bescor-mp101-libre/README.md

# Bescor MP101 Libre

Notes on using the Bescor MP101 motorized pan head hardware
with libre software.

No proprietary applications, SDKs, or similar are used.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head.](img/bescor-mp101.jpg)


# Development Setup
The development setup is using a LattePanda 3. It is an Intel
based board with an Arduino Leonardo built on board.

This should be similar to using other Arduino devices plugged
into USB ports.


# Pins
Not all cables have the same color pin out. In fact, most have different
pinouts, so each cable should be tested.

Note: colors may be different on different cables!
Each cable pinout needs to be tested or the MP101 can get fried.


## Seven Pin DIN Standard
The standard DIN pin ordering for a 7-pin connector is below:

![7 Pin DIN Connector Pinout](img/DIN_connector_pinout-7pin.png)

From: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIN_connector


![MP101 Panel Pin DIN Connector Pinout](img/bescor-mp101-panel-pins.jpg)

Pinout of the Bescor MP101 panel.


## Pins from Bescor Fifty Foot Extension Cable
Pins on the MP-101 50 foot extension cable.
Numbered using the standard DIN pin order.

```
Pin 	Color	Use	ArduinoPin	Raspberry Pi 4 B Pin
---	-----	---	--------	--------------------
1	Black	Right	D3		10 GPIO15
2	Green	5V	5V		 2 5V
3	White	Left	D0		 3 GPIO2 (Orange)
4	Blue	Up	D2		 8 GPIO14
5	Brown	Down	D1		 5 GPIO3
6	Red	GND	GND under ICSP	 7 GND
7	Yellow	Speed	? PWM		12 GPIO18
```

The "ArduinoPin" column is how the Arduino pins on the Panda are labelled.


## Pins from Bescor Twelve Foot Extension Cable
Pins on the MP-101 12 foot extension cable.
Numbered using the standard DIN pin order.

Cabled labelled "2" in my inventory.

```
PIN	Color
---	-----
1	Green
2	Orange
3	Brown
4	Yellow
5	Red
6	Blue
7	Black
```


## Pi 4
On the Raspberry Pi 4, with Raspbian installed running `pinout` will
majickally print the pinouts.


# Wire Harness
I made a quick and dirty wire harness that works.
My MP101 kit came with two extension cables.
I used one of those to use the male headed to plug
into the MP101, and the newly cut wires to connect
to pins to plug into the Panda Arduino.
I had short jumper wires with pin headers on each end.
For the Panda male/male wire with headers is needed.
If the board being used has pins not headers, a male/female
wire jumper will be needed.
In lieu of connecting the pins to the wires via soldering,
WAGO crimpers were used. They work great and easy++.


# Photos
![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head panel.](img/bescor-mp101-panel.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head panel.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head batteries.](img/bescor-mp101-batteries.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head battery compartment.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head degrees.](img/bescor-mp101-degrees.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head rotation degrees readout.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head dc-6v-1a-input.](img/bescor-mp101-dc-6v-1a-input.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head DC 6V 1A input.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head camera-mount.](img/bescor-mp101-camera-mount.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head camera mount.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head tripod-mount.](img/bescor-mp101-tripod-mount.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head tripod mount.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head remote-control.](img/bescor-mp101-remote-control.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head remote control.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head cable-male.](img/bescor-mp101-cable-male.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head male cable.

![Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head cable-pins.](img/bescor-mp101-cable-pins.jpg)
Photo of Bescor MP101 motorized pan head cable pins.


# Misc
Notes.

* LattePanda3 docs say their Arduino Leonardo files are needed.

* The LattePanda3 Arduino Leonardo files are old.

* I can't get the LattePanda3 Arduino Leonardo files to work.

* The Arduino Leonardo files in Arduino 2.0.4 appear to work fine
with the LattePanda3 Leonardo. XXX


# Status
Early alpha. It moves in four directions, but doesn't stop or
have regular controls yet. Just mapped out the pins to
Arduino software.


# Disclaimer
I'm a computer sysadmin, not a video or camera expert.
This is just to explore how to use a free toolchain.


# Copyright
Unofficial project, not part of Bescor.
Upstream sources under their respective copyrights.

License: CC By SA 4.0 International and/or GPLv3+ at your discretion.

*Copyright © 2023, Jeff Moe.*