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INDI Library v2.0.6 is Released (02 Feb 2024)

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Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

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Anyone doing anything for the Optec Gemini? It operates over both serial and ethernet connections.
6 years 10 months ago #16713

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

Bump - I seem to have everything else working with my rig including control of the Paramount. I just can't control the Optec Gemini. I'd be happy with just the focuser control for now. Any advice on how I might get this working with indi/Ekos?
6 years 7 months ago #18197

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Any links to the command set documentation?
6 years 7 months ago #18200

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

Thanks for the reply!

This seems to be it:

www.optecinc.com/astronomy/catalog/gemin...essing_rev%202.1.pdf
6 years 7 months ago #18201

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Seems like the focuser part is already implemented in INDI via FocusLynx driver .
6 years 7 months ago #18202

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

Hmm. Gave that a try in various configurations. I don't see any way to specifically configure for a Gemini. Regardless I always get the same response:
DEBUG   37.951111 sec   : [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1HELLO>)
ERROR   39.953177 sec   : [FocusLynx] TTY error: Timeout error
INFO    39.953205 sec   : [FocusLynx] Error retreiving data from FocusLynx, please ensure FocusLynx controller is powered and the port is correct.

I'm able to connect to the same port using TheSkyX (on Linux) with no problem. stty shows the port speed as 9600. I tried that and 19200 - same outcome.

EDIT: using 115200 baudrate seems to allow a connection. Testing....
Last edit: 6 years 7 months ago by Greg.
6 years 7 months ago #18207

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

I'm able to connect now but still not working. I"ve tried selecting various device types including Optec TCF-Lynx 2/3 and TCF-S "Classic Converted". I get similar results in each case:
schwim@observatory ~/.indi/logs/2017-07-31/indi_lynx_focus $ cat indi_lynx_focus_04\:14\:24.log
INFO	25.892031 sec	: [FocusLynx] Session log file /home/schwim/.indi/logs/2017-07-31/indi_lynx_focus/indi_lynx_focus_04:14:24.log
INFO	31.459503 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	31.459541 sec	: [FocusLynx] Focuser model set. Please connect now...
DEBUG	31.459549 sec	: [FocusLynx] Absolute focuser detected.
INFO	33.644249 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
DEBUG	33.645057 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1HELLO>)
DEBUG	33.647062 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (!)
DEBUG	33.648059 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (ERROR ID = 0)
INFO	33.648069 sec	: [FocusLynx] ERROR ID = 0 is detected.
INFO	33.648075 sec	: [FocusLynx] FocusLynx is online. Getting focus parameters...
DEBUG	33.648083 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCDTOB>)
DEBUG	33.653078 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (EXT = The received command is formattated incorrectly)
ERROR	33.653090 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: EXT = The received command is formattated incorrectly
DEBUG	33.653218 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1GETCONFIG>)
DEBUG	33.653231 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (END)
ERROR	33.653236 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: END
ERROR	33.653240 sec	: [FocusLynx] Failed to retrieve focuser configuration settings...
DEBUG	33.653261 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<FHGETHUBINFO>)
DEBUG	33.654055 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (!)
DEBUG	33.655084 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (ERROR ID = 0)
ERROR	33.655094 sec	: [FocusLynx] Failed to retrieve HUB configuration settings...
INFO	33.655117 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.655320 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.655332 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.655804 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.656092 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.656261 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.656282 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.656316 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.656339 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	33.656360 sec	: [FocusLynx] Focuser model set. Please disconnect and reconnect now...
DEBUG	33.656371 sec	: [FocusLynx] Absolute focuser detected.
INFO	33.656378 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
DEBUG	33.656383 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCTE0>)
DEBUG	33.660111 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (ived command is formattated incorrectly)
ERROR	33.660124 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: ived command is formattated incorrectly
INFO	33.660135 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
DEBUG	33.660138 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCTS0>)
DEBUG	33.662077 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (ERROR ID = 3)
ERROR	33.662098 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: ERROR ID = 3
INFO	33.662107 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
DEBUG	33.662112 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1REVERSE0>)
DEBUG	33.666113 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (ERROR TEXT = The received identifier was not recognized)
ERROR	33.666128 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: ERROR TEXT = The received identifier was not recognized
DEBUG	33.666158 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCTCA+0000>)
DEBUG	33.667072 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES ()
ERROR	33.667092 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error:
ERROR	33.667106 sec	: [FocusLynx] Failed to set temperature coefficeints.
INFO	33.667117 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
DEBUG	33.667121 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCTM@>)
DEBUG	33.668085 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (D = 4)
ERROR	33.668095 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: D = 4
INFO	33.668116 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
DEBUG	33.668120 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCBE0>)
DEBUG	33.674038 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (ERROR TEXT = The command received was for an invalid target device)
ERROR	33.674056 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: ERROR TEXT = The command received was for an invalid target device
DEBUG	33.674076 sec	: [FocusLynx] CMD (<F1SCBS00>)
DEBUG	33.674089 sec	: [FocusLynx] RES (END)
ERROR	33.674092 sec	: [FocusLynx] Controller error: END
ERROR	33.674095 sec	: [FocusLynx] Failed to set temperature coefficients.
DEBUG	33.674129 sec	: [FocusLynx] Configuration successfully loaded.
INFO	55.442690 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Device: FocusLynx F2
INFO	55.442730 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Focuser model set. Please connect now...
DEBUG	55.442737 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Absolute focuser detected.
INFO	61.571384 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Device: FocusLynx F2
INFO	62.530229 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Device: FocusLynx F2
INFO	68.726912 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Device: FocusLynx F2
INFO	68.726942 sec	: [FocusLynx] F1 PortFD : 4
INFO	68.726947 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] F2 PortFD : 4
DEBUG	68.726953 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] CMD (<F2HELLO>)
DEBUG	68.726972 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] RES (!)
DEBUG	68.726990 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] RES (ERROR ID = 0)
INFO	68.726994 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] ERROR ID = 0 is detected.
INFO	68.726998 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] FocusLynx is online. Getting focus parameters...
DEBUG	68.727003 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] CMD (<F2SCDTOB>)
DEBUG	68.728776 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] RES (!)
DEBUG	68.729777 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] RES (ERROR ID = 0)
DEBUG	68.729934 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] CMD (<F2GETCONFIG>)
DEBUG	68.734784 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] RES (R TEXT = The received command is formattated incorrectly)
ERROR	68.734807 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Controller error: R TEXT = The received command is formattated incorrectly
ERROR	68.734825 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Failed to retrieve focuser configuration settings...
INFO	68.734844 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Device: FocusLynx F2
ERROR	68.734862 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Error loading user configuration. Unable to open config file. Error loading file /home/schwim/.indi/FocusLynx F2_config.xml: No such file or directory
. To save user configuration, click Save under the Configuration property in the Options tab.
INFO	96.867471 sec	: [FocusLynx] Device: FocusLynx
INFO	96.867886 sec	: [FocusLynx] FocusLynx is offline.
INFO	96.868005 sec	: [FocusLynx F2] Device: FocusLynx F2
6 years 7 months ago #18211

