Satellite Tracking - 2023_02_20

Update 2023-03-05 The signal strength is less accurate now and that mostly breaks the algorithm. Using a targetLock of 25 does mostly work if you're okay with that.

Instructions:

[olist] [*]An LED display or diode is required. The display will show the signal strength in degrees (distance from signal). [*]Turn off the LED to switch to a different signal. [*]Turn on the LED to lock on to the current signal. [*]You can use the LED to try moving closer to the signal if it is taking too long to resolve. The dish may need to cycle through another target to come back to the desired target. Be sure to set the dish to maximum if planning to contact high tier traders. It affects the time needed to resolve the signal strength. [*] The script is written for a large dish, but can be used on smaller dishes. Reduce 'sleepTime' for smaller dishes. Ensure the dish setting does not get too far ahead of actual dish position when seeking new targets after tweaking sleepTime. [*]The script locks on within 10 degrees. This is defined by 'targetLock' and can be tweaked as desired. [*]Optional displays can be used to display the x and y coordinates of the dish. The coordinates only update every sleepTime while changing targets and display the current setting rather than the actual position. The actual position is displayed while resolving. [/olist]

The algorithm used is based on the trilateration algorithm from www.101computing.net/cell-phone-trilateration-algorithm/. It isn't perfect, but it usually locks on with 3 calculations. Luck also plays a factor with proximity to other traders when scanning for a new target.

Future Plans

The script will get updated when it becomes possible to interrogate the trader using logic. I plan to add a button to interrogate the trader, and the script will start controlling the power setting of the dish. The dish will set to maximum power when it's resolving a signal or interrogating a target, otherwise it will set to minimum power.