The R-DAS

RDAS (Rocket Data Acquisition System) FLIGHT COMPUTER

	R-DAS Classic
	R-DAS Compact

The R-DAS Mini, Compact R-DAS, and the older, now discontinued Classic R-DAS, by AED in the Netherlands, are undoubtedly the most sophisticated pieces of avionics on the market used by non-professional rocketeers. Not only is the R-DAS a full blown recording altimeter/accelerometer, which beeps and flashes out the altitude after the flight, but it also includes 6 analogue inputs, 4 digital inputs, data logging at 200 Hz per channel, and is expandable with output boards for controlling up to 10 output events, as well as real time telemetry via a plug-in telemetry unit, XY accelerometer module, magnetic field module, thermocouple module, GPS module and On Screen video display module. The R-DAS is quite simply, head and shoulders above all the other avionics systems on the market.

Pros:

• Does everything you are ever likely to want in a piece of rocketry electronics, and then some more on top of that.
• Expandable with extra boards.
• The software is very easy to use.
• Software is available to connect the R-DAS to PCs or PDAs running Windows, Windows CE and PalmOS.

Cons:

There are very few cons with the R-DAS, and I must admit, the only cons I can see, have more to do with my personal preferences with rocketry avionics, rather than any real cons.

• The 8051 CPU in the Compact R-DAS and Classic R-DAS. I think they should have used a PIC CPU.
• The location of the on/off switch on the R-DAS Classic, and the need to drill a hole in the rocket to flick the switch with a screwdriver or other similar object, is a bit cumbersome in my opinion. It may have been better to also include an extra connection on the board to allow an on-off switch to be wired in and mounted on the airframe, but then again, that way leads down the same path as the IAX-96 with its wiring harness, which from what I have seen, can be cumbersome. The option to wire in a switch is included on the R-DAS Compact.
• The wiring harness on the R-DAS Mini. Personally, I'm not convinced that a wiring harness was a good move, because of the added complexity and fiddling around required.

My previous gripes were answered, when AED produced the Compact R-DAS, which fits in a 38mm diameter airframe, then the Mini R-DAS which fits in a 29mm airframe, and with the availability of the Linux source code for the R-DAS download software. AED are an incredibly helpful and responsive company, and always take onboard any comments from their customers. Really good customer support!

Additional R-DAS Resources

R-DAS Help Clinic and mini FAQ
R-DAS Classic Guide
R-DAS Compact Guide
Fitting a power switch to an R-DAS Compact - Coming Soon

• R-DAS Flight #1
• R-DAS Flight #2
• R-DAS Flight #3
• R-DAS Flight #4
• R-DAS Flight #5
• R-DAS Flight #6
• R-DAS Flight #7

Where to buy the R-DAS?

The R-DAS and its modules can be bought from vendors such as Rocketstore in the UK, and Rebel Rocketry in the Netherlands, both of whom I have used a number of times before, and as a satisfied customer, I can highly recommend. Additionally, Aerocon not only sell all the AED modules for the R-DAS, but also the 3rd party magnetic field sensor module and thermocouple module. The R-DAS and the AED manufactured modules, are also available to buy online direct from the manufacturer at the AED website.

See Also

Hybrid Rocket Science, Hybrid Rocket Help Clinic, Amateur Hybrid Motors, Amateur Liquid Rockets, Guidance, Gimballed Motors, Launch Controller, UK Rocketry Vendors, UK Rocket Groups, UK Space Organisations