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Mraanderson edited this page Dec 21, 2023 · 45 revisions

HBG3 created by Mark Lord

https://rtr.ca/hbg3/ & https://www.cloudynights.com/topic/854327-homebrew-gen3-pcb-wifibtgpsmusbrelay wiki by me using information gathered from Mark's site and the CloudyNights forum posts - this is not the official site.

Based on the revision October 2023 'g' HBG3 board. Previous HBG PCB revisions

The Hardware list

Software for initial ESP32 flash

MS-Windows users will need to install the Universal CP210x Serial Port drivers (either From here or using the copy included in the provided Arduino .ZIP archive above). Extract the driver ZIP contents then right-click on the extracted silabser.inf file and click INSTALL.

You should now be able to connect the HomeBrew USB to the PC and see it be assigned a COM port. Linux users (of course!) will already have the driver (built into the kernel)

Version History

Firmware updates

Test the flash

Before soldering into a fixed unit it is recommended to ensure the ESP32 Dev board is not faulty. With the board on its own and the HBG3 file flashed it will give an indication of success by broadcasting a direct WiFi SSID and Bluetooth connection.

  • Power on board
  • Single Blue flash = flashed board
  • Multi Blue flash = flashed board connected to mount
  • Scan for Bluetooth or WiFi broadcast
    • As no Red or Blue switches are added before assembly the default is MUSB off and WiFi in direct (AP) mode

Switches, buttons and LEDs

HBG3 switches

  • Blue switch = MSUB toggle
    • Up On - The HBG3 normally turns off WiFi and/or Bluetooth when not in use (eg. Bluetooth off when using WiFi, etc.). The MUSB switch also acts as an RF-Kill switch, turning off both Bluetooth and WiFi when in the "on" position
    • Down OFF - When not in Mount-USB mode the USB port on the HBG3 is available for Telnet (or use with PC applications?)
  • Red Switch = WiFi manager
    • Up for 'Access Point mode' that is actually Client Mode to connect to a network
    • Down for 'Direct WiFi mode' where it broadcasts its own SSID, as an Access Point
  • OLED screen cycle button
    • WiFi information (Default, no press required to get this at boot)
    • GPS information
    • OTA Update - press to update (resets OLED to WiFi info after checking)
    • QR code page
    • Blanking page

ESP32 Dev buttons

  • EN (Reset)
  • BOOT BOOT and RESET/EN buttons to put the board in flashing mode or reset (restart) the board. Some boards don’t have the BOOT button. Usually, these boards go into flashing mode automatically.

HBG3 LEDs There are two LEDs on the HBG3

  • The Red LED lights up when the unit has power
  • The Blue LED flashes once briefly at power-on and then later blinks three times in succession to indicate a working connection to a Celestron mount. It also turns on longer when confirming saving of a Focus preset in standalone mode

Connectivity

  • WiFi on home network or phone hotspot
    • 802.11n 2.4GHz WiFi, compatible with any software that understands "Celestron WiFi" as a connection method, including CPWI, SkyPortal, and SkySafari+ or SkySafari-Pro. Functionality is a superset of that provided by Celestron's own third-generation SkyPortal/SkyQLink WiFi adapters, and a mechanical switch is used to select between what Celestron calls "Direct Connect" (server), and "Access Point" (client) modes of operation
  • Bluetooth
    • Bluetooth Classic, which connects with SkyPortal/SkySafari on an Android device, through the assistance of a 3rd-party Android app to bridge the connection from Bluetooth to TCP/IP. This then appears to the apps as "Celestron WiFi" in "Access Point" mode. Click here for detailed information on using Android Bluetooth. Bluetooth tends to be more reliable than WiFi, because of lower bandwidth and better tolerance of device power-saving mechanisms. CPWI can connect also to Bluetooth as a "Serial" or "USB" connection. More Bluetooth info here
  • Direct USB
    • Direct wired USB, aka. "Mount-USB" (or "MUSB"), giving CPWI and other software a solid connection to the mount without the interference issues that can arise with 2.4GHz wireless connections. A mechanical switch is used to select this mode of operation prior to power-on of the HBG3. The computer's operating system must have device drivers installed for the Silicon Labs CP210x USB-Serial adapters

Additional features

  • GPS
    • There is provision for an optional $20 GPS receiver module (eg. Beitian BE-180), which adds fully compatible multi-system GPS functionality at a fraction of the cost of the Celestron "SkySync" unit, with a much more modern chipset and better reception. Use of a GPS eliminates tedious and error-prone data entry for Time, Date, and Location prior to aligning the mount each session when used with a Celestron hand-controller or CPWI software
  • Wii Nunchuck
    • Slew and Focus mode
      • Hold Z for access to faster slew speeds
      • Hold C for focuser control
      • Hold Z+C for 2 seconds to enter focuser only mode
    • Focuser only mode
      • Z and C buttons become focuser preset buttons
  • OLED display and button
    • There are dedicated mounting holes for direct attachment of a small I2C OLED display. This will show various screens of status information and an associated momentary contact button. This same button is also used to adjust the Dew Heater control settings. A 0.96" white OLED is recommended, with red filter material fastened over the display
      • Enables toggling through the sequence of screens
      • Changing some settings, updating firmware
      • Even turning off the display.
  • Smart 2X Dew Heater controller
  • HBG3 Relay Mode - Wifi Relay for Nexstar+ or StarSense handset
  • HBG3 Mount Reversed for switching sides
  • Celestron Focus Motor in standalone mode
  • Starsense Align Autoguide
  • 2x I2C channel for heaters
  • Tx, Rx, Busy, 5v, (Relay or additional RJ12 port? Confirmation required)
  • Gnd and RAW -Celestron Focus Motor in standalone mode or Additional RJ12 port
  • A, B, C, D - Stepper motor
  • CFM NOT SUPPORTED
    • Use of Celestron Firmware Manager (CFM) is not tested and not supported via the HBG3 (too risky!). The unit actively tries to prevent such use. MCUpdate and HCUpdate are also NOT supported. Bricking of the Hand controller or mount may occur.

Telnet and Serial console

Used for updating the internal firmware and also for monitoring/debugging the behaviour of the mount and accessories with a serial terminal program (115200bps).

Further information

Using The HBG3

Connect HBG3 to an Aux port (or controller port) of a Celestron mount with a reversed RJ12 cable - not straight through. Always connect to the Aux ports of the mount before powering on. Hotplug is not recommended. * If only a 4 wire RJ11 6P4C cable is available power the module from external USB power (mains or battery pack/phone power bank)

Applications confirmed and method

  • CPWI

    • MUSB enabled (turns WiFi and Bluetooth off) before power up (although this may be a hot swap option now?)
    • Connect to Mount
    • Power on mount
    • Connect USB cable to PC
    • Open CPWI and choose connection > USB

  • Celestron SkyPortal App

    • Connect to mount
    • Power on mount
    • Join WiFi network of the HBG3 (Direct appears easiest)
    • Select settings in the app and match the connection type
    • Click connect
    • Guide for alignment is to follow

  • Celestron StarSense app

  • Sky Safari

  • Stellarium+ Star map (contacted app dev)

  • Bluetooth USB connection for CPWI

  • Connect Android to the HBG3 by Bluetooth - requirement for an additional app to manage port

HBG3 Questions and answers from Cloudy nights forum

Variations

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