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Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface (INDI) /33

OnStep Telescope Driver Version: 1.4 Date : 01/29/18

Kstars Indi OnStep Telescope Driver

Version Author Date

1.4 A. Zwingelstein 29/01/2018



Index1 1 Presentation..............................................................................................................................................4

1.1 What is OnStep....................................................................................................................................41.2 This driver...........................................................................................................................................41.3 references............................................................................................................................................4

2 2 Status........................................................................................................................................................53 3 Screenshots..............................................................................................................................................7

3.1 Kstars main window............................................................................................................................83.1.1 Kstars overview...........................................................................................................................9

3.2 Main Control.....................................................................................................................................103.2.1 Main Control usage ...................................................................................................................11

3.2.1.a 3.2.1.a Connection :tested..................................................................................................113.2.1.b 3.2.1.b Eq. Coordinates :tested..........................................................................................113.2.1.c 3.2.1.c Abort Motion :tested...............................................................................................113.2.1.d 3.2.1.d Track Mode :tested.................................................................................................113.2.1.e 3.2.1.e Tracking :tested......................................................................................................113.2.1.f 3.2.1.f Track Rates : Untested............................................................................................123.2.1.g 3.2.1.g Pier Side : Untested................................................................................................123.2.1.h 3.2.1.h Use Pulse Cmd : Untested.....................................................................................123.2.1.i 3.2.1.i Reticule ±:tested......................................................................................................123.2.1.j 3.2.1.j Align using n stars : Untested..................................................................................133.2.1.k 3.2.1.k Process Align : Untested........................................................................................133.2.1.l 3.2.1.l Slew Elevation Limits :tested..................................................................................143.2.1.m 3.2.1.m Object Info : Not Tested......................................................................................14

3.3 Connection........................................................................................................................................153.3.1 Connection usage ......................................................................................................................16

3.3.1.a 3.3.1.a Driver Info:tested...................................................................................................163.3.1.b 3.3.1.b Connection Mode:tested........................................................................................163.3.1.c 3.3.1.c Ports :tested............................................................................................................163.3.1.d 3.3.1.d Baud Rate :tested...................................................................................................163.3.1.e 3.3.1.e Auto Search:...........................................................................................................163.3.1.f 3.3.1.f Refresh :tested.........................................................................................................163.3.1.g 3.3.1.g System Ports:tested................................................................................................16

3.4 Options..............................................................................................................................................173.4.1 Options usage ...........................................................................................................................18

3.4.1.a 3.4.1.a Debug: Tested.........................................................................................................183.4.1.b 3.4.1.b Simulation: Tested.................................................................................................183.4.1.c 3.4.1.c Configuration: Tested.............................................................................................183.4.1.d 3.4.1.d Snoop Devices: Tested...........................................................................................183.4.1.e 3.4.1.e Dome Policy: Not Tested in real operation, I have no dome :-(.............................183.4.1.f 3.4.1.f Scope Properties: Tested.........................................................................................183.4.1.g 3.4.1.g Debug Levels: Tested.............................................................................................183.4.1.h 3.4.1.h Logging Levels: Tested..........................................................................................193.4.1.i 3.4.1.i Log Outputs: Tested.................................................................................................193.4.1.j 3.4.1.j Scope Name: Tested................................................................................................193.4.1.k 3.4.1.k Scope Configs:.......................................................................................................193.4.1.l 3.4.1.l Joystick: Tested........................................................................................................19

3.5 Motion Control..................................................................................................................................203.5.1 Motion Control usage ...............................................................................................................21

3.5.1.a 3.5.1.a Motion N/S: Tested................................................................................................21



3.5.1.b 3.5.1.b Motion W/E: Tested...............................................................................................213.5.1.c 3.5.1.c Slew Target: Tested................................................................................................213.5.1.d 3.5.1.d Pec Playback:To be done.......................................................................................213.5.1.e 3.5.1.e Tracking Frequency: Tested...................................................................................213.5.1.f 3.5.1.f Max Slew Rate: Tested............................................................................................21

3.6 Site Management...............................................................................................................................223.6.1 Site Management usage ............................................................................................................23

