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[on:]

Hi guys,

For my thesis, I have to make a thrust vectoring nozzle that's controllable with a joystick.
At the same time, an artificial horizon or attitude indicator has to show the corresponding attitude of the plane.

I have sorted out the part how to control the nozzle, but I need your advice about controlling the artificial horizon.
The artificial horizon, works with 2 stepper motors that move the pitch and roll position of the indicator.

The artificial horizon is this one: http://www.simw.com/attitude-indicator-black-blue-gsa-34.html?___store=snl&___from_store=sen
with these connectors on the back:

Can someone explain to me how I should connect the arduino to this connector?
The stepper motors are powered through the white molex connector in the middle.

I'm a complete beginner in serial communication and I hope you guys could help me out
Thanks!

qnimbus

[Reply #1 on:]

You need to find out what bus that is - full documentation on it should be somewhere.  Unless you know the
data format its non-trivial to do anything.

[Reply #2 on:]

from the manufacturer I have received following information:

The artificial horizon receives commands (short, 6 bits) via a serial interface.
38400 bps, 8 bits, no parity, 1 stopbit.

They also say that this cable comes with the artificial horizon:
http://store.extremeelectronics.co.in/images/D/10pin_frc_cable.jpg


-qnimbus

[Reply #3 on:]

You now have the type of communication,  you now need to know what the commands are and what values they expect, string lengths etc.

Is the gauge also addressable? There is some talk of "daisy chains" If so, you will also need to know it's address.

[Reply #4 on:]

The attitude indicator expects commands like this:

Commands from control PC
'
   ' Message layout:
   '
   ' Byte 1: Flag byte:&h00
   ' Byte 2: Address: 1-255; (Adress 0 excluded)
   ' Byte 3: Command: CCCC.1SHL (CCCC=Command 1-15, S= Signbit, H & L are databits)
   '                    The integer is unsigned 16 bits.
   ' Byte 4: Data Low; &h00-&hFF;  bit0 always 1 : XXXX.XXX1 -> XXXX.XXXL
   ' Byte 5: Data Hight:&h00-&hFF: bit1 always 1 : XXXX.XX1X -> XXXX.XXHX
   ' Byte 6: LPC Check byte or &hFF   ' Commands:
   '
   '  0= noop
   '  1= Initialize
   '  2= Set Instrument Address; Value 0-&hff,second byte:&HAA
   '  3= Set Instrument speed: If positive: Bank; If negative: Pitch
   '  4= Set Bank position  (0-4319)
   '  5= Set Pitch position (0-1200)
   '  6= not used
   '  7= Send info about instrument; Reply &h00, Address, Type, Model, Version
   '  8= Switch lights: Low byte= DL00.0000; D=display on/off, L=light on/off
   '  9= Set Instrument Model &Version, Low Byte=Model, High Byte=Version
   ' 10= Move bank directly; used for calibration
   ' 11= Move pitch directly; used for calibration
   ' 12= Set calibration values for pitch and bank centers
   ' 13= Clear calibration values for pitch and bank
   ' 14= Set/Reset testmode: 0=off, 1=on, turn right, 2=on, turnleft


In my application, I will only need 4 & 5 (pitch and bank)

-qnimbus

[Reply #5 on:]

Can I point you here....
http://arduino.cc/en/Reference/serial

Note that the number of serial channels available differ depending on the board. Personally I play with the Mega 2560, but I've only needed the i2c port so far (a snap to use), although I'm about to play with reading my foretrex 201 across one of the 232 ports with the use of a little Maxim board.

You should find quite a few sketches to get you going though.

[Reply #6 on:]

So you mean I won't be able to do this with the arduino uno board?

[Reply #7 on:]

Well, a very quick google found this.... http://solutions-cubed.com/programming-the-arduino-uno-with-a-serial-port/

When you compare the cost of your display against a Mega board, 'tis nothing - I think that the last one I bought was about £18.00

[Reply #8 on:]

Ok, I think I have everything sorted out on this one.

Thanks for the help!

qnimbus