circuitpython/code.py
Now reports the boot_out.txt file back to the RPi at startup to check which flavour and version of python is installed.
Startup LED color changed from PINK to CYAN so it does not look like an error state.
UART error messages standardised.
ADC0 pin can be left unassigned, so it's available for other purposes.
DRV8825 fault signals only reported ONCE to prevent buffer overflow and crash.
steppermotor class gains 'DriverType' attribute in case other drivers are used.
'tune complete' message has timestamp formatted instead of integer value.
Compatible versions check only considers MAJOR and MINOR elements of aa.bb.cc version numbering.
memorymanager class counts how many times the garbage collector has been triggered. Count is periodically reported back to the RPi.
Raspberry Pi.
src/pilomarcelestrak.py
Now respects projectroot for file handling.
src/pilomarimage.py
New CalculateStarSpread() method to calculate how much of the image contains stars. Supports finetuning of the tracking function.
src/pilomarlogfile.py
New PackageSearchResult() method to extract entries from log files via grep commands and zip the result.
src/textcolor.py
Fixed fault where refresh character '?' did not refresh the menu display.
src/pilomar.py
ProjectRoot is now calculated dynamically from the location of pilomar.py. Makes it easier to install in different directory structures.
Fixed bad default values for MinAltitudeAngle, MaxAltitudeAngle. Includes self-correcting any existing bad values.
LocalStarsMagnitude and ConstellationStarsMagnitude parameters added to control the size of the Hipparcos catalog selected for observations.
TargetMinMagnitude parameter defaults to 7.0 which is a better starting point for the 16mm lens builds.
Removed support for the 4 LEDs seen on the development PCB, they are not part of the published project.
Workaround for crash after performing the initial Hipparcos catalog build. The build closes the user input stream for some reason, so now the program stops cleanly and asks for a restart.
SetMotorAngle() method now shows the current position before asking the user for a new one.
Miscellaneous Tools Menu:
Added "About" function to list the version numbers of various components and packages.
Added "Tracking status" function to list the parameters related to the tracking function, helps to identify which changes to make to improve tracking.
Added "Set local timezone" function to let the user select their local timezone from a list rather than having to research it. LocalTZ parameter is still for reference only at the moment.
Microcontroller Tools Menu:
Added "Zip comms log" function to extract UART communication messages from the log file and zip them. Easier to find/share information when debugging issues.
Added "Monitor comms" function to display in realtime the communication between the microcontroller and the Raspberry Pi over UART. To help with debugging communications.
Microcontroller.
circuitpython/code.py Now reports the boot_out.txt file back to the RPi at startup to check which flavour and version of python is installed. Startup LED color changed from PINK to CYAN so it does not look like an error state. UART error messages standardised. ADC0 pin can be left unassigned, so it's available for other purposes. DRV8825 fault signals only reported ONCE to prevent buffer overflow and crash. steppermotor class gains 'DriverType' attribute in case other drivers are used. 'tune complete' message has timestamp formatted instead of integer value. Compatible versions check only considers MAJOR and MINOR elements of aa.bb.cc version numbering. memorymanager class counts how many times the garbage collector has been triggered. Count is periodically reported back to the RPi.
Raspberry Pi. src/pilomarcelestrak.py Now respects projectroot for file handling.
src/pilomarimage.py New CalculateStarSpread() method to calculate how much of the image contains stars. Supports finetuning of the tracking function.
src/pilomarlogfile.py New PackageSearchResult() method to extract entries from log files via grep commands and zip the result.
src/textcolor.py Fixed fault where refresh character '?' did not refresh the menu display.
src/pilomar.py ProjectRoot is now calculated dynamically from the location of pilomar.py. Makes it easier to install in different directory structures. Fixed bad default values for MinAltitudeAngle, MaxAltitudeAngle. Includes self-correcting any existing bad values. LocalStarsMagnitude and ConstellationStarsMagnitude parameters added to control the size of the Hipparcos catalog selected for observations. TargetMinMagnitude parameter defaults to 7.0 which is a better starting point for the 16mm lens builds. Removed support for the 4 LEDs seen on the development PCB, they are not part of the published project. Workaround for crash after performing the initial Hipparcos catalog build. The build closes the user input stream for some reason, so now the program stops cleanly and asks for a restart. SetMotorAngle() method now shows the current position before asking the user for a new one. Miscellaneous Tools Menu: Added "About" function to list the version numbers of various components and packages. Added "Tracking status" function to list the parameters related to the tracking function, helps to identify which changes to make to improve tracking. Added "Set local timezone" function to let the user select their local timezone from a list rather than having to research it. LocalTZ parameter is still for reference only at the moment. Microcontroller Tools Menu: Added "Zip comms log" function to extract UART communication messages from the log file and zip them. Easier to find/share information when debugging issues. Added "Monitor comms" function to display in realtime the communication between the microcontroller and the Raspberry Pi over UART. To help with debugging communications.
docs/ pilomar manual draft updated.