node-sbig: a node.js frontend to the SBIG astronomical cameras.

This C++/javascript library is in early developement phase.

Install node.js

Skip if you already installed node.js on your machine.

From: http://yoember.com/nodejs/the-best-way-to-install-node-js/

On Linux (other OS are treated in the previous link):

curl -o- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nvm-sh/nvm/v0.35.1/install.sh | bash

nvm ls-remote
nvm list
nvm install lts/dubnium
nvm use lts/dubnium
nvm alias default lts/dubnium
node -v
npm install -g npm
npm -v
source ~/.nvm/nvm.sh

Install dependecies needed by node-fits and node-sbig. In debian-based OS:

The node-sbig module compiles on GNU/Linux with g++. node-gyp is used as building tool. Other platforms have not been tested yet.

You will need to install the development versions of libusb-1.0-0, libpng and libcfitsio (called respectively libusb-1.0-0-dev, libpng-dev and libcfitsio-dev on debian systems).

The libsbigudrv.so SBIG proprietary library driver and the camera firmware must be correctly installed on your system and the camera clearly identified (lsusb to check). We suggest to use the libsbig package provided by indi-sbig in the version provided by the repositories.

sudo apt install g++ libpng-dev libcfitsio-dev libusb-1.0-0-dev libsbig

In the node-sbig directory, build the module. This will also install our node-fits package from github:

Install this package

# Cloning and installing dependencies
git clone https://github.com/Nunkiii/node-sbig.git
cd node-sbig/
npm install

Testing

The test file, in the node-sbig/test directory

$node test_2cams.js

    var fits = require('../node_modules/node-fits/build/Release/fits');
    var sbig = require('../build/Release/sbig');
    
    console.log("Loading driver...");
    
    var cam1= new sbig.cam();
    var cam2= new sbig.cam();
    
    console.log("Inspecting USB for cameras...");
    
    sbig.usb_info(function(data){
    
    
    console.log("USB Info :" + JSON.stringify(data,null,4));
    

    if(data.length==0){
	console.log("No SBIG camera found!");
	return;
    }

    //Select a camera to use (First by default)


    function take_image(cam, name){

	cam.set_temp(true, -10.0); //Setting temperature regulation 
	
	console.log("Cam cooling info = " + JSON.stringify(cam.get_temp()));

	var cam_options = {

	    exptime : 0.3,
	    nexpo : 1,
	    //subframe : [0, 0, 100, 100],
	    fast_readout : false,
	    dual_channel : false,
	    light_frame: true,
	    readout_mode: "2x2"
	};
	
	cam.start_exposure(cam_options, function (expo_message){
	    
	    console.log("EXPO msg : " + JSON.stringify(expo_message));
	    
	    if(expo_message.started){
		return console.log(expo_message.started);
	    }
	    
	    if(expo_message.type=="new_image"){
		//var img=expo_message.content;  BUG HERE!
		var img=cam.last_image; //tbr...

		
		var fifi=new fits.file;
		fifi.file_name=name+".fits";
		
		console.log("New image captured,  w= " + img.width() + " h= " + img.height() + " type " + (typeof img) + ", writing FITS file " + fifi.file_name );
		
		fifi.write_image_hdu(img);
	    }
	});
    }
    
    if(data.length>0)
	cam1.initialize(data[0].id,function (init_message){
	    console.log("CAM1 Init : " + JSON.stringify(init_message));
	    
	    if(init_message.type=="success") {
		
		console.log(init_message.content + " --> starting exposure.");
		take_image(cam1,"cam1");

		cam1.filter_wheel(1);
	    }
	    if(init_message.type=="info") {
		console.log("Cam1 Info : " + init_message.content );
	    };
	    
	    if(init_message.type=="error") {
		console.log("Cam1 Error : " + init_message.content );
	    }
	});

    if(data.length>1)
	cam2.initialize(data[1].id,function (init_message){
	    console.log("CAM2 Init : " + JSON.stringify(init_message));
	    if(init_message.type=="success") {
		
		console.log(init_message.content + " --> starting exposure.");
		take_image(cam2,"cam2");
	    }
	    if(init_message.type=="info") {
		console.log("Cam2 Info : " + init_message.content );
	    };
	    
	    if(init_message.type=="error") {
		console.log("Cam2 Error : " + init_message.content );
	    }
	    
	    //take_image(cam2,"cam2");
	});
      
    
    });