OpComms Test Procedure
What follows is a complete set of instructions for completing a long-distance test (of any length) with the current Optical Communications transmitter/receiver node system.
What You'll Need
Before heading out to test, ensure that you have the following pieces of equipment:
1) Transmit/receive node. Ensure that the laser, photodetector, control board, and BNC connection between sensor and board are all present.
2) Tripod. Make sure the tripod matches the node you have chosen. The Rosencrantz tripod has a round plate with a hole in the center; the Guildenstern tripod has a large tri-lobed plate that is continuous.
3) Laptop. Ensure your code is up to date by pulling from the OpComms Github repository.
4) Keysight oscilloscope. Have Sasha or Elizabeth unlock an oscilloscope from the toolbox. Guard it with your life.
5) Test bin. Must contain toolbox, extension cords, power supplies, and motorized alt/az mount. Use a dry-erase marker to complete the Test Checklist posted on the lid of the bin. If all of the contents are present you may proceed
Set Up
Step 1: Set up tripod on a piece of level ground. Attempt to identify the approximate location of the communicating node and ensure you have a clear line of sight in that direction.
Step 2: Find a source of AC power and run an extension cord to your test site. Verify you have at least 2 outlets available, using a power strip if necessary.
Step 3: Attach motorized alt/az mount. Use the attached mounting hardware to screw through the tripod plate and into the bottom of the mount. Ensure that the mount is solidly attached. If you are using the Guildenstern tripod, make sure that all three feet on the base of the mount are in contact with the surface of the tripod plate (if not, rotate).
Step 4: Find the leather battery purse and plug it into the mount. Verify that all batteries (AA) are present and replace if missing. Hang or support the purse somewhere on the tripod.
Step 5: Attach the transmit/receive node to the mount by sliding the black plastic adapter on the node into the mount's slot. Make sure that the angled and flat faces are oriented correctly and that the adapter block slides fully into the slot. Tighten the set screw on the mount, ensuring a firm connection (although do not overtighten, as the screw is bearing on plastic).
Step 6: Find the modular cable (phone jack) in the yellow toolbox and connect it between the mount and the control board.
Step 7: Find the photodetector's power supply in the test bin (2 parts: one large block that plugs into AC + one 3-pin cable that connects to the block). Plug one side into AC. Plug the other side into the unoccupied port on the sensor, by first aligning the pins, pressing firmly, and screwing down the retaining collar. Make sure the switch on the power supply block is switched on, and verify that the sensor has power (check for green light between power and BNC ports on the top face of the sensor).
Step 8: Set up and plug in the Keysight oscilloscope. Toggle the power switch to start the boot sequence. Find the BNC cable in the yellow toolbox and connect the downward-facing BNC port on the control board to Source 1 on the oscilloscope. Adjust the vertical scaling to 20mV/division and the horizontal scaling to 10us/division.
Step 9: Find the microUSB cable in the yellow toolbox and connect the control board to a USB port on your computer. Open Arduino and connect to the board (Teensy 3.1), ensuring that a serial port appears in the Tools menu. Upload the code to the board and open the serial monitor when this is complete.
Step 10: Remove the lens cap from the node and ensure that the switch cover on the laser is flipped such that the button is continuously depressed.
You're done! Let's test!