2021 replies to this topic

[mlord]

It's supposed to rain tonight and all day tomorrow so I'll have time to update the firmware.

 

Yes, AVX mount, powered using an AC adapter. HBG3 powered from the mount. In direct connect mode.

Thanks.  I don't have an AVX here, but I did retest the v8.14 against my Evo (where everything always works, and the sky is never cloudy..) and all good with SkyPortal and the Nunchuck in both WiFi modes.  I wonder if there's an AVX specific issue with WiFi now?

[vtaDan]

Update the HBG3 firmware first, to the current v8.14 and see if the problem is still there.

If so, then I'll investigate.

 

I updated the firmware and did a little testing with the nunchuck and SkyPortal. There were no disconnects so the issue seems to have been resolved. Thanks for the help!

[mlord]

It may have been just a glitch in SkyPortal.  I have had the odd time where SkySafari or SkyPortal have had issues, and a reboot of the phone/tablet made them go away again. 

[mlord]

Here is v8.15 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for the HomeBrew Gen3 (HBG3) project:  hbg3.ino.v8.15.txt   256.74KB   25 downloads (EDIT: updated)

• Try and fix garbage on Serial port at boot time.
• Improve the polling fix from 8.14.
• OLED: Add GPS Location Save/Restore options.
• OLED: Other improvements.

The biggest change is the new GPS Location Save/Restore feature.

 

This is available only from the OLED display, as a new screen just after the regular GPS display in the sequence.  It only shows up when either a previously saved Location is found, or if the GPS already has a full location fix.  Otherwise you won't see it.

 

The idea is, at one's usual observing location, to power on and allow the GPS time to get a full fix.  Then use the Save GPS Location screen to permanently save those coordinates to NVRAM on the HBG3.  Then, on a subsequent occasion, one can wait for the GPS to acquire Date/Time (which it does quickly), but you don't have to wait for a full fix.  Usually a full fix is also pretty quick, but some days it seems to take a longer time than one is willing to wait.

 

Instead of waiting, use the Restore GPS Location screen to reload the saved coordinates for that session only.  The HBG3 GPS will use those coordinates until it gets a real "Fix", at which point the actual new coordinates will show up instead of the saved ones.

 

Cheers

Mark

Edited by mlord, 21 November 2023 - 04:44 PM.

[Bartec]

Hello Mark.
For some reason my GPS doesn't work. Satellites are visible, but no data is displayed on the indicator. Module BN-220ZF. The firmware is latest, I tested the module on the previous All-in-one project. Everything is working. And it also works on HomeBrew GPS (SkySync clone). What could be the problem?

Attached Thumbnails

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[mlord]

Use the 'G' command on the serial monitor to capture a NMEA trace for 10 seconds or so, while it is showing something like that "11/17" satellites on the display.  Send me the trace and I'll have a quick look.  Could just be an unsupported NMEA sentence or something for GLONASS.

 

EDIT:  The older projects, and old code versions for the All-In-One, used the TinyGPS++ library for NMEA handling.  The HBG3 and latest All-In-One code have now absorbed that code, with bug fixes and modifications etc.  It is quite possible that some NMEA sentences are not working as they used to.  Fixable, just need to know which ones.

Edited by mlord, 22 November 2023 - 08:29 AM.

[mlord]

Quite often people ask how to do the OTA Firmware Update on the HBG3.

 

This is very, VERY simple to do.  The main hurdle seems to be first getting the HBG3 connected to the internet to make it possible, using what Celestron calls "Access Point" mode for the WiFi.

 

Access Point mode configuration is the same as with the Celestron WiFi dongles.

• First, connect the phone's WiFi to the dongle's SSID, and use Direct Connect, and hit CONNECT in SkyPortal.  After it successfully "connects", then immediately DISCONNECT again.  Weird, but that's what it wants.
• Now go into Settings in SkyPortal, and then to Communication.  Tap on "Configure Access Point", and enter the SSID and passkey for your 2.4GHz Home WiFi.  Check the box (default) for DHCP Client, and then tap on "Send Configuration to WIFI module".
• Now flip the RED switch on the HBG3 to the "Up" position, away from the circuit board.  Watch the display and it should quickly connect to your Home WiFi and show a new IP Address other than 1.2.3.4.  If not, the passkey was probably wrong.

