|
*** Moon Tracking System without PC ***
· Hardware based on a 80C552 microcontroller. · Specially designed for EME activities, with a moon tracking algorithm embedded. · Useful also for satellites tracking and the usual VHF or HF traffic. · Analog or incremental position readers jumper selected, AZ or EL independently. · 7 keys (UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, RESET/F1, MEM/F2, MODE/F3) keyboard. · one switch for MANUAL/AUTOMATIC modes switching. · 10 LED digits multiplexed display (5 digits to display the real AZ/EL antenna position, and other 5 for the computed position). · 4 mode indicator LEDs.
FUNCTIONS
1. AUTOMATIC TRACKING Two automatic modes switched by MODE/F3 key: - MOON TRACKING - The moon position is internal computed. - UTC time and geographical coordinates are required. - SATELLITES TRACKING - Satellites positions setting: - serial 9600,8,N,1, GS232 YAESU protocol. - Example: - W230<Space> 056<CR> W - start character 230 - azimuth (3 ASCII characters) Space (0x20) character 056 - elevation (3 ASCII characters) <CR> (0x0d) - stop character
2. MANUAL TRACKING Two manual modes switched by MODE/F3 key: - mode 1: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT to turn the antenna. MEM/F2 to memorize a position . - mode 2: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT for a fast position setting. Antenna will be moved in a short time on this position. MEM/F2 to turn antenna on the memorized position.
3. SETTINGS In order to use this controller in different places and with various kinds of rotors, without writing every time a new EPROM, specific settings can be made using the keyboard or a serial RS232 communication (with a PC or a GPS module) and putting these settings in the non-volatile RAM. *** All the settings can be made using this software: ANT.EXE ***
UTC TIME Set: - manual, using the keyboard (automatic tracking mode required). RESET/F1 to enter in the clock setting mode. LEFT or RIGHT for time setting. RESET/F1 switches between year/month/day/hour/minute/second. RESET/F1 to leave the clock setting . - serial (RS232, 4800,8,N,1) from a GPS in NMEA mode (ZDA message) or from a PC. DOWN pressed and power ON to enter in the serial clock setting mode. MEM/F2 to read the time and leave the setting mode. Read: MEM/F2 to read the time. GEOGRAPHICAL COORDINATES Set: - from EPROM. LEFT pressed and power ON. - serial (RS232, 4800,8,N,1) from a GPS in NMEA mode (GGA message) or from PC. UP pressed and power ON. Read: MEM/F2 to read the coordinates and leave the setting mode.
PULSES/TURN RATIOS - number of pulses received from incremental readers for a complete turn (360 degrees on AZ and 90 degrees on EL) Set: - from EPROM. LEFT pressed and power ON. - serial (RS232, 4800,8,N,1) from a PC with a message looking like this: WDabcd<SPACE> efgh<CR> abcd - azimuth ratios 1-9999 efgh - elevation ratios 1-9999 RIGHT pressed and power ON. Read: MEM/F2 to read the pulses/turn ratios and calibration, and leave the setting mode.
DELTA ANGLE Permitted distance between the real position and computed position in degrees. Useful for rotator with low accuracy readers, noisy voltage from analog readers, or too fast rotors. Set: - serial (RS232, 4800,8,N,1) from a PC with a message looking like this: WE<delta><CR> (delta 1-9)
ZERO POSITION Zero degrees AZ/EL antenna position setting for incremental readers. Set: RESET/F1 in the manual antenna tracking mode. Antenna will go to left and down when the end of range switches will be open. Displayed positions will be "zero".
ELEVATION ACTUATOR CALIBRATION Set: - serial (RS232, 4800,8,N,1) from a PC with a message looking like this: WR<no_points><angle_1><pulses_1>...<angle_n><pulses_n><CR> - no_points - the numbers of calibration points on 2 digits (02 - 20). - angle - the angle on 2 digits (00 - 90) degrees. - pulses - the numbers of measured pulses for that angle on 4 digits (0000 - 9999). RIGHT pressed and power ON to enter in the calibration mode Read: MEM/F2 to read the pulses/turn ratios and calibration, and leave the setting mode.
Hardware specifications - 8k non-volatile memory (SRAM with internal battery and time keeper). - 32k program memory (EPROM). - watchdog. - optical-isolated serial RS232 port for communication with the PC or the GPS unit. - sound beeper. - 2 digital inputs (AZ/EL) for incremental position readers. - 2 10 bits ADC (AZ/EL) for analog position readers. - power MOSFETs driver bridge.
Hardware files OrCAD 386+ files: *.sch - schematic diagram *.lib - components library *.bd1 - PCB design
ANT.pdf - controller board ANT1.pdf - display and keyboard INOUT.pdf - input/output interface
Firmware files
ProView32 (Franklin) files:
|
|
Antenna Control System |