As I believe most of you know I've been working really hard on a new version of SiTechExe. One of the major changes, I removed ALL of the focuser and rotator control from SiTechExe to a servo controller, from SiTechexe. Note: you can still control a focuser and rotator within SiTechExe, but this is through ASCOM (See Block Diagram Below).
But this change forced me to write another piece of software for the Focuser and Rotatotor control of a SiTech Controller. Fortunately, this was a good thing, it was much easier to write a better focuser and rotator interface when I wasn't trying to keep SiTechExe running smoothly at the same time.
This has been tested on several different setups, thanks to all who helped, Especially Don W, Don D, Chuck Shaw, Dave Lane, Alan MidKiff, Micheal Rice (nmskies.com), Bob Harwell, Jim Seargeant, Jack Newton, Fancisco Ocana (Spain), Andrew (Ukraine), Richard Berry, Bob Denny, Mark Williams (http://madronacreekranch.com/) and several others.
And future thanks to Brian Warner for testing the ASCOMLess version.
And as always, Thanks to Dave Rowe for PointXP, and Platesolve2, PlateSolve3, and AutoFocus from PlateSolve2.
There are two known bugs, 1. If in southern Hemisphere, best to setPark in the negative declinations. There is a report from d_maybour@ (I'm not sure of his name) about this. I'll fix this in the next release. 2. If you have a declination Gurley, the scripting slews sometimes don't finish if you're in the Tick Management mode for the Declination Encoder. This isn't a problem for the R/A. His solution was to use the Polite mode for making his telescope model, then switching back to Tick Management mode. This report is from Jim Seargeant.
There may be others, and feel free to report them.
Don't forget to view the readMe file.
One thing I spent a lot of time on (in the last few days) was updating and creating new Context Help Files. Please click on the [H] or Help buttons to read them.
They are all in this file if you want to read them all at once: https://www.siderealtechnology.com/SiTechTelescopeDriverDocument.rtf
If you have trouble downloading the PlateSolve2 catalogs (UCAC3PS.zip, 0.42 GByte) from the SiTechExe link, you can try from the Planewave website: http://planewave.com/downloads/get/107
If you have trouble downloading the PlateSolve3 catalogs (PlateSolve3Catalogs.zip, 2.2GByte) from the SiTechExe link, you can try from the Planewave website : http://planewave.com/files/catalogs/Kepler.zip
This is the ASCOM installer. Most folks will use this. https://siderealtechnology.com/SiTechSetup091a.exe
This is an ASCOMLess version especially for Brian Warner, and folks that use his software: https://siderealtechnology.com/SiTechSetupNoAscom091a.exe
If you have a SiTech Focuser, or A SiTech Rotator, you'll need to install this: https://siderealtechnology.com/SiTechFocuserRotatorIISetup1.1.exe
Here's a block diagram of how the new software works (not the ASCOMLess version). https://siderealtechnology.com/SiTechCommunicationBlockDiagram.jpg
And for all of those awaiting AutoPEC, this is my next software project.... Promise!
Let us know how it goes!
Dan Gray
P.S.
Things on my list for next release, so you can see that I'm not done yet!:
AutoPEC (Top Priority) Make Servo positions be sticky, remember controller positions before shutting down. Like ServoCommunicator does. Add comets and asteroids automatically calibrate FOV indicators using PS3 Fix Southern Hemisphere park in positive declinations. Fix Declination Gurley and slew from script not ending a slew Fix issues with the brushless Tuning screen, make sure we're able to revert, etc.
Add SatelliteStartTrackLocation call that returns an optimal starting position for the mount given a TLE and t_start. From Jesse, jmgoldba@
add ascom client for rotator, and dome. (hard) If they want focuser, they can use FocusPocus Add Chooser for Model GoTo (ascom chooser for ) (From Mark Williams) If possible, check to see if the dome has stopped slewing before starting an image when doing a PXP mapping run or sync operation. I do this now with an external script activated by “start script after slew” function but I have to remember to turn in on and off for each mapping run. This will solve the above problem. Make Dome Controller, and make SiTech be a hub for an ASCOM dome controller Make SiTechExe be a hub for an ASCOM rotator
SkyView Buttons don't disappear anymore! Search Help Files (for now you can use notePad if you want) Add Calibration points to SkyView before the run. (Don's Request) Add mouse alt/az in horizon file rotate the guider star coordinates on an alt/az guide scope. Also, hand off for offset tracking rates, so guiding differential. (daniele) make a menu for skyview, and get rid of all those buttons Make Number of stars vs skyview be configurable (talk to chuck) make azimuth option for SkyView, north up, or scope azimuth up. N.S. flip for SkyView Make tracking from platesolves and offset tracking (hard) Add DeadZone for renishaw encoders with Renishaw Tape Drop a TLE into the textbox in Sat Tracking Make a button to bring up the dataFolder in a MyCOmputer FocuserRotator Stuff 3. Make Rotator zero point be at the south, so it less likely to go the other way.
