DSC Update in the Works
May 5th, 2008 by Dave
I’ve been working over the past several weeks to update my ASCOM driver for my Digital Setting Circles project. My initial impetus for doing so was to make my existing driver fully compliant with the ASCOM standards, and also to add a “sync” capability that so many folks have requested. I also wanted to implement a “slewing” capability (basically just feedback as you push your telescope tube toward a target, like what you can do with my stand-alone DSC software) and make it easier to execute the alignment process. Finally, I’d like to make the driver compatible with other devices that use the BBox protocol, include the Orion Intelliscope.
Well, most of that work is now finished, although I haven’t yet released the new driver. Syncing and slewing are complete, but I’m still working on doing some testing, and I still need to do some work on the alignment process (I’m hoping to allow you to graphically select your alignment stars instead of having to select them from a text-based list). And I still need to add the BBox protocol support.
If you have any other ideas for features you’d like to see, please post them here as a comment on this article. Right now, the only other feature that I can recall being requested is a one-star alignment process for folks who have permanently-mounted telescopes, but I haven’t figured out how to do that one yet.
This entry was posted on Monday, May 5th, 2008 at 3:26 pm and is filed under Digital Setting Circles. This post has 264 views. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.
May 16th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
I’m looking forward to getting your new Driver.
I and my friends use your controller.
we made controller and bought encoders
and installed them to our each dob .
I and my friend very satisfied.
I often visit your web site and I read your blog
about updating ASCOM driver.
when will you release the new driver?
May 17th, 2008 at 9:14 am
Glad you’re enjoying my interface circuit. I’m hoping to get the new driver out in probably a month or two. I’ll announce it on the blog here when it happens.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
Hi I have a quick question. I’ve ordered the encoders and mounting hardware for my Celestron Super Polaris (vixen) mount. I was planning on using your box as the interface, but wanted to make sure that they would work with the 10,000 resolution encoders that they are providing. Will this work? Also, how are things going with the new driver?
Thanks,
-Ray
June 5th, 2008 at 6:38 am
Yes, the 10000-resolution encoders will work fine. The driver work is slow but continuing. I’ll be sure to post here when the new driver is ready for download.