KAVAN MicroVario - Instruction manual

Introduction

MicroVario is a sensitive altimeter/variometer which uses the latest MEMS technology to achieve a high level of accuracy, while preserving miniature dimensions. The sensor is able to detect tiny changes in atmospheric pressure to indicate the climb/sink rate.

Features

• Small dimensions. The sensor is connected directly to the receiver telemetry port.
• Accurate measurement of absolute/relative altitude and climb/sink rate.
• Automatic telemetry detection: Duplex EX, Hott, MSB, S.Bus2.
• Configurable alarms on altitude and climb rate.
• Configuration through the transmitter.
• Firmware updates.

Technical specifications

• Dimensions: 21,5×10×4 mm
• Weight: 1 g
• Pressure range: 300÷1200hPa
• Altitude resolution: 0.1 m
• Typical variometer noise ratio: ± 0.05 m/s
• Operating current: 15 mA
• Operating temperature: (-)20–85°C
• Supply voltage: 3.5–12 V
• Telemetry: (-20)–85 °C
• Supply Voltage: 3.5–8.4 V
• Telemetry: Duplex EX, Multiplex MSB, Graupner Hott, Futaba S.Bus2
• Status LED: Yes

Installation

Connect the MicroVario directly to the receiver telemetry port. Please note that the sensor is very sensitive to changes in atmospheric pressure and also to mechanical stress. To reach the most accurate altitude measurements please pay attention to the receiver placement. Try to avoid any mechanical stress on the sensor. The MicroVario should not be directly exposed to the airflow and any close contact with components producing heat (such as engines or speed controllers) should be avoided.

Telemetry and settings

The device is compatible with JETIBOX for programming. The JETIBOX menu is divided into three sections:

Actual values

Displays the latest telemetry values (altitude, vario, pressure, temperature) together with minimums and maximums.

Reset Min/Max - press left+right buttons together to reset all minimums and maximums.

Settings

Basic settings of the sensor.

Language

You can choose the language of the JETIBOX screen.

Vario sensitivity

Sets the amount of filtering for the pressure sensor data. By increasing the sensitivity you will get faster response to altitude changes. Please note that the indicated noise may be increased as well. (Default value: Medium)

Sink rate

Rate of airplane descent when there are no thermal effects. The value of sink rate is added to the climb rate. This will result in locating thermal streams more precisely. Example: When the model flies at its nominal sink rate 0.5m/s, the vario is silent. As soon as the model enters any thermal upstream, the vario wil start beeping (although the airplane may still be descending).

Sealevel pressure

The sea level pressure is taken as a reference to calculate the absolute altitude. To get the most accurate calculation of the altitude, set the pressure at your location adjusted to the sea level. The International Standard Atmosphere Model defines the sea level pressure to be 1013hPa.

Round altitude

Permits or denies rounding the altitude values displayed on the transmitter. Relative and absolute altitude round to full meters, decimal part is omitted.

Altitude alarm

You can set a high altitude alarm. *)

Vario alarm

You can set an alarm for excessive climb or sink rate.*)

Alarm interval

Sets the time period between alarm announcement.

Service

In this menu you can view the device version and reset it to the default factory configuration.

*) The alarm setting is compatible with Duplex and Hott systems.

JETIBOX Connection

Plug the MicroVario into the sensor slot of the JETIBOX. Power it up with a battery with appropriate voltage (4.5–8.4V). Now you can configure the sensor using the arrows on the JETIBOX.

Graupner hott menu structure:

MicroVario offers telemetry as a standard VARIO telemetry module.

Futaba and Multiplex connection

Futaba and Multiplex systems do not offer wireless device configuration. The telemetry transmission is possible with the following fixed sensor slots:

	Futaba S.Bus2	Multiplex MSB
Altitude	19	6
Vario	18	7
Note	Manual detection in the menu Linkage – Sensor. Choose F1672 vario on slot 18.	Automatically detected by the transmitter.