Category Archives: Software Release

New Version BSA 2.2.24

I have published a new version of BSA which includes all checks according to COH 2018.

  • Support to check for limit 4. The check only lists violations which occur for 5s or longer as per COH 2018.
  • Calculate the recommended penalty points according to COH 2018.

The latest version can be downloaded from the BSA page.

Introducing the Balloon Safety Analyzer BSA

For the Europeans 2015 I wrote a software that can analyze all tracks and find high ascend/descend rates depending on distance. The software is very fast, it runs the tracks of a flight with 100 pilots in approximately 10 seconds.
Also, the software can find large ascend/descend rates in proximity of waypoints (e.g. targets) or find balloons within the proximity of another balloon at a given time.

I decided to publish the software freely to everybody who would like to use it. The software currently can only work with tracks from Balloon Competition Loggers and if those are set to 1 second interval.

The software can be downloaded from the BSA page.

New BLM Version 3.0.265

BLM IconI finally found time to publish the new BLM version. I decided to make it a new major version (3.0.265).

Aside of a face lift and introduced version check at startup, this version contains a feature to detect the take-off and landing positions. While we have intensively tested the feature during the last big competitions (Europeans 2015 and WAG Dubai), please use the detected positions with reasonable care.
The algorithm to detect take-off and landing is based on some work from Flytec and uses the barometric altitude, variometer and GPS ground speed.
Please note that sometimes multiple take-offs and landings could be detected. (in low wind conditions or if the balloon is moved)

You can download the new version from the BLM page.

New major release: Firmware 1.3.240 and BLM 2.2.240

I’ve just released a major version for the logger firmware (version 1.3) and BLM (version 2.2). This firmware introduces several new functions:
– The logger records variometer information
– The logger has a new “Navigation” screen which shows ground speed, heading and variometer.
– A new user.cfg configuration file allows user specific configuration which doesn’t affect event configuration.
– Declarations can now also be in 5/4 format. This format must be activated by configuration.
– Improved GPS detection and support for latest Flytec hardware
– Support for Bluetooth (Only available for private owned loggers with Bluetooth modules).
– Shows SBAS/WAAS status and records the status to the IGC file
– Improved precision of stored GPS position

Important: This new firmware changes the IGC file format. The new format is currently supported by eKLIPS, Boxy, BScoring. I don’t know about the other software. Check a recorded track before the first competition flight and update scoring software or downgrade logger if needed. I will keep the 1.2.x firmware online.

Also the SignatureLib was updated, because the signature key of the IGC files are changed to improve security.

You can download BLM and Firmware from the corresponding pages.

New BLM 2.1.189

Added new feature:
– Display and export to excel of the position where a declaration was made

Fixed issues:
– Export also points with no GPS fix to BFA scoring text file
– Fixed issue with regional setting dependency of BFA scoring text export

The software can be downloaded on the BLM page.

New BLM 2.1.187 / updated SignatureLib

Added new BLM with the following new features:
– Added Swedish Grid SWEREF 99 TM. (no firmware upgrade of loggers needed)
– Added Drag&Drop for opening files.
Fixes:
– Fixed issue for signature validation when IGC file contains non-ASCII characters.

Also SignatureVerifier and SignatureLib have been updated to fix the bug mentioned above (for developers only).

The software and firmware can be downloaded in the Official’s section