Summary of Contents for Triadis Engineering Glide Computer and Navigation System
- Page 1 Glide Computer and Navigation System Owner’s Manual triadis engineering GmbH Eichholzstrasse 7 CH-3254 Messen Switzerland Phone +41 (0) 31 768 15 15 Fax +41 (0) 31 768 15 16 http://www.triadis.ch info@triadis.ch...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Contents 1 Introduction 1.1 Pilot familiarisation ....Standard and Pro versions ... . . Parts list . - Page 3 A Feature summary B Technical specifications C Panel mount D Electrical connectors D.1 Main connectors ....42 D.2 Wiring harness ....43 E Limited Warranty F Reference Card...
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Page 4: Safety Notices
Improper installation or misuse of Altair may result in de- graded performance of Altair or to equipment to which it is connected. There is high voltage equipment inside Altair. Do not open the instrument case. -
Page 5: Legal Notices
Restrictions on operation Altair is not certified for use as a replacement for certified primary flight instruments. Trademarks Trademarks referred to in this document are the property of their... -
Page 6: Introduction
1 Introduction Altair is an advanced glide computer, featuring a large, bright dis- play. The design offers unprecedented capabilities whilst having a low power consumption. The computer is a powerful Intel XS- cale processor, running the XCSoar glide computer and navigation system software. -
Page 7: Parts List
Patch cable 1m gray Altair Owner’s Manual XCSoar User Manual For a typical installation, along with the with the Altair unit, a wiring harness is needed. Other documents and utility programs can be downloaded from the Triadis Engineering website http://www.triadis.ch. - Page 8 Additional equipment not supplied The user may need to supply the following additional parts, not supplied in the Altair retail pack, to complete the installation: Laptop/PC for installation of software updates and data files. USB memory stick...
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Page 9: System Description
Internal storage USB host USB memory stick The various subsystems of Altair and their relation to external de- vices are described below: Computer : The computer is an Intel XScale CPU running XCSoar soft- ware. The software is highly configurable, customisable, and upgradeable. - Page 10 flight logs, data files, and provides an easy way to perform software upgrades. 1-Wire peripherals : A variety of devices can be connected to Altair using the Dallas Semiconductor/Maxim 1-Wire interface. This allows a wide variety of buttons and switches to be used as a re- mote control, as well as incorporating new sensors.
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Page 11: Instrument Panel Interface
1.5 Instrument panel interface The instrument panel layout is designed for practical operation in an aircraft. The button and knob layout is arranged to suit oper- ation with the left hand which is preferred, so that the pilot may keep the right hand on the control column. The instrument panel user interface devices are: Power/escape button : The top left button is used as a power switch and as a can- cel/escape function in XCSoar. - Page 12 Button press : Enter. In dialog forms, selects the button under the cursor. The menu button immediately above the ro- tary knob can also be used as an Enter button in dialog forms. The assignment of functions to buttons is fully customisable, so can be tailored to each owner’s preferences.
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Page 13: System Functions
This chapter describes how to use the various hardware features of Altair. Describing the software user interface and particular button assignments in Altair is beyond the scope of this document; these are described in detail in the XCSoar User’s Manual. - Page 14 Custom-made stick grips suitable for gliders are commercially avail- able. A switch module is available from Triadis Engineering to connect the switches to Vega. Contact your Altair/Vega dealer for details. A large variety of stick grips are available from Aircraft Spruce in the USA: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/menus/el/gripspistolstick.