Once the HBG3 has connected to Home WiFi, one can do the OTA Firmware Update from the OLED display with the push-button on the side of the HBG3.

 

One could also connect again with SkyPortal to test it out further, but first go back into the SkyPortal Settings-->Communication menu and now select "Use Access Point" mode.  Don't forget to reconnect the phone to the Home WiFi first.

 

SkySafari+/pro and CPWI each have similar menus to accomplish the same thing, but I find SkyPortal the easiest to deal with for this.

 

Cheers

Edited by mlord, 23 November 2023 - 08:21 AM.

[Astro Andy]

SkySafari+/pro and CPWI each have similar menus to accomplish the same thing, but I find SkyPortal the easiest to deal with for this.

[Post #688](https://www.cloudyni...post&p=12939791) was how I did mine, using the console. 

 

Can that be set and tested (shorting pads) on the ESP32 prior to building or does the whole thing need to be built for the 'Access Point' WiFi to work? 

[mlord]

[Post #688](https://www.cloudyni...post&p=12939791) was how I did mine, using the console. 

 

Can that be set and tested (shorting pads) on the ESP32 prior to building or does the whole thing need to be built for the 'Access Point' WiFi to work? 

Ground D13 to activate Access Point mode.  Without having built the "whole thing", you won't have a working mount connection, but the WiFi at least will be alive.

 

I'm not sure if SkyPortal will be happy enough to configure it, but one can also do that via the USB/Serial connection instead.  115200-8N1.  Use the "help" command once connected.  For WiFi parameters, do this:

 

set wlan.ssid YourHomeSSID

set wlan.passkey YourPasskey

save

 

Those commands are exactly what SkyPortal itself uses, except it connects to TCP port 3000 to issue them instead of USB/serial.  You could also use (Telnet) TCP port 3000 if you feel like it.

Edited by mlord, 22 November 2023 - 01:39 PM.

[mlord]

How do you access & use the starsense auto align simulator?

I missed that question while travelling earlier this fall.

 

To try out the StarSense AutoAlign (SSAA) camera simulator, use the USB/Serial or Telnet-3000 connection to connect to the HBG3, and then hit enter and issue these commands:

 

set emulate.ssaa 1

save

reset

 

When the device restarts, it will now pretend to be an SSAA camera, in addition to everything else it normally does.  You can even use CPWI, SkyPortal, SkySafari+/pro or the StarSense hand-controller with it and attempt a StarSense alignment.  Depending upon the time of day and your location, this may even "succeed" once in a while. 

 

Cheers

[Bartec]

Use the 'G' command on the serial monitor to capture a NMEA trace for 10 seconds or so, while it is showing something like that "11/17" satellites on the display.  Send me the trace and I'll have a quick look.  Could just be an unsupported NMEA sentence or something for GLONASS.

 

EDIT:  The older projects, and old code versions for the All-In-One, used the TinyGPS++ library for NMEA handling.  The HBG3 and latest All-In-One code have now absorbed that code, with bug fixes and modifications etc.  It is quite possible that some NMEA sentences are not working as they used to.  Fixable, just need to know which ones.

