The AFC-877 flight computer combines barometric and acceleration sensors with non-volatile data storage, multiple, individually programmable pyro
outputs and in flight telemetry capabilities to create a powerful and flexible rocket control and data gathering system.
While the AFC-877 has been designed for use in medium and large rockets, a board size of only 5.0" x 1.75" (12.7cm x 4.4cm), allows the AFC-877 to
fit inside a 2.0" ID tube.
- Four independently programmable pyro outputs: Each pyro output can be individually programmed for any of six different
flight events, with a backup timer on each output. Each pyro output can be triggered on:
- Apogee (with 0-199 second delay and backup timer)
- Low Altitude (with 0-199 backup timer)
- Stage 1 burnout (with 0-199 second delay and backup timer)
- Stage 2 burnout (with 0-199 second delay and backup timer)
- Stage 3 burnout (with 0-199 second delay and backup timer)
- Timer (0-199 seconds after launch detection)
- Maximum altitude, speed and acceleration recording: After a flight with the AFC-877 installed, your rocket's
peak altitude (apogee), maximum speed and acceleration will be reported on the LCD display, and the peak altitude will be beeped
out on the piezo buzzer.
- Telemetry: As data is being recorded during flight, the current flight parameters (time, barometric and inertial altitude,
acceleration and velocity) are sent to the on-board serial port. The AFC-877 can plug directly into the
AGTS GPS/Telemetry System, allowing you to monitor your rocket's performance in real time
during flight! In addition, once the flight event reporting is complete, the AFC-877 will relay the GPS location
data from the AGTS/1, allowing you to use the GPS data to locate your rocket.
- Hybrid compatible launch detection: Digital signal processing produces clean launch detection, even with the unique
acceleration profile produced by some hybrid motors. And a backup breakwire launch detection is also available!
- Program without an attached computer: Using the LCD and the three pushbuttons on the AFC-877,
all flight parameters can be programmed; pyro output programming, data sampling rate, etc. Leave your laptop at home!
- Program with an attached computer: Or bring your laptop with you! The AFC-877 can be
connected to a PC or Palm PDA with the included
flight analysis software - CATS. CATS, or Command And Telemetry Software, allows you to
program all flight parameters, as well as upload, display and store flight data, and display in-flight telemetry (when connected to an
AGTS Receiver via the computers' serial port).
- Nonvolatile data storage: pressure and acceleration are sampled at a user selected interval (20, 50 or 100ms). At the highest
rate, the total measurement time is 326 seconds (almost five and a half minutes). At the lowest sampling rate, 100ms, flight data
can be stored for over 27 minutes. Flight data and maximums are stored in nonvolatile memory (powering off the unit has
no effect on the data) and can be uploaded and viewed as many times as you like.
- Field Upgradeable Firmware: Download future versions of the program code
from our website, and then using the supplied CATS flight analysis software, upgrade your AFC-877
system to the latest firmware in less than a minute.
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