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Why AP mount don't have a USB port?
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popkrab
I have a Mach1GTO and it works very fine except when I do polar alignment routine by using star drift method.
I use this mount for imaging by connecting the mount to my laptop computer. I would like to know why AP don't provide a USB port on CP3 controller box? What is a different between old fashion serial port and new USB 2.0 port? Because I have to buy a good quality USB2serial adapter. Sometime this adapter was fail during imaging session. If I can choose, I would preferred a USB connection than serial port. What are good points of serial over USB interface? Thank you very much. POP |
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Roland Christen
You cannot put a PCMCIA card into your laptop? There's a place for one in my Dell laptop. Here's one for $29.00:
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http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=251 Rolando -----Original Message-----
From: popkrab <popkrab@...> To: ap-gto <ap-gto@...> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 12:33 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I have a Mach1GTO and it works very fine except when I do polar alignment routine by using star drift method. I use this mount for imaging by connecting the mount to my laptop computer. I would like to know why AP don't provide a USB port on CP3 controller box? What is a different between old fashion serial port and new USB 2.0 port? Because I have to buy a good quality USB2serial adapter. Sometime this adapter was fail during imaging session. If I can choose, I would preferred a USB connection than serial port. What are good points of serial over USB interface? Thank you very much. POP ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links |
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ayiomamitis
Similar cards exist for USB2.0 for those of us whose laptops are
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exclusively USB1.1. Some software and hardware, specifically requires USB2. Anthony. ???? 10/18/2012 20:40, ?/? chris1011@... ??????:
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Geoff Smith
The poster's original question still awaits an answer. Why use a serial port instead of a USB port?
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Geoff --- In ap-gto@..., Anthony Ayiomamitis <ayiomami@...> wrote:
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Roland Christen
Serial ports are rugged, USB not. Serial can be used outside in extreme environments. USB is not rated for outdoor use. We just had a long complete discussion in previous posts about serial versus USB. Please refer to these.
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Rolando -----Original Message-----
From: geoff <ghsmith45@...> To: ap-gto <ap-gto@...> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 1:57 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Why AP mount don't have a USB port? The poster's original question still awaits an answer. Why use a serial port instead of a USB port? Geoff --- In ap-gto@..., Anthony Ayiomamitis <ayiomami@...> wrote:
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Daniel Marcus
Hi Anthony
my poor laptop only has one serial, 1parallel, 1 eithernet and 2 USB1 ports : (( Can't cram in the USB2 and extra serial adapters into the slots at the same time as they will not fit. Really need a good way to control the mounts, and supporting equipment easily. There should be a way to get - camera, guide camera, mount, filter wheel, focusers (2) and possibly a filter tuner and extra focuser and camera for those with Halpha scopes. Never mind the roof or dome controls, weather inputs, and cameras to view remote what is going on. That is a lot of stuff to get working all at once. Be nice to have a hub to plug them all into at the mount and then send the signals back via a single LONG cable to where your main computer is located. With a big lightning arrestor protecting the whole thing! Need a good IT guy to get it sorted out. I'm with AP though, I want a device that will not become obsolete. I intend to own the mount for 20 to 30 years, and I want it to run on Windows ver 45. Serial will be around for a LONG time, and mounts, focusers and filterwheels do not need fast communications unlike cameras. Have 2 PCI serial cards in the main obs computer, works just fine. Have more troubles with the USB extender hub and drivers than I do with the serial ports. Either net would be nice if there was an easy way to assign all the stuff. Daniel Marcus To: ap-gto@... From: ayiomami@... Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:52:08 +0300 Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? Similar cards exist for USB2.0 for those of us whose laptops are exclusively USB1.1. Some software and hardware, specifically requires USB2. Anthony. ???? 10/18/2012 20:40, ?/? chris1011@... ??????: You cannot put a PCMCIA card into your laptop? There's a place for one in my Dell laptop. Here's one for $29.00: http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=251 Rolando -----Original Message----- From: popkrab <popkrab@... <mailto:popkrab%40yahoo.com>> To: ap-gto <ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 12:33 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I have a Mach1GTO and it works very fine except when I do polar alignment routine by using star drift method. I use this mount for imaging by connecting the mount to my laptop computer. I would like to know why AP don't provide a USB port on CP3 controller box? What is a different between old fashion serial port and new USB 2.0 port? Because I have to buy a good quality USB2serial adapter. Sometime this adapter was fail during imaging session. If I can choose, I would preferred a USB connection than serial port. What are good points of serial over USB interface? Thank you very much. POP [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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Gregory <fyrframe@...>
Although I could be wrong. I think PCMCIA cards are a thing of the past. My latest Dell doesn’t have the slots, just DVD and BlueRay.
