The AL-016 Rocket Data Logger is your solution to obtaining sub-millisecond visibility to linear and rotational forces. It measures acceleration and rotation in 3 dimensions to capture and record inertial motion with very high resolution, dynamic range, and accuracy.
Every 750 microseconds the Logger collects data from its sensor cluster and records it to an onboard flash memory chip. The recorded data is then written to the Logger’s Micro SD media card. By first recoding to the onboard memory, the Logger is able to operate in the harsh vibration and high shock environment.
Target Applications
- Measure acceleration and rotation in 3 dimensions
- Payload stress measurement
- Delivered motor performance characterization
- Flight anomaly investigation
- Spin stabilization analysis
- Crash testing and impact studies
- Getting sub-millisecond visibility to events occurring during racing and extreme sports
Features
- Tri-axis primary accelerometer
±200g x/y/z for high force event measurement - Tri-axis secondary accelerometer
±16g x/y/z for high resolution measurement of moderate forces - Tri-axis digital gyroscope
±2000 degrees/sec for rotational measurement - 45 second recording time
The model AL-016 uses a 16Mb intermediate Flash Memory - Analog light sensor
Detects deployment or structure fracture - Low-power sleep mode
Saves battery power between flights - Post-processing software
Generates “ready for web” summary, charts, and spreadsheet files. (Recorder can directly output a spreadsheet compatible ASCII text .csv file.) - Serial port for advanced control
Post-Processing Software
The Logger generates an ASCII text spreadsheet file and a raw binary file. The spreadsheet file (.csv format) contains the recorded data samples converted to convenient units (acceleration (g), gyroscope rate (dps), etc.). The contents of this file can be viewed directly without using the Post-Processor. The raw binary file contains a superset of this information.
The Post-Processing Software reads the raw binary file, permits the user to specify the types of analysis to be performed, makes calibration adjustments to the data, analyzes the data, breaks it into multiple flight phases, and creates a web ready report with its supporting charts and table files.
Information describing the test, the rocket, and the payload may be entered into the Post-Processor and be included in the test/flight report.
Analysis performed:
- Time Domain Acceleration Power Density (TDA)
- Frequency Domain Acceleration Spectral Density (ASD) [premium feature*]
- Shock Response Spectrum (SRS) [premium feature*]
- "Normal range" checking.
During analysis, key test parameters are compared to specified "normal ranges". Any key parameters outside these ranges are flagged in the report as anomalies. (The "normal range" values are held in a user modifiable XML file.)
See the documentation and online Post-Processing results (left margin) for more information.
V2.1 Release Note:
This version of the Post-Processing Software installs automatically on Windows (Vista and above), Mac OSX, and Linux systems. The new installer also creates an "uninstaller" for later removal of the software. Please refer to the latest ReadMe file release notes and installation information.
Battery Chargers and Batteries
The Loggers are compatible with Adafruit and Spark Fun 3.7V LiPo battery chargers and batteries that use the 2-pin JST connector. In these web sites, search using
"3.7 lipo battery charger jst". The USB chargers work well.
The 3.7V 150 mAh battery provided with the Logger will power the Logger for a typical weekend of flying. Larger capacity batteries are also available on these sites.
USB Serial Adapter Cables
Currently, connecting to the serial port of the Logger is only necessary for calibration. Since the Logger is calibrated at the factory, you may never need to connect to the serial port. If you connect to the serial port, use a "3.3V TTL (not 5V) serial adapter" serial adapter and only connect the TX, RX, and GND signals. (See the User's Guide for pin definitions.)
International Orders
The "buy now" button is only configured for shipping to the states and territories of the USA. For other shipping addresses, please send us email via our Contact page.