GPS_debug(NMEA)=on
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,42,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,,88,31,314,31,0*4E
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061052.000,A,4526.77227,N,04034.46779,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0A
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061053.000,4526.77226,N,04034.46782,E,1,07,2.4,109.0,M,11.2,M,,*47
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77226,N,04034.46782,E,061053.000,A,A*49
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,1*35
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,88,,,,,,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,2*34
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,20,04,65,271,26,0*5A
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,26,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,42,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,,88,31,314,31,0*4E
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061053.000,A,4526.77226,N,04034.46782,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0E
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061054.000,4526.77223,N,04034.46787,E,1,07,2.4,109.1,M,11.2,M,,*41
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77223,N,04034.46787,E,061054.000,A,A*4E
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,1*35
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,88,,,,,,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,2*34
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,20,04,65,271,26,0*5A
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,26,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,42,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,18,88,31,314,31,0*47
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061054.000,A,4526.77223,N,04034.46787,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*09
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061055.000,4526.77221,N,04034.46790,E,1,07,2.4,109.1,M,11.2,M,,*44
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77221,N,04034.46790,E,061055.000,A,A*4B
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,1*35
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,88,,,,,,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,2*34
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,20,04,65,271,26,0*5A
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,26,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,41,86,09,199,42,65,18,285,18,88,31,314,31,0*47
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061055.000,A,4526.77221,N,04034.46790,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0C
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061056.000,4526.77220,N,04034.46793,E,1,07,2.4,109.1,M,11.2,M,,*45
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77220,N,04034.46793,E,061056.000,A,A*4A
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,1*35
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,88,,,,,,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,2*34
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,20,04,65,271,26,0*5A
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,42,86,09,199,42,65,18,285,18,88,31,314,31,0*44
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061056.000,A,4526.77220,N,04034.46793,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0D
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061057.000,4526.77218,N,04034.46796,E,1,07,2.4,109.2,M,11.2,M,,*49
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77218,N,04034.46796,E,061057.000,A,A*45
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,1*35
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,88,,,,,,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,2*34
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,1,1,04,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,18,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,,0*70
GPS: $GNRMC,061057.000,A,4526.77218,N,04034.46796,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*02
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061058.000,4526.77217,N,04034.46800,E,1,07,2.4,109.2,M,11.2,M,,*49
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77217,N,04034.46800,E,061058.000,A,A*45
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,1*35
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,88,,,,,,,,,,,,3.6,2.4,2.7,2*34
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,1,1,04,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,18,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,,0*70
GPS: $GNRMC,061058.000,A,4526.77217,N,04034.46800,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*02
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061059.000,4526.77215,N,04034.46803,E,1,08,2.1,109.2,M,11.2,M,,*43
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77215,N,04034.46803,E,061059.000,A,A*45
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,41,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,0*4E
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061059.000,A,4526.77215,N,04034.46803,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*02
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061100.000,4526.77214,N,04034.46805,E,1,08,2.1,109.2,M,11.2,M,,*49
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77214,N,04034.46805,E,061100.000,A,A*4F
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,41,86,09,199,42,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,0*4D
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061100.000,A,4526.77214,N,04034.46805,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*08
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061101.000,4526.77213,N,04034.46807,E,1,08,2.1,109.3,M,11.2,M,,*4C
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77213,N,04034.46807,E,061101.000,A,A*4B
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,08,74,33,128,,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,65,18,285,21,0*7B
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,08,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,,71,42,063,,72,62,336,,0*71
GPS: $GNRMC,061101.000,A,4526.77213,N,04034.46807,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0C
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061102.000,4526.77211,N,04034.46809,E,1,08,2.1,109.3,M,11.2,M,,*43
