Raven Altimeter

Update Jan 20 2023: The Raven4 is permanently sold out. The Blue Raven is currently in development and should be available Q1 of 2023. The Blue Raven is an all-new flight controller with the same form factor and all the features as the Raven4, but includes a full-featured Bluetooth phone interface, gyro-based inertial navigation, more flexible deployment programming, and more. See the Rocketry Forum for the latest development updates.
Setting the standard for amateur rocketry altimeters since it was introduced in 2009, the 1.8" long, 4-output, Raven altimeter provides an unmatched combination of small size, flexible outputs, high-rate recorded data, and easy-to-use settings. You can fly it right out of the box using the default redundant dual-deployment settings for the outputs, or use the Featherweight Interface Program to set up any staging or airstart events you can dream up. The new Raven4 is the latest and best version of the series, with higher current outputs, an improved +/- 105G accelerometer, and better durability.

Top View

Bottom View

Raven4 Features
New Raven4 features in Green

Lots of high-quality recorded data:

400 Hz axial Accelerometer, +/- 105 Gs
200 Hz lateral Accel., +/- 105 Gs
20 Hz Baro data, +/- 0.3% accuracy!
20 Hz voltage on each of 4 outputs
40 Hz output current
20 Hz high-precision temperature sensor
20 Hz for All flight events used for deployment logic.
Flight counter
All output program settings
Accel calibrations used during the flight
Pad altitude ASL
8 minutes of high-rate data per flight + 45 mins.

Four high-current outputs:

Four 25-Amp outputs compatible with batteries from a single Li-Poly cell to a 16V pack.
Default output settings:
- Mach-immune, accelerometer-based apogee deployment
- Main deployment at 700 feet
- Baro-based backup apogee deployment
- Backup deployment 1.5 seconds after main deployment
Additional user-selectable output logic options can be selected in combination for each output:
- Accel > user value 1 (ignition detection)
- Accel < user value (burnout detection)
- Filtered pressure increasing (baro apogee detection)
- Filtered pressure decreasing (for staging)
- Time > user value (simple timer)
- Time < user value (vertical staging check)
- Altitude < user value 1 (low altitude deploy)
- Altitude > user value 2 (vertical staging check)
- Altitude < user value 3 (landing detection) (New!)
- Velocity < 0 mph (apogee detection)
- Velocity < user value 1 (Mach inhibit)
- Velocity > user value 2 (staging input)
- Time delay after other conditions met (backup)
See FIP page for programming screenshot

Powerful computer interface and other features

A sophisticated built in test exercises all sensors and all outputs with a realistic simulated flight. Verify that your e-matches work with your battery, verify your flight program, and view all the recorded data from your "flight" without leaving your computer.
All recorded data can be saved as text or cut-and-pasted into Excel.
User calibration of accelerometer
The Raven has full functionality with either end up!
Visible and audible readout of individual channel continuity and battery voltage. Now with 2-color LEDs so that all information is represented visually as well as audibly.
Reverse battery protection
4-40 size mounting holes
More-durable through-hole USB connector and capacitor orientation
Lower power consumption for longer run-time on small batteries