Silicon ChipOrrery (planetarium) using a Micromite LCD BackPack - December 2021 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Making kits is not easy!
  4. Mailbag
  5. Feature: Big Brother is Tracking You! – Part 2 by Dr David Maddison
  6. Project: Hummingbird Audio Amplifier by Phil Prosser
  7. Feature: SMD Soldering – tips and tricks by Tim Blythman
  8. Project: SMD Trainer Board by Tim Blythman
  9. Feature: El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator by Jim Rowe
  10. Review: Raspberry Pi Pico by Tim Blythman
  11. Project: Digital Lighting Controller Translator by Tim Blythman
  12. Serviceman's Log: A mixed bag of odds, sods, ends and bobs by Dave Thompson
  13. Product Showcase
  14. Circuit Notebook: Orrery (planetarium) using a Micromite LCD BackPack by Kenneth Horton
  15. Circuit Notebook: Non-contact cloud-based temperature sensor with speech by Bera Somnath
  16. Circuit Notebook: Switching cells between parallel and series by Benabadji Mohammed Salim
  17. Circuit Notebook: Connecting two pushbuttons to an input-only pin by Amine Houari
  18. Project: USB Cable Tester – Part 2 by Tim Blythman
  19. Vintage Radio: Restoring a Sony 5-303E Micro-TV by Dr Hugo Holden
  20. Subscriptions
  21. PartShop
  22. Ask Silicon Chip
  23. Market Centre
  24. Advertising Index
  25. Notes & Errata: Tele-com Intercom, October 2021; Hybrid Lab Supply with WiFi, May & June 2021
  26. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the December 2021 issue of Silicon Chip.

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Articles in this series:
  • Big Brother is Tracking You! – Part 1 (November 2021)
  • Big Brother is Tracking You! – Part 2 (December 2021)
Items relevant to "Hummingbird Audio Amplifier":
  • 6-way Loudspeaker Protector PCB [01101221] (AUD $7.50)
  • 4-way Loudspeaker Protector PCB [01101222] (AUD $5.00)
  • The Hummingbird Audio Amplifier PCB [01111211] (AUD $5.00)
  • Hard-to-get parts for the Hummingbird Amplifier (Component, AUD $15.00)
  • Multi-Channel Speaker Protector PCB patterns (PDF download) [01101221-2] (Free)
  • The Hummingbird Audio Amplifier PCB pattern (PDF download) [01111211] (Free)
Items relevant to "SMD Trainer Board":
  • SMD Trainer PCB [29106211] (AUD $5.00)
  • Kit for the SMD trainer (Component, AUD $20.00)
  • SMD Trainer PCB pattern (PDF download) [29106211] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 1 (October 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 2 (December 2016)
  • El Cheapo Modules From Asia - Part 3 (January 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules from Asia - Part 4 (February 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 5: LCD module with I²C (March 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 6: Direct Digital Synthesiser (April 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules, Part 7: LED Matrix displays (June 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Li-ion & LiPo Chargers (August 2017)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 9: AD9850 DDS module (September 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules Part 10: GPS receivers (October 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 11: Pressure/Temperature Sensors (December 2017)
  • El Cheapo Modules 12: 2.4GHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 13: sensing motion and moisture (February 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 14: Logarithmic RF Detector (March 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 16: 35-4400MHz frequency generator (May 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 17: 4GHz digital attenuator (June 2018)
  • El Cheapo: 500MHz frequency counter and preamp (July 2018)
  • El Cheapo modules Part 19 – Arduino NFC Shield (September 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 20: two tiny compass modules (November 2018)
  • El cheapo modules, part 21: stamp-sized audio player (December 2018)
  • El Cheapo Modules 22: Stepper Motor Drivers (February 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules 23: Galvanic Skin Response (March 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Class D amplifier modules (May 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Long Range (LoRa) Transceivers (June 2019)
  • El Cheapo Modules: AD584 Precision Voltage References (July 2019)
  • Three I-O Expanders to give you more control! (November 2019)
  • El Cheapo modules: “Intelligent” 8x8 RGB LED Matrix (January 2020)
  • El Cheapo modules: 8-channel USB Logic Analyser (February 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules (May 2020)
  • New w-i-d-e-b-a-n-d RTL-SDR modules, Part 2 (June 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital Volt/Amp Panel Meters (December 2020)
