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  • Dernière modification de la publication :22 octobre 2022
  • Post category:CALIBREX
  • Commentaires de la publication :7 commentaires

Introduction

The calibration module in the Uvex3 spectro consists of a Calibrex1 electronic card and a few external components, namely a flat lamp and an Argon-Neon lamp for calibrating your spectra.

This set is built on the basis of an Arduino Nano circuit which allows to do many functions in local mode or in remote mode via a PC connected by USB. The printed circuit has been developed by us and its reduced size allows us to integrate it perfectly into the guide module. It is therefore not necessary to have special skills as an electronics engineer or to know how to program everything is already done and explained in the following lines. You can get the printed circuit by following the link indicated and order it online. All you have to do is send the gerber file also available in the rest of the article to the site before confirming the order. You will still have to download the Arduino programmer found on the net so I will give you the corresponding link. The specific program for this Arduino application has been developed by the team. It will also suffice to download it from this article and then transfer it to the Arduino using your PC via a mini USB cable.

If you do everything yourself it will cost you a fairly modest sum not exceeding 50 € for a complete Calibrex card (the printed circuit, the components with the Arduino Nano as well as the two lamps).

The Calibrex1 card with its external components. Clockwise from the left:
12V power connector, Tungsten lamp (flat) 12V P2W, Neon Relco lamp, Manual / Remote switching switch via ascom, manual control swtch, Red power LED, Multicolor LED mode indication mode, Servo motor.

We can see on the photo above the set that we will test on the table before integrating it into the guide module. We see the two lamps (Tungsten and Argon-Neon) a switch to switch from local mode to remote mode, a push button to change function when we are in local mode, the external 12V socket, a red LED (power and indicator which indicates the mode), a tricolor Led to know firsthand the function performed, finally a mini servo to switch the reflector.

Calibrex1 card connectors

Principe.

Not many components on the PCB itself, it’s the Arduino that does almost everything. He manages :

  • Lighting the lamps
  • The cycle, calibration, flat, dark and acquisition
  • Position the servo motor
  • The Usb link with the connected PC
  • Manual mode and remote mode
  • External information lights
  • Measurement of the temperature of the interior housing by an internal probe

The small blue transformer that we see in the photo acts as a voltage booster from a frequency generated by the Arduino. Two separate outputs (with 180 ° phase shift) we attack (via the two transistors T3 and T4) the two primary of the transformer to have an output on the secondary of the transformer an alternating voltage of about 200 V, which will be used to power the lamp of Argon-Neon calibration. The Tungsten lamp is lit by another output of the Arduino via the transistor T1.

The servo motor is connected to the M1 connector next to the blue transformer, and the temperature probe opposite to the P2 connector. All the LEDs are connected directly to the Arduino outputs via a current limiting resistor.

The regulator U2 is used to manufacture continuous 5V from external continuous 12V. It is used to power the 5V servo motor.

Transformer used on the Calibrex1 card with reference on the Conrad site.

Detail of the mini servo used on the Calibrex1 card with the reflector placed at the end.

The electronic diagram of the calibrex card, the arduino nano allows the creation of signals to position the servo motor, it controls the two calibration lamps. A temperature probe can be used and connected to pin 19 … Not yet implemented in the software part. The transformer supplies high voltage (220 V) to the Relco Argon / Neon lamp.

Component layout refer to the list below for wiring.

Nomenclature refer to the screen-printed map for mounting.

Components Value Details
U1 Arduino Nano
TR1 Transformer to
solder for CI
see above
T3, T4 Transistors darlington TIP122 boitier TO-220
T1 Transistor NPN 2N2222 boitier TO-92
U2 Regulator 5V 7805 boitier TO-220
R1,R2,R4,R5,R6 resistors 4,7 Kohms P= ¼ W
R3 résistor 24 Kohms P=1 W
LR1,LV1,LB1,LRalim résistors 2 Kohms P=¼ W
1 LED tricolor cathod commun Diam 5 mm
1 LED red (light alim en 5V) Diam 5 mm
1 switch , 2 positions Diam 5,5 mm
1 pushbutton , fugitive Diam 7 mm
1 femel chassis plug, le + in the middle Diam 8 mm
1 associated male connector plug
1 bar support Nano (M/F) 2X31 * pas 2.54 mm
1 bar M for connectors 3 points
welding
1X12 * pas 2.54 mm
Lamp tungstene (FLAT)  culot à vis 12V 0.2 A 2W

The printed circuit is made in China, by the company JLCPCB. I ordered from this manufacturer and the result is perfect, and very serious. The manufacturing quality is remarkable and the prices very low. Just click the surrounded « calculate » menu and take the default page and download the Gerber file as a zip file, all done automatically. I’ll give you a screenshot to show you what it looks like before the final order. You download the Gerber file that I give you. We can notice that there are two holes of 4 mm in diameter drilled, they serve to center the circuit in the calibration module and pass the lug which is part of the module.

Step 1 – create an account then import the Gerber_NEW_PCB_CALIBREX1_20190325130025 zip file above

Step 2 – Order and pay (2 €). We can see on this page two orders placed.

Once received the components, the printed circuit and the servo motor, remains to solder the components and to assemble the whole in the Calibrex case. Here is the result:

Your wired Calibrex unit ready to be tested. Note there are still a few steps before use on the sky: The 31.75mm slide of the guide camera is not glued, the white palette mounted on the Servo (on the left) is not yet painted black. Go courage we have the programming of the arduino, the installation of the Ascom driver and the test phase.

Cet article a 7 commentaires

  1. Samuel

    Hi.
    I’m building a uvex and calibrex but can’t find some components, R3 resistors and LR1, LV1, LB1, LRalim resistors.

    Where can I get them?

    1. Alain Lopez

      Hi,
      I am happy to answer your question.
      The answer can be found on the site see the link below.
      http://spectro-uvex.tech/?p=1621&lang=en

      Also R3 has the value of 24 Kohms and 1 W of power (limits the current in the Relco lamp).
      For LR1, LV1, LB1 and LRalim the resistance values are 2 Kohms or less, this limits the current in the tri colours led and the power led.
      I wish you a good day.
      Yours sincerely Alain Lopez

      Translated with http://www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

  2. NACHO NOVALBOS CANTADOR

    I´m building a Calibrex unit, but I have an issue with the micro servo.
    When I connect the Calibrex, the servo run continuously never stops…
    Can you help me about this topic?

    Thanks in advance.

    1. Alain Lopez

      Hola
      Nunca hemos tenido este problema, sin embargo voy a ver este problema en el correo privado con usted, será más fácil.
      Que tenga un buen día.
      Hasta luego.
      Alain Lopez

      1. NACHO NOVALBOS CANTADOR

        Muchas Gracias Alain!!

  3. Valerio Oss

    Hi
    Great project by the way!
    I bought everything except the tungsten/halogen lamp: can you suggest a website where to buy it? Is it a 12v halogen lamp?
    Thanks
    Valerio

    1. Alain Lopez

      Hello
      For the tungsten / halogen lamp it is simply a filament lamp. You can buy it in DIY shops (leroy merlin, castorama…).
      Good day to you.
      Alain

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