This page last changed on Sep 24, 2009 by kgomes.


An update to the Seatel Microwave Dish pointing controller software as part of the HD Video Microwave project.   The current version of Seatel Controller software for the persistor CF2 in CVS is v1.0 and it is built for ver 2.28 of PicoDOS.    Development is on a CF2 with PicoDOS (Persistor CF21M SN 06226 PicoDOS V4.02r1 PBM V4.00).

Update Summary:
Status Feature Details
  Add Tracking command send send C or D with point command
  add status command AGG, GPS, RGPS, Tracking...
  add NMEA style status sending for auto logging and quick look plots
Done modify masc prompt Prompt changed to UnitID when set, MASC if no UnitID
  add "show rgps status" show if RGPS is fresh or not
  Toggle tracking on/off from masc On or off auto tracking/pointing
  Send various commands to seatel from masc  
  Read the seatel status bytes and parse to masc use to display system status
  auto set Heading, Shore only? use shore/ship bit

Notes:

Idea: send 'R' to repeat last command

How to work with PicoDOS and Persistor
  • Codewarrior for build, Motocross for loading, Hyperterm for RS232 console (9600,8,N,1)
    • Note: it it is best for development to not autostart the app. 
  • reset pico (or reset)
  • CF2> BOOT PICO
  • CF2> BOOT APP for deployment
  • RMC message for A or V (Tracking or DR - tells wether GPS is tracking)
  • First Tasks
  • 1) Add to Prompt GPS OK, RGPS Age OK, AGC OK, Platform Track OK (ask once every 4sec to avoid swamping the Seatel)
  • 2) Create NMEA style string on Spare2 hooked to 24 port terminal server for continuous stream of updates to be displayed by a GUI
  • 3) Implement 'Hunting Algorithm' if pointing command is sent N times (config parm).




Seatel

SEA TEL MODEl TAC-92
USER INTERFACE DESCRIPTI0N VERSION 1.61

1.0 COMMAND SUMMARY

CONTROL CODES: FUNCTION  
6 Azimuth CW one step (system step reselution)
4 Azimuth CCW one step
8 Elevation up one step
2 Elevation DOWN one step
Aaaaa{} Move AZ to aaa.a deg , true or magnetic
Baaaa{} Set ships heading to aaa.a degrees
C Step Track ON
D Step Track and Tracking OFF
cnnnn{} Set MHz/CHA tuning to nnnn MHz
dnnnn{} Set KHz/CHB tuning to nnnn KHz
Eeeee{} Move EL to ee.e or eee.e degrees
F Toggle auto unwrap ON/OFF
gnnn {} Set polang position to nnn
Jrrrr{} Move azimuth to ship relative position
Nnnn{ } Set number of signal strength updates (1-255)
Onnn{ } Output data to EME equipment
R start spiral search fot satellite
S Advance AGC input selectien (Ext, ChA, ChB, IF)
Taaaa{} Move to satellite at aaa.a degrees
U Force cable unwrap
W Write parameters to NV RAM
Xnnn{} Set azimuth step track size to nnn steps (1-255)
Ynnn{} Set elevation step track size to nnn steps (0-255)
Z Toggle C/Ku step size selection
esc Cancel pending numeric command
$mmmmm{} NMEA Latitude / Longitude input (GPGLL format)
MONITOR CODES FUNCTION TAC RESPONSE
H Relative Az,Ship Heading RrrrrHaaaa,CR,LF,>
M Tracking Parameters Xnnn Ynnn Nnnn cc,CR,LF,>
P Az/EL Position EeeeeAaaaa,CR,LF,>
s TaC Status Snn,CR,LF1>
V Software Version TAC-92 VER N,NN,CR,LF, >
q Tuning >Frequencies , Input Qnnnn nnnn s,CR,LF,>
u Polang position Gnnn ,CR,LF,>
% Signal Strength Lnnnn,CR,LF,>
& Error Status &nnn ,CR,LF,>
ABBREVIATIONS:
eeee = Elevation angle oooo to 0900 nominal 0000 to 3599 range
aaaa = True/Magnetic Azimuth 0000 to 3599 range
rrrr = Relative azimuth 0950 to 6250 1ange
nnnn = A5CII decimal number 0000-9999
nnn = ASCII decima[ number 0 to 255
nn = System Status twO bitmaped ASCII characters
cc = C /Ku tracking parameter bank selection
s = AGC receiver selection 0,l,2,3
{} = Carriage return

April 30, 1996 Doc No. 112862-D



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