Remote-controllable button pusher for IQ recorder (R&S IQR-100)

This repo includes a GUI remote controller for IQ recorder buttonPusher_GUI.py, a CLI remote controller buttonPusher_monitor.py and the program to command the step motor on raspberry pi buttonPusher_Slave.py. The mechanism for the pusher is a simple cam. Since the vaild range for the movement is very short, we choose a small section of reciprocation with 20 steps instead of the full circular motion.

The controller communicates with raspberry pi using the socket. Once boot the raspberry pi, the server will automatically be established waiting for the controller to send commands.

Device set-up

• step motor (35BYJ46, 5 wires)
• motor driver board (ULN2003)
• power supply (12V/1.5A)
• raspberry pi (model B+)

The first time to use the controller, you need to upload the buttonPusher_Slave.py to the raspberry pi. Add the following line above exit 0 to the /etc/rc.local to execute the script at boot.

python3 /path/to/file/buttonPusher_Slave.py &

Set the static ip of your raspberry pi. (system: Debian-jessie) Add the following line to the /etc/dhcpcd.conf

interface eth0
    static ip_address=10.10.91.96/24
    static routers=10.10.91.1
    static domain_name_servers=10.10.91.1

See more for static ip setting dhcpcd vs /etc/network/interfaces

Usage

1. connect all the devices, and boot the raspberry pi
2. using CLI: launch the buttonPusher_monitor.py, then input as the explanation of the feedback.
   using GUI: launch the buttonPusher_GUI.py, then choose the press mode and press the button. Using key combination ctrl-w or red cross on the right top corner will quit the controller.

Press mode

• Turn on: used for the operation of "power on"
  (the rod move forward 20 steps, wait for 0.5 seconds then move backward to the starting point)
• Turn off: used for the operation of "power off" (including all the status of IQR-100, e.g. freezing, blue-screen, accessed by remote user or the normal status)
  (the rod move forward 20 steps, wait for 6 seconds then move backward to the starting point)
• step movement (hidden mode in GUI, shown with the key combination ctrl-h): used for calibrating the rod's position
  (the rod move with the input steps in the selected direction while the position shows the differences with the starting point)

See Wiki for more explanations.