Development of Miniature Modular Digital Altimeter

Altimetry is defined as the method of measuring heights above sea level. Measuring height has been achieved by various methodologies in the past, ranging from U-shaped columns of mercury or water, sealed pressurized balloons of air or more modern approaches such as the Global Positioning System (GPS). However, all these methods are either quite bulky or power hungry and so a low cost, light weight unit would be useful for various applications. Shown here is a small microprocessor controlled system that utilizes an air pressure sensor that can be adjusted to the current air pressure, run off a 6 Volt source and the height displayed on a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screen. This allows it to be used as a standalone module or integrated into a much larger system. This includes applications such as robotics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to personal handheld units for use in leisure activities or by security or rescue personnel.