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77211,N,04034.46809,E,061102.000,A,A*44
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,08,74,33,128,,86,09,199,41,73,40,070,,65,18,285,21,0*78
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,08,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,,71,42,063,,72,62,336,,0*71
GPS: $GNRMC,061102.000,A,4526.77211,N,04034.46809,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*03
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061103.000,4526.77210,N,04034.46811,E,1,08,2.1,109.3,M,11.2,M,,*4A
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77210,N,04034.46811,E,061103.000,A,A*4D
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,26,0*5B
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,08,74,33,128,,86,09,199,41,73,40,070,,65,18,285,21,0*78
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,08,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,,71,42,063,,72,62,336,,0*71
GPS: $GNRMC,061103.000,A,4526.77210,N,04034.46811,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0A
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061104.000,4526.77207,N,04034.46813,E,1,08,2.1,109.4,M,11.2,M,,*4E
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77207,N,04034.46813,E,061104.000,A,A*4E
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,21,04,65,271,27,0*5A
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,3,1,09,74,33,128,,70,,,41,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,0*4F
GPS: $GLGSV,3,2,09,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,23,71,42,063,,0*71
GPS: $GLGSV,3,3,09,72,62,336,,0*47
GPS: $GNRMC,061104.000,A,4526.77207,N,04034.46813,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*09
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061105.000,4526.77206,N,04034.46815,E,1,08,2.1,109.4,M,11.2,M,,*48
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77206,N,04034.46815,E,061105.000,A,A*48
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,22,04,65,271,27,0*59
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,3,1,09,74,34,128,,70,,,42,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,0*4B
GPS: $GLGSV,3,2,09,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,23,71,42,063,,0*71
GPS: $GLGSV,3,3,09,72,62,336,,0*47
GPS: $GNRMC,061105.000,A,4526.77206,N,04034.46815,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0F
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061106.000,4526.77204,N,04034.46816,E,1,08,2.1,109.4,M,11.2,M,,*4A
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77204,N,04034.46816,E,061106.000,A,A*4A
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,22,04,65,271,27,0*59
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,3,1,09,74,34,128,,70,,,42,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,0*4B
GPS: $GLGSV,3,2,09,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,23,71,42,063,,0*71
GPS: $GLGSV,3,3,09,72,62,336,,0*47
GPS: $GNRMC,061106.000,A,4526.77204,N,04034.46816,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0D
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061107.000,4526.77203,N,04034.46817,E,1,08,2.1,109.4,M,11.2,M,,*4D
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77203,N,04034.46817,E,061107.000,A,A*4D
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,22,04,65,271,27,0*59
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,3,1,09,74,34,128,,70,,,41,86,09,199,41,73,40,070,,0*4B
GPS: $GLGSV,3,2,09,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,25,71,42,063,,0*77
GPS: $GLGSV,3,3,09,72,62,336,,0*47
GPS: $GNRMC,061107.000,A,4526.77203,N,04034.46817,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0A
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061108.000,4526.77202,N,04034.46818,E,1,08,2.1,109.4,M,11.2,M,,*4C
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77202,N,04034.46818,E,061108.000,A,A*4C
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,22,04,65,271,27,0*59
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,3,1,09,74,34,128,,70,,,41,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,0*48
GPS: $GLGSV,3,2,09,65,18,285,21,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,25,71,42,063,,0*77
GPS: $GLGSV,3,3,09,72,62,336,,0*47
GPS: $GNRMC,061108.000,A,4526.77202,N,04034.46818,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0B
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061109.000,4526.77201,N,04034.46819,E,1,08,2.1,109.5,M,11.2,M,,*4E
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77201,N,04034.46819,E,061109.000,A,A*4F
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,22,04,65,271,27,0*59
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,27,09,29,260,29,16,05,128,,17,06,264,,0*6F
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,08,74,34,128,,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,65,18,285,21,0*7C
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,08,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,25,71,42,063,,72,62,336,,0*76
GPS: $GNRMC,061109.000,A,4526.77201,N,04034.46819,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*08
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061110.000,4526.77199,N,04034.46820,E,1,08,2.1,109.5,M,11.2,M,,*4E
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77199,N,04034.46820,E,061110.000,A,A*4F
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,65,88,,,,,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,2*35
GPS: $GPGSV,4,1,13,01,,,22,02,18,184,,03,81,088,22,04,65,271,27,0*59
GPS: $GPGSV,4,2,13,06,18,321,26,09,29,260,29,16,05,127,,17,06,264,,0*61
GPS: $GPGSV,4,3,13,19,10,286,20,21,11,178,,26,19,104,,28,26,047,,0*6E
GPS: $GPGSV,4,4,13,31,46,063,27,0*57
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,08,74,34,128,,86,09,199,42,73,40,070,,65,18,285,21,0*7C
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,08,88,31,314,31,87,39,247,25,71,42,063,,72,62,336,,0*76
GGGPS: $GNRMC,061110.000,A,4526.77199,N,04034.46820,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*08
GPS: $GNVTG,285.36,T,,M,0.00,N,0.00,K,A*29
GPS: $GNGGA,061111.000,4526.77198,N,04034.46821,E,1,08,2.1,109.5,M,11.2,M,,*4F
GPS: $GNGLL,4526.77198,N,04034.46821,E,061111.000,A,A*4E
GPS: $GNGSA,A,3,03,04,06,09,19,31,,,,,,,3.2,2.1,2.4,1*37