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Page 15: Brightness Adjustment
The second serial port (COM2) can be connected to an aircraft ra- dio in order to be able to display and control the radio frequency via Altair. A third serial port (COM3) is an internal data link be- tween Altair’s computer and the internal IGC logger. -
Page 16: Logger And Gps Module
2.5 Logger and GPS module XCSoar has a non-approved IGC flight logger. This is referred to as the ‘software logger’. Altair Pro also has an internal hardware IGC flight logger, referred to here as the ‘hardware logger’. The hardware and software loggers can be enabled or disabled from the Altair logger dialog activated by XCSoar’s menu:... -
Page 17: Radio/Comms/Auxiliary Device Integration
The backup battery can also be used to provide power to Vega and a FLARM unit (if it is connected to Vega); in this setting it can power all these devices for up to one hour. When Altair switches to using the backup battery, it emits three beeps and the LED flashes... -
Page 18: 1-Wire Peripherals
Fuel gauge Engine monitoring sensors When using the 1-Wire bus, it is important to note that Altair does not generally supply power to the devices, rather the only electri- cal connections between Altair and the devices are the 1-Wire bus signal and ground lines as shown in Figure 2.1. - Page 19 1−Wire bus signal 1−Wire 1−Wire host 1−Wire sensor Switch node Altair or Vega 1−Wire bus ground Device power supply not shown Figure 2.1: 1-Wire electrical connections Vega owners have the option of attaching 1-Wire devices to Altair or Vega.
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Page 20: Installation And Maintenance
Section 3.8. 3.1 Installation procedure The recommended installation procedure is as follows: 1. Read all Altair manuals and the aircraft type pilot’s manual and maintenance manual thoroughly. 2. Examine the aircraft to determine its particular requirements. -
Page 21: Instrument Panel Layout
Altair is designed to be oriented in landscape mode; however the system does support portrait orientation. The procedure for con- figuring the system for portrait orientation will be provided in the future. -
Page 22: Wiring Harness
2.5 Ampere. Ensure the power wires and circuit breakers have low resistance otherwise the higher current drains of Altair will result in wasted battery power. Use twin core power cable where possible to prevent magnetic... -
Page 23: Gps Antenna
The power supply is connected at Port A. If Altair is used with Vega, the supplied Vega-Altair cable conveniently passes power from Altair to Vega and no further wiring is required. Otherwise, a special cable may need to be fabricated. When Vega is connected to FLARM, Vega supplies power to the FLARM unit. - Page 24 Battery Isolation switch Fuse +12V Ground Altair COM1 DISP GPS antenna GPS/Logger INFO (Altair Pro) (Altair Standard) Figure 3.1: Minimal installation Battery Isolation switch Fuse COM, power +12V Ground FLARM Altair Vega Airframe COM1, power, audio switches DISP GPS antenna...
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Page 25: Initial Software Setup
3.9 Initial software setup The XCSoar software needs to be configured after the physical installation of Altair, in order to properly complete the installa- tion. This is an important process. Although Altair comes pre- configured with settings suitable for most users, there are person- alisations and particulars of each installation that must be reflected... -
Page 26: Maintenance And Care
IGC flight logger. There is high voltage equipment inside Altair. Do not open the instrument case. In the event of equipment failure, contact Triadis Engineering or an approved service center for repair. -
Page 27: Software And Database Transfer
SD card slot (or equivalent), so they can perform task planning on their PDA, save and copy the task from the PDA to the SD card, then transfer the task to Altair by plugging in the SD card in the USB memory stick. These are sometimes sold as... -
Page 28: Preparation Of Usb Memory Stick
Computer 4.2 Preparation of USB memory stick To perform software and database updates and to download files from Altair to the USB memory stick, follow the instructions be- low: First prepare the USB memory stick (usually this only has to be performed once). -
Page 29: Running Altairsync
Both upload and download is performed automatically and only requires user intervention to confirm overwriting existing files etc. Note: it is important to not turn Altair off while AltairSync is run- ning, as doing so might leave corrupted files on the device. Special... -
Page 30: Cleaning Old Files
XCSoar and AltairSync programs. Should a corrupted file transfer take place and if AltairSync is unable to recover, Altair may be rendered in- operable and require repair by an technician authorised by Triadis Engineering. - Page 31 After changing the filter, press the ‘Refresh’ button to scan the system for matching files. Important system files used by Altair and XCSoar are hidden from view and so cannot be accidentally deleted. Press the Close button when finished with file browsing/deleting.
