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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Driver for GoTo and Guide through Arduino & ST4

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Hi
that's great thanks for letting me know. I can see that GoTo is now available. Wonderful.

Thanks
Francesco
5 years 9 months ago #26433

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Hi, I am succesfully using your driver for guiding.
However I don't know how to enable GoTo. You have written "I can see that GoTo is now available. " Where is this option?
Last edit: 4 years 2 months ago by Tomasz Pszon.
4 years 2 months ago #48065

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Hello topaz, francesco and Jasem
I am also trying to get my head around this topic. I am using the Arduino-ST4 for guiding, but would like to use it to move the telescope by pressing buttons...
I have successfully done that under Windows, but would like to make the step to Linux in order to be able to put eveything on an Raspi. I am working i to achieve what Franceso was trying (and maybe he succeded in) to allow slewing of the telescope by giving it permanent guiding pulses (=pressing a N/S/E/W button on screen). GoTo is yet another step after that...
So, if you have made any progress here, please share it - it would help me on my learning curve.
CS
Stephan
3 years 9 months ago #55238

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github.com/alexmoron/ardust4goto
Hi, I have modified original indi driver. It is very ugly and lot of trash but GoTo, parking and moving by buttons works.
I don't use ST-4 because my Arduino controls 2 stepper motors via A4988 and LD293 shield, so I can send command with number of steps instead of time.
But because my firmwire is drived from Kevin Ferrare ST4 driver for ascom and indi so you can modifiy it to use with ST4. (Commands for guiding are the same)
Last edit: 3 years 9 months ago by Tomasz Pszon.
3 years 9 months ago #55244

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Hello Topaz,
that was fast! I use a very similar setup, also coming from Kevin Ferrare :-) so I also have Arduino and A4988 drivers. I will look into your code - not that I could do it any better anyhow...
Thank you very much. That helps!!!
Have a great day
Stephan
3 years 9 months ago #55249

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There is a lot of not needed stuff in this code. It is my first try in prgramming, so apologies for such a mess.
You can delete all references to ardust4driver, it is leftover from my first try to make it connect to arduino, If i have some time, I will try to clean code. and add comments.
I also added lot of buttons to change speed, stepping modes etc. during guiding.
There is something wrong (maybe It is changed by other function in indi?) with PortFD variable, so I created PortFD2 to wich I have access.
Libnova is needed only for parking.
3 years 9 months ago #55251

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Hello Topaz,
thanks again for your source code. I have gone through it and with the help of google translate, I was able to understand your variable names and comments. I got to the point that it is working for me and I removed a lot of specific code that you needed, but is not necessary for me. It runs now in KSTARS as device - client. However, if I want to use it with EKOS, it crashes when I want to goto. Not sure why....
I think I have more work to do, but thanks again for the kick-start you gave me.
Stephan
3 years 9 months ago #55504

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I also use it in device - client mode in Kstars and PHD2 for guiding. I start server with drivers from command line and then connect KStars fot GOTO then disconnect and connect PHD2 for guiding.
I tried EKOS (driver crashed from time to time) but PHD2 works better for my setup.
3 years 9 months ago #55571

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Hello Topaz,
I just wanted to let you know, that I am now successfully using the Arduino to control my telescope through ST4 - thanks to your code. Guiding also works very well.
Since I am not an experienced C++ programmer, I am still not quite sure what exactly I am doing in the source code, but I got it to work - even in kstars and ekos!
Now I am fighting with the focuser module of ekos, but this is another story...
Thanks again
Stephan
3 years 9 months ago #56077

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Hi Stephen,
Happy to learn that it works for you. Clear skies.
3 years 9 months ago #56093

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Hi, thanks for the goto code, I can now compile it and make it work on Kstars and CDC .... for the goto commands, that are sent to arduino, I only can manage RA+#, DEC+# types of commands, because I am using the arduinoST4 ino code.... As I see you send codes for your goto, you send a bunch of other commands that are used with you arduino code in the github repo too.
All for your encoders, is it?
Do you have more info on your hardware setup?

Miguel.
2 years 9 months ago #71787

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Hi Miguel,
I am using stepper motors which are run by Arduino+drivers (A4988 for DEC and old motor shield for RA), no encoders.  I chose to send number of steps instead of time (I can change goto speed on fly). I think you can modify your INO and/or driver file to make Arduino start movement and stop it after some time. You would need to calculate how much time is needed to move and maybe change driver code to send time required instead of steps (basically you can make Arduino translate number of steps to time if you don't want to modify driver file) .Hope it helps.

Regards
Topaz
2 years 9 months ago #71791

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