SNOUG/src/Hardware.tex

%
% Hardware
%
% SatNOGS Optical Unofficial Guide
%
% Copyright (C) 2022, Jeff Moe
%
% This document is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
% International Public License (CC BY-SA 4.0) by Jeff Moe.
%

\section{Overview of Hardware}
\label{sec:hardware-overview}
Hardware considerations for a SatNOGS Optical Ground Station.

Main hardware components in an optical ground station:

\begin{itemize}
 \item Lens.
 \item Camera.
 \item Computer.
\end{itemize}


Other components:
\begin{itemize}
 \item Ethernet cable.
 \item USB cable.
 \item Enclosure
 \item Power supply.
 \item Tripod.
 \item Manual or tracking mount.
 \item Power source, grid or alternative.
 \item Internet, wifi or ethernet.
\end{itemize}


\section{Camera}
\label{sec:hardware-camera}

Cameras being tested:

\begin{itemize}
 \item The Imaging Source IMX174 based.
 \item ZWO ASI IMC174 based mono.
 \item DSLR.
\end{itemize}


\fbox{
    \parbox{\linewidth}{
        \textcolor{red}{NOTICE:} \\
        ZWO/ASI cameras require proprietary non-libre software on host computer.
    }
}

\section{Lenses}
\label{sec:hardware-lenses}

Lenses being tested:

\begin{itemize}
 \item Kowa 50mm f1.4 C-mount.
 \item Canon EF 50mm f1.2 USM.
\end{itemize}


\section{Embedded Computer}
\label{sec:hardware-computer}
Computers, such as Raspberry Pi, that can be used.

\begin{itemize}
 \item Odroid N2 --- Confirmed working.
 \item Odroid M1 --- Testing.
 \item Raspberry Pi 3 --- ?
 \item Raspberry Pi 4 --- ?
 \item Intel NUC --- ?
\end{itemize}

\subsection{Comparison}
Comparing embedded computers for SatNOGS Optical.

\begin{center}
 \hspace*{-1.5cm}\begin{tabular}{||c c c c c||}
 \hline
 Make & Model & Architecture & Max RAM & eMMC \\ [0.5ex]
 \hline\hline
 Odroid & N2 & ARM64 & 4 GB & Yes \\
 \hline
 Odroid & M2 & ARM64 & 8 GB & Yes \\ [1ex]
 \hline
\end{tabular}
\end{center}

\section{Example Tracking Ground Station}
\label{sec:hardware-tracking-ground-station}
This is an example of a tracking ground station.
It is a prototype, so there are lots of mis-matched,
overbuilt/underbuilt parts.
The full setup on tripod, can be seen in
\ref{fig:video-enclosure-mount-tripod}, page \pageref{fig:video-enclosure-mount-tripod}.

A close up of the setup can be seen at
\ref{fig:video-enclosure-mount}, page \pageref{fig:video-enclosure-mount},
showing the Skywatcher telescope mount, a Bosch PoE camera enclosure,
and through the glass the camera lense.
In the background is a white antenna for GNSS (GPS) and a solar power setup.

\begin{figure}[h!]
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[keepaspectratio=true,height=0.40\textheight,width=1.00\textwidth,angle=0]{video-enclosure-mount-web.png}
 \caption{SatNOGS Optical ground station prototype with telescope tracking mount.}
 \label{fig:video-enclosure-mount}
\end{center}
\end{figure}

Inside the camera enclosure, as shown in Figure
\ref{fig:video-enclosure-top-open}, page \pageref{fig:video-enclosure-top-open},
is:

\begin{itemize}
  \item The Imaging Source DMX camera with Sony IMX174 CMOS.
  \item Odroid N2 running Debian.
  \item Blower fan on top, with power cable (came with Bosch enclosure).
  \item Fan, maybe not so useful, with power cable (came with Bosch enclosure).
  \item Camera mounting plate (came with Bosch enclosure).
  \item Camera mounting screws, M6x25 (?).
  \item Ethernet cable, internal, short white (came with Bosch enclosure).
  \item PoE ethernet cable, external, plugged into PoE switch for data and power.
  \item USB 3 cable, internal, way too long, needs replacing, from Odroid to camera. XXX flat connector
  \item USB 3 cable, external, from Odroid to telescope mount. XXX large rectangle connector
  \item ``Custom'' 12V DC power cable from Bosch PoE to Odroid.
  \item Assorted nuts, bolts, and washers for an ad-hoc standoff height.
\end{itemize}

\begin{figure}[h!]
\begin{center}
\includegraphics[keepaspectratio=true,height=0.40\textheight,width=1.00\textwidth,angle=0]{video-enclosure-top-open-web.png}
 \caption{Camera enclosure, opened.}
 \label{fig:video-enclosure-top-open}
\end{center}
\end{figure}