GPS_debug(NMEA)=off

[mlord]

GPS_debug(NMEA)=on
GPS: $GLGSV,2,1,05,70,,,42,86,09,199,41,65,18,285,,88,31,314,31,0*4E
GPS: $GLGSV,2,2,05,87,39,247,,0*48
GPS: $GNRMC,061052.000,A,4526.77227,N,04034.46779,E,0.00,285.36,231123,,,A,V*0A

...

Thank-you!  I have played back that data into my test unit, and found/fixed two issues in the code that were preventing your GPS module from working: 

1. Unlike the GPS modules I recommend and use, this one reports "time" with three zeros after the decimal point instead of the usual two zeros.  The new code will now accept either.
2. There was a bug in the code, whereby a position message such as GNRMC would be ignored if it came immediately after a "satellites in view" message such as GLGSV.  Fixed!

A new version of the firmware will follow after testing is completed here.

 

Cheers

[mlord]

Here is v8.16 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for the HBG3:  hbg3.ino.v8.16.txt   257.19KB   24 downloads

 

This version fixes a couple of GPS issues with NMEA decoding, which were preventing the HBG3 from recognizing valid location data from some types of GPS modules/systems.  Fixed.

 

Binaries are available in all of the usual places, and the easiest way to update is via the "OTA Firmware Update" feature.  See here:  https://www.cloudyni...6#entry13084984

 

Cheers

Mark

Edited by mlord, 23 November 2023 - 10:19 AM.

[Astro Andy]

So, after I had a USB port drama with the ESP32 I found the mount AUX port wasn't powering my potentially poorly constructed HBG3. After butchering it apart (thanks for the solder sucker pointer Mark) I wanted to test the components to ensure the AliExpress 5v buck is doing what it is supposed to. The mount is giving around 9v at the unmarked pad so I'm assuming the 5v is where 5v is produced by the buck for distribution. How is the safe way to test this, from the 5v to a ground? 

 

I gather the 5v (near the WiFi switch) is to pass 5v to the ESP32 VIN, so that should read 5v if grounded also?

 

Cheers.

Attached Thumbnails

• 
• 

[mlord]

So, after I had a USB port drama with the ESP32 I found the mount AUX port wasn't powering my potentially poorly constructed HBG3. After butchering it apart (thanks for the solder sucker pointer Mark) I wanted to test the components

Your labelling for the Buck is correct, and matches the silk-screening on the other side of the PCB.

VIN is the same as what you have labelled as 9V.

 

Connect one lead of a volt-meter to GND (anywhere, eg. the USB connector shell is convenient), and use the other lead to measure voltages here and there.

 

Note that the mount SHOULD be giving 12V, not 9V.  If it's an SE mount, do NOT use the gimmicky built-in battery tray.  Worse than useless, that!

 

In your photo of the two boards side by side, there are some strange markings.  The HBG3 board has white circles around the pads that should be connected.  Anything else should NOT be connected for basic operation, except for the pad for the WiFi switch.

 

The coloured "wires" you have drawn do not agree with that.  D5 should not be connected.

 

There is no "OLED select" in this design, so I don't know what that is about?  The OLED uses I2C, which does not have "select" signals.   Oh, nevermind.  That's the push-button mode switch. 

