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INDI Library v2.0.7 is Released (01 Apr 2024)

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

New Synscan Driver - Feedback Required

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Hi Jasem,

Did you try to adress the "synscan mount not responding, abort mount " problem I reported recently in this version?

Regards
5 years 3 months ago #33841

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Hi

Some more testing this time using TTL/USB serial adapter connected to RPI Zero W using Ser2net UDP to serial listening on UDP port 11880 - this works on Windows using Synscan App Pro no problem.

Anyway

1. Test s using Synscan,Sky W ALTAZ all failed - looks like connectio at serial level ok but fails with handshake (old error this was orig problem). However EQMOD connected ok (with warning message) and sort of ran for a while before Indi Eqmod crashed. All used UDP to ip address/UDP port 11880

So tried another approach - Ran SynScan App Pro under Wine on Ubuntu 18 host (host running my test system for Indi/Kstars as used in step (1) above.) Synscan App connected to mount ok - just says 114gt as the mount which is normal since version 1.90 of Synscan App.

Back on my Virtualbox test ubuntu 18 Indi/Kstars test system I changed to TCP and port 11882 to connect to Synscan App on Host Ubuntu.

2. Ran Synscan driver - connected and ran correctly not silly wondering to the wrong point of the sky on slews. Parked/unparked ok. Arror keys on Mount control window work but the rate is stuck on 1x. Plus could not start tracking via Kstars/Ekos , however Synscan App allowed tracking on which Ekos would then recognise and even stop tracking but still would not start tracking from Ekos. Ran for a while (5mins) then serial error.

3. Ran Skywatcher AltAZ connected but "required alignment message " - did simple 1 star alignment in Synscan App then connected SW ALTAZ again and this time connected ok. Then ran into problems see logs.

4. Ran EQMOD again same as (1) above.

See attached Kstars and Indi logs

File Attachment:

File Name: 2019-01-19indi.zip
File Size:67 KB

File Attachment:

File Name: 2019-01-19.zip
File Size:103 KB
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
5 years 3 months ago #33842
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Clive,

Thank you for your dedicated to this testing! Sorry about the USB port :(

So I will retest the driver once I get home. Just checked the logs to find this:
"[WARNING] Firmware version is too old. Update Synscan firmware to v3.38+

What's the Synscan controller firmware?
5 years 3 months ago #33857

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More testing this time set up was RPI3 Ch340 TL/USB adapter plugged directly into RPI3 (no handset) - No nightly update done since last test.

1. Synscan (legacy eve) doesn't connect serial imeout.

2. SWALTAZ - connects and mount is shown on Planetarium (long below south) - Is there a short cut to jump to where the Telescope if pointing (tried toggle tele tracking nothing happens).
a. Slews but hard to tell if its ok as Sync seems to be limited to the distance thats accepted -e.g. could sync with the Sun (as its dew south) but tried other Syncs further away - nothing happens.
b. Ok thought the Unpark/Park position might help but unable to set UNPARK NORTH as saving/loading configuration crashes Kstars

c. Park is a real problem - pressing this starts a "merry go round" - could not stop from software and by I had ran outside ,to zap power mount had gone thru 720 degrees in DEC (good job no Camera/elescope :-) ) and didn't look like stopping :-(

3. EQMOUNT connects but is not getting correct handshake (mount just sending :E reply as normal - it is a AZ mount so think we need a matrix for each mount showing what can (and does inreal world) work on each driver !

File Attachment:

File Name: 2019-01-20.zip
File Size:206 KB

File Attachment:

File Name: kstarslogs.zip
File Size:248 KB
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
Last edit: 5 years 3 months ago by Clive Stachon.
5 years 3 months ago #33868
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Did the Handset-rs232-FTDI-USB-RPI test again - handset firmware says 3.39.05 as is confirmed in IndiDevices after connection.


1. Synscan connects ok

a. Will not go to near horizon starts doing small loops - never stops until "Abort" used.
b. Slews go off on there merry way to where I dont know but I have to abort else it would be a disaster for cable tensions etc not o mention any kit - which i didnt connect - only the RPI.

see attached logs - Kstars and Indi

File Attachment:

File Name: 2019-01-20kstars.zip
File Size:56 KB

File Attachment:

File Name: 2019-01-20indi.zip
File Size:48 KB
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
5 years 3 months ago #33869
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Thanks for the continued testing Clive! It is really appreciated! The logs actually show everything is fine with the mount at least. I just added more logs to GIT. If you can recompile, please do.