3.6.1.a 3.6.1.a UTC Time: Tested..................................................................................................233.6.1.b 3.6.1.b Scope Location: Tested..........................................................................................233.6.1.c 3.6.1.c Sites: Tested............................................................................................................233.6.1.d 3.6.1.d Site Name: Tested..................................................................................................23

3.7 Guide.................................................................................................................................................243.7.1 Guide usage ..............................................................................................................................25

3.7.1.a 3.7.1.a Guide N/S: Tested..................................................................................................253.7.1.b 3.7.1.b Guide E/W: Tested.................................................................................................25

3.8 Focuser..............................................................................................................................................263.8.1 Focuser usage ...........................................................................................................................27

3.8.1.a 3.8.1.a Motion: Tested........................................................................................................273.8.1.b 3.8.1.b Focus Timer: Tested...............................................................................................273.8.1.c 3.8.1.c Mode: Tested..........................................................................................................27

3.9 Firmware Data...................................................................................................................................283.9.1 Firmware data usage .................................................................................................................29

3.9.1.a 3.9.1.a Firmware Info: Tested............................................................................................293.10 Library.............................................................................................................................................30

3.10.1 Library usage ..........................................................................................................................313.10.1.a 3.10.1.a Solar System:Untested.......................................................................................313.10.1.b 3.10.1.b Star Catalogs:Untested.......................................................................................313.10.1.c 3.10.1.c Deep Sky Catalogs:Untested..............................................................................313.10.1.d 3.10.1.d Object Number:Untested...................................................................................31

3.11 OnStep Status..................................................................................................................................323.11.1 OnStep Status usage ...............................................................................................................33

3.11.1.a 3.11.1.a :GU# Return: Tested...........................................................................................333.11.1.b 3.11.1.b Tracking: Tested.................................................................................................333.11.1.c 3.11.1.c Refractoring: Tested............................................................................................333.11.1.d 3.11.1.d Park: Tested........................................................................................................333.11.1.e 3.11.1.e Pec: Tested..........................................................................................................333.11.1.f 3.11.1.f TimeSync: Tested................................................................................................333.11.1.g 3.11.1.g Mount Type: Tested............................................................................................333.11.1.h 3.11.1.h Error: Tested.......................................................................................................33



1 Presentation

1.1 What is OnStepOnStep is a project started and heavily developed by Howard Dutton

The software supports several type of hardware like Arduino, Teensy and many others.

1.2 This driverThe subject of this document is the INDI driver for the OnStep Telescope controller.

The driver development started based on the INDI lx200_classic telescope driver as a starting point.

Since OnStep is really versatile and has many functionalities, the driver is still under development trying to adapt as much as possible to the hardware capabilities.

Nevertheless the driver is functional and can be used in production.

Thanks to INDI, there are many solid interfaces with other modules that allow the automation starting from a single telescope up to a fully automatized observatory.

All the work is focused on the Linux platform.

1.3 referencesINDI Project :

http://www.indilib.org/

http://www.indilib.org/forum.html

https://github.com/indilib/indi

OnStep Project :

