G-Wiz MC 2.0 Flight Computer Bug Discovered October 12, 2005 Web posted at: 4:47 PM EDT
(ROL Newswire) -- After observing some anomalous behaviors of MC 2.0, a CPU chip/firmware bug has been uncovered in MC 2.0.
Background: During product development, MC 2.0 was tested and logged hundreds of hours of fully supervised data recording and operation. Prior to production release, MC 2.0 underwent numerous flight tests. What was NOT tested was MC 2.0 sitting idle for many hours with out any form of supervision. In further testing and characterization of the problem, G-Wiz uncovered what appears to be firmware/ADC bug. G-Wiz is working with Cypress Semiconductor, the maker of the CPU chip, to resolve the problem. Of the several MC 2.0 flight computers characterized, the problem only manifests itself after two to seven hours of continuous operation.
Problem: After hours of continuous operation, the CPU receives a string of bad sensor data from the processor's internal ADC for the accelerometer and the barometric sensor. This errant data causes the CPU to detect launch but never detect burnout, apogee, or low altitude.
Recommendation: Because of this problem, G-Wiz is strongly recommending all MC 2.0 owners NOT fly their computers until this critical bug is resolved. As soon as the bug is resolved, new firmware will be placed on the G-Wiz site for customers to download. G-Wiz will announce the bug fix availability on ROL and to all of it's dealers. G-Wiz is working very hard and have Cypress Semiconductor involved in assisting to resolve this problem.
G-Wiz is terribly sorry for any problems and/or inconvenience this has caused customers and dealers.
Source: G-Wiz Partners