pyremotenode 0.6.1

A service library for controlling low power devices

pyremotenode

The aim of this python module is to provide an easy manner by which to schedule, monitor and communicate via / with an SBC board of non-denominational variety via a multitude of transport mediums (potentially, Iridium at present).

Development environment

Currently we use small-board computers running Debian and Python 3.5 for this, such as the TS7400v2. This is undoubtedly the best tested board with the utility, but any should potentially work.

Process to run

1. Create a venv, preferably using a suitably old version of python
2. Install the library python setup.py install or what-have-you
3. Use run_pyremotenode -np -n -v [config] to run the software

Current development tasks

In the years since I wrote this, Iridium technology and applications for this tool have remained relevant, but vastly changed. The feature set is now (finally) getting some movement towards being more generic.

The target is to converge on using this to:

• Schedule tasks on any SBC / suitably microcomputer
• Allow easy communication via Iridium (Certus IMT, though at time of writing SBD and RUDICS are still catered for)
• Provide an easy-ish interface to link task scheduling and comms together

A personal note

This was written for the British Antarctic Survey during our shutdown of Halley in 2017, in a rush. This is why it's written in python, because it allowed for a very fast development process. It was then used to process and relay GPS data on the Brunt Ice Shelf Movement during the winter months even when base power wasn't available (using solar/wind) based on a few improvements over that time. It's also been used since for some other experiments running on low power SBCs.

I would like to have written this properly for low power embedded systems at the time, but there was no opportunity. If we could change this to be designed in a more appropriate language (e.g. Rust), I'm well keen. As it is, it still has applications to remote field sites, as well as continues to run at Halley, and I don't have time to change that.

Please do get in contact if you're interested in developing this further, or have a crack at this repo! I'm really keen to trial other boards with better OS's, as well as port it to MicroPython, which should be doable.

James

Version History

Restarting, please refer to changelog