  • El Cheapo Modules: Mini Digital AC Panel Meters (January 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LCR-T4 Digital Multi-Tester (February 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD chargers (July 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: USB-PD Triggers (August 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 3.8GHz Digital Attenuator (October 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 6GHz Digital Attenuator (November 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: 35MHz-4.4GHz Signal Generator (December 2021)
  • El Cheapo Modules: LTDZ Spectrum Analyser (January 2022)
  • Low-noise HF-UHF Amplifiers (February 2022)
  • A Gesture Recognition Module (March 2022)
  • Air Quality Sensors (May 2022)
Items relevant to "Digital Lighting Controller Translator":
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller main PCB [16110202] (AUD $20.00)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Micromite Master PCB [16110201] (AUD $5.00)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller CP2102 Adaptor PCB [16110204] (AUD $2.50)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller LED slave PCB [16110205] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC16F1705-I/P programmed for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller [1611020A.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • PIC32MX170F256B-50I/SP programmed for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Micromite master [1611020B.hex] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • PIC16F1455-I/P programmed for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller WS2812 Slave [16110205.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Micromite LCD BackPack V3 complete kit (Component, AUD $75.00)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller front panel PCB [16110203] (AUD $20.00)
  • Firmware and software for the Fiexible Digital Lighting Controller (Free)
  • Firmware and PC software for the Digital Lighting Controller [1611010A.HEX] (Free)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller mains slave PCB patterns (PDF download) [16110202-3] (Free)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Master PCB patterns (PDF download) [16110201, 16110204] (Free)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller LED slave PCB pattern (PDF download) [16110205] (Free)
  • Drilling and cutting diagrams for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller Micromite master (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
  • Cutting diagram for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller mains slave rear panel (PDF download) (Panel Artwork, Free)
  • Cutting diagrams and front panel artwork for the Flexible Digital Lighting Controller LED slave (PDF download) (Free)
  • Digital Lighting Controller Translator PCB [16110206] (AUD $5.00)
  • PIC16F1705-I/P programmed for the Digital Lighting Controller Translator [1611020F.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $10.00)
  • Firmware for the Digital Lighting Controller Translator [1611020F.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • Digital Lighting Controller Translator PCB pattern (PDF download) [16110206] (Free)
  • Drilling/cutting diagrams and lid panel artwork for the Digital Lighting Controller Translator (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 1 (October 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 2 (November 2020)
  • Flexible Digital Lighting Controller, part 3 (December 2020)
  • Digital Lighting Controller Translator (December 2021)
Items relevant to "Orrery (planetarium) using a Micromite LCD BackPack":
  • Firmware for the Orrery using a Micromite LCD BackPack (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "Non-contact cloud-based temperature sensor with speech":
  • Firmware for the Contactless temperature sensor with speech (Software, Free)
Items relevant to "USB Cable Tester – Part 2":
  • USB Cable Tester main PCB [04108211] (AUD $7.50)
  • PIC16F18877-I/P programmed for the USB Cable Tester [0410821C.HEX] (Programmed Microcontroller, AUD $15.00)
  • Relay - EA2-5NU (Component, AUD $3.00)
  • IPP80P03P4L-07 high-current P-channel Mosfet (Component, AUD $2.50)
  • Short form kit for the USB Cable Tester (Component, AUD $110.00)
  • USB Cable Tester front panel PCB [04108212] (AUD $5.00)
  • Laser-cut acrylic bezel for USB Cable Tester (PCB, AUD $2.50)
  • Firmware and bezel laser cutting files for the USB Cable Tester [0410821A.HEX] (Software, Free)
  • USB Cable Tester PCB patterns (PDF download) [04108211/2] (Free)
Articles in this series:
  • USB Cable Tester – Part 1 (November 2021)
  • USB Cable Tester – Part 2 (December 2021)

Purchase a printed copy of this issue for $11.50.

