About TracID and SWARM

Overview:
The GPSFlight telemetry modules have several very powerful enhancements thanks to a powerful onboard computer and compressed data protocol called SWARM (Synchronized Wide Area Remote Management) which enables each unit to have a separate TracID.  With TracID, each transmitter has its own separate ID, and can transmit information during the same second as other units, and with the GPS-TEAM software, multiple units can be tracked on the screen -- all at once!

In addition, the onboard CPU provides the ability to add-on other units such as the new GPSFlight Digital Altimeter Module (DAM). With DAM, the unit transmits a high-resolution altitude based on a digital barometer which is accurate to 3 feet from sea level to 29,500 feet.

The key advancements that make TracID, and modules like DAM possible is the platform architecture.  This architecture multiplexes data from GPS and other devices into a highly compressed proprietary binary packet which is synchronized with other transmitters using the microsecond accuracy of the GPS satellite signals.  Each transmitter is programmed to a particular TracID channel, and given a name so it can be identified uniquely.

The following are key features of the GPSFlight Telemetry System:

Packetized Data Stream
Position information is sent from the TracID enabled GPSFlight unit to the ground using a proprietary, highly compressed SWARM data stream.  This data stream converts information from the GPS NMEA output into very small packets of position information, and names each packet so it can be identified on the PC.  This enables tracking of multiple units simultaneously with one base station.  This data stream is approximately 1/100th the size of the standard NMEA data.  As a result of the compression, the system can track 10 transmitters per second, and thousands of transmitters in a single RF area.

Expansion Ports
The TracID enabled boards like the STXe support some expansion options not found in other modules.  The 'Feature port' allows addition of external devices such as:

• Pressure

• Voltage

• Temperature

• Remote triggering of events based on position

• Panic event registration

• Other custom inputs such as RPM, etc.

Indicator LED
The onboard CPU provides an indicator LED which shows GPS lock status visually without having to look at the PC.  The light flashes red every 3 seconds when no lock is present.  It flashes orange every second when 2D lock is available, and it flashes green every 3 seconds when 3D lock is available.

Board Voltage Indicator
The onboard CPU also sends board voltage information to the RXBase station so the user can keep track of remaining battery run time.

Multi-Trac
The TracID boards are designed to work closely with the new GPS-TEAM software. This new software application is designed for clubs and other groups with a powerful new feature called Muti-Trac.  Multi-Trac will show real-time position of all reporting TracID-capable GPSFlight Transmitters on one screen at the same time.  As each unit moves, its position on the screen is updated, and each unit can be assigned a different color and icon.  By looking at the screen all units can be seen moving, and by highlighting any unit, its detailed position information is shown.

"Panic" Button
Each Transmitter has a circuit which enables a button to send a 'panic' message which identifies the unit sending the message, the time sent, and the location of the panic. This information is also displayed on the GPS-TEAM tracking Screen.