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reto

@galactic-forensics.space
88 followers 111 following 65 posts

building instruments to study dust from the death throes of stars, mad scientist vibes, with a passion for 🦀

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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 23/09/2026
At long last: Here's an update on the instrumentRs v0.2.0 idea. I wrote a new driver for SMC HRR chillers, which communicate via MODBUS RTU. I think the framework is starting to get there. As always, questions, comments, ideas very welcome! #Rust blog.galactic-forensics.space/blog/11-smc-...
blog.galactic-forensics.space
Controlling an SMC HRR chiller via MODBUS
Thoughts and ideas...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 23/09/2026
fantastic, congrats! and perfect timing for this month's scientific computing in rust newsletter :)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 04/09/2026
Nice. Used to have an aegis one. Loved that thing. The only usb stick I was allowed to take with me :)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 02/09/2026
Proof of first low-level driver version :) 2 channels in ext. driven dither mode. Figure shows the signals & trigger. Working with device-driver by @diondokter.nl and Pico de Gallo by @balbi.sh is amazing! Working repo: github.com/trappitsch/l... See example: ll_dither_ext.rs #EmbeddedRust
Oscilloscope traces showing the output square wave (10kHz, 0 to 3.3V) and two input channels. Both input channels show sine waves. The first input 1 has a level of 2V and amplitude of 1V, the green input 2 a level of 5V and amplitude of 2.5V. The green input 2 is phase shifted with respect to the yellow input 1 by 90 degrees. Both inputs have periods of exactly 32 square pulses of the output.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 28/08/2026
You know I will. Thanks!
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 28/08/2026
My first real Pico de Gallo test: successfully set the voltage on an LTC2686 DAC. Development with Pico de Gallo is going to be very fun :) Next thing up: write an actual Rust driver with Device Driver v2. Thanks to @balbi.sh and @diondokter.nl for these amazing tools! #EmbeddedRust #Rust
Bottom left shows a Pico de Gallo in a case connected to a colorful ribbon cable. Some wires of ribbon cable connects to a LTC2686 dev board in the middle. Furthermore, various probes are connected to the dev board to supply the required voltages. A voltmeter on the right, which is connected to an output channel on the LTC2686 shows 2.499 V.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 28/08/2026
Some links to read more about this instrument and follow its development: - www.crowdsupply.com/deimos-contr... - deimoscontrols.com - github.com/deimoscontro...
crowdsupply.com
Deimos DAQ
Data acquisition and controls hardware with integrated sensor frontends
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 28/08/2026
This week I received a Deimos DAQ Rev7 from @deimoscontrols.bsky.social It acquires precision measurement, here from two thermocouples, and can use these to control outputs, here a GPIO pin. All controllable from #Rust (or python). Thanks @ponderingpothos.bsky.social for all your help!
A Deimos DAQ Rev7 data acquisition and hardware control module with two thermocouples plugged in. A volt meter is connected to a GPIO output pin and shows a signal of 3.291V.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 21/08/2026
And yes, working on another driver to experiment with InstrumentRs, this time to control a chiller from Rust
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 21/08/2026
Why does MODBUS RTU order the data BE but then the CRC-16 in LE? Today was not the first time this puzzled me, but it seems to be just the way it is according to en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Modbus#...
en.wikipedia.org
Modbus - Wikipedia
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Dion Dokter @diondokter.nl · 21/08/2026
‼️device-driver v2.0 has been released ‼️ It has been a lot of work, but after almost 1.5 years a new major version of the toolkit is out now! Get it on crates-io: crates.io/crates/devic... Visit the website: device-driver.com Join the matrix chat: matrix.to#/#device-dri...
device-driver.com
device-driver
A toolkit to write better device drivers, faster
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Dion Dokter @diondokter.nl · 11/08/2026
Getting close to device-driver v2 release :) So I've been working on a v1 to v2 converter as I promised long ago. Was simpler than I expected! github.com/diondokter/d...
github.com
Converter by diondokter · Pull Request #273 · diondokter/device-driver
Adds a convert command to the CLI that can ingest v1 manifests and output ddsl. Closes #116 Todo: Write migrations guide Document the limitations of the converter Ref blocks don't exist any...
