The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker Interface

1. The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker Interface

Howard Long G6LVB
01/01/2017
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2. Introduction

01/01/2017
A satellite antenna rotator interface
For use with Yaesu/Kenpro
G5400/5500/5600 series rotators
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3. Topics of Discussion

01/01/2017
Why do we need another rotator
tracking interface?
The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker
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4. Why do we need another rotator interface?

01/01/2017
Hardware PC interfaces have
changed but rotator interfaces
haven’t
Kansas City Tracker – ISA slot
Many others use COM ports or
LPT ports
USB is a new standard
TCP/IP is now a de facto standard
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5. The ISA Slot/COM/LPT port problem

01/01/2017
ISA slots are non-existent in new PCs
COM (RS-232) ports are becoming less
common in new equipment, laptops in
particular
LPT ports also less common, and also
difficult to program control signals from
applications under newer OS’s
Lack of interrupts on PCs!
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6. USB – The ‘new’ standard

01/01/2017
USB is now very common
Traditionally very difficult to
develop USB drivers, so only
economically viable for large
volumes
Each OS has a completely
different driver model
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7. TCP/IP over Ethernet

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Almost universal standard
Permits distributed location of
equipment
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8. The Las Vegas Boulevard Tracker - 1

01/01/2017
Physical development mostly over
past two months
Most of the thought process and
initial considerations compiled on
vacation
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9. The LVB Tracker - 2

Provides multiple hardware interface
options
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RS-232, USB, TCP/IP over Ethernet
Compatible with EasyComm and Yaesu
GS-232 software protocols
Integrated on board microcontroller
programmer
Optional LCD display and buttons
Cross platform support – Linux, Open
BSD, Free BSD, Windows 98, ME, 2000,
XP, Mac OS-8, OS-9 and OS-X
Open source microcontroller code
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10. Bugs - 1

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11. Bugs - 2

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12. How much?

01/01/2017
Basic RS-232: £12+PCB
USB: £17+PCB
TCP/IP Ethernet: £47+PCB
Optional LCD: £10
Optional Buttons: £4
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