Drone Altimeter Kit with Arduino Nano + LoRa
Drone Altimeter & LoRa Telemetry Kit with Arduino Nano — Simulate CubeSat Downlink
Every part needed, pre-tested for compatibility, with an AI build companion trained on this exact project. Shipped from Bengaluru in 3-5 days.
Construct a complete drone-mounted telemetry payload that transmits real‑time altitude, attitude, and temperature data over LoRa. The dual Arduino Nano system and RA-02 modules form a point‑to‑point link that packs sensor readings into structured packets — exactly like a CubeSat downlink. You’ll encode metadata, timestamp with an RTC, log to microSD, and visualise on OLED, mastering the same communication stack used in satellite missions.
What You'll Build
An airborne altimeter unit reads height from the BMP280, motion from the MPU6050, and time from the DS3231. A first Arduino Nano assembles a CCSDS‑style frame with sync, counter, sensor bytes, and CRC, then fires it over 433MHz via the RA-02. On the ground, a second Arduino running the same LoRa module captures each packet, parses the fields, drives a 0.96‑inch OLED, and writes a timestamped log to a microSD card — a complete ground station you can repurpose for other experiments.
What You'll Learn
- Configure and link RA-02 LoRa modules for reliable 433MHz point‑to‑point data
- Fuse BMP280 pressure/altitude and MPU6050 accelerometer/gyro data into a stable flight attitude estimate
- Build binary telemetry packets with sync words, sequence numbers, CRC‑8 checksums, and sensor payloads
- Parse incoming frames on a ground unit to drive an OLED display and a microSD logger
Kit Contents
| Component | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Arduino Nano | 2 |
| RA-02 LoRa Module | 2 |
| BMP280 Barometric Sensor | 1 |
| MPU6050 6‑Axis IMU | 1 |
| DS3231 Real‑Time Clock | 1 |
| MicroSD Card Module | 1 |
| 433MHz Antenna | 2 |
| 0.96‑inch OLED Display | 2 |
| 100nF Capacitor | 10 |
| PCB Prototype Board | 2 |
| 3.7V LiPo Battery 1000mAh | 1 |
| TP4056 Charging Module | 1 |
| Temperature‑Controlled Soldering Iron | 1 |
| Solder Wire (50g) | 1 |
Why Buy This Kit Instead of Sourcing Parts Separately
| Factor | Sourcing Separately | Compoden Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility checks | You verify every part | Pre-tested as a system |
| Build support | Forums and scattered tutorials | AI companion trained on this exact project |
| Time to first working build | Days of debugging | Hours, with step-by-step guidance |
| Shipping coordination | Multiple sellers, multiple delays | One shipment from Bengaluru in 3-5 days |
Who This Kit Is For
Designed for final‑year B.Tech ECE, EEE, or aerospace students building a drone communication payload, Smart India Hackathon teams tackling CubeSat‑style telemetry, and ATL Tinkering Lab mentors running advanced wireless experiments. If you are at an IIT, NIT, VIT, or BITS Pilani and need a ready‑to‑assemble LoRa link that mirrors real satellite formats, this kit gives you the complete sensor‑to‑ground station pipeline.
Built and Backed by Compoden
Every Compoden kit ships with an AI build companion trained on this exact project — accessible via a QR code on the box, with WhatsApp and email backup. We've spent 10 years building projects for makers, schools, and institutions across India. If a part fails because of a manufacturing defect, replace it free within 7 days.
What if I get stuck during the build?
Your AI companion walks you through each function and wiring step. If you still need help, message us on WhatsApp — a real engineer will guide you directly.
Can I fly this on an actual drone?
Yes. The payload runs on a 3.7V LiPo and weighs only a few tens of grams. You must provide a drone with sufficient lift and a safe way to mount the unit securely.
How does this simulate CubeSat downlink?
The firmware frames binary packets with sync bytes, packet ID, timestamp, sensor payload, and a CRC checksum — the same method used in CCSDS space telemetry. You will learn how mission‑critical data integrity is maintained from sensor to ground.
Do I need prior LoRa experience?
This kit assumes you can program an Arduino and understand basic electronics. The AI companion explains LoRa configuration and packet formatting in detail, so while prior wireless experience helps, it is not required.
Drone — RA-02 LoRa transmits structured telemetry packets simulating CubeSat downlink. Ground station decodes.
What's in this kit
Choose your assembly option:
- Soldering Kit — 25W soldering iron, 60/40 solder wire, flux, and small perfboard for permanent assembly.
- Breadboard Combo — 800-point full-size breadboard with 65-piece jumper wire pack for solderless prototyping.
Shipping Information
- Prepaid Orders: ₹75 for orders up to ₹999, FREE shipping above ₹999
- COD Orders: ₹125 shipping + ₹50 COD fee = ₹175 total
- Delivery Timeline: Dispatch in 1-2 days, delivery in 2-7 days depending on location
Returns & Warranty
- 7-Day Return: Manufacturing defects only (approval required)
- Warranty: 7 days from delivery
- Non-Returnable: Batteries, consumables, cut wires, clearance items