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Dion Dokter @diondokter.nl · 02/08/2026
Ok, putting it out there so there's a higher chance of me getting it actually done :P It's my aim to release device-driver v2 this month
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 30/07/2026
And here's the link for the whole series of posts on the idea for the new framework :) blog.galactic-forensics.space/tags/instrum...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 30/07/2026
InstrumentRs just got a derive macro to let you derive InstrumentParameter, i.e., how your new types get transformed into instrument commands. You can read all about it here: blog.galactic-forensics.space/blog/10-deri...
blog.galactic-forensics.space
InstrumentRs: #[derive(Parameter)]
Thoughts and ideas...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 22/07/2026
TIL: an endless loop in my proc macro crate can make the compiler spin forever in the test crate… But definitely having fun with macros for instrumentRs
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 17/07/2026
The whole series of blog posts towards instrumentRs v0.2.0 is at blog.galactic-forensics.space/tags/instrum...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 17/07/2026
Used the instrumentRs v0.2.0 design idea to implement a instrument driver for a Lakeshore336 temperature controller. If you are interested, the write-up of the design improvements, what I learned, and what's to come is in this blog post. blog.galactic-forensics.space/blog/09-inst...
blog.galactic-forensics.space
Lakeshore 336 Temperature Controller Driver with instrumentRs v0.2.0
Thoughts and ideas...
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Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 14/07/2026
Toasting Marshmallows xkcd.com/3270/
Comic. [Two people toasting marshmallows over fire.] PERSON 1: At least we finally determined the board’s actual thermal limit. PERSON 2 with shoulder-length hair: Yeah. You know, we probably shouldn’t eat these. [caption] Engineering tip: Keep sticks and marshmallows around to make failures look intentional.
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Baochip @baochip.com · 14/07/2026
A version of the BIO core has been taped out and will be on the @wafer.space run 2! Thanks to Deepak Sharda (twitter: x.com/deeempak / website: lut4.com) for doing the heavy lifting of porting a version of the Baochip BIO core to this process! Full design available at github.com/dpks2003/bio...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 08/07/2026
The 2026 Scientific Computing in Rust Workshop is starting this afternoon 🎉 Registration is still open, if you are curious to join scientificcomputing.rs/2026/register
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 06/07/2026
I had some success with VPN into Switzerland and watch via RTS or SRF, depends if you prefer French or German... ;)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 03/07/2026
Yep fully agree. A low traffic Zulip might look less inviting/less likelu to stay and check here and there than a low traffic Matrix room…
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 03/07/2026
Also: Loving the idea!
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 03/07/2026
Matrix or Zulip would be my preference, very different platforms, I guess it depends what you’re looking for :)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 27/06/2026
Registered instrument.rs last night. Not much there yet, but stay tuned!
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 26/06/2026
Looking forward to reading them!
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 25/06/2026
Fun fact: There's actually three oxidized devices in above picture! On the right hand side you see hanging (in blue) my trusted RustyProbe. github.com/probe-rs/rus...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 25/06/2026
Wanna know more? I'll be giving a talk on this system at the 2026 Scientific Computing in Rust workshop. Registration is still open! So take this as a teaser :) scientificcomputing.rs/2026/
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 25/06/2026
Spent the last two weeks swapping out the PCB (top right, based on RPi Pico2) and expanding the user workflows of the interface. Firmware on the Pico2 as well as the interfacing software are written in Rust. The actual interface is based on Slint @slint.dev. #Rust #RustEmbedded
Shot from top of an electronics box with no cover. Bottom right shows high voltage cabling. On the bottom right is a DC power supply. Top right of the box shows a custom electronics board holding a Raspberry Pi Pico 2. On top of the electronics box lays a ReTerminal that displays a GUI with overview information of the system, stating the sample temperature as well as pressures of the chamber and transfer system. The GUI also shows that all sample slots are currently empty. The whole box is integrated into an aluminum frame.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 19/06/2026
Next up will be a discussion of async support... It's in the making, so stay tuned! I do still have a few open questions on that front though that need to be answered first :)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 19/06/2026
Are you still interested in writing drivers for (scientific) instruments in Rust? The second blog post discussing ideas and a first implementation on how to test such drivers is up now! As always, any feedback is more than welcome! #Rust blog.galactic-forensics.space/blog/08-inst...
blog.galactic-forensics.space
Testing drivers in instrumentRs v0.2.0
Thoughts and ideas...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 10/06/2026
Thanks, any thoughts are very welcome! Gotta have a look at yaq and what they do, looks quite interesting at first glance. This ecosystem is definitely quite important to me as well, would love to discuss more and see what can be done and what is needed.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 10/06/2026
Neat, I was not aware of yaq. Would be great to chat on the instrumentRs idea though, very much up for that! I have recently integrated a home-built instrument in Rust (FW/SW/UI). It's not yet fully finished (write-up hopefully coming soon). This made me look more into an ergonomic toolkit again :)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 10/06/2026
Thanks, I'll definitely take you up on that :D
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 10/06/2026
The design ideas are inspired by device-driver (device-driver.com) from @diondokter.nl and instrumentkit (python, github.com/instrumentki...)
