GuentherWuchterl: /* Version v20170810 */

2023-08-27T10:49:13Z

Version v20170810

← Nächstältere Version		Version vom 27. August 2023, 12:49 Uhr
Zeile 166:		Zeile 166:
	*Google drive uploader, copying completed month-archives to your cloud space		*Google drive uploader, copying completed month-archives to your cloud space
	*Heartbeat files, uploaded to your google drive, providing a quick glance at the stations health		*Heartbeat files, uploaded to your google drive, providing a quick glance at the stations health


	== Version v20161115 ==		== Version v20161115 ==

GuentherWuchterl: /* Version v20211104 */

2023-08-27T10:48:19Z

Version v20211104

← Nächstältere Version		Version vom 27. August 2023, 12:48 Uhr
Zeile 156:		Zeile 156:

	Further instructions inside.		Further instructions inside.


	== Version v20170810 ==		== Version v20170810 ==

GuentherWuchterl: Die Seite wurde neu angelegt: „ 180x150px = LightPi 2021 = # LightPi 2021 Anleitung Instructions_for_prebuilt_stations_compressed.pdf LightPi 2021 Anleitung (FL) = Introduction = == The Lightrouter == Up to now, the Lightrouter was our preferred workhorse for collecting and transmitting Lightmeter data. It's low-cost and low-power design allowed for continuous night…“

2023-08-27T10:44:07Z

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 [[File:LightPiLogo.jpg|thumb|right|180x150px]]

= LightPi 2021 =

# [[File:LightPi Instructions for prebuilt stations compressed.pdf|LightPi 2021 Anleitung Instructions_for_prebuilt_stations_compressed.pdf LightPi 2021 Anleitung (FL)]]

= Introduction =

== The Lightrouter ==

Up to now, the [[Lightrouter]] was our preferred workhorse for collecting and transmitting [[Lightmeter]] data. It's low-cost and low-power design allowed for continuous nightsky measurements, automatic data transmission and even - to some extent -  remote maintenance.

But, over time several issues surfaced: 

*The hardware version 2 of the WR1043ND rendered our firmware image obsolete, leading to a more manual setup routine.
*Future hardware versions will come with a locked firmware, preventing the use of OpenWRT (due to a new FCC rule).
*In offline-scenarios (no NTP, and no GPS) the internal clock performed terrible, exhibiting nonlinear, irregular drifts.
*The internal flash memory is not large enough to hold the entire setup, leading to the need of an overlay filesystem, creating a high dependency on the presence of the USB stick.
*Due to ill-defined brown-out behaviour of the router, the filesystem of several USB sticks got corrupted, leaving the stations paralyzed.
*Our central server died (summer 2016), leaving the reverse-SSH-tunnels dangling in mid-air, and thus preventing remote connections and data collection.
*Power consumption with up to 18W is quite high for solar powered off-grid stations.
*Some gerneral reliability issues.

== The LightPi ==

To combat all these shortcomings, the LightPi is under development. Based on a Raspberry Pi, extended by a realtime module, the LightPi will be easier to set up and to maintain, without increasing the price tag.

Some of it's main features are:

*High and reliable hardware availability, good inter-generation compatibility.
*Higher computing power and full debian-based operating system.
*Lower power consumption (2-4W [Model 3 B], 0.5-1.2W [Model A+]). * 
*4 USB ports (Model B+ upwards), eliminating the USB hub.
*SD-card instead of small onboard flash - no more overlay filesystems.
*Highly accurate DS3231 RTC module (+/-3.5ppm).
*Simple plug-and-play with any FAT32 formatted USB stick for data storage.
*As inexpensive as the Lightrouter.
*Uses A. Trawöger's Lightrouter-"lightmetermini"-python-driver.

<span style="font-size:x-small;">*...based on interpolation of various internet sources. Also, I just found this one:  [https://web.archive.org/web/20190702131047/https://raspi.tv/2019/how-much-power-does-the-pi4b-use-power-measurements https://web.archive.org/web/20190702131047/https://raspi.tv/2019/how-much-power-does-the-pi4b-use-power-measurements]</span>

 

As the LightPi platform is still under active development, several features are not yet implemented:

*Remote shell access (planned).
*Data transmission (partly implemented).

            implemented as google drive uploader.

*NTP synchronsiation (partially).
*GPS synchronisation (Yesss! Works now!).
*On-site network service for data access (Yesss! Works now!).
*Independence of a central server infrastructure.

            Google drive support circumvents the need for having your own central server.

 

== Current state ==

The LightPi project's current state is  '''developing / testing ''', public alpha stage.