Changes since 90Tz: * * Version History:
* * 0.91a is the same as 0.90XHe. I think I'm going to release it. * Updated all of the help files. * Made new installer.
* 0.90XHe * * * Fixed being able to enter clock calibration rates which made an exception in the clock slider. * Changed the ScopeTime, and also accessing the ScopeTime * Made default location coordinates in SiTech.cfg to be Shepherds Lair Observatory: * https://www.google.com/maps/place/45%C2%B019'29.0%22N+122%C2%B018'51.1%22W/@45.3251412,-122.3144418,213m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x0 * Fixed bug in Display Help not displaying after an empty line. * Added CommandString("SyncToCoordinates2000, 23.234, -14.34", false); * Added Context Sensitive Help files for the configuration. * Fixed click on the CLOSE button not truly closing everything. * UPdated the Icon (thanks Taj)
* 0.90XHd * * Made an option to save current model as AutoLoad.pxp. * If you are selecting a subframe, it restores the frame after the exposure, so you don't wreck someones MaximDL exposure run. * Made an ASCOMLess version of SiTechExe. This is done at compileTime in TelCon #define Ascomless. Also there's a Define in the installer. * Made CLock Slider less sensitive * Made disable the Faking of servo's an option.
* * 0.90XH * Fixed sometimes a subframe would come through maxim if it had a subframe selected.
* 0.90XG * Fixed CalPoints hanging up Scripting. * Delete image file before making a new one, this eliminates possible false solves of the prior image if things go wrong. * Saved some window locations, SiTech, SkyView (size too), Script, PlateSolve3 * Updated AllRed, so all of the new textboxes, checkboxes, buttons, etc look red when you select all red * Fixed bug when reading horizon file, left partials from prior read. * Changed the horizon file circles to be 15, 30, 45, 60, 75 deg's instead of abitrary (this is in Change Config / Horizon File). * Made dTargetRightAscension and dTargetDeclination be updated by a slewToAltAz in scripting, hopefully domes will start turning right away. * Blocked "bad communication with SiTech" if clearing out LOTS of calibration points. * Made a YesNo question if you run a script with PlateSolve in it, and you have calibration points. You can clear them now. * Now we check for long LOG files, and delete them on startup if they're too long. * When accessing the ASCOM choosers (focuser and rotator), we disconnect and close any open devices first. * Made the focuser connection and disconnection be only part of the scripting. * Added Smart Slew Settling Time * Run Script on controller error or lost communications feature
0.90XF Send to bryan@pterodyne.com so he could try the pulse guide method to see if there are improvements * Improved pulse guide method *
* * 0.90XE (sent XE to chuck on 2015-11-06) * Added TelCon.NotSlewing = 0;TelCon.SlewingNow = true; to several slewTo commands, DaveLane reported it didn't * Fixed trying to open the rotator in scripting, even if there wasn't one configured. * Fixed StatusLines in PlateSolveStuff screen not updating * Added LineNumbers in auto platesolve scripting. * Added Scripting logging. * Moved Park back to main screen
* * 0.90XD * Made option to disable the Declination/Altitude cosines for Pan/Guide. * Made option to stop satellite tracking at meridian limit * Fixed satellite not on sat track. * Satellite will track even if scope not tracking. Must still be initialized. * Made the Brushless Controller Mode be automatic. * Fixed Bug on Horizon File in Setup, displayed it in the proper place. * Added Insert Line in GoToSync ScrollFile * Made Data from SkyView copy-able. * Made Park2 and Park3 locations * False PlateSolve Detection for PS3 * Made PlateSOlve FOV Change with CenterCHop of Maxim images. * Fixed GEM initing wrong when looking east, but scope thinks it's looking west. * Now it won't track past Primary Axis scope angle of 359:59:30 deg's if configured for AzNoWrap. * Fixed SlewToCoordinates didn't have altitude limit. * Made AutoLoad PXP file disable the unpark with load of PXP file. Still will take the offsets. * Prompt with timeout if loading a cal star point after 5 minutes, or after an offset init with cal stars loaded. * Made LockToScope feature in SkyView * Made SkyView Open Automatically and moved button to main screen. * Made FOV indicators have a camera to camera angle and a guide camera angle. * Made new stars for SkyView! They're colored too! * Now you can edit the comment of a ScrollFileLine. (right click, or press enter in the comment section) * Now, if you have "Keep Above Horizon on Slew" checked, and the scope is below the horizon limit, it move scope straight up in altitude first, then finish the slew. * Added PlateSolve3 from ASCOM CommandString, and then a psuedo ASCOM command * Added Add WCS to Fits Header option in PlateSolve3. * Added Help file for PlateSolve3, although we haven't written anything for it yet! *
* 0.90XC * Added FOV indicators to SkyView * Added Ascom Rotator Control to SkyView * Added UCAC3 stars when zoomed into SkyView * Added MouseOver Object Data to SkyView * Only draws Skyview One Time on entry * Fixed Disappearing SkyView Key Symbols * ASCOM focuser on Script for AutoFocus is working now. * Can force a close of SiTechExe if something is connected. * Made a new copy of MaximDLL whenever you open or re-open the script window. * Now you can bring back PS3 if you close it. * Removed Focuser and Rotator from SiTechExe * Added Parallactic Angle to "Numbers" tab * Added SubFrame if a Maxim Cam * Added Logging Controller Info * Replaced ALL "Convert.ToDouble"'s to MyConvert.ToDouble, and made it figure out the decimal point based on the environment. * Can make motors to manual or to auto from controller Stuff screen
* 0.90XBa at John and Larry's request, put in encoder ticks instead of axis angle on String GetAllData();
* 0.90XB * Added the Slew Below Horizon Limit option, still needs work, but probably ok for most cases. * Added Starting Decimal Separator as a variable, still not used too much. * Changed the ScopeTime back to a \ instead of * * Finally made CalPoints work in a coma for decimal country.
