Wish List - Hardware - Atmospheric
From Openmoko
Hardware wishes warning! This article or section documents a Hardware Wish List item, the features described here may or may not be implemented in future devices. |
- Add a Digital Barometer, Compass and Elevation Meter, as well as an integrated link to online weather services would make for a fine fully functional world thermometer and weather forecaster. Visual Interface could be very nice if show as an old fashion meter next to an alpha numeric display of info.
Contents |
Variometer
The variometer signal is simply the derivative of the barometer signal. It gives a much more accurate vertical speed signal than is possible with GPS. It would probably be best to filter and differentiate the analog pressure signal and then digitize. This kind of measurement is used by the flee flying community (hanggliding, paragliding, ballooning). A device that allows teams of pilots to share position and speed (with accurate vertical speed) data would be lots of fun. Variometer Reference
Hardware
References to applicable transducers:
Signal Conditioning
The absolute pressure signal needs to be:
- Differentiated
- Filtered
- Operational amplifiers in the following configuration:
A/D
We would need two A/D channels:
- Absolute Pressure - 12 bit minimum (calc needed)
- Differential Pressure - 10 bit minimum (calc needed)
Driver Code
The driver code samples the input channels and converts the input values from pressure to altitude. These values are provided to listeners in multiple applications. The sample rate should be application adjustable to conserve power.
Application code
Applications can use the altitude data or combine the data with GPS and accelerometer data. Commonly Kalman filter/observer techniques are used to combine data from multiple sensor types into a high accuracy low noise estimate of position and speed in 3 axis. (ref needed)
Variometer Code
Combine measurements as described above. Apply knowledge about the aircraft dynamics to increase accuracy:
- Total Energy compensation
- Relative Netto Compensation - use accelerometer data to sense when glider is turning in a thermal
User Interface
- Display speed data in ergonomic manner.
- Display speed for pilots in group.
- Visual and audible guidance to pilot with best climb rate (given reasonable proximity)