Gregory From: chris1011@... Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 10:40 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? You cannot put a PCMCIA card into your laptop? There's a place for one in my Dell laptop. Here's one for $29.00: http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&products_id=251 Rolando -----Original Message----- From: popkrab <mailto:popkrab%40yahoo.com> To: ap-gto <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 12:33 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I have a Mach1GTO and it works very fine except when I do polar alignment routine by using star drift method. I use this mount for imaging by connecting the mount to my laptop computer. I would like to know why AP don't provide a USB port on CP3 controller box? What is a different between old fashion serial port and new USB 2.0 port? Because I have to buy a good quality USB2serial adapter. Sometime this adapter was fail during imaging session. If I can choose, I would preferred a USB connection than serial port. What are good points of serial over USB interface? Thank you very much. POP ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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I would love to see a gradual migration to a modular interface socket, where
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the user would have a choice of swappable interface modules, including: RS-232 - Still the universal denominator USB-HID - USB interface that wouldn't need drivers! Ethernet/IPv4-IPv6 - Rock-solid, multi-device interface with unlimited distance Ethernet/IPv4-IPv6 with PoE - Ethernet with power, all in one connector FTDI fiber-optic - All of the benefits of Ethernet with lightning and ESD immunity! WiFi - For iPhones, iPads and the WiFi'd observatory Bluetooth - For Android phones, tablets and more Xbee wireless - For the more-serious astro-geek robotic observatory I2C - Fast & simple multi-device interface standard used between microcontrollers And of course more modules could come out in the future, as computer interfaces evolve over time. I would be thrilled if AP were to lead the way into the future with a modular interface socket that would be available to other manufacturers as a licensed or license-free standard. Each module would be about 3/4" x 3/4" x 1.5" and would plug flush into a matching socket on the mount's control box. I think this would be a great boon to mounts, focusers, filter wheels, optical manifolds, rotators, dome controllers and all other observatory devices that have low data rate requirements. Cameras and such will always need high-bandwidth interfaces that will follow the latest interface standards and will always be at a greater risk of quick-obsolescence accordingly. Anybody want a camera with a parallel or SCSI interface? I got boxes of them. Years ago I remember arguments from stubborn Apple Mac users about why didn't GOTO mounts have SCSI-II interfaces. Sounded just like the arguments for USB today. Christopher Erickson Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com -----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of Daniel Marcus Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 10:05 AM To: AstroPhysics E-group Subject: RE: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? Hi Anthony my poor laptop only has one serial, 1parallel, 1 eithernet and 2 USB1 ports : (( Can't cram in the USB2 and extra serial adapters into the slots at the same time as they will not fit. Really need a good way to control the mounts, and supporting equipment easily. There should be a way to get - camera, guide camera, mount, filter wheel, focusers (2) and possibly a filter tuner and extra focuser and camera for those with Halpha scopes. Never mind the roof or dome controls, weather inputs, and cameras to view remote what is going on. That is a lot of stuff to get working all at once. Be nice to have a hub to plug them all into at the mount and then send the signals back via a single LONG cable to where your main computer is located. With a big lightning arrestor protecting the whole thing! Need a good IT guy to get it sorted out. I'm with AP though, I want a device that will not become obsolete. I intend to own the mount for 20 to 30 years, and I want it to run on Windows ver 45. Serial will be around for a LONG time, and mounts, focusers and filterwheels do not need fast communications unlike cameras. Have 2 PCI serial cards in the main obs computer, works just fine. Have more troubles with the USB extender hub and drivers than I do with the serial ports. Either net would be nice if there was an easy way to assign all the stuff. Daniel Marcus To: ap-gto@... From: ayiomami@... Date: Thu, 18 Oct 2012 20:52:08 +0300 Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? Similar cards exist for USB2.0 for those of us whose laptops are exclusively USB1.1. Some software and hardware, specifically requires USB2. Anthony. ???? 