CIRCUIT NOTEBOOK Interesting circuit ideas which we have checked but not built and tested. Contributions will be paid for at standard rates. All submissions should include full name, address & phone number. Orrery (planetarium) using a Micromite LCD BackPack An orrery (or planetarium) is a model of the solar system showing the position and motion of the planets. The oldest known orrery (called the Antikythera mechanism) was discovered in a shipwreck in 1901 and is thought to be over 2000 years old. The first modern orrery was designed in 1704, with the Sun at the centre of the universe. This was presented to Charles Boyle, the 4th Earl of Orrery in 1704, and the term “orrery” was coined. You can find further information about the history and development of orreries at https://w.wiki/3qv6 Traditionally, orreries were mechanical, but this one is electronic, showing the position and motion of the planets on the Micromite’s colour touch screen. 76 Silicon Chip It operates in two modes. The first is similar to a mechanical orrery in that the position of the planets is advanced by one day every second. This shows the motion of the planets relative to each other, all revolving around the Sun with the Moon revolving around the Earth. Let’s call this demonstration mode. Real-time mode shows a display for any date and time from January 1st 1900 to any date in the future. Typically, the date and time will be set to the current date and time, but can be set to any date, for example, to find the position of the planets on the day you were born. The display then continues to be updated in real-time. There is also the option to display the phases of the Moon, the position of Australia’s electronics magazine the Sun relative to the tilt of the Earth and the rise and fall of the local tide. The Sun is represented by a small yellow circle in the centre of the display. Around the Sun are eight concentric circles representing the orbits of the eight planets, and the position of each planet is represented by either a letter or an astronomical symbol. A ring around the Earth represents the orbit of the Moon, and a dot the position of the Moon. Optionally, you can change the circles representing the orbits of the planets to ellipses. This makes better use of the width of the screen. The option to show or hide the phases of the Moon is in the top lefthand corner, the position of the Sun relative to the tilt of the Earth in the siliconchip.com.au top right-hand corner, and the height of the local tide in the bottom righthand corner. It can also show the time in addition to the date in the bottom left-hand corner. Note that the tide and time are only displayed in realtime mode. The display is updated once per second in demonstration mode. The display is updated each minute in real-time mode if the time and/or tide are displayed; otherwise, it is every hour. Mercury moves approximately 4.1° every 24 hours, Venus by 1.6° and the Moon by 13.4°. The tide graphic increases or decreases in height roughly every 9 minutes. You would be lucky to see the outer planets move – Neptune moves 1° every 167 days! All positions are relative to the Earth’s northern hemisphere winter solstice. Between screen updates, the Micromite clock speed is reduced to 20MHz to save power. Unfortunately, the touchscreen appears to become inoperative below 20MHz. Circuit description The circuit of the Orrery is basically identical to the Touchscreen Super Clock from July 2016 (siliconchip. com.au/Article/10004). That design was essentially a BackPack with a real-time clock module attached, and this one uses the same hardware. The only difference is that the Super Clock could optionally get its time from a GPS module, while the Orrery has no such option. The Micromite will use its built-in clock without the real-time module, but this can drift by a few seconds an hour. Also, without the real-time clock module, it will be necessary to set the date and time each time the Orrery is powered up. Of course, the software is different, and the BASIC source code is available for download from siliconchip.com. au/Shop/6/6051 When uploading the BASIC code, make sure your Micromite LCD BackPack’s touchscreen has been set up and touch calibrated as per the BackPack articles. Using it When the Micromite is powered up, it will immediately display the orrery. If the DS3231 module has been installed and previously initialised with the correct date and time, this will be shown in the bottom left-hand corner of the screen. Otherwise, the date and time will be set to the Micromite default of midnight on January 1st, 2000. Touching the LCD panel will display the setup screen with several options. “Set date” will display three additional screens with a numeric keypad to allow the correct date, time and then time zone to be entered. An incorrect entry can be corrected with the “Delete” key and the date or time saved with the “Save” key. If fitted, the DS3231 will be updated automatically. The “Show / Hide moon”, “Show / Hide time” and “Show / Hide earth” buttons switch on or off the displays in the corners of the screen. “Circle / Oval” switches between a circular or elliptical display, while “Text / Symbols” switches between alphabetic and astronomical symbols for the planets. Real-time or demonstration mode is selected with the “Real time / Fast mode” button. The “LCD xx%” button sets the brightness of the display, but this will only have any effect if you have version 2 or later of the Micromite BackPack and have installed the optional components for software control of the screen brightness. Otherwise, you can set the screen brightness via the trimpot on the Micromite PCB. The set tide button shows an additional screen that allows the time of the local high tide to be set and gives the option to show or hide the tide display. Note that over the long term, high tides occur every 12 hours and 25 minutes, but individual high and low tides can vary considerably, sometimes by up to an hour. As a result, the tide display should only be used as a rough guide. Local tide tables for your area should be readily available on the internet, and it is probably best to look at the pattern of high tides for your area and choose one that falls close to the average of 12 hours 25 minutes. The tide display is based on the local time that has been entered and is unaffected by the time zone setting, which only affects the position of the planets and Moon. The time of the local high tide will need to be adjusted if your area switches between winter and summer time/daylight savings time. Kenneth Horton, Woolston, UK. ($120) The Orrery screen can have the planet displayed by a letter or an astronomical symbol; the ring around the earth (‘E’) defines the orbit and location of the Moon. The tide display at lower right is based on the entered local time and is separate from the time zone setting which is used for the positions of planets and the Moon. siliconchip.com.au Australia’s electronics magazine December 2021  77