For the rest of this article, I will call this communication language between the HandControl and the PC the "HandControl Command Communications Protocol". This difference in language between the two ports of the handĬontroller are important to keep in mind when we connect to a PC.
Interprets the high level commands being sent by the PC and translates them to a new set of low level commands that are sent to the motor controller inside the mount. The command language used to communicate with the PC is quite different from the command language used to communicate with the motor control electronics card inside the mount body. It can receive commands from the PC and report the status of the mount in terms of current location and In addition to the mount-body-to-HandControl communications port, the HandControl also has a port for communicating with a PC. The motor controller only steps the motors when told to do so by the hand controller.) The HandControl communicates with the mount body using the Motor Of RA, DEC, sky alignment models, or anything else stored in the hand control. Set of data which can be used to correct for polar alignment errors in the setup of the mount and minor error tolerances in the manufacturing of the mount itself.) (Note that the motor control card in the mount has no knowledge It also handles building an internal “model” of the sky during alignment. The HandControl handles all set-up parameters such as location, time, and date as well as other parameters. It interprets user input button pushes and then sends commands to the motor control electronics in the mount It connects to the mount through a communications port and cable. The HandControl contains the “smarts” of the GoTo system. In this article, I will call this command set the "MotorĬontrol Command Communications Protocol". The electronics card responds to a special command set when communicating with its outside world. To arrive at its current position as well as other mount status parameters.
It can report status concerning the number of steps taken When driving the motors, it can control the rate at which step pulses are sent to the motors and thus, the mount slew speed. Of steps in the desired direction for each axis. Upon command, it can move the motors a certain number Its job is to run the stepper motors for the RA (Right Ascension) drive axis and the DEC (Declination) drive axis. Inside is the motor control electronics card. First, let’s think about the electronics inside the
Some SynScan Mount Basicsīefore getting into the various methods for connecting a SynScan mount to a computer for control, it is best to have a basic understanding of which parts do what in a SynScan mount. That appears to give the features you need and follow it exactly without adding steps seen in the other method procedures. Again, mixing in any steps from other methods will likely not work and in some cases, such improvisation can damage your equipment. Methods will detail all the steps needed to make a functioning connection. This article will present multiple methods, the reader must keep in mind that they must choose one method only for any given observing session and follow it without regard to the other methods also described here. Each method will be presented in a separate self-contained section. In this article, I hope to clarify the methods of connecting a SynScan mount to a PC by outlining some of the more common methods that are easy to implement. They are unable to get a workingĬonnection due to a mixing, matching, and combining of the partial information they receive. Just what an elephant looks like.) Getting multiple partial answers to questions of running a SynScan mount from a PC often leads to even more confusion on the part of the person requesting help. Each description is technically correct but when combined, no one would understand Old parable of multiple blind men trying to describe an elephant.
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Unfortunately, because of the multiple connection methodologies, answers are often muddled as multiple respondents answer only a different small part of the question without describing full context. I have noted that there are often requests for help posted on online astronomy forums from new users trying to make a connection work. The fact that multiple methods exist seems to often lead toĪ lot of confusion for many first time users. There are multiple methods for allowing a PC to control a SynScan mount. Foremost among these new capabilities is the ability to simply click onĪn object shown in a sky mapping program on the PC and have the telescope move to that object. Connecting a SynScan telescope mount to a computer for control can give the user a number of additional useful features over using the supplied hand controller.