10/18/2012 20:40, ?/? chris1011@... ??????: You cannot put a PCMCIA card into your laptop? There's a place for one in my Dell laptop. Here's one for $29.00:http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&produc ts_id=251 Rolando -----Original Message----- From: popkrab <popkrab@... <mailto:popkrab%40yahoo.com>> To: ap-gto <ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com>> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 12:33 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I have a Mach1GTO and it works very fine except when I do polar alignment routine by using star drift method. I use this mount for imaging by connecting the mount to my laptop computer. I would like to know why AP don't provide a USB port on CP3 controller box? What is a different between old fashion serial port and new USB 2.0 port? Because I have to buy a good quality USB2serial adapter. Sometime this adapter was fail during imaging session. If I can choose, I would preferred a USB connection than serial port. What are good points of serial over USB interface? Thank you very much. POP ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2741 / Virus Database: 2614/5838 - Release Date: 10/17/12 |
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W Hilmo
PCMCIA is an old standard. At some point along the way, it was replaced by
PC Card (which may be the same thing, but renamed). My current laptop (a Lenovo W520) was the first machine I owned without PCMCIA support, but it does have a PC Card Express 34 slot (and PC Card Express seems to have been renamed ExpressCard). Your Dell is probably the same. I was able to find a serial card to fit the new slot for about the same price as the PCMCIA ones. I have found the "real" serial ports to be far more reliable than any USB-to-serial adapter, even the Keyspan ones. Here's a Wikipedia article describing the various PC Card options: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ExpressCard And here's a link to an example of a two port serial card for the PC Card Express 34 slot: http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Serial-RS232-ExpressCard-SD-EXP15010/dp/B002S53IH 2/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8 <http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Serial-RS232-ExpressCard-SD-EXP15010/dp/B002S53I H2/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1350598143&sr=8-10&keywords=expresscard+serial+po rt> &qid=1350598143&sr=8-10&keywords=expresscard+serial+port I hope this helps, -Wade _____ From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of Gregory Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 1:45 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? Although I could be wrong. I think PCMCIA cards are a thing of the past. My latest Dell doesn't have the slots, just DVD and BlueRay. Gregory From: chris1011@... <mailto:chris1011%40aol.com> Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 10:40 AM To: ap-gto@... <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? You cannot put a PCMCIA card into your laptop? There's a place for one in my Dell laptop. Here's one for $29.00: http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info <http://www.usconverters.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=69&produ cts_id=251> &cPath=69&products_id=251 Rolando -----Original Message----- From: popkrab <mailto:popkrab%40yahoo.com> To: ap-gto <mailto:ap-gto%40yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thu, Oct 18, 2012 12:33 pm Subject: [ap-gto] Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I have a Mach1GTO and it works very fine except when I do polar alignment routine by using star drift method. I use this mount for imaging by connecting the mount to my laptop computer. I would like to know why AP don't provide a USB port on CP3 controller box? What is a different between old fashion serial port and new USB 2.0 port? Because I have to buy a good quality USB2serial adapter. Sometime this adapter was fail during imaging session. If I can choose, I would preferred a USB connection than serial port. What are good points of serial over USB interface? Thank you very much. POP ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links |
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CurtisC <calypte@...>
My 2006 Toshiba and 2010 Asus don't have PCMCIA slots or any other slots.
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--- In ap-gto@..., "Wade A. Hilmo" <y.groups@...> wrote:
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Geoff Smith
My 2009 Toshiba does. Look carefully. They are covered and don't appear as an obvious slot
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Geoff --- In ap-gto@..., "CurtisC" <calypte@...> wrote:
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First there was PCMCIA 1.