= Hardware acquisition =
<div>
=== LightPi shopping list ===

*Raspberry Pi (any model)
*DS3231 RTC module
*MicroSD / SD card (dep. on RasPi model) with 4+GB
*Power supply (5V, micro USB)
*USB stick (FAT32 formatted)
*For model A/A+/Zero USB hub
*For model Zero: USB-OTG adapter
*Optional, but recommended: A case for the RasPi

 
</div><div>Finding a source for the Raspberry Pis should not be difficult, as big electronics resellers (e.g. RS Components) have them listed. Usually the A/A+ models (and their cases) are harder to find, and the Zeros tend to be outsold.</div><div><br/></div><div>A suitable RTC module can be found here: [https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-1PCS-DS3231-Real-Time-Clock-Module-forarduino-3-3V-5V-with-battery-For-Raspberry/32570116150.html [1]]</div><div><br/></div>
=== Choosing a Raspberry Pi model ===
<div>Update below. </div><div><br/></div><div><span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Some hints regarding the different models:</span></div>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">All "B" models have 2+ USB ports, eliminating the need for an USB hub.</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Also, all "B" models come with an Ethernet port, the A/A+/Zero models do not have native networking capabilities.</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Model 3 B even has it's own onboard WiFi adapter.</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">The Models A+/Zero have the lowest power consumption - ideal for off-grid stations.</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Model Zero has no fullsized USB port, thus needing an USB-OTG adapter.</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">First generation RasPis (1A and 1B, or just "A" and "B") use full size SD cards, other models use MicroSD.</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Used first/second generation RasPis can be found very cheap on the internet.</span>
<div><span style="color:#a9a9a9;"> </span></div><div><span style="color:#a9a9a9;">The bottomline is:</span><br/></div>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Minimum energy consumption: A+/Zero</span>
*<span style="color:#a9a9a9;">Maximum networking capability:  3B</span>
<div><br/></div><div>Update 2021-08-11: </div><div><br/></div><div>See [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raspberry_Pi#Generations Raspberry Pi Generation Overview]: Apart from Raspberry Pi ''Pico'' (which is a totally different breed), every single RasPi-version is sufficient for our needs.<br/></div><div><br/></div><div>Things to consider: </div>
*Not every model has WiFi (if you need it)
*Be aware of the number of USB sockets you need (but a hub can help)
*RasPi Zero (or Zero W/WH) has the lowest power consumption, but does require an OSB-OTG adapter
*Most of my tests were done on models 1B and 3B/3B+
*Model 4 has a USB-C power jack, earlier models use Micro-USB
*If you have to choose between any (sub-)versions of models 3B/4B: Choose the cheapest
*Make sure that your power supply is sufficient
<div><br/></div>
 

= Setup =

== Preparation ==

=== Hardware ===

For the setup process you need:

*Your computer
*SD/MicroSD card reader
*HDMI capable monitor
*HDMI cable
*USB mouse
*USB keyboard

(The USB/HDMI items may be borrowed from your computer - no need for a second set.)

 

Optional, but highly recommended for the setup process:

*Internet connection via WiFi
*USB WiFi adapter (for all models except 3 B)

or:

*Internet connection via Ethernet
*USB Ethernet adapter (for models A/A+/Zero)

 

=== Software ===

*<strike>The Raspbian image file from [https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/&nbsp https://www.raspberrypi.org/downloads/raspbian/]</strike>
*If you are using Windows: Win32DiskImager

 <br/>Update 2021-08-10:  <br/>Raspbian is now called Raspberry Pi OS, download here: [https://www.raspberrypi.org/software/operating-systems/ https://www.raspberrypi.org/software/operating-systems/<br/>I] do recommend the version "Raspberry Pi OS with desktop", since you get the nice GUI, without too much bloat.

= Downloads =

Always use the most recent version!

== Version v20211104 ==

[[File:LightPi v20211104.zip|File:LightPi_v20211104.zip]]

Improvements:
*Improved Semi-graphical installer
*GPS time sync
*Local WiFi access point

(This version has not yet been thoroughly tested. Your help and feedback is appreciated.)

Further instructions inside.

== Version v20170810 ==

<strike>[[File:LightPi v20170810.zip|File:LightPi_v20170810.zip]]</strike>

Improvements:
*Semi-graphical installer, minimizing the need for command line acrobatics
*Data zipper, moving last months data to a zip archive, greatly reducing disk space consumption
*Google drive uploader, copying completed month-archives to your cloud space
*Heartbeat files, uploaded to your google drive, providing a quick glance at the stations health

== Version v20161115 ==

<strike>[[File:LightPi v20161115.zip|File:LightPi_v20161115.zip]]</strike>

<strike>First public version of LightPi.</strike>

<strike>Instructions inside.</strike>

 

== Configuration ==

{| border="1"
|-
| [[File:LightPi RTC-Module.jpg|thumb|left]]
|-
| Raspberry Pi Model 3 B (left) and<br/>Model A+ (right), outfitted with <br/>DS3231 RTC modules (a third one<br/>on the bottom right).
|}
<br/>

= Contact and contribution =
You are always welcome to test and give feedback. The easiest way to communicate is to just edit the bulletin board section below.

--[[User:Nero2401|Nero2401]] ([[User talk:Nero2401|talk]]) 14:02, 10 August 2017 (CEST)

== Bulletin board ==

<br/>...

LightPi - Versionsgeschichte

GuentherWuchterl: /* Version v20170810 */

GuentherWuchterl: /* Version v20211104 */