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 10/06/2026
Do you write/want to write drivers to communicate with (scientific) instruments in Rust? Check out my latest blog post on how to make this hopefully easier in the future. Comments, ideas, etc. are always welcome. blog.galactic-forensics.space/blog/07-inst... #Rust
blog.galactic-forensics.space
instrumentRs v0.2.0 design ideas
Thoughts and ideas...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 10/06/2026
Just tried out lychee for the first time to check links in a document. What amazing user experience! lychee.cli.rs #Rust #DevTools
lychee.cli.rs
lychee
A fast, async link checker written in Rust. Finds broken hyperlinks and mail addresses, supports Markdown, HTML and more, simple and lightweight.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 03/06/2026
Clicking on that green link opens Thunderbird... I'm am kind of tempted to send a message, but what to write?
The top half of a table with title "Basic"
The first row shows "CPU" and the entry "CM4". The second row shows, underneath "CM4" the words: "Quad-core Cortex-A72@1.5GHz". "Cortex-A72@1.5GHz" is in green while the rest of the text is in white on a dark background.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 02/06/2026
Even as a die-hard LaTeX user I figured I need to give #Typst a go, especially since the instant preview is amazing when working on presentations. Planning to show off my new slide design at Scientific Computing in Rust - stay tuned :) scientificcomputing.rs/2026/
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Baochip @baochip.com · 01/06/2026
The Baochip-1x is IR-inspectable. But, how does one read chips, and what does it even mean? Here's a blog post put out by @bunnie.org that helps make sense of the Baochip-1x SRAM macros, and its implications for trusted boot: www.bunniestudios.com/blog/2026/on...
Detail of SRAM macro, this time with white background instead of transparency turned black.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 30/05/2026
Beautiful 22° halo around the Sun on this nice day near Geneva. Physics is beautiful! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/22%C2%B...
A photo of the sun in the center, surrounded by a faint, rainbow colored 22° halo and thin, veil-like clouds. In the bottom right the crown of a tree peels into the picture.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 22/05/2026
Also: Don't forget that the 2026 edition of Scientific Computing in Rust virtual workshop is coming up July 8-10. Abstracts are due by Friday, June 5 if you'd like to present. scientificcomputing.rs/2026/
scientificcomputing.rs
Scientific Computing in Rust 2026
the Scientific Computing in Rust annual workshop and monthly newsletter.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 22/05/2026
This month's crate of the month is hotpath-rs, an easy-to-configure Rust performance profiler. hotpath.rs
hotpath.rs
hotpath-rs | Rust Profiler for CPU, Time, Memory & Async Performance
Lightweight Rust profiler for latency, CPU, memory, and async performance. Track execution time, allocations, channels, and runtime behavior. Profile functions, futures, streams, and threads with mini...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 22/05/2026
The May edition of the Scientific Computing in Rust newsletter is out. Enjoy! scientificcomputing.rs/monthly/2026...
scientificcomputing.rs
Scientific Computing in Rust
the Scientific Computing in Rust annual workshop and monthly newsletter.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 21/05/2026
Really enjoyed following the livestreams of #rustweek the last couple of days. There were lots of really great speakers presenting on amazing projects. Michael Winkelmann's talk on microcad.xyz and the live demo was especially fascinating to follow, a really neat project to play with more soon!
microcad.xyz
Startseite
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Matthew Scroggs @mscroggs.co.uk · 21/05/2026
Scientific Computing in Rust 2026 is talking place on 8-10 July. This is an annual virtual workshop aimed at anyone using (or interested in using) the Rust programming language in any scientific context. More info, free registration, talk submission, etc at scientificcomputing.rs/2026/.
scientificcomputing.rs
Scientific Computing in Rust 2026
the Scientific Computing in Rust annual workshop and monthly newsletter.
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 05/05/2026
You've got mail...
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Dion Dokter @diondokter.nl · 04/05/2026
Final part of my async blog! tweedegolf.nl/en/blog/237/... Last time I shared some tips for improving your async code. Now we look at why the compiler doesn't do it for us. I want to fix it in the compiler, but I need your help! If you can help with funding, reach out to me. Please share :)
tweedegolf.nl
Async Rust never left the MVP state - Blog - Tweede golf
I've previously explained async bloat and some work-arounds for it, but would much prefer to solve the issue at the root, in the compiler. I've submitted a Project Goal, and am looking for help to ...
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reto @galactic-forensics.space · 30/04/2026
Still one of my favorite blog posts out there on maintaining rust crates, updated deps, etc. Finding myself here and there going back to it to remember some details and tools. corrode.dev/blog/long-te...
corrode.dev
Long-term Rust Project Maintenance | corrode Rust Consulting
Rust has reached a level of maturity where it is being used for critical infrastructure, replacing legacy systems written in C or C++. This means, some Rust projects need to be maintained for years or...
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