I’m not sure I fully get it. Do you mean something like this?

Arduino Port tx <---> [220 ohm]
                                              }<---> Merlin/Orion data port.
Arduino Port rx <---> [220 ohm]

If it is just one port shouldn’t I be able to use one port on Arduino as well, and just change input/output when I want to read/write?
Arduino Port tx <---> [220 ohm]  <---> Merlin/Orion data port.

Last edited by GuzZzt (2009-06-29 13:09:19)

I have now finally got my Merlin mount and I did a first communication test with it last night and it was a success! Thanks for the help on how to connect it. Now I will go on and setup all the commands I need.

My plan is to make a full featured Gigapixel rig. It will have a LCD display and a small joystick to set start,stop/corner positions and then be able to take all the photos.

I will publish everything as soon as I have a first version up and running (hopfully in a few days).

Thanks for the tips but the LCD and Joystick parts are already finished. I use a simple little joystick and a 128x64 graphical display. I had to do something while I waited for the Merlin mount to arrive...

The build is now finished! It is raing outside so I can't go out and test it just jet but I will as soonas it stops.

I will write a full description and release the code etc. but here is two photos of it to start with.

That's a big box!

Cool Arduino project, I like the 80's retro Video Game controller look, was that intentional
Just now wondering how easy you found it to build.

Best
Gordon

And here is my first panorma taken with the mount.
http://www.gigapixel.nu/photo.php?id=1

It took me 33 minutes to take the 312 photos. Is that a long time compared to Papywizard?

Yes, I will publish the code, I will just add some comment and description to it first.

And now is the project online as well. You can download the source code for both the project and for the Merlin mount Arduino library.

http://www.gigapixel.nu/info_project.php

Did anyone get the Example from GuzZzt running?

I downloaded the files from his website but if i try to compile just the sample I get the following error and don't know what to do:

MerlinExample.cpp: In function 'void setup()':
MerlinExample:11: error: 'Serial' was not declared in this scope

It would be cool if somebody could help me. If the merlin is running with my arduino uno i will write a howto for the others.

Thanks
Stefan

At the moment I don't have a Merlin but I'm already testing with my Arduino.

After adding the following line:

#include <avr/pgmspace.h>

Which I found in the MX2 Project I could compile the project and upload it to my Arduino.

This is my testprogramm at the moment:

#include <avr/pgmspace.h>
#include <EEPROM.h>
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#include <merlin_mount.h>

// define the camera pins
#define CAMERA_PIN 8
#define FOCUS_PIN 12
#define STATUS_PIN 10

// setup action (run once the arduino is started)
void setup() {

  // set the pin modes (OUTPUT or INPUT)
  pinMode(CAMERA_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(FOCUS_PIN, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(STATUS_PIN, OUTPUT);

  // initialise the serial interface
  Serial.begin(9600);

  // initialise the communication to the merlin
  merlin.init();
 
  // set the status led to high
  digitalWrite(STATUS_PIN, HIGH);
}


// loop for ever (programm the arduino is running)
void loop() {

  long pos_pitch = 0;
  long pos_yaw = 0;

  delay(5000);
  // start to move downward
  merlin.startMoving(AXIS_PITCH, DIR_DOWN);
  delay(5000);

  // start to move left as well
  merlin.startMoving(AXIS_PITCH, DIR_LEFT);
  delay(5000);

  // stop continues moving
  merlin.stopMoving(AXIS_YAW);
  merlin.stopMoving(AXIS_PITCH);

  // read current position
  pos_pitch = merlin.readAxisPosition(AXIS_PITCH);
  pos_yaw = merlin.readAxisPosition(AXIS_YAW);

  // set the new yaw + 20 degree
  pos_yaw = pos_yaw + merlin.fromAngle(20.0);

  // move 20 degrees in yaw
  merlin.driveToPositionBothAxis(pos_yaw, pos_pitch, SYNC_SYNCHRONY);

  // do nothing anymore
  while(1){
    delay(5000);
  }

}

Maybe it's a problem with the new Arduino version. I'm using an Arduino Uno and Arduino 0022 software.

Last edited by gloob (2011-02-27 15:12:31)