STAR-DUNDEEE Installation

 To install and set up a STAR-Dundee SpaceWire interface on a Linux system, you need to follow several steps, including obtaining the necessary software and drivers, installing the hardware, and configuring the system. Here is a general guide to help you through the process:

1. Obtain the Necessary Software and Drivers

1. Visit STAR-Dundee's Website:

   • Go to the STAR-Dundee website and navigate to the Downloads section.
   • Download the appropriate drivers and software for your specific SpaceWire interface and operating system.

2. Register or Contact Support:

   • You might need to register or contact STAR-Dundee support to get access to certain downloads.

2. Install the Hardware

1. Connect the Hardware:
   • Connect your STAR-Dundee SpaceWire interface to your computer using the provided cables.
   • Ensure the hardware is properly seated and securely connected.

3. Install the Drivers

1. Extract the Downloaded Package:

   • Extract the contents of the downloaded driver package to a known location.

2. Install Required Dependencies:

   • You may need to install additional dependencies. Use your package manager to install the necessary packages. For example, on Debian-based systems:

     
     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get install build-essential linux-headers-$(uname -r)
     

3. Build and Install the Driver:

   • Navigate to the extracted driver directory and follow the installation instructions provided in the README or INSTALL file. Typically, this involves running make and make install commands:

     
     cd /path/to/extracted/driver
     make
     sudo make install
     

4. Load the Driver:

   • Load the driver module using modprobe or insmod:

     
     sudo modprobe star-spacewire
     

4. Verify the Installation

1. Check Device Nodes:

   • Verify that the device nodes are created, typically under /dev/. For example:

     
     ls /dev/star-spacewire*
     

2. Check Kernel Logs:

   • Check the kernel logs to ensure the driver is loaded correctly:

     
     dmesg | grep spacewire
     

5. Configure and Test

1. Run Example Applications:

   • STAR-Dundee often provides example applications or tests to verify the installation. Run these applications to ensure your setup is working correctly.

2. Write Your Application:

   • Once verified, you can start writing your applications using the STAR-Dundee API. Refer to the documentation and example code provided in the downloaded package.

Example Code to Communicate Using SpaceWire

Here’s an example in Python that assumes you have the necessary Python bindings for the STAR-Dundee SpaceWire API:

import star_dundee

def initialize_spacewire(port):
    # Initialize SpaceWire interface
    interface = star_dundee.SpaceWireInterface(port)
    interface.open()
    return interface

def send_data(interface, data):
    # Send data over SpaceWire
    interface.write(data)
    print(f"Data sent: {data}")

def receive_data(interface, length):
    # Receive data over SpaceWire
    data = interface.read(length)
    print(f"Data received: {data}")
    return data

def main():
    port = "/dev/star-spacewire0"  # Example port
    data_to_send = b"Hello, SpaceWire!"
    
    # Initialize SpaceWire interface
    interface = initialize_spacewire(port)
    
    try:
        # Send data
        send_data(interface, data_to_send)
        
        # Receive data (assuming the same length for simplicity)
        received_data = receive_data(interface, len(data_to_send))
        
    finally:
        # Close the SpaceWire interface
        interface.close()

if __name__ == "__main__":
    main()