Steve Kroop at Flytec <<info>>
sends:

Preliminary SenseBox Info

The Flytec SenseBox combines as many physical measurements as possible (see
functions below) into a compact rugged wireless pod. The SenseBox can precisely
measure location and 3-axis motion in space. This information is sent wirelessly
to a display/user interface unit like a mobile phone/tablet. The location and
orientation of the platform is determined by the internal GPS, accelerometer,
gyro sensor, magnetic compass and high sensitivity altimeter/variometer. All
measured values can be displayed correctly, even if the platform is exposed to a
centrifugal acceleration in a curve (horizontal or vertical).

Similar systems are used in large commercial and military aircraft but at a
verity significant cost. The SenseBox is also equipped with FlyLink® which
allows wireless connection to additional external sensors such as airspeed,
envelope temperature, engine data, etc. The SenseBox is designed so that it can
be used as IGC logger and as back-up flight instrument as well as a rescue tool
when primary instruments fail. In the event of primary instrument failure in
flight, it is possible to continue flight with basic navigation (position,
altitude, acoustic vario, compass).

• Connection to smart phone/tablet via Bluetooth 4.0 LE (low energy)


• SD Card for recording IGC flight files uploading instrument settings and
  firmware updates


• 2000mAh LiPo battery for about 15 to 20 hours operating time


• Micro-USB port for battery charging and connection to Mac/PC as a mass
  storage device. Can also be charged from an external power adapter, external
  battery, car or solar charger


• Small segment display for back-up flight and rescue functions:
  Altitude/Vario/Pressure/Compass/Ground Speed/Position/Time/Pairing/Recording
  status/Acoustic on/off/Battery level/Satellite reception
  
  
  


• Simple three button operation


• Newest generation uBlox Neo6 GPS


• Magnetic compass, Inertial and gyro sensors


• Variometer/altimeter with the most comprehensive Flytec technology


• Integrated piezo for acoustic vario


• FlyLink node for external sensors/accessories like airspeed, wireless
  speaker, engine info, etc.


• Compatible with 3rd party hang gliding and paragliding applications like
  FreeFlight Software on the iPhone 4s or iPad or newer
  http://www.butterfly-avionics.com/index.php/en/products/butterfly-apps/freeflight-paragliding-delta-app or sailplane apps like iGlide, LK8000 or XCSoar.


• Waterproof

Data from SenseBox is sent to smartphone/tablet running flight software such as
FreeFlight:

Steve Kroop at Flytec <<info>>
writes:

Since the release of the first smart phones, and then accelerating
when the iPhone came out, we have received consistent inquiries about using them
as flight instruments. There have been a few attempts by phone app developers
but due to the hardware limitations of smart phones, these flight instrument
apps are essentially just cute little gadgets.

That said there are some legitimate and very powerful flight navigation apps
that run on iOS and Android (e.g., XC Soar, LK8000 and iGlide). These are very
powerful applications but were designed for use in sailplanes. Furthermore,
their accuracy and some of their functionality is limited because of the
phone/tablet's lack of proper sensors. To address this issue, a few years ago,
the ability to send sensor data to the phone or tablet over Bluetooth was added
6030/6020. This configuration has been gaining traction with some hang glider
and paraglider pilots.

The new sensor box is the next evolution of this concept. Butterfly Avionics,
the developer of iGlide, has released their hang gliding and paragliding
specific flight app for iOS that will receive sensor data from the sensor box
and I suspect that XC Soar and LK8000 will make hang gliding and paragliding
specific versions of their apps.

In the immediate term, I think the sensor box will have appeal as a supplemental
navigation aid, back-up data logger, device to easily transfer flights on the
go, back-up variometer, and as rescue device. At least for the immediate future,
I do not see the sensor box/smart phone system as a replacement for
self-contained flight instrument. However, as these flight apps are refined and
as the limitations of the phones (display readability, battery life and impact
resistance, etc.) are improved, I think this configuration will become a popular
alternative to stand-alone flight instruments.

Keep in mind that the sensor box is just another model in our complete flight
instrument line and Flytec will continue developing stand-alone flight
instruments.

E-Ink smart phone
here.