Release Notes for Version 1.6.3

Version 1.6.3 adds idle mode to AltosDroid and has bug fixes for our host software on desktops, laptops an android devices along with BlueTooth support for Windows.

1. AltOS

AltOS fixes:

  • Fix hardware flow control on TeleBT v3.0. RTS/CTS is wired backwards on this board, switch from using the hardware to driving these pins with software.

2. AltosUI and TeleGPS Applications

AltosUI and TeleGPS New Features:

  • Add BlueTooth support for Windows operating system. This supports connections to TeleBT over BlueTooth rather than just USB.

AltosUI and TeleGPS Fixes:

  • Change Java detection and install on Windows. Detection is now done by looking for the javaw.exe program, and installation by opening a browser on the java.com web site.
  • Delay polling while the Fire Igniters is visible to allow for TeleMega to report back complete status over the radio.
  • Disallow changing RF calibration numbers in the configuration UI. There’s no good reason to change this from the field, and recovering is really hard if you haven’t written down the right number.
  • Fix USB device discovery on Mac OS X El Capitan. This makes the connected Altus Metrum USB devices appear again.
  • Fix acceleration data presented in MonitorIdle mode for TeleMetrum v2.0 flight computers.

3. AltosDroid

AltosDroid new features:

  • Monitor Idle mode. Check state of flight computer while in idle mode over the radio link
  • Fire Igniters. Remotely fire ignires for recovery system ground tests.
  • Remote reboot. Cause the flight computer to reboot over the radio link. This provides a method for switching the flight computer from idle to flight mode without needing to reach the power switch.
  • Configurable frequency menu. Change the set of available frequencies and provide more descriptive names.

AltosDroid bug fixes:

  • Don’t set target location if GPS hasn’t locked yet.
  • Fix saving target states so they can be reloaded when the application restarts. When the application is shut down and restarted, all previous target state information will be restored (including GPS position if available).
  • Fix crash on some Android devices for offline maps when changing the map scale or location.
  • Don’t require USB OTG support. This kept the latest AltosDroid from being offered on devices without USB device support, although it can work without that just fine using BlueTooth.
  • Don’t require bluetooth to be enabled. This allows the application to operate with USB devices or just show old data without turning on the bluetooth radio.
  • Recover old tracker positions when restarting application. This finally allows you to safely stop and restart the application without losing the last known location of any tracker.

4. Documentation

  • Document TeleMega and EasyMega additional pyro channel continuity audio alert pattern.