The Hardware Overview - I

Left: The main operating console, power supply, and robotic camera frame. The frame plugs in on the rear, as does the 12v 1.5A power supply. A test roll of PPF400 for scale...

Close up of the main console, belies its complex programming within. Besides some power regulator lamps, a 16x2 LCD display for setting up parameters and exposure status is included. Four function buttons allow selecting settings in the LCD menu, such as exposure time, and number of frames, delay between frames and activating the twilight response. Note the twilight photocell at upper left.

Under the hood, The PCB contains two voltage regulators for electronics and motors, the Parallax BS2 microcontroller, servo filter caps, and at the bottom, the amplifiers for twilight and humidity sensors.

Under the hood 2, showing the serial LCD display and wiring on the front panel more clearly.

A typical menu item such as exposure time can be set up by simply selecting the appropriate button below or using settings from last time to save time. The menus take up A LOT of processor memory! I'm at the absolute limit on EEPROM. (2k)

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