Rocketry Planet

The Black Magic Missile Works™ Third Generation Universal Flight Controller (UFC-3) is a an extremely high performance, expandable, flexible and user configurable system that can as small as a single CPU Module (for simple dual deployment applications) or grow to be as complex as nine networked nodes (up to 8 modules per node) capable of supporting the most complex applications. It provides full support for all Level III HPR scenarios.

Black Magic Missile Works' new UFC-3 flight computer and some of the available modules.

General:
Module Size: 3.550” x 3.775” x 0.625” high (plus .062” PCB)
Number of Modules Supported: Up to 8 including CPU (Base) Module in single node (up to 9 nodes)
Input Power: 6-25 VDC (Base Module supplies most power needs)
Maximum Input Current: 4 Amps maximum
Maximum Acceleration, Bump/Shock: 500g, MIL-STD 810F (40g)
Operating Temperature Range: -40°C to +85°
Humidity: Not to exceed 95% non-condensing
Module Finish: Immersion Gold on exposed copper, Conformal Coating

CPU Module UFC-3-CPU:
CPU: AT91SAM9XE @ 200MHz, 32-bit ARM9 RISC
Caches (Instruction/Data): 16Kbyte /8Kbyte
SRAM (on-chip/external): 32Kbytes/512Kbytes
Flash (on-chip/external NAND: 512Kbytes/256Mbytes w/ECC
SD Memory (optional): 512Mbytes or more
USB 2.0 (12Mbps): 1 External Ground Support Terminal, 2 Internal
Other serial ports: RS-232 Ground Support, Redundant CPU Heartbeat/RS-485 Network
TWI (I2C) Bus: Plug and Play SEEPROMs, I/O Expansion
Analog Input Channels: Four 10-bit (system defined)
Analog Input Error: ±0.5% max. (±0.25% typ)
User Digital I/O: Up to 8
Pyro Channels w/Continuity Testing: 2 ea @ 1 Amp (2 Amps optional)
Accelerometer (Z-axis): Dual Scale ±8/±50g , ±1%
Altimeter: 0.15-16.2 psia (15-bit ADC), 100,000’ maximum
Indicator LEDs: Status (Power/On-Line/Ready for Launch), Pyro 0/1 Continuity
Module Weight (grams/ounces): 72/2.5

Telemetry Module UFC-3-TEL-1 (North America):
RF Modem: Digi 9XTend*
Frequency: ISM 900 MHz. frequency band
Output Power: 1 Watt maximum (lower power selectable)
Data Rate: 9,600 baud / 115,200 baud
Range (line of sight, high gain antenna)**: 40 miles / 20 miles
Available channels/addresses per channel: 10/65,000+
License requirements: None (license required for optional 10/25 Watt Amplifier)
Indicator LEDs: Power, Receive, Transmit
Module Weight: (grams/ounces) 65/2.2 (not including antenna, cables or ground modem)

Telemetry Module UFC-3-TEL-2 (Europe):
RF Modem: Digi XBee Pro 868
Frequency: ISM 868 MHz. (G3) frequency band
Output Power: 315 mW maximum (lower power selectable)
Data Rate: 24,000 baud (10% duty cycle)
Range (line of sight, high gain antenna)**: 40 km (25 miles)
Available addresses: Network ID, 32 bit address
License requirements: None
Indicator LEDs: Power, Receive, Transmit
Module Weight (grams/ounces): 65/2.2 (not including antenna, cables or ground modem)

Other Modules:
GPS Module UFC-3-GPS (Garmin GPS-18 5Hz or NovAtel OEMV-1(G))
Analog to Digital Converter Module(s) UFC-3-ADC
6 Channel Pyro Module(s) UFC-3-PYR
Inertial Module (Roll, P itch, Yaw) UFC-3-3XS
Battery Module(s)2 UFC-3-BAT

* Current UFC-2 users of the 900 MHz. Telemetry, 5 fps GPS and MicroStream Inertial Sensor (not shown) may upgrade to UFC-3 modules at the cost of the bare module only (approximately $125 per module)
** We also offer high gain Omni-directional, Dipole and Parabolic antennas

User Configurable System and Fully User Programmable Flight Control

A simple user created script (text file) provides complete flexibility in defining automated system preflight checks, preparation and flight operations. Any connected sensor can have its data recorded on board at up to 1,024 samples per second and transmitted via long range telemetry for real time tracking and control. Sensors include Accelerometers, Altimeter, up to 32 analog inputs supporting a variety of sensors, transducers and thermocouples (user defined scaling for data presentation), GPS data, 3-Axis Inertial Sensor (Roll/Pitch/Yaw position, rate and acceleration), digital inputs/outputs and system events/actions. Timing and rates of data logging is independently user programmable for onboard memory and telemetry.

Any sensor can be automatically checked for function or input value (and some may be automatically calibrated) as a part of pre-flight preparations. Any failure of a system check will abort the launch sequence. User defined complex events can cause any action(s) the system is capable of with optional time delays during flight.

Currently system configuration and control are based on a menu driven terminal I/O system (terminal emulator such as HyperTerminal or Procomm); data reduction and presentation are performed using Microsoft Excel (templates are provided). A Windows Graphical User Interface (GUI) is under development and will made available free of charge to current system owners when available.

Black Magic Missile Works is constantly developing additional products (Isolation Module for redundant systems and Digital Flow Control Module for liquid and hybrid motors are in development) as well as fully supporting current users of the Second Generation UFC-2 controller. Custom modules, software and applications assistance are available at additional cost.

Contact:
Thomas J. Miller
Black Magic Missile Works
Office: 760-749-8291
Cell: 760-803-4107
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
Website: http://www.blackmagicmissileworks.com/

Document: Black Magic Missile Works UFC-3 Flyer (247KB Adobe PDF)