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/).
33 # [Latest News](News) #
35 # Download the latest [AltOS](AltOS/) software version #
39 Altus Metrum products are available directly from
40 [Bdale's web store](https://shop.gag.com), and from these distributors:
43 * [AMWPro-X](http://amwprox.com)
44 * [Apogee Components](http://www.apogeerockets.com)
45 * [Bay Area Rocketry](http://bayarearocketry.com)
46 * [Chris' Rocket Supplies](http://csrocketry.com)
48 * [Australian Rocketry](http://www.ausrocketry.com)
50 * [SierraFoxHobbies](http://www.sierrafoxhobbies.com)
52 * [Aerospace Education](http://www.rockets.co.nz)
54 For ChaosKey, there is a distributor in Europe:
56 * [Vikings GmbH](https://store.vikings.net)
60 These products are available for purchase:
62 * [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
63 is our flagship product, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter with
64 GPS and bidirectional 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 a high performance bidirectional RF telemetry link.
70 * [TeleMini](TeleMini/)
71 is a smaller 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 identical to [TeleMega](TeleMega/), but without the GPS receiver
77 and radio telemetry link.
79 * [EasyMini](EasyMini/)
80 is a small dual-deploy rocketry altimeter using the MS5607 barometry
83 * [TeleDongle](TeleDongle/)
84 is a simple RF interface for use in ground stations interacting with rockets
85 using [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/). It may also be useful as a generic RF
86 interface for other microcontroller systems. Note that we don't actually
87 sell TeleDongle by itself, it is included in our
88 [Starter Pack](http://shop.gag.com/ground-stations/starter-pack.html) offering.
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 a 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 using the uBlox Max 7Q GPS receiver for
98 high dynamic performance and a combination digital/APRS transmitter.
100 * [LipoCharger](LipoCharger/)
101 is a standalone battery charger for the Lithium Polymer batteries used in
102 Altus Metrum products.
104 * [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/)
105 is a rocket altimeter that is both precise and tiny, designed to be the
106 ideal altimeter for model rocket contests.
108 * [MicroPeak USB Interface](MicroPeakUSB/)
109 provides an interface between [MicroPeak](MicroPeak/) and USB to
110 download flight log data.
112 * [ChaosKey](ChaosKey/)
113 is a true hardware random number generator that connects over USB.
117 These are projects we're working on that may become products someday:
120 is the name of the firmware and related utilities that Keith maintains for
121 the set of hardware projects here.
123 * [AltosDroid](AltosDroid/)
124 is the name of our Android app based on AltOS.
126 * [EasyMotor](EasyMotor/)
127 is an in-flight data logger for research motor characterization.
129 * [OpenAlt](OpenAlt/)
130 was Bdale's original project here, a dual-deploy rocketry altimeter. One
131 prototype was built, but never flown.
133 * [TeleLaunch](TeleLaunch/)
134 is a wireless launch control system capable of operating up to 792 pads.
136 * [TeleStatic](TeleStatic/)
137 is a wireless system for operating rocket motor test stands.
139 * [TeleNano](TeleNano/)
140 is a tiny rocketry altimeter with telemetry using only a barometric
143 * [TelePyro](TelePyro/) is a companion board for [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/)
144 that adds 8 additional pyro channels.
146 * [TeleScience](TeleScience/) is a companion board for
147 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) that adds 12 channels of thermistor or generic
148 analog sensor input, and 5 general purpose I/O lines.
150 * [TeleShield](TeleShield/) is an [Arduino](http://arduino.cc) radio shield.
152 * [TeleTerra](TeleTerra) is a hand-held ground station for use with
153 [TeleMetrum](TeleMetrum/) and [TeleMini](TeleMini/).
155 # [Documents](Documents) #
156 # [Awards and Recognition](awards) #
160 The motivation for the circuits and software you will find on this site is
161 our loosely-knit group's shared interest in hobby rocketry. This very brief
162 [Ted presentation by Steve Jurvetson](http://www.ted.com/talks/steve_jurvetson_on_model_rocketry.html)
163 quickly conveys at least part of why we do this. John Coker
164 has published an excellent
165 [overview of hobby rocketry](http://www.jcrocket.com/welcome.shtml)
166 on his web site. Keith has also put together some useful notes about the
167 process of [certification](http://keithp.com/rockets/certification/) to
168 fly high power rockets. And thanks to Maddie for pointing out the paghes that
169 [Lisa Richards](http://www.mapcon.com/model-rocket-maintenance-technology) maintains.
171 To find more information about the rockets Bdale and his son have built, see
172 [Garbee Rockets](http://www.gag.com/rockets).
174 As Bdale and Robert became more experienced in the hobby and started to build
175 and fly more sophisticated projects, we started to feel limited by the
176 existing electronics products available. OpenAlt was Bdale's first
177 attempt to address this situation with a completely open hardware and software
178 design... other project have since followed, and it's cool to have help from
179 Keith and other friends!
181 # [Using Altus Metrum Products](Uses) #
183 # [Presentations](talks) #
187 If you aren't already playing with model rockets, that's a good place to
188 start. Finding a local [NAR Section](http://nar.org/NARsect.html) or
189 [Tripoli](http://tripoli.org) Prefecture is a good idea, since you can
190 learn a lot and see some great flights by showing up at a club launch.
192 As we make progress, you can read about it in our [News](News) feed. Feel
193 free to subscribe to our
194 [mailing list](http://lists.gag.com/mailman/listinfo/altusmetrum). We also
195 hang out on IRC channel #altusmetrum on irc.oftc.net if you have
196 questions that aren't answered here. You can also find us on
197 [Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=341167482968)
199 [Google+](https://plus.google.com/109995815990298399569).
201 Our main projects include radio links. If you don't already have one,
202 getting an [Amateur Radio](./Radio) license would be a good thing to do!
204 And if you just can't wait to show your support for our efforts, visit
205 our [Cafe Press Logo Shop](http://cafepress.com/altusmetrum) and buy a
210 ![United States flag](USflag.png)
211 Altus Metrum products are designed and manufactured in the
212 United States of America.
216 This site is powered by [ikiwiki](http://ikiwiki.info),
217 and hosted by [Garbee and Garbee](http://www.gag.com)
218 using [Debian GNU/Linux](http://www.debian.org)
219 and [Apache](http://www.apache.org).