Rotator controller with Microchip PIC16F88.
SAT Auto Tracking simple
rotator controller
Rotator controller with Microchip PIC16F88.
You can choose one of three types of position sensors shown below.
Built-in 10Bit A/D converter:
Most economical. Satisfactory to
most of your needs. Ten bucks for Auto Tracking.
12-Bit A/D converter (MCP3208):
For precision
operation.
External:
For future expansion, such as rotary encoder.
SAT tracking software.
This tracking controller keeps looking for strings of AZxxxx and ELxxxx out of sent string by
a SAT tracking software. ‘xxx’ is numeric characters which shows direction in degree.
I am using ‘Nova for Windows’.
Some other software might be operational with this auto
tracker, but not tried yet.
Hardware
Photo shown below is my tracking controller built in a plastic case.
It’s my sloppiness. Metal case shall be recommended to prevent RF interference.
12-Bit A/D shown on the photo is not necessary
in most of cases.
Circuit board Schematic diagram
Wiring Diagram
Description of the circuit
Download
Firmware
Extract ‘AutTrack.hex’ out of downloaded
zip file which is the firmware program file.
Program your firmware, PIC16F88,
with a PIC programmer.
System requirements: Windows 95 or
later.
Extract downloaded zip
file. Double click 'TrackPrm.exe' to execute.
Operation of the
application. Test and setup the firmware.
Sample photo of the application.
Only Azimuth: 0 360, Elevation: 0 90 degree are written on the tracking
table.
[AutoCalc.] button will calculate
and fill all the intermediate values.
Then, [Firm Write] button
programs tracking table data in the EEPROM of your firmware.
Operation of Auto
Tracking Controller.
Close the application
‘TrackPrm.exe’, prior to execute Nova for Windows, otherwise Nova
can
not open the COM port
to send strings to your auto tracking controller.
Execute Nova for Windows
and choose ‘Antenna
rotator setup’ in the ‘Auto Tracking’ menu.
Click Interface
tab.
Choose NovaComm1 or EasyComm1 of
Rotator Interface. Either one is operational.
Serial Port must be the COM No. of
your PC.
Click Advance
tab.
Baud rate must be
9600.
Update interval is 1000 in my case.
Auto tracking controller ignores strings sent by Nova until
your antenna reaches
destination.
With Above,
Start/Stop Auto Tracking of Nova for Windows will be
effective.
External position
sensor.
My mail address. Shown
in graphic for spam prevention.
[Home, in
Japanese language]