Here is what I do:
1. Make sure mount in home position (Looking north with weights down)
2. Power on Mount & Synscan
3. Set time/location/etc in handcontroller. Daylight saving OFF all year long.
4. Perform 2-star alignment
5. Connect to INDI

I wasn't able to see any issues with the mount when I followed the steps above. At any rate, now that I added more detailed logs. Please check. Also, no need to test synscan_legacy.
5 years 3 months ago #33873

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Hi Jasem,

1. Problem there are no weights on a AZGoTo - Normally point North with Alt zero for home position.
2. Normally dont set date/set/location in the handset

OK I can do (2 )set date etc in handset and do a dummy 2 star alignment so will pointing to North with zero ALT do ?

p.s. May have nothing to do with problems BUT I found when talking to my AZGOTO (had 3) the echo command <Ka> was hit and miss and notice tha Synscan App uses <:e1> to start the hand shaking process - When I wrote a Ardinuo serial/ttl to UDP bridge I could never get <Ka> (or whatever you care to use for the character after the K) to work hence use of <e:1> (which may have to be repeated x times)

Anyway I will try to recompile and test but it wont be for a couple of days :-)
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
5 years 3 months ago #33875

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After you do the alignment process, just leave it as is. Then connect, if everything is OK, it should be on the last star you aligned to.

Regarding <Ka>, the Sysnscan driver is for communication directly using the protocol only. It seems <e:1> is used for SkyWatcher protocol i.e. when communicating directly with the control boards. For AZ-GTi, you need to always connect to port 11882 (used for Synscan protocol).

Next time you run the test, make sure to delete ~/.indi/parkData.xml and ~/.indi/Synscan* files to ensure a clean start. Thanks for your time Clive!
5 years 3 months ago #33876

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OK recompiled IndiLib only - normal Warnings (if memory serves me from last time!)

Presume you meant ~/.indi/ParkData.xml not ~/.indi/parkData.xml ??????

Might have a go if clouds clear and I am bored with "Red Moon" .
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
5 years 3 months ago #33880

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You are correct. Make sure to git pull as I made more changes in the last hour. You can perform a dummy 2-star align indoor. Should be enough for testing.
5 years 3 months ago #33882

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Mondays test after recompile IndiLib only.
Did date time ,location and alignment (2 star)
Forget to set logging in synscan to file (doh!) but Kstars log was to file.
1.Started Kstars/Ekos - moun shown pointing to Vega - last of star alignment - good start
2. Slew to Mars after Centre and track - kstars shows ok mount moved to about where it should be
3.Centre and track to Scheat - slew. OK but not centred on Kstars
4.Next M31 - Went the long way round to M31 (this is a AZ not a EQ !!!) could cause problems with cables. Dont think this happens in Synscan App but cant be certain. Again not centred on Kstars.
5. Sync given while on M31 - Kstars now showing centred on M31.
6. Slew to Talitha Borealis - slew ok but again not centred on Kstars.
7. Using Mount control - cant changed rate from 1x. All arrow keys ok Epoch shown as jnow. Motion would be too fast .
8.Attempted PARK in Mount Control - position left of North and slightly below horizon
9. Disconnec t & Stop in Ekos.
10. Restarted Ekos/Kstars (so no power off) - this time logging to file
11. Kstars shows Synscan at correct place - i.e. same as park command.
12.Slew to Navi -ok but off centre
13.Via Mount Control Search M31 followed by GOTO - Slew ok and dead centre
14.Synscan NO TRACKING possible - switch track on just flips back to off. Same in Mount control and Indi control
15.Slew to Mirfak ok
16. PARK - didn't look right at all
17.powered off- waited 20 secs powered back on. No action taken on handset.
18. Started Ekos/Kstars.
19.Started same profile as before.
20. UNPARK (tried to slew before unpark nothing happened and didn't slew message as shown in log). UNPARK position wrong Synscan shown at Corona Borealis even though mount appeared to be in real position (North at 0 alt)
21.Slew m32 - wrong position and shown wrong in Kstars.
22. Still unable to track
23. Attempted PARK - started slewing then kstars crashed.

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File Attachment:

File Name: mondaystest.zip
File Size:232 KB
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
5 years 3 months ago #33894
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Bump - any news ????
RPI3 Ubuntu 16.04 / AMD desktop Kstars under Ubuntu 16.04 Mounts :azeq6 ,SWAZGoTo

RPI3 Fedora testing out on AMD desktop Fedpra 28 - running kstars 2.9.4 , Indilib 1.7.4 ?????
5 years 2 months ago #34129

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