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Then there was PCMCIA 2. Then came CardBus (PCMCIA form factor) Then came ExpressPCI (1/2 PCMCIA form factor) Then came MiniPCI internal (tiny circuit board with edge connector) PCMCIA, CardBus and ExpressPCI are all deader than a boar hog at a Luau. Modern laptops (with a few rather expensive exceptions) only have Sound in/out, USB, Ethernet, HDMI and maybe a VGA connector. And the VGA connector is gonna be gone soon. Next will be the Sound in/out and then the Ethernet port. As Apple would say "why would any reasonable person need more than WiFi, HDMI and USB?" Present/future interfaces include cellular data connectivity and digital sound. Even the venerable keyboard and mouse are on the laptop endangered-list. Christopher Erickson Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com -----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of geoff Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 2:53 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Why AP mount don't have a USB port? My 2009 Toshiba does. Look carefully. They are covered and don't appear as an obvious slot Geoff --- In ap-gto@..., "CurtisC" <calypte@...> wrote:
------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2741 / Virus Database: 2614/5838 - Release Date: 10/17/12 |
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Hank Sielski
Chris,
Actually, the HDMI port is gone on my MacBook Pro...replaced by a Thunderbolt port (sort of Firewire++, I guess)...I do have a couple of USB ports, though ;-) Hank On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 7:46 PM, Christopher Erickson < christopher.k.erickson@...> wrote: ** -- Hank Sielski Principal Systems Engineer University of California, Santa Cruz University-Affiliated Research Center NASA Ames Research Center Bldg 210, Room 145, M/S 210-8 Voice: 650-604-5893 Cell: 408-781-1544 Email: henry.sielski@... Email: hsielski@... Email: hsielski@... [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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Ah, the Apple world and it colorful, mysterious denizens...
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And I forgot all about Firewire/IEEE-1394! My apologies! I even still have a Firewire camera with no computer that can connect or control it... Christopher Erickson Consulting Engineer Summit Kinetics Waikoloa, HI 96738 www.summitkinetics.com -----Original Message-----
From: ap-gto@... [mailto:ap-gto@...] On Behalf Of Hank Sielski Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2012 5:57 PM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Why AP mount don't have a USB port? Chris, Actually, the HDMI port is gone on my MacBook Pro...replaced by a Thunderbolt port (sort of Firewire++, I guess)...I do have a couple of USB ports, though ;-) Hank On Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 7:46 PM, Christopher Erickson < christopher.k.erickson@...> wrote: **the Ethernet port.slots. ------------------------------------ -- Hank Sielski Principal Systems Engineer University of California, Santa Cruz University-Affiliated Research Center NASA Ames Research Center Bldg 210, Room 145, M/S 210-8 Voice: 650-604-5893 Cell: 408-781-1544 Email: henry.sielski@... Email: hsielski@... Email: hsielski@... ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2013.0.2741 / Virus Database: 2614/5838 - Release Date: 10/17/12 |
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Zak Foreman
While chewing on the idea about an ethernet controlled mount, I reached a very similar conclusion to Christopher, namely a modular GTOCP with a range of extensions.