 

Cheers

Edited by mlord, 24 November 2023 - 10:41 AM.

[mlord]

Will this HBG3 device work on the (old) CGE-Pro? I'd love to get rid of the handcontrol....

Yes, it will.
 

[dewo]

I'm sure I read that the HBG3 should turn off the internal wifi but the wifi LED on the Evolution mount just keeps on blinking while I'm observing. Is that normal? (mine is the "SkyQLink-xx" wifi module. I suppose I could just put some black tape over it...

 

Also, I just noticed an electrical hum/noise coming from the HBG3. Never noticed that before. Is that normal? I did recently add a foil "shield" behind the slow-to-acquire GPS, perhaps that has something to do with it? Or maybe I just never noticed it before, though I've been using it for ages now!

 

Cheers.

[mlord]

I'm sure I read that the HBG3 should turn off the internal wifi but the wifi LED on the Evolution mount just keeps on blinking ..

It only turns off while you are connected via the HBG3.  Using the hand-controller, nothing is done.  I just re-checked here, and it works as intended on the Rev.F and Rev.K Evolution mounts that I have (the most common two of the four).
 

 

I just noticed an electrical hum/noise coming from the HBG3.

Not normal.  Possible, I suppose, perhaps from the buck converter.   I get a slight buzz noise from one of the two Evolution main boards here.

Edited by mlord, 23 November 2023 - 09:02 PM.

[dewo]

Strange, my HBG3 is always connected and the wifi light just keeps flashing long after I've successfully connected and started using the HBG3 (Skysafari via wifi + nunchuck + focuser). I don't have the HC connected. Maybe I'll just put some tape over the light after all.

 

That hum has me a little worried then, it's only just started doing it. I hope it holds out, I can't do without this awesome little device now!

 

Thanks anyway.

[mlord]

Strange, my HBG3 is always connected and the wifi light just keeps flashing long after I've successfully connected and started using the HBG3 (Skysafari via wifi + nunchuck + focuser). I don't have the HC connected.

Well, currently the code does a dumb "fire and forget" for turning off EVO WiFi.  But perhaps it's time for it to be a bit more clever, and retry if it doesn't get a response..  Stay tuned!
 

[mlord]

Here is v8.17 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for the HBG3:  hbg3.ino.v8.17.txt   256.9KB   26 downloads

• Only do EVO WiFi commands if Evo mount detected, and retry if no ACK is received.

Those are changes I've been wanting to do for a long time, but never got around to until now.  Previous to this version, the On/Off commands for the Evolution mount's WiFi were always sent out, regardless of the type of mount.   Harmless, but now the code is smarter about it all.

 

Source code and binaries are in the usual places for OTA Firmware Update etc.. and for the All-In-One project as well.

 

Cheers

Edited by mlord, 24 November 2023 - 10:05 AM.

[Bartec]

Thank-you!  I have played back that data into my test unit, and found/fixed two issues in the code that were preventing your GPS module from working: 

1. Unlike the GPS modules I recommend and use, this one reports "time" with three zeros after the decimal point instead of the usual two zeros.  The new code will now accept either.
2. There was a bug in the code, whereby a position message such as GNRMC would be ignored if it came immediately after a "satellites in view" message such as GLGSV.  Fixed!

A new version of the firmware will follow after testing is completed here.

 

Cheers

Thank you, Mark. Everything worked!!!

[mlord]

Here is v8.18 of the Arduino ESP32 source code for the HBG3:  hbg3.ino.v8.18.txt   259.5KB   16 downloads

 

This one is a bit of a major update for several things:

• Handle aborted AUX messages where 0x3b reappears within first 4-bytes.
• Don't forward incomplete (pkt_fail) packets.
• OTA:  Fix ota.version.path retrieval from NVRAM.
• OTA:  Improve version checking.
• SSAG: Fix decoding of MC replies to SSAG.
• DEW: Be much more aggressive in "Auto" mode.
• DEW: Make longpress on Dew-OLED cycle through manual PWM as well as Auto aggressions.
• DEW: Save "automode" and "manual PWM" settings in NVRAM.
• DEW: Enable use of manual PWM for channels without thermistors.

