Table of Contents SkyTracker Hardware Circuit Design Software Design

SkyTracker

Code and design files for a motorized barn door tracker for night sky photography.

Hardware

Status:

• Current mockup should be workable assuming the stepper motor does not change as the design progresses.

Concerns:

• Vibration induced by stepper motor.
• Coupling of stepper motor shaft and threaded rod.
• Power requirements of stepper motor could lead to a last minute stepper motor change.

TODO:

• Measure T-nuts, make sure holes in mounting boards are the correct size.
• Waiting on circuit for the following information:
  • Circuit mounting constraints (Size, mounting holes, power supply)

Circuit Design

Status:

• Not started.

Concerns:

• Power consumption of stepper motor, need to create designs to determine alternatives and solutions.
  • Power consumption vs. torque, how much torque is going to be required to lower the camera?
  • Stepper vs. Servo w/ regards to vibration?
• Power supply battery vs. AC Power, Wattage being consumed by steppers for possible deep cycle battery -> Power Inverter or DC-DC power supply -> Stepper motor supply.

Software Design

Status:

• Not Started.

Requirements:

• Drive stepper at a set rate to match sky rotation
• Quick move modes for moving platform up & down