The Altimax G4 is a reliable altimeter for model rockets and high-power rockets.
It is a further development based on the very successful Altimax G3 and can be used very universally thanks to the 3 pyro, 2 servo and 3 IO connections.
This new development introduces the new safety functions FETCHECK and BROWNOUTPROTECT, two features that are unique to rocket altimeters and improve safety enormously.
The Altimax G4 records the flight history and ensures the timely ejection of the parachutes, by pyro charges or by servos.
5 flights are stored, with 200 samples stored per second, air pressure and acceleration as well as all on-board voltages are retrievable.
Features:
- Altimeter for low and high power rockets.
- Measures and stores air pressure, acceleration and on-board voltages
- Altimax event system with free linking of events with actions
- Connection to PC via USB connector.
- Firmware updates via Micro-SD-CARD
- Optional OLED display for congestion messages
- Optional LCD terminal for settings and data display
- 3 pyro outputs, 2 servo outputs, 3 I/O
- Very robust power supply, reverse polarity protected and short-circuit proof
- Ignition current now up to 15A!
- FETCHECK checks output transistors for function and faults before start-up
- BROWNOUTPROTECT regulates the ignition current so that resets can no longer occur
- Operating voltage 7-12V
- New design with flat bottom
- 3 variants: plug, screw terminal or solder connection
- ATXMEGA 128A4U controller with 32 MHz
- 4MB Flash for flight data
- New accelerometer with +-120G
- Protected contacts
- 3.2mm holes for M3 screws
- 1:1 interchangeable with an Altimax G2 and G3, the same connector is used
Technical data:
- Dimensions 67x26 mm
- Weight 13 g
- Input voltage: 7.0 - 12 V
- Power consumption* (without servos and terminal) Approx. 23 mA
- Pressure range 10 - 1200 hpa
- Altitude range -170 - 31000 m a.s.l.
- Memory 4 Mbyte
- Number of ignition channels 3
- Number of servo channels 2
- Number of additional I/Os 3
- Ignition time 3 seconds
- Ignition voltage = battery voltage
- Max. Ignition current 15 A
- Accelerometer Yes +-120G
- Servo supply 5V, max 1 A
- Resolution height approx. +- 0.15 m
- Resolution acceleration +- 0.045G
- Sampling rate pressure 204,800 sps
- Sampling rate acceleration 200 sps
- Storage rate 200 sps / 40 sps
- Storage time 5 flights of 10 min. each
The G4 2016 is the fourth generation of the very successful Altimeter, many months of optimisation went into this new development, with safety always at the top of the list. The reliability of the Altimax is now known worldwide. Development and production take place entirely in the new development laboratory, so the whole process can be monitored closely. We manufacture these altimeters ourselves in house.
The Altimax G4 is suitable for both small and high-power projects.
The 3 pyro outputs and 2 servo ports can be assigned to any flight event. This allows two-stage recovery, but also much more complicated recovery methods as well as two-stage flights can be realised without any problems. 3 internal timers are additionally available for timing tasks, these can be set and connected as desired.
3 Pyro outputs
3 ignition outputs in open-source circuit, for ignition of lighters of different types. Up to 20A current is supplied, the ignition time is 3 seconds. The outputs are monitored with FETCHECK and BROWNOUTPROTECT, which greatly increases safety. High currents can be delivered safely, a good cooling concept ensures that the transistors are not overloaded. High current igniters can now be used! For example, it is now also possible to ignite Aerotech motors in the air.
FETCHECK
With FETCHECK the Altimax G4 offers the possibility to check the ignition transistors before flight. In the first step, the FETs are checked to see if they can switch. If this is successful, it is checked whether they are permanently conducting due to damage. Both conditions can occur due to overload and would either prevent a fuse from firing, or worse, prevent the fuse from firing immediately after arming. FETCHECK prevents this, if a fault is detected the altimeter goes into alarm mode and does not enable the ignition outputs, the igniters therefore receive no voltage and cannot fire.
BROWNOUTPROTECT
This safety function prevents a voltage drop during an ignition process. If the battery voltage drops below 5.5V due to an ignition process and a correspondingly high current draw, the ignition current is limited repeatedly for a short time so that the voltage can rise again. The reaction time is in the microsecond range and pulses the ignition current so that the CPU core always receives sufficient voltage, thus avoiding a reset. The igniters nevertheless receive sufficient current for safe ignition, as they are quite sluggish and hardly cool down during the short current interruptions, thus maintaining the ignition process.
2 SERVO connections
2 servos can be controlled, 5V / 1A are available for this purpose. The positions can be set in the PC software and the LCD terminal.
3x AUX I/O
There are 3 I/O pins available via micromatch connectors. The 3 pins can be used as input or output as desired. As input, they react to a level change and trigger an event. This event can then activate any outputs of the Altimax. As an output, they can be used to switch other things. Among other things, the beep signal and the LED can be routed to the outside, but any consumer can be switched with additional electronics.
Note: Plugs for the version with connectors must be ordered separately!
