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Digi-V is a digital variometer for RC model airplanes/gliders.

The system consists of a base module (similar to a walkie-talkie) and a number of flight modules. The flight modules are permanently installed in the airplanes and transmit altitude measurements via 2.4GHz digital radio link to the base module. The base module acoustically indicates climb- and sinkrate and a speech processor announces altitude and receiver supply voltage.

Several flight modules can be logically 'paired' with a base station by exchanging a digital unique ID. So multiple Digi-V variometers can be operated independantly in the same area. The system can easily be extended by additional flight modules anytime.

Digi-V functionality:

• Altitude measurement: The altitiude relative to the starting altitude is measured through a precise barometric pressure sensor. The starting altitude (0 meters) is defined as the altitude at which the model airplane has been powerded up.The altitude calculation is done according to the International Standard Atmosphere
• Variometer: The current climb- or sinkrate is acoustically indicated in the headphones. Short tones indicate climbing while frequency and period get faster at higher climb rates. Long and low tones mean the airplane is currently sinking. At increased sink rates the frequency and period get lower.
• Altitude display and indication: The current altitude is displayed on the LCD display of the base station. Speech announcements of the altitude are done at 10 meter (ca. 33 feet) altitude steps.
• Voltage display and indication: The receiver supply voltage of the airplane is displayed on the LCD display of the base station. Periodically it is announce by speech output.
• RC control: The beep and spreech output configuration of the Digi-V variometer can be controlled through a RC channel. Three positions are supported which are fully configurable through the PC tool (optional cable required).
• Maximum altitude of past flight: After a flight, the maximum altitude is displayed on the LCD of the base station.
• Live data output: During normal operation, several data items are streamed life via a UART port in CVS format: current altitude, current climb/sinkrate, current supply voltage. The data can be monitored live via a UART/USB cable on a PC or laptop.
• Flight recording: The altitude profile of the past 10 hours of flight is recorded on the base module for later download to a PC.
• PC configuration tool: A PC configuration tool allows to set different operation parameters of the Digi-V variometer.

Digi-V works over more than 1km of distance. The base station weighs 108 grams (without battery), the flight module weighs 20 grams (including antenna). The flight module measures 70x22x10mm without antenna.

Digi-V comes with a PC configuration tool. It allows to set several parameters and determine the device's functionality. It also allows to read out the altitude profile of the past 10 hours of flight. See below for a tool screenshot.

The tool is currently available in German. The entire system is being ported to French and English, including the speech output of the device.