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Although I like the idea of Ethernet to connect to and control a mount, I'm left trying to convince myself that it would be actually more useful than serial. Sure, it would be simpler to attach the mount directly as a resource on either the local or wider network but a local PC would still be required and at the cost of increasing the complexity of the controller. After all, wouldn't a network port on the mount require some form of OS to be useful? Then once on the network, how reliable and secure would this OS be, for example against attacks or simple user error? (I'm thinking a locked-down Linux would probably do the trick)… Considering that remote control of a mount is already achieved through software running on a PC next to the mount, unless AP want to get deeper in to the software business, or partner up with established providers, there doesn't seem to be much room for improvement over the current situation. Then there's the abundance of both serial and USB peripherals (cameras, filter wheels, focusers and rotators etc) that make up an imaging platform. Some form of local PC is still required to provide power, connectivity and drivers to these devices. I submit to the group that two options are available: The first, as alluded to initially, would simply allow the mount to be accessed directly over the network using tcp/ip. Aside from the odd compatibility issue with certain serial to USB adapters, would this make any difference from a user's perspective as a PC is still required locally for peripheral and observatory control? The second is an altogether grander (and riskier and costlier) affaire: A standalone, integrated remote controller. This device would combine the mount controller electronics within a modular, ruggedized server that could also host all the connectivity ports for accessories (i.e. USB and serial, as well as VGA for local / console access), an update-able OS for the device drivers, and a robust suite of browser-based remote control software. Sure, this approach has a barrage of problems (choice of OS vs driver support for example), but wouldn't it be a dream come true for remote imagers? I realise that this is already what people achieve using their own choice of software (e.g. ACP) and hardware, from laptops for mobile observers, to desktop or even rack mounted servers for permanent installations. Just imagine though, only power and network required at any observatory (even non-permanent), everything else connected to one modular control box, designed, built and tested by AP specifically for their mounts but with the possibility to extend its use for any peripheral via modules and combined with an internal web-server, running either custom or OEM' d software for remote control through a browser or app from anywhere in the world. The modules I could think of: Core module : GTOCP Remote control model : Ethernet port, webserver running APCC, ACP or equivalent. Wifi / Bluetooth module : wireless access to LAN, close range remote control. Accessory module : 4 USB ports, 4 serial, preloaded with range of drivers, maybe choice of OS depending on driver availability Storage module : 2/4/6 bay RAID, to store and host captured images before processing UPS module: graceful shutdown during power outages Obviously more aimed at the permanent installation, as casual users most likely would simple use a laptop and achieve most of the above functions, but even for the casual observer, removing the headache of trail and error with software and hardware compatibility, and replacing it with a box that just worked, would not doubt still be appealing. Just my thoughs... Zak --- In ap-gto@..., "Christopher Erickson" <christopher.k.erickson@...> wrote:
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Ray Gralak <groups1@...>
Hi Zak,
You wrote: Although I like the idea of Ethernet to connect to and control a mount, I'm left trying to convince myself that itwould be actually more useful than serial.I think it would be more useful than serial. Here's some reasons why: * Even at "only" 100 mbit speeds (1 Gbit is common and 10Gb emerging) Ethernet can theoretically transfer data 10,000x faster than the current serial port rate of 9600 baud... and with much lower overall latency than serial. What would this mean in practice? It would mean the entire state of the mount could be transmitted in a single packet with very little overhead and latency on either the mount controller and the computer. In fact the RA/Dec polling mechanism might not be needed at all if the mount were to anonymously broadcast or multicast it's state every second or so. Speaking from a developer's point of view having the entire state of the mount in a single packet would very much simplify applications that would use the protocol, including the ASCOM driver and APCC. Instead exchanging many packets to get the mount state it could be done with one packet and in just a few milliseconds. Because Ethernet is more than a point to point medium not only could your computer know the mount's position but theoretically an IPhone/IPad/Android application could monitor or control the mount. You might still have to have the controlling computer near to the mount because other devices have USB connections but you could have a second computer showing status or with the ability to make emergency stops or park the mount. * Ethernet connections, unlike serial and USB, can support multiple logical connections. This means if you do have multiple Ethernet devices at your mount (e.g. mount and camera) you still only need one cable leading away from the mount if you use a cheap ethernet hub at the mount. Some higher end CCD cameras have Ethernet ports. If you were to put a low-power wireless router at the telescope you could even go wireless to your laptop. After all, wouldn't a network port on the mount require some form of OS to be useful? Then once on the network,Real-time embedded operating systems have existed for a long time. In most cases these systems have read-only code so hackers can't just inject new code or applications into