) as an alternative to USB. Particularly
59 useful with the [AltosDroid](http://www.altusmetrum.org/AltosDroid/) app for Android devices!
61 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
62 is a small dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using the MS5607 barometry
65 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
66 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
67 Altus Metrum products.
69 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
70 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
71 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
73 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
74 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
75 download flight log data.
77 The following products will be available soon:
80 is a GPS tracker and logger using the uBlox Max 7Q GPS receiver for
81 high dynamic performance and a combination digital/APRS transmitter.
83 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
84 is a smaller dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a
85 barometric pressure sensor
89 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
92 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
93 the set of hardware projects here.
95 * [MegaDongle](MegaDongle/)
96 is a supposedly-higher-performance alternative to [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/).
99 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
100 prototype was built, but never flown. This project is now indefinitely on hold.
102 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
103 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
106 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
107 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
109 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
110 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
111 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
113 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
115 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
116 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
118 # [Documents](Documents) #
122 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
123 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
124 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
125 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
126 has published an excellent
127 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
128 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
129 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
130 fly high power rockets.
132 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
133 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
135 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
136 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
137 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
138 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
139 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
140 Keith and other friends!
142 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
144 # [Presentations](talks) #
148 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
149 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
150 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
151 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
153 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
154 free to subscribe to our
155 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
156 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
157 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
158 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
160 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
162 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
163 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
165 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
166 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) or our
167 [Printfection Logo Shop](http://printfection.com/altusmetrum) (we're trying
168 to decide which is better, comments welcome!) and buy a t-shirt or sticker!
172 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
173 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
174 United States of America.
178 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
179 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
180 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
181 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).