https://github.com/hjd1964/OnStep

http://stellarjourney.com/

https://groups.io/g/onstep

This project

https://github.com/azwing/indi

https://github.com/azwing/Kicad_OnStep

https://github.com/azwing/Kicad_OnStep

https://github.com/azwing/indi

https://groups.io/g/onstep

http://stellarjourney.com/

https://github.com/hjd1964/OnStep

https://github.com/indilib/indi

http://www.indilib.org/forum.html

http://www.indilib.org/



2 StatusThe driver is still under heavy development but many functionalities are already usable.

Main Functions Status Comments Tested===: ALIGNMENT hold --> hold ===: COMMUNICATION hold --> hold ===: CONNECTION usable --> Driver Info working y--> Connection Mode working y--> Ports working y--> Auto Search working y--> Refresh working y--> System Ports working y===: DATETIME hold --> hold ===: FILTER hold --> hold ===: FIRMWARE DATA working --> Firmware Info working y===: FOCUS Testing --> Motion Testing y--> Focus Timer Testing y--> Mode Testing y===: GUIDE working --> Guide N/S working y--> Guide E/W working y===: INFO hold --> hold ===: LIBRARY Testing --> Solar System Testing --> Stars Catalogs Testing --> Deep Sky Catalogs Testing --> Object Number Testing ===: MAINCONTROL working --> Connection working y--> OnSet to do --> Eq Coordinates working y--> Abort Motion working y--> Track Mode working y--> Tracking On/Off working y--> Track Rates Testing --> Parking working y--> Pier Side Testing --> Alignment Testing --> Use Pulse Cmd Testing --> Reticule +/6 working y--> Align n Stars Testing --> Slew Elevation Limit Testing ===: MOTION CONTROL working



Main Functions Status Comments Tested--> Motion N/S working y--> Motion W/E working y--> Slew Target working y--> Pec Playback hold --> Tracking Frequency working y--> Max Slew Rate working y===: ONSTEP STATUS working --> OnStep Status working y===: OPTIONS working --> Debug working y--> Simulation working y--> Configuration working y--> Snoop devices Testing --> Dome Policy Testing --> Scope Properties working y--> Scope Name working y--> Scope Configs working y--> Joystick working y===: SITE working --> UTC working y--> Scope Location working y--> Sites working y--> Site Name working y



3 ScreenshotsThe next pages show screenshots of the actual version.

They are all in standard theme except the Kstars view which shows the night vision theme.

Instrument Neutral Distributed Interface (INDI) /33OnStep Telescope Driver Version: 1.4 Date: 01/29/18

3.1 Kstars main windowText



3.1.1 Kstars overview

The picture show Kstars window and the device chooser after selection of <Tools> <Devices> <Devicesmanager>

I the device manager just select <Telescopes> <LX200 OnStep> and <Run Service>

Or alternatively use the <Client Tab> and connect to any remote server.

The usage of Kstars and Indy is beyond this document, please see :

- https://edu.kde.org/kstars/

- https://api.kde.org/3.5-api/kdeedu-apidocs/kstars/html/pages.html

https://api.kde.org/3.5-api/kdeedu-apidocs/kstars/html/pages.html

https://edu.kde.org/kstars/


3.2 Main Control



3.2.1 Main Control usage

3.2.1.a Connection :tested

a set of two radio buttons :

- Connect

- Disconnect

user can connect / disconnect controller communication as per settings in Option Tab

OnSet :tested

A set of three radio buttons :

- Track

- Slew

- Sync

User to select the action to be executed when setting the RA/DEC target values in

3.2.1.b Eq. Coordinates :tested

A set of user data entry fields, actual values fields and a set button :

- RA : user can enter target values hh:mm:ss in the right text field

- DE : user can enter target values hh:mm:ss in the right text field

- Set : User can validate the entered values

When validating, the driver will execute the action selected under OnSet (Track, Slew or Sync) and the actual value fields will display the actual coordinates

3.2.1.c Abort Motion :tested

Any running motion will be unconditionally stopped when clicking the Abort button

3.2.1.d Track Mode :tested

A set of four radio buttons where user can choose the tracking rate :

- Sidereal

- Solar

- Lunar

- Custom

3.2.1.e Tracking :tested

Two radio buttons to Enable / Disable tracking (conditional to Unpark)

- On

- Off



3.2.1.f Track Rates : Untested


- RA : user can enter target values Arcs in the right text field

- DE : user can enter target values Arcs in the right text field


When validating, the driver will set the values in the controller and the actual value fields will display the actual set.

Parking :

Two radio buttons to Park / Unpark of the telescope

- On

- Off

Setting the parking position still to be done

3.2.1.g Pier Side : Untested

Actual Pier side will be displayed

Alignment : Untested

To be done

3.2.1.h Use Pulse Cmd : Untested

Two radio buttons to Enable / Disable pulse guiding

- On

- Off

3.2.1.i Reticule ±:tested

Two radio buttons to Increase / Decrease Reticule brightness

- Light, increase brightness

- Dark, decrease brightness

each click on a button will increase / decrease Reticule brightness

Telescope initial position to NorthpoleAnd starts tracking

1 Star button

User to select a bright star within kstars

User to slew toThe selected star

User to center manuallyThe star

User to sync telescope

Telescope is synced and Resume trackin

With consideration of user corrections

End Align



3.2.1.j Align using n stars : Untested

Three radio buttons to select star alignment method

- 1 star

- 2 Stars

- 3 Stars

At least one of the buttons must be activated for the telescope to start tracking.

