Featherweight Raven3 User Manual

Altimeter

Table of Contents

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Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ 1

Mounting and Installation: .................................................................................................. 2

Deployment Connections: ............................................................................................... 2

Power: ............................................................................................................................. 3

High G flights: ................................................................................................................ 3

Operation in the Field ......................................................................................................... 3

Pre-flight operation ......................................................................................................... 3

Liftoff Detection and flight ............................................................................................. 4

Post-flight operation........................................................................................................ 5

Computer-Attached Operations .......................................................................................... 5

Featherweight Interface Program (FIP) Installation: ...................................................... 5

Connecting to the Raven using the FIP: ......................................................................... 6

Raven Status and Data Download ................................................................................... 6

Configuring the Raven using the FIP: ............................................................................ 7

Deployment triggers details and examples: .................................................................... 8

Calibrating the accelerometer: ...................................................................................... 10

Running a flight simulation .......................................................................................... 10

Viewing the data ........................................................................................................... 11

Calibration and Accuracy: ................................................................................................ 12

Specifications: ................................................................................................................... 12

Contact Information: ......................................................................................................... 12

Raven User's Manual

Updated for the Raven4 altimeter

January 19 2019

Table of Contents

Summary of Contents for Featherweight Raven3

Page 1: Table Of Contents
Liftoff Detection and flight ..................... 4 Post-flight operation......................5 Computer-Attached Operations ..................5 Featherweight Interface Program (FIP) Installation: ............5 Connecting to the Raven using the FIP: ................. 6 Raven Status and Data Download ................... 6 Configuring the Raven using the FIP: ................7 Deployment triggers details and examples: ..............
Page 2: Mounting And Installation
Capacitor Buzzer Caution: Featherweight  Do not use this or any other altimeter for Screw switch (sold separately) deployments until you have performed a ground test to verify that the Raven will work correctly in your rocket and with your pre-launch procedures.
Page 3: Power
2 seconds if no charges are detected or if the accelerometer does not read a near- vertical orientation. In the case of the Raven3, the single beep will also happen if the battery voltage is below 3.85V. The Raven will emit a high beep for each channel that is connected and has a voltage applied.
Page 4: Liftoff Detection And Flight
LED flashes once per high beep and the red LED flashes once per low beep. The order of the channel beeps is the same as the order of the channel outputs along the terminal block. First is the Apogee channel, then main, then 3 , then 4 .
Page 5: Post-Flight Operation
Time delay 2 sec 1.5 sec Burnout Counter These default output settings can easily be changed using the Featherweight Interface Program (FIP). Post-flight operation When the Raven is below 2000 feet above the launch pad, it watches for the barometric readings to become constant to detect landing.
Page 6: Connecting To The Raven Using The Fip
Connecting to the Raven using the FIP: The Raven4 uses a USB-micro connector, so a USB-micro cable typically used in cell phones, digital cameras, etc. will be compatible. Start up the FIP. If the Raven altimeter is already plugged in, go to the “Altimeter” menu and select “Connect.” If the Raven altimeter is not yet plugged in, plug it in now and the FIP will detect the connection to the Raven.
Page 7: Configuring The Raven Using The Fip
In the example above, 1 out of the 5 flight banks are full. The most recent flight (#1) is located in bank 1. The live data box provides real-time status and measurements from the Raven. To download data, select the button “Download” for the flight data you’re interested in, and follow the dialog box instructions to save the data to a file.
Page 8: Deployment Triggers Details And Examples
throughout the flight. Other events, like time > user timer value, can have no more than one transition during the flight. The “time delay” option will delay the start of the output by the specified time delay after all other conditions are met. Note that once the deployment conditions are met, the deployment will happen after the time delay regardless of any changes in the deployment conditions after the delay timer has started.
Page 9 Velocity > Vel2: This condition is true when the accelerometer-based estimate of upward velocity is higher than the Vel2 value. Vel2 can be set between -48 feet/second and 1998 feet/second, in 2 ft/second increments. This setting is one way to check to make sure that the rocket is flying as expected before performing a high-speed sustainer ignition.
Page 10: Calibrating The Accelerometer
feet. This trigger is also useful as part of a landing detection. To detect landing, set AGL3 well below the main deployment altitude but higher than the highest terrain that the rocket might land on. Set the velocity < 0 check (so that it won’t happen on the way up), and set the accelerometer check consistent with the direction of the landing impulse.
Page 11: Viewing The Data
The flight simulation is available on the cal/test tab of the FIP. Follow the on-screen directions and button labels to perform the flight. You can control the duration of the 5G acceleration, even turning it on and off to simulate multiple-stage flights or air-starts. The Raven records all the data just as if it were a real flight, so you can familiarize yourself with the Raven operation and data review.
Page 12: Calibration And Accuracy
NOAA and conveniently available at http://weather.uwyo.edu/upperair/sounding.html. Future versions of the FIP may include an option for automated lookup and correction based on this data. Specifications: Brand Featherweight Model Raven3 Contact Information: Axial Accel range and Email: frequency 105Gs, 400Hz Axial Accel resolution 0.045 Gs...