sdso_flat_panel

Firmware and ASCOM driver for a flat panel controller using an RP2040 and an N-Channel MOSFET

Hardware

A Pi Pico (RP2040) microcontroller is controlling an N-Channel MOSFET. A FQP30N06L is used becuase I hade one on hand but any MOSFET with a Vgs equal to or less than 3.3V will work.

• GP22 to the gate
• 0VDC to the source
• Negative terminal of light panel to drain
• Positive terminal of light panel to 12VDC

Firmware

PWM is configured for GP22. ASCII commands are received via USB CDC and parsed.

• Commands are space delimited.
• All commands and responses end with a newline character 0x0a.
• The firmware responds with # for a successful command, otherwise it responds !.
• Sending a new line character 0x0a will respond with a # character.

Commands	Description
on	Turn on the panel to the last known brightness.
off	Turn off the panel. The current brightness is remembered.
set <value>	Set the brightness to value. Must be between 0 and 1000, inclusive.

Note: the brightness is not retained on power cycle.

ASCOM

A simple ASCOM driver implementing ICoverCalibratorV1 can turn on and off the panel and set its brightness. See this repo's releases for an installer. Be sure to select the correct COM port in the ASCOM setup dialog.