Instructions for starting up the Planetarium Clock
1: Assemble the hardware as shown in the article. Check for smoke!
2: The uLCD-32PT must be setup in the GFX mode, NOT the SGC mode. If the uLCD you purchase does not come with the GFX mode as the default you must go to http://www.4dsystems.com.au/prod.php?id=114 and choose the correct PmmC link based on the processor you have. This personality code will change the SGC device to the GFX mode. Download this code to your unit. Instructions are on this website.
3: Program the uM-FPU64 with the planetarium.fp4 code that you downloaded from the Nuts and Volts website. This code must be compiled using the latest IDE from Micromega and then downloaded to the uM-FPU64.
3a: Please note that the Longitude and Latitude in radians is stored in the planetarium.fp4 code in Function 1. This is currently set for Las Cruces, NM. Please feel free to change it to your location. This will require recompiling the code before loading it to the uM-FPU64.
4: Load all of the files in the uSD folder onto a microSD card that has been formatted to have a DOS partition. Again see the 4D Systems website for exact directions on performing this task. Please note that if you change the .4dg code for the planetarium or the time set functions you MUST recompile it and save it to the uSD card under the names Skyview.4XE and RTC.4XE for the changes to take place.
5: Using the GFX IDE from 4D Systems compile MasterMenu.4dg and load it to flash memory on the uLCD.
6: The Master Menu should now be running on the display. Choose the Set Time button.
7: A digital display of the Time and Date will appear with random numbers from the real Time Clock on the uM-FPU64. Set the 2nd line which is the Date in the form YY:MM:DD. Use the + icon to move from field to field. When the date has been entered choose the <- icon to set the date. The time will start incrementing.
8: Use the clock icon to set the time. Please remember to set the current GMT time for an accurate display of the sky based on your location. When finished, use the checkmark icon to load it to the RTC.
NOTE: For a quick sanity check, set the date to 12:10:01 and the time to 18:00:00. The planetarium view should show the Sun, Mercury and Saturn to the immediate left of the Sun, Venus to the upper right and Mars to the lower left.
9: Press on the X in the upper right hand corner of the display to return to the Master Menu.
10: Choose the SKY VIEW button on the menu and the current location of the stars and classical planets should appear on the display and update every 60 seconds. Please note that the view is to your south and covers about 55 degrees to either side of South and about 80 degrees from the horizon to your local zenith.
10a: To exit from the SKY VIEW mode back to the main menu, simply touch the screen while the stars are being refreshed. When the next refresh cycle starts the program will return to the main menu.
11: Congratulations!
12: This is only the start. The code is well commented and I encourage you to customize it, or use it as a starting point for your own experimentation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
