rDUINOScope Boiana

In the recent days two new wonderful clones of the rDUINOScope software emerged. As you probably know, low level coding is closely related to the hardware you are using, thus it is not so easy to simply swap a TFT screen for example and use the one you have around in the workshop.

Thanks to Khairey Nouhe and Giacomo Mammarella we now have two clones of the software dealing with different TFT screens.

First one that Khairey did woks with Adafruit 3.5" 320x480 Color TFT Touchscreen using HX8357 chip and SPI mode. His adaptation of the code also benefits from the large size of the screen, without compromising on new features in v2.3.1. Check out the GitHub link: https://github.com/KhaireyNouhe/rDUINOScope_Adafruit3.5-_TFT_SPI_V2.3.1

The other clone made by Giacomo uses LI9488 480x320 px. display in SPI, instead of the original HX8352B 400x240 px, so bigger screen and less pin used. You can check the GitHub link: https://github.com/giacu92/rDUINOScope

Both makers have not only translated the code to talk to a different hardware, but also added functionality and cool graphics!

rDUINOScope Boiana is now truly an Open Source Project!

Here are few screenshots from Khaire's port of rDUINOScope Boiana v2.3.1

Here is a screenshot from Gigi's port of rDUINOScope Boiana v2.3.1

Dear All,

The new incremental version of the software is available for download now on the project's website. It addresses few changes in the hardware, so be aware when you update:

The following changes apply:

• RA motor mode pins 11 and 12 have been swapped:
• Introduced a new FET transistor to power the DRV8825 drivers from the software;
• New schematic for the TFT LED pin allowing brightness control from the software and Auto backlight Off; 

Some of the new features:

- Added additional Bluetooth commands to allow "blind" (no screen) operations using rDUINOScope Controller software;

- Added support for powering down the stepper motors;

- Added support to control Screen brightness and Auto power off;

- Added support for additional touch controller (supports ads7843 and XT2046);

All the schematics you will need will be added shortly to the instructions, so be patient :)

I have received number of questions regarding BlueTooth connection with Stellarium on PC. Thus I created a video showing a step-by-step approach and explaining aome of the pitfalls you might encounter.

Enjoy, and let me know your comments!

Thank you.

The very first presentation of rDUINOScope on annual amateur astronomers gathering on peak Rojen, Bulgaria. It was on the site of our national observatory (http://nao-rozhen.org/index_en.html)

During that event were also presented APT - Astro Photography Tool  (http://www.ideiki.com/astro/) and INDIGO (http://www.indigo-astronomy.org/) - projects with Bulgarian roots. 

I'm working on a presentation for rDUINOScope to be delivered on the anual amateur astronomers week on peak Rojen, Bulgaria. We expect also astronomers from Ukraine, Macedonia and Poland.

Enjoy the slide!

I have decided to put development on hold for the holiday season. I'm planning to participate few star parties and deliver presentations about rDUINOScope. I hope that many new people will become interested in the project and thus we will gain additional support.

This means that the Alt/AZ version is put on hold (... yet again unfortunately), along with the new revised HW and SW versions.

I and the project team are now discussing some new ideas and possible opportunities. We hope that some changes in the code and probably the screen, will allow us to have animations and great new design.

Sorry that animated GIF cannot be uploaded as the earth's rotation is spectacular on the background of the screen!

There are some advanced options to support this project, in addition to sharing, writing articles and/or donating!

We call this Patronizing the Project !
When you patronize rDUINOScope, your name and/or the name of your business is bond to the enrichment and positive influence that the project brings to the Amateur Astronomy World. Your name becomes a synonym to all the great benefits and opportunities that this project creates and last but not least, your contribution will be acknowledge on every advertising material we create!

You should choose the best way to patronize this project! It could include: