rs485 meets radio. presenting a less-wires approach to automation and computer control of radio...
TRANSCRIPT
RS485 meets Radio.
Presenting a less-wires approach to automation and computer control of radio equipment
By: Kerry Richens (VK1KRF) http://www.qsl.net/vk1krf Thanks to B&B Electronics http://www.bb-elec.com
Preamblestick to a microprocessor family and get the most out of it
Modularise circuit boards and designs so that they can be used in many applications
standardise pinouts, layouts, software routines
A one chip microcontroller can be considered as a customisable IC
eg: why buy a $16.00 Stepper motor controller when a $1.20 PIC16C56 can do the job
an $11.00 hex keypad decoder is not a bargain if you can do the job better with a $1.20 Micro
BY the way: The PIC acronym "Programmable interface controller/Circuit/Chip"
Don't be affraid to have more than one Micro (Customisable IC) on the board
Too many hardcore programmers out there telling us what to do
Why?
Automation is what I do This project stemmed from my desire to convert an
old security camera pan/tilt head into a satellite tracking rotator
Ever run out of ports for rotators rig controls modems TNC’s mouses etc?
Sick of wiring up 8 wire rotator cables? Like home-brewing? (Hic!!) Would you like all remote devices on the one cable
Topics of Discussion
My Radio Shack/ Workshop Background on RS422 and RS485 Converting RS232 to RS485 The Benefits of RS485 Making it Robust Programming DDE
Devices controlled by RS485 in my Station
Dual Axis rotator with 2m crossed Yagis, 70cm Helical, 2.4GHz down converter.
Hills rotator. 2M Phasing Harness. 5 port,3 port,2x 2 port remote coaxial relays. Preamp bypass relays for 2m, 70cm and 2Ghz. FT707 Digital VFO (on the workbench). FRG9600 on it’s own serial port (At Present).
Phasing harness and preamp control.
Remote Coaxial Relays
Dual Axis Rotator
No calibration potsNo calibration pots 2 IC’s2 IC’s NetworkableNetworkable No ADC (Explain Pot Command)No ADC (Explain Pot Command) 22ndnd Order Polynomial linearising in Order Polynomial linearising in
16 bit integer basic16 bit integer basic
Background on RS485 USB, Older 2Mb networks like Lantastic Building management, Dedicated print networks Security Systems, Camera Control.
RS485 levels
Benefits of RS485
Multidrop: 32 devices on a single line without boosting Runs on a single 5 Volt rail Data-rate of 100KBps at 5,000 Feet Differential line means it has High noise immunity Easily implemented Can be easily made robust in harsh environments
The actual data format and type of network can be any level of complexity (Master Slave is the easiest)
Converting RS232 to RS485
There are 2 types of send control systems.
Automatic
RTS/Software
Schematic of my Converter
The 75176 Line Transceiver
An example of a simple network
Active Termination
When the Master is inactive the line is completely tristated.
The line must be actively forced to a ‘0’ to ensure that noise does not present as data to the slaves.
Common Ground Surge Protection An example of single wire protection.
Four Line Surge Suppressor
Optical Isolation
Visual Basic and the real world
A Visual Basic program can send and receive data from other programs via Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE)
Visual Basic can send and receive data via the MSComm Visual Basic Extension (VBX)
Examples of programs that support DDE Winorbit satellite tracking Mixw digital modes Microsoft Office
VB object properties
My Station Control Panel
The possibilities are endless
Weatherstations Mast Lights Rig control including homebrew equipment Power control and monitoring Antenna Tuning units If it doesn’t work, Put a Microprocessor in it Imagination is more important than Knowledge