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openlux / microlux

microlux - an open source CMOS camera for astrophotography and autoguiding
ISC License
16 stars 3 forks source link

Status update #1

Open simonachmueller opened 5 years ago

simonachmueller commented 5 years ago

Hi there,

your project looks kind of interesting, what is the current state of this? Did you already build some camera samples, does it works at all?

jonathanedgecombe commented 5 years ago

The current version of the hardware and software is able to take images (I've built one working sample of the hardware). However the code for driving the guide port has not been written yet and the corresponding parts of the hardware are untested. I'm hoping to make some additional changes to the PCB layout to fix a few small issues and then finish off the code in the next month or two.

simonachmueller commented 5 years ago

Thanks @jonathanedgecombe. I would either think about using CY7C68013A interfacing with MT9M001 (used in old QHY5 cameras) sensor and your firmware as reference because I already have this sensor and would like to play with it. There is other Ukrainian project CAM10 I already build (http://astroccd.org/2014/12/cam10-desc), but using Cypress controller is more convenient IMHO (cheaper, has 16 bit parallel bus, no need for additional chips like in CAM10). Could you link some images taken with your camera?

jonathanedgecombe commented 5 years ago

Only sample image I have to hand is this one, https://i.imgur.com/G0YIMnc.jpg

Aprox. 5 hrs total exposure time (5 min subs) w/ 335mm f/5.2 scope using LRGB filters.

I could post some fits files of individual exposures and dark frames in a few days (currently away from home) if you're interested.

simonachmueller commented 5 years ago

Imgur gets 404 error. And yes, I'm interested!

jonathanedgecombe commented 5 years ago

Whoops, sorry, fixed the link now.

I've also uploaded some samples of fits files at http://jonathanedgecombe.com/microlux-samples/

Those were all taken with the same 335mm focal length f/5.2 scope. The brightest stars in the 4s and 8s samples are around magnitudes 9 to 11.

jiangred commented 2 years ago

The current version of the hardware and software is able to take images (I've built one working sample of the hardware). However the code for driving the guide port has not been written yet and the corresponding parts of the hardware are untested. I'm hoping to make some additional changes to the PCB layout to fix a few small issues and then finish off the code in the next month or two.

A good project! I have some issue with the I2C when using separate AR0130 sensor board and a FX2 development board. When I connect AR0130's I2C to FX2's I2C, the PC can't recognize FX2 device, seems FX2 can't read its 24L128, also when I change the 24L128's I2C address, try to force the FX2 enter "No EEPROM mode", but failed. When I disconnect AR0130's I2C wire then FX2 works normally. There is 2K pullup to 2.8V in the AR0130's SDA and SCK , in 24L128 side there is no pullup( I remove the pullup resisters in FX2 board).

is it necessary that use a I2C level shifter between AR0130 I2C and CY7C68013? As the CY7CUSB68013 also connects to 24L128 and it is 3.3v powered.

jonathanedgecombe commented 2 years ago

The current version of the hardware and software is able to take images (I've built one working sample of the hardware). However the code for driving the guide port has not been written yet and the corresponding parts of the hardware are untested. I'm hoping to make some additional changes to the PCB layout to fix a few small issues and then finish off the code in the next month or two.

A good project! I have some issue with the I2C when using separate AR0130 sensor board and a FX2 development board. When I connect AR0130's I2C to FX2's I2C, the PC can't recognize FX2 device, seems FX2 can't read its 24L128, also when I change the 24L128's I2C address, try to force the FX2 enter "No EEPROM mode", but failed. When I disconnect AR0130's I2C wire then FX2 works normally. There is 2K pullup to 2.8V in the AR0130's SDA and SCK , in 24L128 side there is no pullup( I remove the pullup resisters in FX2 board).

is it necessary that use a I2C level shifter between AR0130 I2C and CY7C68013? As the CY7CUSB68013 also connects to 24L128 and it is 3.3v powered.

The CY7C68013 datasheet specifies a minimum high level of 2v on inputs, and the 24L128 datasheet specifies a minimum of 2.31v when operating on a 3.3v supply, so it should work fine with pullups to 2.8v and no level shifting. On the microlux board I used no level shifting and had no issues with the i2c. I think the most likely thing to check is the connection between the boards, try to keep both the i2c lines and ground connection between the boards <20cm or so and make sure the ground wire is fairly close to both i2c lines to minimize inductance.

jiangred commented 2 years ago

OK. thanks for your reply. I will check the circuit again. I mearued the sensor's SCL and SDA voltage,( pulled up to 2.8V) it is 1.8V, seems strange, maybe the sensor board has some problem. I will replace the senosr board and back about my result.