3.2.1.k Process Align : Untested

Shows the actual alignment process step



3.2.1.l Slew Elevation Limits :tested


- Elev Min : user can enter target values -30 to +30 in the right text field

- Elev Max : user can enter target values 60 to 90 in the right text field


When validating, the driver will store the entered values (if valid) and the actual values are displayed in the actual value fields

3.2.1.m Object Info : Not Tested


3.3 Connection



3.3.1 Connection usage

3.3.1.a Driver Info:tested

Under this group the driver displays :

- Name : the parent driver on which OnStep is based on

- Exec : the actual executable running OnStep driver

- Version : the actual OnStep Driver Version

- Interface : The INDI interface version

3.3.1.b Connection Mode:tested

Two Radio buttons to select connection interface Serial or Ethernet (Ethernet could be Wireless)

3.3.1.c Ports :tested

There are three objects :

- left side the actual active port

- middle, a text field where user can enter a port

- right, the button to validate the above user port

3.3.1.d Baud Rate :tested

A drop down selection box where user can select the serial port speed, default is 9600

3.3.1.e Auto Search:

Two radio buttons where user ca select to activate port auto search

3.3.1.f Refresh :tested

A button to re-scan the system about candidate ports

3.3.1.g System Ports:tested

a text filed showing the last detected port


3.4 Options



3.4.1 Options usage

3.4.1.a Debug: Tested


- Enable: Enables debugging

- Disable: Disables debugging

When debugging is enabled additional messages depending on debug level settings are displayed / logged

3.4.1.b Simulation: Tested


- Enable: Enables simulation

- Disable: Disables simulation

In simulation mode the driver does not connect to the controller but to the virtual telescope simulator.

Useful for driver debugging.

3.4.1.c Configuration: Tested

a set of three radio buttons :

- Load : Loads the configuration files and applies the settings

- Save : Saves the actual settings in the configuration file

- Default : set the settings to the driver’s defaults

3.4.1.d Snoop Devices: Tested

This is a dynamic number of properties that are / or not available from other devices accessible to Indi.

Example GPS, Dome ... :

3.4.1.e Dome Policy: Not Tested in real operation, I have no dome :-(

:

3.4.1.f Scope Properties: Tested

User can set via text entry fields and set button the telescope and guider properties :

-Aperture : Telescope aperture in mm

-Focal Length : Telescope Focal Length in mm

Guider Aperture- : Guider aperture in mm

Guider Focal Length- : Guider Focal Length in mm

3.4.1.g Debug Levels: Tested

A set of check fields to define the debugging level :

- Errors :

- Warnings :

- Messages :

Driver Debug :



Scope Verbose :

3.4.1.h Logging Levels: Tested

A set of check fields to define the logging level :

- Errors :

- Warnings :

- Messages :

Driver Debug :

Scope Verbose :

3.4.1.i Log Outputs: Tested

A set of check fields to define the logging output:

- To Client :

- To Log File :

3.4.1.j Scope Name: Tested

A text entry field for the Telescope Config File :

- Config Name

3.4.1.k Scope Configs:

A selection box for the config file to use :

3.4.1.l Joystick: Tested


- Enable: Enables joystick for telescope control

- Disable: Disables joystick


3.5 Motion Control



3.5.1 Motion Control usage

3.5.1.a Motion N/S: Tested

a set of two radio switches:

- Norths : Telescope moves north

- South : Telescope moves south

buttons are on/off type so first click is on second is off

3.5.1.b Motion W/E: Tested

a set of two radio switches:

- West: Telescope moves west

- East : Telescope moves east

buttons are on/off type so first click is on second is off

3.5.1.c Slew Target: Tested

Display only :

