📄️ Idea
The idea for this project is to build a physical satellite tracker that will point to whatever object in the sky is being tracked. Imagine an arrow that can rotate on two axis and point to wherever you want it to. The idea stems from this project. I want to improve upon it and have the object tracked continuously and not only when it's above the horizon. The tracker will be able to move 360° in all directions.
📄️ Basic 3D model
We will design two 3D models in Fusion 360 for our project
📄️ Refining the design
I've been thinking more about what the design for the entire assembly might look like. I know that it needs to rotate indefinitely on both the x and y axes. This requires two parts that can rotate and a stationary base. There are several problems I need to solve: how to connect the moving pieces, how to actuate the movement, how to transmit power through the moving parts, etc.
📄️ Board
The next step in my project was to design the board. The main electronic components I settled for are:
📄️ Assembly
I decided to somewhat redesign the initial design I created in Fusion 360. This decision was partly because I wanted to try out Onshape, which is another cloud-based CAD program, but also because I wasn't really satisfied with the look of the original design. You can find the most up to date version here.
📄️ Code
The code for this project is divided into two main parts: Arduino code, which controls the assembly and performs tracking calculations, and JavaScript code, which facilitates connection to the ESP32 via Bluetooth and enables data transmission between the device and a web interface. The most current version of the code is always available here, the Arduino Code is in ESP32/src and the Web app in public. This overview will omit basic setup procedures such as initializing sensors and motors.
📄️ Demonstration
In this video you can see a quick demonstration on how to use the tracker. This is the website used in the video//tracker.fodf.bernwald.org/. One detail not mentioned in the video is that the assembly's north indicator must be oriented to face true north.