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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

Driver OnStep (LX200 like) for INDI

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@Azwing Thanks for the words of support!
That looks terrific!
Masonry after 50 requires child support.

Test was delayed by weather and allergies again.
Last edit: 5 years 7 months ago by Ray Wells.
5 years 7 months ago #29008

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@Khalid
I pulled latest alpha and the patch would not apply because the code in command has changed. Do you want to redo that to keep up or should I go with the version I already had previously, which does compare with the patch? It's from the more stable Beta, which was updated from alpha about a month ago. I think we may be chasing an evolving situation unless we stay away from the main (alpha) branch at OnStep.

Also note: Current OnStep alpha branch would not compile.
Last edit: 5 years 7 months ago by Ray Wells.
5 years 7 months ago #29010

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Beta is not a good choice for testing alignment, since Howard added lots of very useful changes in Alpha regarding alignment.

The patch still applies fine on the current Alpha.
$ patch -p1 < /tmp/onstep-plate-solve-align_2018-08-08.txt 
patching file Command.ino
Hunk #3 succeeded at 1991 (offset 2 lines).

Ignore the hunk thing.

Attached is a Command.ino file that is today's Alpha with the patch applied. Rename it from .txt to .ino only, and you are good to go.
5 years 7 months ago #29011
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----

Not until I solve this, as the code I have is apparently different.
---
I think I found it. Git clone gets beta even if you change to Alpha branch the url is the same on the website. Thats a nice trap to fall into. to save time, I'll proceed withe the zip file instead.
---
That was it. It took the patch that time. Now I know I have the rest of the correct code(alpha). I noticed they moved the pin configuration file, in case anyone missed it.
Last edit: 5 years 7 months ago by Ray Wells.
5 years 7 months ago #29021

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This should work:
git checkout Alpha

Then copy your Config.xxx.h, and my Command.ino, and you are now with the latest Alpha with the plate solving patch applied.
git diff Command.ino
will give you the changes, in case you want to review them.
5 years 7 months ago #29022

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Okay thanks.The freshly downloaded zip is working but I'll do git checkout alpha next time. I knew there was some way, but had forgotten about that command.
I also had to move my pins.classic.h into the new src/pins folder since mine is a one off mega layout that predates the pcb's they have now and is built on a breadboard shield.

Next problem... EnableStepperDrivers(); not declared in this scope. Seems like Azwing mentioned something... That's where I am atm. Scope is set up and I saw bright Vega overhead.

That got it. I had autostart tracking on, which is disused and broken. I've had trouble in the past getting tracking to start with anything other than the phone app. Hopefully this will be fixed now. Going out to sit on a wet chair with the bugs.
Last edit: 5 years 7 months ago by Ray Wells.
5 years 7 months ago #29024

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Set current alpha command.ino to verify operation of current system in mount.

Enabled full verbose logging in ekos.

Tracking now starts okay using indi
slewed to deneb.
Manual plate solve worked and synced. Slew to solved position was reasonably accurate. Normal operation.

bug 1. If unit unparked but tracking not started. Incorrect error given on slew to target command:
2018-08-29T01:32:54: [ERROR] Object below the minimum elevation limit.
2018-08-29T01:32:54: [ERROR] Error Slewing to JNow RA 20:42:05 - DEC 45:20:53
2018-08-29T01:31:45: [INFO] Mount is unparked.

bug 2. PEC still claims recording, still pops back on if off button pressed. I realize it's not doing anything but it's misleading.


Iinstalled alignment patched command.ino and downloaded to mega.

coords not set in firmware after update:
indi would not set them, longitude error. used phone app to set site coords.

Slewed to deneb and checked focus.
Manual plate solve captured and solved but resulted in a loss of ra/dec position. showing all zeros. then captured but could not solved based on previous 00:00:00 coords
patch breaks manual plate solve.

A manual sync after solving by hand also failed to update, and appears to have crashed the mount.

no logs found after. nice... I wonder where they went? Logging was enabled but I have nothing to show for it? wtf!?
I'll have to redo the whole thing another night as it's time for bed for a 6am start.

****Meanwhile a check of the sync call in OnStep command is needed. I think it never returned from a routine, causing blocking in the mount.

@KNRO -- Unrelated: Kstars is eating memory whenever temporary captures are made ASI drivers/focus module. leaving it looping adds up quickly. Conky reports high memory usage from Kstars. This eventually causes slowdowns and I have to kill it all and restart. I can already hear you telling me to upgrade my 16.04lts system. --my notebook doesn't do it with xubuntu 18.04lts
5 years 7 months ago #29026

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That is odd. Latitude and longitude should be set in EEPROM, and recalled from there if they are not sent from KStars. When I am using KStars, I always choose 'KStars updates mount' and that way, longitude, latitude, UTC offset, date and time are all sent at the beginning of sessions. But regardless, if you don't do that, OnStep should remember the last latitude and longitude you used.


That is odd. Are you using the current master of KStars, or azwing's fork?
There was a problem in the last stable version where INDI would not get back returned data because of the buffer size change (RB_MAX_LEN thing). The fix is in the current master (not the PPA builds yet).

Perhaps that is related?
5 years 6 months ago #29043

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--I had the same thought this morning.I'm using Azwings fork, but maybe there's an error there.
-- I think a bit is set to load "first run" defaults when you download to the arduino, or it was at one time anyway..or it was in my servo software, can't remember.
--! I had a thought on this. It might due to a negative longitude stored in OnStep defaults. If so, maybe the indi driver reads that and gives an error instead of updating somehow? Anyway, the phone app fixed it in eeprom so I'm able to move on and we can tackle that possible bug later.

I need to get those logs working first, then I'll look into the indiserver, and by then it will be dark and we'll try again!
Fingers crossed everybody!

ps. If anybody sees a different version of this post it's returned from the ether on its own...I lost it a while ago..poof!
Last edit: 5 years 6 months ago by Ray Wells.
5 years 6 months ago #29051

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oh hey! I found them. I was looking in .indi/logs and just found them in /home/hawk/.local/share/kstars/logs/2018-08-28 instead! Who wants a read through?

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Last edit: 5 years 6 months ago by Ray Wells. Reason: attachments failed to fire...
5 years 6 months ago #29052

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There are too many variables in your setup.

If it was me doing it, I would do it as follows:

1. On the OnStep side:

a) Download Alpha,
b) patch it with the plate solve align patch
c) Compile it, and upload it to the Mega
d) Using the WiFi, set the longitude, latitude, UTC offset, date and time.

2. On the INDI site:

a) Download the current master (NOT azwing's fork)
b) Compile it. That way you get the buffer fixes and guarantee that the results returned from USB commands are valid.

Test the Plate Solve Align as follows:

1. In INDI click on 3-Stars. Tracking should start.
2. In KStars, select Mount Model, and choose 3 stars that are far apart and visible in your location.
3. Start the Mount Model tool.

Check the screen where KStars display the delta errors (the difference between where the object is, and where it was supposed to be).
5 years 6 months ago #29053

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This log follows your instructions including changing to "master" which I decided must mean Indi git since all git repositories have a master branch. There are a couple extra slews I did at the end and a plate solve to see if it did anything. Since you never set a baseline I had none to go by and....
Observations: As before... it went too fast to be solving on my computer, even locally.

I will not do this again until changes are made.

I wrote a test procedure based on my experience using this equipment and 25 years writing test procedures for industrial electronics repair but I won't bore you with it. Too many variables.

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File Name: log_20-33-31.txt
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5 years 6 months ago #29055
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