Egis robot and a new control unit

Hugocz

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Hello. I started developing a new control unit for the EGIS ROBOT positioner. I used the Raspberry Pi 3 and the Node.js web server as the control software. It communicates with this unit from a normal web browser. So all you have to do is buy the mechanical part of EGIS with motors and control it via this new HW. Another possibility of use is to control two traction motors, such as the SuperJack. The HW prototype is ready and tested. I'm still creating software. If anyone wants to join, I will definitely not refuse help. I'm not very experienced programmer. Details can be found at Introduction I expect a discussion not only about writing the program, but also about the correctness of language translations using Google. Thank you for any help.
 

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Do you implant Diseqc 1.2 / Usals control , directly from a receiver ?
 

Hugocz

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I'm not thinking about it yet. My program is in the trial phase. The purpose of EGIS ROBOT is for owners of large satellite dishes, ie potential hunters of weak signals. Connection via coaxial cable introduces unnecessary attenuation into the signal path. Certainly, however, the new control unit can communicate with the satellite receiver via a network (intranet). So direct control using the plugin in Enigma is possible. But I'm not that far.
 

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I created a new website about the Laminas 2700 dish. I placed this dish on the EGIS positioner. Because it is an offset dish, I had to turn it 90 °. Even if it looks unusual, everything works. So the EGIS positioner can also be used for offset dishes.
 

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Because it is an offset dish, I had to turn it 90 °.

Isn't it fun, to do something unconventional like this?
Upside down would also have been possible, or, for that matter, any angle that you chose. It is just that you have to do a bit more thinking then, outlining the dish to the arc...

My respect to you! Usually, when doing the unconventional, it means that you really know what you are dealing with....
(However, there are also people trying the unconventional, who haven't got a clue about the basics. That is not you, I reckon...)

Greetz,
A33
 

Hugocz

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I'm not sure if I understood the translation of your post via google translator correctly.
By rotating the offset dish by 90 °, I solved the elevation angle. EGIS has an elevation range of 10 to 50 °. If I attached the dish classically, the offset of 25.5 ° will be added to the elevation. The resulting range of 35.5 to 75.5 ° is outside the position of satellites reachable from my position. If I attached the parabola to the EGIS at an angle of 25.5 °, then when pointing close to the horizon, the parabola would reach a negative elevation and hit the supporting mast. I describe these problems here at the end of the article: Parameters
By turning the parabola by 90 °, the offset is added to the azimuth and can be shifted by turning the support tube. In the direction of elevation is the symmetrical side of the dish, which is sufficient for the range of motion of the egis positioner. I didn't believe it, but it works. The satellite can be aimed and receive its signal.
 

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I'm not sure if I understood the translation of your post via google translator correctly.

Well, I don't know what was unclear in the translation, but my comment was meant positively! :)
Good solution, the 90 degrees turn of the dish.
I've suggested it a few times as a possibility, for dishes on balconies, to accommodate to available space.

greetz,
A33

Edit:
BTW. Do you differentiate your azimuth for both 28.2E (Astra 2F and 2G), and 28.5E (Astra 2E)? I think with such a bigger dish, you should do that?
 
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Hugocz

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Well, I don't know what was unclear in the translation, but my comment was meant positively! :)
Thanks for the clarification, I wasn't sure. :-)

Do you differentiate your azimuth for both 28.2E (Astra 2F and 2G), and 28.5E (Astra 2E)? I think with such a bigger dish, you should do that?
Yes. The difference between the azimuths of Astra 2E, 2F, 2G is noticeable in the Laminas 2700 dish. Unfortunately, the EGIS positioner motor is too fast in the azimuth direction. Therefore, the exact position is not easy to set. I'm already thinking about adding the possibility of speed control with the PWM system to the EGIS positioner. But this will require a different hardware design.
 

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@Hugocz do you have a lnb skew control since the Egis is a two axis rotor and the lnb skew is only correct in the middle of the clarkbelt
 

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@Hugocz do you have a lnb skew control since the Egis is a two axis rotor and the lnb skew is only correct in the middle of the clarkbelt
I haven't a lnb skew control yet. I go to the dish to turn the LNB manually. But so far I usually only receive the position 28.2 ° E. Mechanical lnb skew control will be a necessity, but I have not yet determined whether the finished professional equipment is manufactured and sold, or I will have to make something myself. I would like something with a servomotor. Can you give me some tips?
 

ozumo

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Interesting to read about your LNB cooling experiments. For many years now I've used a piece of plastic gutter to shade the LNB from the sun. This week I put up a 90cm dish for the Tour de France feed. In bright sun without the shade, the signal drops below lock, with the shade I get stable pictures. I have no way of measuring signal level below lock so can't quantify the gain but it's proof to me that stopping the LNB cooking in the sun does improve signal :)
 

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Apparently it depends on the type of LNB, its manufacturer. My Invacom LNB showed no changes when cooled by water. This may be because the Invacom SNF-031 is a better product than your LNB.
Maybe.
 

ozumo

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Perhaps the Invacom is superior but any benefit from cooling the external casing with water will quickly disappear once the LNB is exposed to the sun again. Preventing the LNB getting hot in the first place by shading it from the sun can only be beneficial.
 

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I started the development of a new HW version 2.0 of my EGIS positioner control unit. I added PWM engine speed control. In addition, I added servomotor control for the future design of the LNB rotation device - skew setting. You can find the design of the new construction and the scheme here. I'm thinking that the SW will no longer be written in javascript. I will switch to the Python programming language. In this language I will try to write a plugin to Enigma to control the positioner from the receiver. I have big plans, so I welcome help with writing software.
 

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Hi hugocz !
I am interested in your diagram
it s seems that is a good way to use a L6203 for driving CC-motor
do you test it ?
did you create a PCB ?
 

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I once used the L6203 circuit to design a power supply for a model railroad electric train. So I have practical experience. But there were much weaker engines. I have not tested the scheme yet. I'm building a prototype. I've already tested the servomotor control, this part works. As soon as I complete the prototype and perform the tests, I will write another article about it. Then I start designing the printed circuit board and the overall structural arrangement.
 

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I found out that I had some articles or supplements written only in the Czech language. So I added translations into English, German and Russian. All language versions should now be identical.

I also published the program version 1.2.5 for HW 1.0. Contains presets for storing positions of 20 satellites. I have added an article describing the functionality and use of this version. You can download the source texts from the archive.
 

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Hi, I have completed the revised HW version 2.0 design.
Compared to the original version of HW version 1.0, the following design changes:
1. The motor power switching relay has been replaced by an electronic version with an L6203 circuit
2. The control of the third DC motor was added
3. The reading of information from possible sensors of the third engine has been added
4. The control of two servomotors was added
5. The possibility of connecting the positioner and motors with cables at least 10 m long was tested
6. SPI and I2C signals were output from the RPI connector to separate terminals
I now design a printed circuit board for the mentioned HW. I am considering the possibility of two different designs. Firstly, the classic version of jumpers produced by etching. But also a version of the dividing lines, which can be produced by milling on a CNC milling machine.
 

Hugocz

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I opened a new topic about modifications to the original EPS-103 control unit. I will try to publish information about the original technical design, including the firmware and the possibilities of their modification. But this topic is not a priority for me. That's why I rather offer you others that I can collect information here, which you send to **mod note please don't post personal email addresses** You can find the first article here.
 
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