* 0.90XA * Added "SolvedAngle" as a command string option to use Ascom to get the solved angle. * 0.90WZ Used a buffer copy instead of for loop to copy serial binary buffer. * When reseting comms, it forces a stop tracking.
* 0.90WY Compiled for DotNet 4.0 again, * Made the Sleep time in the comm loop be 1ms instead of 2. * Made the priority of the comm loop process be highest. * Changed the CommLoop to read the BytesToRead only once, then for/next on variable.
* 0.90WX * Compiled for DotNet 4.5.1 * 0.90WW * Added Logging for serial port exceptions * * 0.90WV * Worked on Clock Calibration * * 0.90WU * Made Control/Arrows and Alt/Arrows move the scope. * Caught an exception in CommBase, reading how many bytes to read. * 0.90WT * Fixed one & instead of two &&'s in SlewAzimuth call. * 0.90WS * You can now edit the ServoClock manually * 0.90WR * MadeSkyWin save changes on SiTechExit instead of SkyView Exit * Made minSizeDeepSky be a saved value * * * 0.90WQ Fixed another drag mode trying to slew back with azimuth * 0.90WP Fixed DragMode not slewing primary axis. * 0.90WN Made a timeout if you can't read the serial ports in ChangeConfig. * 0.90WM Controller 1mS clock rolling negative.... OR Rolling over after 7 weeks. * made it impossible to save offsets to the config file unless scope is initialized and has had communication. * Made absolute encoder initialization to happen on successful read of controller configuration values. * Added Limit Switch Indicators for Brushless on ControllerStuff screen * * 0.90WL Made the GetMotorEncoders return the angle (degs) instead of the counts * 0.90WK If controller was sending one byte, we added the CR in front of LF. Made PEC commands work. * 0.90WJ Added GetMotorEncoders from the CommandString ascom method. if(Command.IndexOf("GetMotorEncoders") >= 0) { return Math.Round(TelCon.scAzMotEncLoc).ToString() + "," + Math.Round(TelCon.scAlMotEncLoc).ToString(); } 0.90WH Added "Blinky" from the commandString ASCOM method if (Command.IndexOf("Blinky") >= 0) { if (TelCon.AlMotorMan || TelCon.AzMotorMan) return "1"; else return "0"; } * * 0.90WF * Fixed bug in Encoder Setup. * Fixed SkyView Redraw when ControllerStuff was up. (shouldn't write to Groupbox.Text in the timer. Only write once!) * 0.90wE * Playing around with slewing to make it settle faster. * * 0.90W * * added new data base for stars and deep sky, along with star cat num searches * Fixed a few things in skyview * Made a separate GemFLip for east west. Tested it all out under the pole too. * Made an ascom exception if SlewToCoordinates and blinky mode * Update the TargetRightAscension and TargetDeclination whenever a slew is initiated * * * Made the satellite gain work again. * Stopped parking of Rotator and Focuser on park. * Script Stopped if motors go to manual (blinky) * Added Destination for Goto in SkyView * Working on PlateSolve3, got it working quite well I think.... * Made read the serial ports use the serialPort function, instead of windows api * Made reading Serial Port names faster, and blinked the label above. * Made Script Settings be "sticky" * Made tabs in the script window. * Fixed SkyView ZoomByDrag * Added logging for AutoFocus * Added Fill in stars by UCAC3 in SkyView, while zoomed way in * Added Camera FOV in SkyView * Fixed GetDoubleFromFile could exception if there was another variable with same name only longer. * * 0.90Vb * Fixed Skyview panning when zoomed to 1 * Fixed homing not initializing if started from an ascom start (changed timeout from 3 to 9 seconds) * Fixed absolute function working when direct drive motors * If absolute, unpark doesn't change location * * 0.90V Merged Laptop and Desktop This is the LT folder * Made AutoLoad.pxp automatically load on startup, if option selected * Made option for using absolute encoders (will automatically initialize on start) * Added TrackPast the meridian limit * Added Absolute Encoders won't init on unpark. * *0.90U WOrking on laptop *Added Escape Key to gp form dialog *Added escape key to multi select objects on skyview *Fixed bug where the moon position didn't progress over time, or in static time mode