firmware. There are numerous ways to secure a telescope from abuse. For instance you could put an off the shelf router at the telescope or on the local LAN. These typically cost less than $100 and most have excellent defenses against attacks. The mount's firmware would then just need a basic security mechanism built into the protocol. An even higher security level could be implemented to allow the user to enter a single or range of authorized IP addresses. Command requests from other IP addresses would be rejected. I've actually implemented something similar to this in a product I once worked on. The second is an altogether grander (and riskier and costlier) affaire: A standalone, integrated remote controller. The modules I could think of:Honestly, I don't think something this elaborate would be worthwhile. Only a handful of people and institutions might buy it. Besides this is essentially a PC. Remote users will probably still want to build/buy their own computer because it would likely be much cheaper and they could design it to exactly their needs. -Ray Gralak Author of Astro-Physics Command Center (APCC) Author of PEMPro: http://www.ccdware.com Author of Astro-Physics V2 ASCOM Driver: http://www.gralak.com/apdriver Author of PulseGuide: http://www.pulseguide.com Author of Sigma: http://www.gralak.com/sigma -----Original Message-----would be actually more useful than serial.to be accessed directly over the network using tcp/ip. Aside from the odd compatibility issue with certain serial to USB |
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Pete Su
I think people get overly enamored of "modular" solutions. Often these
things just introduce complexity that no one wants to support use cases that only a few people care about. We are probably better served to have the control box on the mount use an interface that is widely adopted and/or easy to support. Personally I like the idea of network control. Unless I'm actually looking through the telescope what I want to do is sit in the house and keep and eye on things remotely. Having the thing be on my local network at home is by far the easiest way to implement this. Pete |
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Joe Zeglinski
Pete,
You touched on another interesting point. At the risk of going OT here, while you are controlling your mount “remotely from your house”, as you say, HOW do you guarantee that your USB/Serial port commands don’t crash the telescope into the pier? Do you only observe toward the west, post meridian flip? Until someone solves that, with a really nifty “collision avoidance” robotic feature in the controller, or associated planetarium program, I worry about using the control ports remotely. Joe From: Pete Su Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 9:49 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I think people get overly enamored of "modular" solutions. Often these things just introduce complexity that no one wants to support use cases that only a few people care about. We are probably better served to have the control box on the mount use an interface that is widely adopted and/or easy to support. Personally I like the idea of network control. Unless I'm actually looking through the telescope what I want to do is sit in the house and keep and eye on things remotely. Having the thing be on my local network at home is by far the easiest way to implement this. Pete ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links |
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Joe Zeglinski
On the “mechanical” topic of those serial ports on the CPx, I wonder if the next version could either have right angled DB connectors, or (the less reliable) RJ11 jacks side-mounted. I don’t like having serial cables, or even worse, the serial port “RJ-11 dongles” sticking high up above the control panel, an easy cable snag for the rotating mount. Even an “accessory plug-on” dual DB female connector PCB for the current CPx panel, converting DB9’s to side mounted RJ-11, (or side mounted DB’s), would help the CPx against likely cable snags, as it is right now.
Joe [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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Roland Christen
We have built-in safe limits in the 1600 that you can set to prevent collision of scope against the mount.
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Rolando -----Original Message-----
From: Joe Zeglinski <J.Zeglinski@...> To: ap-gto <ap-gto@...> Sent: Fri, Oct 19, 2012 9:02 am Subject: [ap-gto] Re: Why AP mount don't have a USB port? Pete, You touched on another interesting point. At the risk of going OT here, while you are controlling your mount “remotely from your house”, as you say, HOW do you guarantee that your USB/Serial port commands don’t crash the telescope into the pier? Do you only observe toward the west, post meridian flip? Until someone solves that, with a really nifty “collision avoidance” robotic feature in the controller, or associated planetarium program, I worry about using the control ports remotely. Joe From: Pete Su Sent: Friday, October 19, 2012 9:49 AM To: ap-gto@... Subject: Re: [ap-gto] Re: Why AP mount don't have a USB port? I think people get overly enamored of "modular" solutions. Often these things just introduce complexity that no one wants to support use cases that only a few people care about. We are probably better served to have the control box on the mount use an interface that is widely adopted and/or easy to support. Personally I like the idea of network control. Unless I'm actually looking through the telescope what I want to do is sit in the house and keep and eye on things remotely. Having the thing be on my local network at home is by far the easiest way to implement this. Pete ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] ------------------------------------ To UNSUBSCRIBE, or for general information on the ap-gto list see http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ap-gtoYahoo! Groups Links [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] |
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