- RA : Displays actual RA target

- DE : Displays actual DE Target

3.5.1.d Pec Playback:To be done

:

3.5.1.e Tracking Frequency: Tested

A text, slider or up/down method data entry and a set button :

- Rate : user can enter either via keyboard or mouse the tracking frequency 56,4 to 60,1 in 0,1Hz steps

- Set the value is written to the controller (if valid)

3.5.1.f Max Slew Rate: Tested

A text, slider or up/down method data entry and a set button :

- Rate: user can enter either via keyboard or mouse the tracking rate 1 to 9 in 1 step

- Set the value is written to the controller (if valid)


3.6 Site Management



3.6.1 Site Management usage

3.6.1.a UTC Time: Tested

Would be nice to have time set on connection

a set of data entry fields and a set button :

- UTC Time : User entry via system clock

- UTC Offset : User entry via system clock

- Set : when clicked the system clock is popped up and user can select time from there

3.6.1.b Scope Location: Tested

a set of data entry fields and a set button :

- Lat (dd:mm:ss) : Site Latitude ± 0 .. 90:00:00

- Lon (dd:mm:ss) :Site Longitude (for the time being positive ...)

- Elevation (m): Site Elevation (Altitude) in meter

- Set : when clicked data are written to the controller and actual values updated accordingly

3.6.1.c Sites: Tested

A set of radio buttons :

- Site 1 :

- Site 2 :

- Site 3 :

- Site 4 :

When selecting a Site the values are read from the controller and updated in the actual value fields

3.6.1.d Site Name: Tested

A text entry field and a set button :

- Name : user can enter a Site name

- Set : When clicked the site name is written to the controller and actual vale field updated


3.7 Guide



3.7.1 Guide usage

3.7.1.a Guide N/S: Tested

a set of two user data entries and a Set button :

- North (ms) : guiding pulse time

- South (ms) : guiding pulse time

- Set : when clicked the guiding pulse is sent for the preset time and actual fields show countdown

3.7.1.b Guide E/W: Tested

a set of two user data entries and a Set button :

- West (ms) : guiding pulse time

- East (ms) : guiding pulse time

- Set : when clicked the guiding pulse is sent for the preset time and actual fields show countdown


3.8 Focuser



3.8.1 Focuser usage

Focuser support only for DC motor focuser,

OnStep supports Two Focusers, to be implemented

3.8.1.a Motion: Tested


- Focus in : moves in focus for time « Focus Timer »

- Focus Out : moves out focus for time « Focus Timer »

3.8.1.b Focus Timer: Tested

User ca define focus action time in ms :

3.8.1.c Mode: Tested

A set of three radio buttons :

- Halt

- Slow

- Fast

User can select controller’s predefined focuser speeds


3.9 Firmware Data



3.9.1 Firmware data usage

3.9.1.a Firmware Info: Tested

At connection, the driver collects and displays the following firmware information from the controller :

- Date : Firmware Build Date

- Firmware Build Time

- Firmware Version Number

- Firmware Name


3.10 Library



3.10.1 Library usage

This covers Indi standard of handling catalogs … OnStep use different one that even I did not yet understand, to be done

3.10.1.a Solar System:Untested

blabla

3.10.1.b Star Catalogs:Untested

:

3.10.1.c Deep Sky Catalogs:Untested

:

3.10.1.d Object Number:Untested

:


3.11 OnStep Status



3.11.1 OnStep Status usage

This Status Tab provides all information returned by the controller.

Not yet refreshing, to be done

3.11.1.a :GU# Return: Tested

Returns the controller error raw code that is parsed in the following

3.11.1.b Tracking: Tested

Tracking Status :

3.11.1.c Refractoring: Tested

Refractoring Status :

3.11.1.d Park: Tested

Parking Status :

3.11.1.e Pec: Tested

Pec Status :

3.11.1.f TimeSync: Tested

Time Synchronization Status :

3.11.1.g Mount Type: Tested

Mount Type :

3.11.1.h Error: Tested

Last Error Code :

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