SunTracker_BLE

Dependencies:   BLE_API X_NUCLEO_6180XA1 X_NUCLEO_IDB0XA1 X_NUCLEO_IHM01A1 X_NUCLEO_IKS01A1 mbed

Fork of SunTracker_BLE by ST Expansion SW Team

Overview

The SunTracker is a demo application running on ST Nucleo-F401RE stacking a set of ST X-NUCLEO expansion boards.
Main features provided are:

  • A solar panel follows the light source, orienting the panel in order to achieve the best panel efficiency.
  • Orientation is controlled thanks to a couple of VL6180X FlightSense light sensors mounted on a X-NUCLEO-6180XA1 expansion board and driven by X-NUCLEO-IHM01A1 controlled stepper motor acting as actuator to orientate the panel.
  • The system features a progressive control on the stepper motor in order to modulate the panel rotation speed according to the light angle.
  • The application is also able to control the panel productivity reading the panel voltage through an ADC and proving feedback on the local display.
  • A manual orientation is possible by using the accelerometer on a X-NUCLEO-IKS01A1 expansion board that, according on board tilt, controls the speed and the rotate direction.
  • A remote control is available using a X-NUCLEO-IDB04A1 or a X-NUCLEO-IDB05A1 Bluetooth Low Energy expansion board. Remote control software is here.

/media/uploads/fabiombed/suntracker_server-client.png

Working Status

  • SunTracker has 3 working status visible on FlightSense display and switchable by pressing the User Button:

Status 0 (Idle)

  • Motor: Free Turning
  • Display: Waiting for User Button

Status 1

  • Motor: Driven by Light
  • Display: Direction and Light Intensity = Direction and Motor Speed

Status 2

  • Motor: Driven by Light
  • Display: Solar Panel Efficiency

Status 3

  • Motor: Driven by Accelerometer
  • Display: Direction and Accelerometer Intensity

Server Startup

  • When you plug the power supply, the word ‘PUSH’ is shown on display.
  • You can manually rotate the structure to assign the ‘Zero Point’. Then press the User Button to launch the application.
  • The display will show this status, which means that the structure is oriented to maximize the efficiency of the solar panel.
  • If there is a light displacement, the structure will rotate, left or right, to follow the light source and on display is shown the direction and the speed.
  • You can press the User Button to show the panel efficiency with 4 digits that represent the range from 0v (0000) to 3,3v (3300).
  • Further pressing the User Button you will manual rotate the panel by tilt the Server or Client accelerometer depending by BLE connection.

Client Startup

  • The Client application can remotely control the User Button and the Accelerometer functions.
  • Power on the Client AFTER the Server, it will automatically search for the SunTracker and will establish a BLE connection.
  • The Green Led on Nucleo Client board will be powered on.

Rotation Features

  • It has been implemented a block of rotation to avoid cables twist.
  • The blocking point can be set in the firmware by changing a constant.
  • You can manually rotate the structure to assign the ‘Zero Point’ before press the User Button to launch the application.
  • The system features a progressive control on the stepper motor in order to modulate the rotation speed according to the light or accelerometer angle.

List of Components

SERVER SunTracker_BLE

  • Stepper Motor 400’’ (Part Number 5350401) - To orientate the Mechanical Structure.
  • Solar Panel 0.446w (Part Number 0194127) - To capture sunlight and generate electrical current.
  • Power Supply 12v (Part Number 7262993) - To provide power supply at the Stepper Motor.
  • Flat Cable 6 ways (Part Number 1807010) - To plug VL6180X-SATEL with X-NUCLEO-6180XA1 (60cm length each x2).
  • Cable Connector (Part Number 6737694) - To plug the Flat Cable (x4).
  • Power Connector (Part Number 0487842) - To provide Power Supply to X-NUCLEO-IHM01A1.

CLIENT SunTracker_BLE_Remote

MECHANICAL STRUCTURE

Find here the STL files to print with a 3D printer.

/media/uploads/fabiombed/assembly.png

/media/uploads/fabiombed/mechanical_structure_and_motor_legs.png

FLAT CABLE ASSEMBLY

/media/uploads/fabiombed/flat_cable.png

HARDWARE SETUP

Nucleo ADC + Solar Panel

Connect Solar Panel cables to Nucleo Morpho PC_3 (white) and Nucleo Morpho GND (black). Connect a capacitor 10uF between PC_3 and GND to stabilize its voltage value shown on display.

EasySpin (L6474) + BLE

Hardware conflict between EasySpin DIR1 and BLE Reset, both on same Arduino Pin PA_8. Disconnect PA_8 between EasySpin and Nucleo by fold EasySpin Pin. PB_2 has been configured as EasySpin DIR1 in the firmware . Connect Nucleo Morpho PB_2 to FlightSense Arduino PA_8 by a wire.