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Dear Schwim.
I've looked at the documentation. Yes, the working way of the Gemini is based on the same kind of syntax as the FocusLynx HUB, but unfortunately, one big difference is a "transaction id" in the string not present in FocusLynx hub. Using a Transaction ID allows multi-threaded client (From page 5 of the "Gemini Command Reference, Revision 2.1")
That means you couldn't use as it is the Focuslynx driver even for focusing only. Now I'm working on some changes on the drivers to add full support for both focus driving and network support (With Optec support as a timeout issue is present on network connection), but I look too difficult(for me :-( ) to integrate the Gemini rotator/focuser on it and I think a new driver has to be written for that, based on the existing one for FocusLynx.
My proposal, if you're not in a hurry, is to let me finish the new version of FocusLynx one and published it (I hope for the end of August. Then we use it as base' driver for your device.
Do you coding and could do it? OR shall we have look to work on it?
@Jasem: The main difference is the transaction ID present in command string and in Gemini's acknowledge.
If not in hurry I could work on it, but as written behind, first I should publish a new FocusLynx version, then I could work on Gemini one. That means nothing for first testing before the first week on October, depending on my work and family load.
One question Ekos related. For Ekos Focuser and rotator have to be seen as two devices, havn't it? If yes I suppose we have to use the same trick as FocusLynx's driver with two main objects on it.

@both: let me know what you think of my proposal.

Best regards and clear sky.
Philippe Besson
Skywatcher HEQ5, Televue 101-IS, Takahashi FS-60CB
Focus Boss II with OptecInc TCF-S focuser and Starlight Instruments HSM20 handy stepper motor
Guiding camera ZWO ASI120MM
Filterwheel OptecInc IFW
Camera not set yet
Switzerland
The following user(s) said Thank You: Jasem Mutlaq
6 years 7 months ago #18214

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Philippe,

Thanks for looking into this! I will check if I can create the rotator/focuser driver for this device, need to investigate a few issues.

@schwim: Can you make your device accessible to me? If it is on RPI3, I need SSH connection. You need to email me details to access it to develop a driver.
The following user(s) said Thank You: Greg
6 years 7 months ago #18219

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

Thanks for looking into this guys!

Jasem - I will spin up a VM and connect the gemini in to it and get you access. Give me a bit to get that running.
6 years 7 months ago #18228

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

VM spun up. Latest indi and kstars/ekos installed and operating. I sent you an email (I think). Need to know who/where to let in.
6 years 7 months ago #18241

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Replied by Greg on topic Optec Gemini Focuser/Rotator

Jasem - excellent work and thank you for the help!
For others using this device, the documentation is here:
indilib.org/devices/focusers/optec-gemini-focusing-rotater.html
6 years 7 months ago #18453

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