The first two bullets above are aimed straight at an observed bug(?) in the SSAG product.  User Frisk has captured message traces showing SSAG beginning a new packet, and then after 2-bytes repeating itself before continuing with the rest of the packet.  Dunno how common this is, but it was confusing the mount.  Frisk's HBG3-Relay might now be able to mitigate that.  We'll see.

 

The OTA stuff fixes a bug in how the code checks for new versions -- not a problem for anyone but me until now, and also now FIXED and improved.

 

And then there's a slew of updates to the Smart Dew Controller code in the HBG3, getting that stuff much closer to maturity now. 

 

Binaries are available in all of the usual places, and the easiest way to update is via the "OTA Firmware Update" feature.  See here:  https://www.cloudyni...6#entry13084984

Edited by mlord, 28 November 2023 - 08:06 AM.

[mlord]

Firmware version v8.19 has now been released.  HomeBrew Gen3 (HBG3) source code is here:  hbg3.ino.v8.19.txt   259.56KB   16 downloads

• OLED: Revamp long-presses (major update).
• Fix minor bug in new Evo WiFi logic.
• New 'a' command for toggling whether w2000/bt/musb packets are shown when tracing.
• By default, show only AUX/Relay packets when tracing.

The OLED/button code got a major revamp, in preparation for adding more functionality in future updates.

By default, when using the 'trace' or 'v' commands, only AUX bus or Relay bus packets are shown.  Use the new 'a' command to toggle the old behaviour on/off, to also show w2000(WiFi), musb, and bt packets.

The "OTA Firmware Update" function, or the ota_update command, can be used to update to this version.  Binaries and source archives are also available in the usual places, linked to from https://rtr.ca/hbg3/

Cheers

[mlord]

Here is a pre-release of the next HBG3 firmware, specifically aimed at people who have wired up a Stepper Motor to the HBG3 for use as a Celestron-compatible Focus Motor.  This version implements the long-awaited "Calibration" of the "Focus Motor", using the OLED display and push-button.

 hbg3.ino.txt   263.02KB   21 downloads

 

So if you have a Stepper Motor hooked up, please install this version and try it out. 

Especially if you have also added FRAM to the set-up to keep track of Focus position between sessions.

 

There is a new NVRAM variable, called focus.limits which when set contains a pair of unsigned numbers from 0..60000.  The first number is the minimum of the permitted movement range, and the second number is the maximum.  So if you want to set these manually, do this from the Serial/Telnet interface:

 

     set focus.limits 20000 40000

     set focus.calibrated 1

     save

     reset

 

Similarly, one can un-do that by clearing them out:

 

     set focus.limits

     set focus.calibrated

     save

     reset

 

But the fun part is in using the OLED + push-button to set them, from the new Focus Motor screen:

 

 

Follow the prompts, and use the Nunchuck to move the Stepper to the desired min/max positions as prompted.  When completed, if the new min/max are valid, they get saved back into focus.limits and then focus.calibrated is also set to 1 indicating to CPWI et al. that the device has been "Calibrated".

 

Note that running the "Calibrate" function from CPWI, the apps, or the hand-controller, does NOTHING.  It just pretends to "Calibrate", and sets focus.calibrated to 1 afterwards.  So, don't use that! 

 

There is also a pre-built test binary of this version, suitable for OTA Firmware Update.  To use it, you'll have to first change one setting in the Serial/Telnet interface, to select the new test binary instead of the usual released version:

 

     set ota.update.path /hbg3/testing.bin

     save

     reset

     ota_update

 

To revert back to normal, just repeat the commands without a path, like this:

 

     set ota.update.path

     save

     reset

     ota_update

 

Information about hooking a stepper motor to the HBG3 is here:  https://www.cloudyni...7#entry12890985

Edited by mlord, 30 November 2023 - 09:34 AM.