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Page 32: Obtaining Updated Software And Databases
Data file updates distributed through the XCSoar website are ap- proved; however it remains the owner’s responsibility at all times to ensure that the files installed on Altair are up to date and accu- rate. -
Page 33: A Feature Summary
Appendix A Feature summary Notes: : Feature available only in PRO version † : Internal logger IGC certification pending Design overview Large, sunlight readable display with automatic back light Low power drain USB host, to allow connection with USB storage drives for easy transfer of flight logs and applying software or data file updates. - Page 34 Moving map display Terrain and topological features Terrain shaded by sun direction or lift-generating slope Arrival altitude of landable points Shows reachable glide footprint Auto-zoom and separate climb/cruise zoom levels Orientation can be selected from north-up, track-up, north- up when circling, track-up when circling. Markers can be dropped manually or automatically.
- Page 35 Glide computer Calculation of height required around task Final glide through terrain and around multiple waypoints Final glide adjusted for kinetic energy Detection of nearby airspace, recommended vector to exit airspace Bugs and ballast settings Custom glide polars Integration with intelligent variometer MacCready theory with adjustments for risk Auto-MacCready Estimated arrival times...
- Page 36 Customisation Multiple language support (English, German, Italian, etc) Menu system can be modified or extended Buttons can be reassigned to alternate functions Glide computer events, button events and external switches can be assigned to trigger functions in the computer or dis- play.
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Page 37: B Technical Specifications
Mechanical Dimensions : 147 x 117 x 23 mm Weight : 460 g (Altair Standard), 510 g (Altair Pro), Wiring harness 50 g, 1m patch cable 50 g, GPS antenna 70 g. Mount : Instrument panel via four screws, direct to instrument panel... - Page 38 Battery backup : Li-Ion, up to one hour endurance Altair has over-voltage protection which disconnects the device from the power source if the input voltage exceeds 16V. Input volt- age over 30V will blow the internal fuse. Altair is reverse voltage protected up to -30V. Environmental...
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Page 39: C Panel Mount
Appendix C Panel mount Exterior dimensions: 147 x 117 x 23 mm. Dimensions (front) NOT TO SCALE... - Page 40 Dimensions (rear) NOT TO SCALE...
- Page 41 Mounting bracket configurations...
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Page 42: D Electrical Connectors
Type : D-Sub 15pin high density male 6,11 : 12V Supply in (install 2.5A fuse) 5,7,8,9 : Supply ground 2 : Primary RS232 TX, Data sent from Altair 3 : Primary RS232 RX, Data received by Altair 4 : Secondary RS232 TX, Data sent from Altair... -
Page 43: D.2 Wiring Harness
Type : WAGO 733 Cage Clamp terminal 1 : Supply ground (used as RS232 ground return) 2 : Primary RS232 TX, Data sent from Altair 3 : Primary RS232 RX, Data received by Altair 4 : Audio out left (unamplified) 5 : Audio Signal ground 6 : Audio out right (unamplified) - Page 44 Type : RJ45, IGC Layout RX/TX Crossover 1,2 : GND, external device GND 3 : RS232 TX, Data sent from Altair 4 : RS232 RX, Data received by Altair 5,6 : Not connected 7,8 : 12V, External device supply, DO NOT feed in power to this...
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Page 45: E Limited Warranty
Appendix E Limited Warranty Triadis Engineering GmbH (triadis) guarantees you as the initial buyer that the product is free from manufacturing and material defects in normal use, for a period of twelve months starting from sales date, provided that it was unused at the time of the purchase. Returns must be made within the guarantee period, and must be well packed, together with your name, your address, telephone number, a statement describing the problem with the product, and... -
Page 46: F Reference Card
Appendix F Reference Card Rotary knob Mode Outer ring Inner ring Button Default Zoom in/out unassigned Ack message/airspace Dialogs Cursor previous/next Adjust value Select item Lists Cursor up/down Cursor up/down page Select item Move up/down Move left/right unassigned Power/esc button Mode Button Power off... - Page 47 Menus and function/select buttons Menu mode Zoom Zoom Drop Default marker advance Zoom Zoom Nearest waypoint Task Waypoint Waypoint Waypoint calc advance previous next lookup Task Task Task Force Team edit save abort final code DISPLAY Zoom Zoom Mark Fullscreen drop toggle Zoom...
- Page 48 Notes...
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