FlightSense Satellites

In case of instability with I2C due to long flat cables, solder 4 SMD capacitors 47pF on FlightSense board in parallel between R15, R16, R17, R18 and plug 2 capacitors 15pF between FlightSense Arduino PB_8 and PB_9 to GND pin to cut-off noises over 720 KHz.

Arduino & Morpho Pinout

/media/uploads/fabiombed/arduino_pinout.png /media/uploads/fabiombed/morpho_pinout.png

main.cpp

Committer:
fabiombed
Date:
2015-12-03
Revision:
0:becf0d313663
Child:
1:8f312c1686b6

File content as of revision 0:becf0d313663:

/**
 ******************************************************************************
 * @file    main.cpp
 * @author  Davide Aliprandi, STMicrolectronics
 * @version V1.0.0
 * @date    October 16th, 2015
 * @brief   mbed vertical application using the STMicrolectronics
 *          X-NUCLEO-IHM01A1 Motor Control Expansion Board and the
 *          X-NUCLEO-IKS01A1 MEMS Inertial & Environmental Sensors Expansion
 *          Board to get a MEMS-based motor control (direction and speed).
 ******************************************************************************
 * @attention
 *
 * <h2><center>&copy; COPYRIGHT(c) 2015 STMicroelectronics</center></h2>
 *
 * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification,
 * are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
 *   1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice,
 *      this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
 *   2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice,
 *      this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation
 *      and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
 *   3. Neither the name of STMicroelectronics nor the names of its contributors
 *      may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
 *      without specific prior written permission.
 *
 * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS"
 * AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
 * IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE
 * DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE
 * FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
 * DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR
 * SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER
 * CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY,
 * OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE
 * OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
 *
 ******************************************************************************
 */


/* Includes ------------------------------------------------------------------*/

/* mbed specific header files. */
#include "mbed.h"

/* Helper header files. */
#include "DevSPI.h"

/* Components and expansion boards specific header files. */
#include "x_nucleo_iks01a1.h"
#include "l6474_class.h"


/* Definitions ---------------------------------------------------------------*/

/* Absolute value of the threshold on the Y axis acceleration. */
#define ACCELERATION_TH 50

/* Rotation gain. */
#define ROTATION_SPEED_GAIN 20


/* Variables -----------------------------------------------------------------*/

/* MEMS Expansion Board. */
X_NUCLEO_IKS01A1 *x_nucleo_iks01a1;

/* Motor Control Component. */
L6474 *motor;


/* Main ----------------------------------------------------------------------*/

int main()
{
    /*----- Initialization. -----*/

    /* Initializing I2C bus. */
    DevI2C dev_i2c(D14, D15);

    /* Initializing SPI bus. */
    DevSPI dev_spi(D11, D12, D13);

    /* Initializing MEMS Expansion Board. */
    x_nucleo_iks01a1 = X_NUCLEO_IKS01A1::Instance(&dev_i2c);

    /* Retrieving the accelerometer. */
    MotionSensor *accelerometer = x_nucleo_iks01a1->GetAccelerometer();
    int acceleration_axis = x_nucleo_iks01a1->gyro_lsm6ds3 == NULL ? 0 : 1;

    /* Initializing Motor Control Component. */
    motor = new L6474(D2, D8, D7, D9, D10, dev_spi);
    if (motor->Init(NULL) != COMPONENT_OK)
        return false;

    /* Set defaults. */
    motor->SetAcceleration(10000);
    motor->SetDeceleration(10000);
    motor->SetMinSpeed(100);
    int status = 0;
    int speed = 0;


    /*----- Infinite Loop. -----*/

    /* Printing to the console. */
    printf("Motor Control with MEMS\r\n\n");

    /* Main Loop. */
    while(true)
    {
        /* Reading Accelerometer. */
        int accelerometer_data[3];
        accelerometer->Get_X_Axes(accelerometer_data);

        /* Motor Control. */
        int module = abs(accelerometer_data[acceleration_axis]);
        if (module > ACCELERATION_TH)
        {
            int sign = accelerometer_data[acceleration_axis] < 0 ? -1 : 1;
            speed = module * ROTATION_SPEED_GAIN;
            
            /* Requesting to run. */
            if (status != sign)
            {
                motor->Run(sign == -1 ? StepperMotor::BWD : StepperMotor::FWD);
                status = sign;
            }

            /* Setting Speed. */
            motor->SetMaxSpeed(speed);

            /* Printing to the console. */
            printf("Speed: %c%d\r\n", sign == -1 ? '-' : '+', motor->GetSpeed());
        }
        else if (status != 0)
        {
            /* Requesting to stop. */
            motor->SoftStop();
            status = 0;
            speed = 0;

            /* Printing to the console. */
            printf("Stop.\r\n");
        }

        /* Waiting. */
        wait_ms(50);
    }
}