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Welcome to NextGenAstromech

This is a private, non commercial website with information about a new family of astromech modules that makes building droids even easier. Main goal is a complete and easy to understand documentation. In addition, software updates can be installed for almost all modules.

Updates

The product range is under continuous development. Please check back regularly for the latest changes. Not only are we expanding the range of modules, but the firmware of the individual modules is also constantly being updated.

Updates
Date	Change
15.10.2024	Added simplified wiring diagrams
03.10.2024	Added AutoDome Module
23.09.2024	NextGenAstromech had been published

The Concept

What is the idea behind NextGenAstromech and AstroCAN:

It must be possible to migrate step by step from existing systems to the new system.
It should be possible to run old components and new components in parallel, as far as possible.
Reduction of wiring as far as possible, especially away from this annoying 24-wire slip-ring.
Moving away from the USB host shield problem
New components must be easy to add without complicate changes to the existing wiring
The system must be secure against external influences and also work stable at fairs and conventions with a lot of radio traffic.
The programming between ATMEGA and ESP32 should be as identical as possible.

How to achieve this goal:

ESP32 family as the uniform microcontroller generation of the new concept
ESP-NOW as a wireless protocol option
The established CAN bus from the automotive industry will be the connecting bus system of the new concept. A very robust 2-wire bus system that is easy to install and for which very inexpensive controllers and transmitters are available. The CAN bus supports speeds up to 1MBps and is a multi-master system.
4-wire slipring for cable-connected installations (VCC, GND, CANH+CANL) or 2-wire slipring when using radio transfer (see CAN-NOW-Bridge below)
Although the ESP32 supports the CAN protocol out of the box, we use a MCP2515 CAN controller, which can also be run on an Atmel processor with SPI (see above -> unified software on different platforms)

The NextGen Modules

AstroCAN Pro Dual Shield

Single or Dual-CAN-Bus for upcoming CAN-enabled Astromech Devices
Onboard USB-Host-Shield (tested and working!)
Onboard DF-Mini-Player (alternative to MP3-Trigger)
External Sound Board Support (MP3-Trigger, Vocalizer, etc.)
Stable onboard Power Conversion
JTAG-Live Debugging
R2TOUCH-Support (no need for XBEE)
ESP-NOW wireless Communication to any other AstroCAN-Module
Screw Terminals for all ShadowMD connections

This shield can be placed on existing Shadow MD systems without the need for further adjustments to the system, not even to the software. This module is the minimal first step into the Astro CAN world. The goal is to get away from the faulty Host-Shield-2.0 models on the market. The shield integrates the CAN bus as well as the USB mini host shield. Dual-CAN is for CAN experts if you plan to establish two separate bus systems with different speeds for different tasks (e.g. integrating fast sensors with 500kbps or 1Mpbs). Maybe also future CAN-Bus motor controls.

Detailed Information –>

AstroCAN Bridge

ESP-NOW Wireless Dome<->Body Comm.
Support for Classic MarcDuinos via Serial
CAN-Bus for upcoming CAN-enabled Astromech Devices
JTAG-Live Debugging
R2TOUCH-Support (optional, no need for XBEE)

The only system which intentionally uses ESPNow. It serves as a connection between body and dome. All CAN signals as well as one serial interface are bridged between dome and body via ESPNow. So it actually only needs a 2-wire slipring for the power supply of the dome, the signals all go via the ESPNow interface.

Detailed Information –>

AstroCAN AutoDome

A low cost module for precise dome rotation and positioning using Syren or separate motor controller. It is compatible with the Standard ShadowMD software.

Detailed Information –>

AstroCAN 232

A module compatible with Troy Flynn’s 232 solution. The mechanics and the motor drivers remain identical, only the AT-Mega is exchanged by the new module based on ESP32 including CAN.

Detailed Information –>

Classics

BetterDuino – MarcDuino Replacement

BetterDuino is a firmware replacement for the original MarcDuino V1.5Rev3 boards.

The last update to the original firmware was in 2018. Neil’s last update was a minor change in mid-2022. His V3 software has about 80% of the original source in common, adding some features for the latest MarcDuino boards (servo controllers and EXT/AUX pin controllers). He also added the nice feature of saving settings to EEPROM at runtime. But the code also has some glitches and bugs and is based on outdated Arduino libraries.

The BetterDuino Firmware V4 code has completely been rewritten from scratch. It takes Neils idea of the EEPROM storage a step further, so nearly any setting is stored there. Including per-servo position settings. I also added the new panel animation of Tim Hebel who is also using a modified MarcDuino V3 firmware (https://github.com/Eebel/SHADOW_MD_EEBEL).

New Features (excerpt)

Support for MP3 Trigger, DF Mini Player and R2-D2 / Astromech Vocalizer (https://humancyborgrelations.com/)
Identical firmware for Master, Slave and Body
Automatic configuration of Master and Slave at first startup
per servo runtime settings for min/max and open/close positions
switch to modern OOP software design and use of most recent common Arduino libraries
fixed a lot of bugs at least of the V3 spinoff
… and many many more features still in development

Detailed Information –>

F.A.Q.

I have a ShadowMD Astromech. Do I have to change any software?

No, just replace your USB-Host-Shield by the AstroCAN-Shield, plug in your BT-Token, rewire the three serials for Dome, Body and Syren/Sabertooth and you are ready for the NextGenAstromech. It is up to you if you like to add/replace more modules I the future.

Is the bridge module compatible with the standard MarcDuino Software?

Yes, it is. Nevertheless, we recommend using BetterDuino instead for more features and support for DF-Mini-Player and Vocalizer.

What boards will be released next?

Lots of ideas… An AI-based voice recognition board is already up and running. It can be trained with custom wake words and will be able to control whatever you like on your NextGen-Astromech.

Where do I get support?

For technical questions have a first look at the AstroCAN Tech FAQ

For detailed module information choose your module under AstroCAN Modules Menu (top main menu).

Also have a look at:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/MrBaddeley

https://www.facebook.com/groups/printeddroid/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/R2.builders/