mini computers EAA Another Way...

[SonnyE]

OK, so its been raining horrifically here for what seems like months, but really only a couple of months. Very unusual for here.

An Idle Mind is the Devils Workshop. I grabbed onto TekkyDaves focuser and that went very well indeed after a little help from Dave. I had a working remote controllable focuser added to my telescope. Joy!

Another friend mentioned to me how he was looking into Mini Computers as a means to go wireless to his pier outside. I took the lead and ran with it. I'm a Windows 10 user, and have used Windows as my operating system all along. Other OS's I've tried didn't quite work out for me. But there is absolutely no reason that Linux, or Apple users couldn't do this as well. And/or a Raspberry Pi

So I acquired one of these little Intel Mini Stick Computers and set to work to make my mount wireless. Or in my case wires less. Or Less wires. If you will Please excuse my laziness, I'd like to paste from another of my posts...

"EAA - Electronically Assisted Astronomy. My rainy dayz project.
The direction I headed when getting into this maddening sport. Often I said, "All I want is the Hubble."
Plain and Simple, can't.
But I'm a function sort of guy. I like taking a pigs ear, and trying to make a silk purse from it. Getting the most I can from whatever it is I'm doing.
A mutual friend of ours mentioned a new method to me. I took the ball and ran with it. Especially once the CFO here told me to go ahead.
I've finally arrived at being ready for the weather to give us a damned break so we can go back out and shoot some stars.

Electronically controlled focusing and Stick Computers. My next natural steps towards mount independence. Or going wireless, or in my case wires less. Because after all, things need power. So I do have 2 - 12 volt circuits from my big battery, and a 5 volt, 3 amp circuit feeding up the mount. But the Stick Computer running Windows 10 is alive and wirelessly in control perched up on top of my telescope tube Velcro mounted. (It's not just for shoes anymore. )

The focuser is an Arduino project where an electronic programmable logic controller (USB2), controls a motor driver circuit board and a small geared stepper motor to adjust the focuser in or out to adjust my telescopes focuser. In a nutshell... The Focuser Project came from here.

The stick computer is essentially a Mini, fully functioning, Windows 10 OS computer. Its intention is to plug into an HDMI port in a big screen TV display, and turn it into a functioning Windows 10 computer, and to (once set-up) Bluetooth connect to a wireless keyboard and touch pad or mouse. (It requires a USB keyboard (wired) for initial start-up. $10 at Walmart)
But we are in dark waters here and following paths of those who have ventured before us.
The Stick has WiFi, Bluetooth, and two USB ports. I went low buck, but there are pricier versions and more power and RAM memory available. I've also put one of my mini SD cards (64Gb) in my stick and programmed it to store everything there. (It can use up to a 128Gb mini SD card.) (My point there was to keep the Sticks hard drive light and unburdened)
With a hub (I used a powered hub) connected to the USB2 port (works for my 2.4 MHz router), it connects through a WiFi extender to my router. And that let's me log into it with Tight Vnc giving me the Sticks desktop and full function wirelessly of the Stick computer.

It has a noticeable lag in function, but it works. And I'm in day 4 of long run testing of function (12 to 16 hours a day). I have my typical programs open and working as much as they can without actually guiding and imaging objects. But my cameras are running and imaging capped scopes, the mount, Stellarium, and PHD2 are running, and all appears well.
I had my USB3 hub plugged into the Stick's USB3 port at first. But a guy recommended I connect via the USB2 port and that cured all my problems. USB3 works better over the new C type connections and 5 MHz WiFi. Which this church mouse doesn't have. I have a 2.4 MHz G type wireless router. (Hot item in its day)
Set-up, or tear down consists of 4 plugs (Cables) to free the telescope of the mount, or to mount it. (12 V, 5 V, 1 USB, and 1 RJ-11) Hense, why I say Wire Less. Or Less wires.
The 1 USB (white), and RJ-11 (Guider) simply jump down to the AVX. So only the 12V (2 wires) and 5V (1 wire) actually exit the mount.

Some folks are doing a portable router for remote locations set up. Sitting in their warm car, running their mount outside, wirelessly. (I don't see me doing that, I like being home.)

So... this to get rid of what? USB cables for one. And to free up my laptop and dragging it out and back every night. But there is a caveat here, I can connect my desktop, and I can connect my laptop, and recently discovered I can even connect my phone... all at the same time. And any of the 3 can be used to run the equipment wirelessly through my (antiquated) wireless network. (Password protected, of course)
Something that held me back was, to go wireless at the mount would eliminate the visual the laptop afforded. Now, a laptop can log on to my network, connect through Vnc, and there is the mounts computers desktop.
Folks are sitting in their recliners in their living rooms, and running their mounts wirelessly. It sounded appealing to me.
Fine adjusting the focus, and doing anything I used to sitting out in my yard I will be able to do now (except filter wheel changes, and the manual adjustments of an All Star Polar Alignment) from my wireless devices. I've already been doing wireless alignments, just for fun and to experiment.

OK, so no pictures = didn't happen. The hardware:
(The out-of-place looking white USB cable is connected to the NexStar handset of my AVX. It has to do with Celestron's NexRemote, which replicates the hand control onto the computers display)"

[Alpollo]

Right on man.

[SonnyE]

Thanks Alpollo.

It sprouted a WiFi antenna yesterday to make up for a weak signal, so testing continues.

[AKB]

On 20/02/2017 at 23:50, SonnyE said:

"All I want is the Hubble."
Plain and Simple, can't.

For a price, perhaps...

https://www.firstlightoptics.com/clearance/hubble-cassegrain-reflector-telescope.html

[SonnyE]

I was looking at Voltage Dividers on Ebay and rolled the dice on THIS ONE to run my mini Stick computer off of my 12 volt battery supply. After testing it on the bench, I went ahead installing it in a project box and completing it.

I finished it yesterday and ran the telescope on 12 volt power exclusively last night. It worked flawlessly!

The WiFi antenna cured the problem of the Stick computer not reaching my somewhat dated 2.4 GHz router. I've been advised that a Dual Band router, 2.4 & 5 GHz works much better. The antenna I chose is dual band so if I ever do update my router, everything is ready to transition. It has completed the lesswire WiFi operation.

Two nights ago I set my telescope on my mount, connected the wiring there, then did my complete alignment from inside at my desk computer. Surprisingly enough, I was able to do a complete alignment and go on to imaging NGC 1893.

I'm very happy with the results of my lesswire endeavors.

NGC 1893 - 1800 second, One Shot Color in HA7nm, Orion G3 color camera.