Skip to content

Arduino library for interfacing with the Yaesu G-5500 controller for el/az antenna positioners

Notifications You must be signed in to change notification settings

EDGEResearchLab/G5500

Folders and files

NameName
Last commit message
Last commit date

Latest commit

 

History

2 Commits
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Repository files navigation

G5500

Arduino library for interfacing with the Yaesu G-5500 controller for el/az antenna positioners. Use the standard Arduino process for installing and using this library.

This is a very simple Arduino library intended to make it possible to easily control Yaesu's G-5500 controller (and the el/az positioner that it connects to). It requires 5 digital pins (4 for motor control and 1 for an activity LED) and 2 analog pins. For now, you'll need to edit the .h file with your specific pin assignments.

Instantiation of an instance: G5500 rotator = G5500()

Public functions:

  • void setAzEl(int azimuth, int elevation) takes integer degrees, and serially sets the azimuth then the elevation. Range checks for in-range values (0-450 azimuth, 0-180 elevation).
  • void setAz(int azimuth) same as above, but azimuth only.
  • void setEl(int elevation) same as above, but elevation only.
  • int getAz() returns raw ADC values for the azimuth feedback voltage.
  • int getEl() same as above for elevation.
  • int getAzDegrees() returns calculated position in degrees from 0 for azimuth.
  • int getElDegrees() same as above for elevation.

Pins used:

  • move antenna east (+az): 8
  • move antenna west (-az): 9
  • move antenna up (+el) : 10
  • move antenna down (-el): 11
  • motor activity LED pin : 13
  • Elevation feedback Vin : A0
  • Azimuth feedback Vin : A1

Examples: G5500_InputAzEl waits for user input for azimuth and elevation values then commands the positoner to that location G5500_QueryPosition can be used (along with the Out Voltage Adj. potentiometer on the back of the G-5500) to calibrate your positioner to the expectations of the library.

Hardware used: Arduino Mega 2560 Freetronics ProtoShield 4x jumper wires 4x 8.2kOhm resistors 4x 4N4401 transistors 3 lengths of 8-conductor cable (for making connections to/from the G-5500) 1x Yaesu G-5500 El/Az positioner system

You'll want to consult the G-5500 manual (http://www.yaesu.co.uk/files/G-5500%20Operating%20Manual_a.pdf) and the manual for the factory interface, the GS-232A (http://polysat.calpoly.edu/download/earthstation/documents/gs-232a.pdf) for full information. Both manuals are also included in this repo. Note that there appears to be an error, as observed feedback voltages on the development G-5500 do not match what's indicated in the manuals. This code works with the development setup, and it may be necessary to tweak yours to work with it.

About

Arduino library for interfacing with the Yaesu G-5500 controller for el/az antenna positioners

Resources

Stars

Watchers

Forks

Releases

No releases published

Packages

No packages published

Languages