Arecorder - Open Source Flight Data Recorder

Version: v2.2 (PTR edition)
Maintained by: bartekM

A compact, high-g flight data recorder designed specifically for model and amateur rocketry. The Arecorder logs 3-axis acceleration and orientation data to an SD card during launch, ascent, apogee, and recovery. Developed and used by the Polskie Towarzystwo Rakietowe (PTR) – the Polish Rocketry Society.

This repository contains all design files needed to build your own Arecorder: KiCad schematics & PCB layout, Gerber files, Bill of Materials (BOM), assembly notes, and firmware source code.

• Original forum thread (Polish/English discussion): forum.rakiety.org.pl/viewtopic.php?t=3039
• PTR Discord (support & community)

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Features

• High-range 3-axis accelerometer:
  • Primary: MMA6827 (±120 g)
  • Alternative: H3LIS331 (with adapter board, higher availability and better specs)
• On-board SD card slot for raw flight data logging
• Improved firmware with better calibration accuracy and write reliability
• Compact design suitable for most model rockets (fits standard payload bays)
• Easy post-flight analysis (data saved in simple format)
• Open-source hardware & firmware – build it yourself or modify it

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Quick Start

1. Order PCBs – use the Gerbers in hardware/gerbers/ (any PCB manufacturer, e.g. JLCPCB, PCBWay).
2. Buy components – see hardware/BOM.csv.
3. Assemble – most soldering can be done by hand; complex parts can be outsourced.
4. Flash firmware – use MPLAB X IDE + PIC debugger.
5. Format SD card (FAT32) before first use.
6. Calibrate the accelerometer (detailed in the manual).
7. Fly – insert into rocket, power on, launch, retrieve data after flight.

Full assembly and usage instructions are in the original manual and docs/assembly-guide.md.

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Hardware Notes (v2.2 PTR)

• Double-layer PCB (no changes planned for this revision)
• Sensor upgrade from original MMA6519 (80 g) to MMA6827 (120 g)
• Optional H3LIS331 adapter board included in the design files

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License

• Hardware designs – CERN Open Hardware Licence Version 2 – Strongly Reciprocal
• Firmware & software – MIT LICENSE
• Documentation – CC-BY-SA 4.0

See LICENSE file for details.

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Contributing

Pull requests are welcome! Whether it's:

• Bug fixes
• New features
• Better documentation
• Improved firmware

Just open an issue or PR. You can also support development via Buy Me a Coffee.

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Contact

• Maintainer: bartekM (GitHub @bartekM or PM on PTR forum/Discord)
• Community: PTR Discord server

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Happy flying and safe recoveries! 🚀