A How-To for Wireless Go-To
Submitted: Thursday, 10th May 2007 by Dennis Simmons
This article provides an overview of how I connected a Pocket Computer (PDA) to my Takahashi EM 200 Temma 2 GoTo mount, using Bluetooth and TheSky Pocket Edition. PurposeIn 2005 I acquired an HP iPAQ hx4700 PDA with a 640x480 resolution screen and wanted to connect it, wirelessly using Bluetooth, to my Takahashi EM 200 Temma 2 via TheSky Pocket Edition. Why? Well, simply because it can be done, I like gadgets and the Real Estate offered by the 640x480 display was tempting! After acquiring the necessary bits and pieces, it was a relatively simple operation. The steps described herein are waypoints on the journey, rather than a detailed and comprehensive road map of all the set up and integration steps. Equipment listHere is a list of equipment and software used in my set up:
Please note that this article is not authoratative advice, it is simply a brief description of my experiences. If you choose to follow what I did, you do so entirely at your own risk! I do not guarantee that the products will work as described and it remains your responsibility to follow all instructions, guidelines and safety advice from each Manufacturer / Supplier.
OverviewThe flowchart below shows provides an overview of the main steps involved in setting up the system to make the wireless connection.
NotesMy Notebook computer (IBM Thinkpad R40) does not have a native RS232 Serial Port so I used the Socket Serial I/O Card (PCMCIA) to perform the initial configuration of the Bluetooth serial adapter. In terms of my competence, other than as an end user, I have little knowledge of PDA’s and Bluetooth. Socket Bluetooth CSAThe first task was to configure the Bluetooth serial adapter. What is the CSA?Socket’s Cordless Serial Adapter (CSA) with Bluetooth Wireless Technology eliminates the conventional RS-232 serial cable, providing an easy-to-use, invisible connection. This tiny adapter allows any device with a standard 9-pin serial port to communicate wirelessly with other Bluetooth enabled devices such as a laptop computer or PDA. Configuring the CSA (one-time) requires the use of the supplied null modem. The neat-looking Socket CSA package is shipped with the following items:
Configuring the CSA is a simple, 5 step process:
Install CSA software on PCRunning the CSA Configuration Utility consists of installing the SW from CD onto your desktop or Notebook PC, then connecting the CSA to your PC’s RS232 Serial Port via the supplied null modem. As most modern Notebook computers do not have a native RS232 Serial Port, I’ll mention that I have used the following Ports to program the CSA:
Configure CSA on PCAfter installing the SW, launch the Configuration Utility and Figure 7 should display. From here we get details from the adapter and write the settings to the adapter. Figure 8 shows the default settings under the <General> Tab.
HP iPAQ hx4700The next task was to prepare the hx4700 PDA by running the Bluetooth Wizard to install the serial port service on the PDA. Here is a brief description of the hx4700 operations. Configure Bluetooth on hx4700Figure 11 shows the Bluetooth Connection Wizard on the HP iPAQ hx4700 which I used to create a connection shortcut for the socket serial port.
Bluetooth OperationsFigure 13 - From the Start screen, <Tap> the Bluetooth wireless icon (bottom RH corner). <Tap> the Settings Button to display; Figure 15 - <Tap> the Manager Button to display; This completes the Bluetooth set up operations. We can now move on to TheSky PE. TheSky Pocket EditionThe following describes operations for TheSky PE Version 1.10.014 with the EM 200 Temma 2. Configure TheSky on hx4700<Tap> TheSky PE on the hx4700 to launch the application. Figure 22 - <Tap> Setup… from the Telescope Menu.
Plug CSA to RS232 on EM 200Connect the RS232 cable to the EM 200. Note that for Bluetooth operations, I had to short pins 7 & 8 of the RS232 connector. This did not affect normal wired operations. Connect the CSA to the RS232 connector and plug in the CSA power adapter. Figure 25 - Select Establish Link… from the Telescope Menu.
Lessons Learned
Enhancements
That’s it folks, a simple 1-2-3 on how I connected my PDA to the Takahashi EM 200 Temma 2 using TheSky Pocket Edition on a PDA via Bluetooth. CostsHere is a list of the costs involved in implementing this wireless connection mode of operation.
LinksMiscellaneous
Article by Dennis Simmons (Dennis). Discuss this article on the IceInSpace Forum. |