Rocketry Planet

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colorado USA — Featherweight Altimeters is pleased to announce that the Raven altimeter beta test program is complete, and production Ravens are in stock and available immediate shipment. Orders placed on or before December 20 will arrive before Christmas.

The Raven altimeter is a real breakthrough for rocketry enthusiasts, as it provides an unprecedented combination of low price ($149), small size (1.8" x 0.8"), and a long list of features.

Featherweight's new Raven altimeter combines a laundry list of popular features in a tiny package.

Lots of high-quality recorded data:

• 440 Hz axial accelerometer, +/- 70 Gs
• 220 Hz lateral accelerometer, +/- 35 Gs
• 250 G single-axis accelerometer available as an option
• 20 Hz barometric altimeter data, +/- 0.3% accuracy!
• 20 Hz continuity voltage for each of 4 deployment outputs
• 40 Hz output current measurement
• 20 Hz high-precision temperature sensor
• 20 Hz for all flight events used for deployment logic.
• Flight counter
• All output program settings
• Accelerometer calibrations used during the flight
• Pad altitude ASL
• 3:20 minutes of high-rate data per flight + 36 minutes

4 high-current, programmable outputs:

• 9-Amp outputs compatible with all batteries from a single Li-Poly cell to a 14V pack.
• Default output settings:
  • Mach-immune, accelerometer-based apogee deployment
  • Main deployment at 700 feet
  • Baro-based backup apogee deployment
  • Backup deployment 1.5 seconds after main deployment
• Additional user-selectable output logic options can be selected in combination for each output:
  • Accel > user value 1 (ignition detection)
  • Accel < user value (burnout detection)
  • Filtered pressure increasing (baro apogee detection)
  • Filtered pressure decreasing (for staging)
  • Time > user value (simple timer)
  • Time < user value (vertical staging check)
  • Altitude < user value 1 (low altitude deploy)
  • Altitude > user value 2 (vertical staging check)
  • Velocity < 0 mph (apogee detection)
  • Velocity < user value 1 (Mach inhibit)
  • Velocity > user value 2 (staging input)
  • Time delay after other conditions met (backup)
• All of the above flight events are recorded at 20 Hz in the Flight Event Register, great for verification of the altimeter functions in test flights or simulated flights.
• Screw terminal with 0.1" spacing

The Raven is only 1.80" long x 0.8" wide, and comes with all required mounting hardware.

Simulated test flight: A sophisticated built in test exercises all sensors and all outputs with a realistic simulated flight. Verify that your ematches work with your battery, verify your flight program, and view all the recorded data from your "flight" without leaving your computer.

The Raven has full functionality mounted with either end up!

Available with an option for an on-board A23 battery holder and power switch.

Visible and audible readout of individual channel continuity and battery voltage.

User-calibration of accelerometer: The Raven is compatible with the Featherweight Interface Program, a professionally-designed Windows application that provides easy setup of all the output options, graphs all the recorded data, provides accelerometer calibration, simulated flight, and more.

See http://www.featherweightaltimeters.com/ for more information about the Raven. There you can also download your copy of the Featherweight Interface Program, the Raven's quick start guide and drill template, and the Raven user's manual.

Featherweight Altimeters is a small business dedicated to providing the world's best altimeters designed for model rocketry.