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

Bi-monthly release with minor bug fixes and improvements

indi_celestron_aux

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Replied by Paweł on topic indi_celestron_aux

Karl: The AUX port is *NOT* an RS-232 serial port! You need a special level converter to connect PC serial port to AUX. You need PC-port for this. Please do not connect your PC to the mount by AUX port. You can destroy your mount, your PC, or both by doing so. If you have no PC-AUX adapter, use the HC serial port.
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2 years 2 months ago #79553
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Replied by Gene N on topic indi_celestron_aux

The TX and RX are tied together inside the scope someplace, hence the echo you are seeing.
The RTS and TX line are multi-master, no device owns the line.
You must hold your TX tri-stated while monitoring the RTS as an input. Only when RTS is high can you then control it as an output and then can output the TX. WHen done transmitting, tri-state TX and turn RTS back to an input
See this for a full gadget hanging off the AUX bus
AUX WIFI BT GPS

Attached is a pic of my version, only used as GPS input to AUX with my own coding.
 
but with the coding referenced in the link above can do all.

Gene

 
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2 years 2 months ago #79571
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Replied by Fabrizio on topic indi_celestron_aux

detectRTSCTS relies on a timeout to discriminate if the hardware handshake is present or not. At present, it is set to 300 ms. It worked well for my setup with Celestron CPC. Probably, for other mount types, it needs a different trimming. I suggest to extend it to 500ms and to test if the problem disappears.
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2 years 2 months ago #79572
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Replied by Karl Rees on topic indi_celestron_aux

My naïve reading of the Connectivity section of the driver docs was that the "proper level converter" that was needed was simply something to bring 12v down to 5v, and that this was inherent to any standard USB/Serial adapter. But there's something else needed?

Perhaps the driver documentation needs some clarification and cleanup? The document I'm talking about is here: indilib.org/telescopes/celestron/celestron-aux-driver.html. One of the options it describes is "serial cable connected to Celestron AUX port." The warning about needing a "proper level converter" seems to only be with respect to the "old standard RS-232 [with] symmetric +/-12V signalling." On the other hand, the document indicates that since the "cheapest USB/serial converters . . . have serial lines with TTL levels (+5V,0V) . . . they [actually] work with AUX port."

As for the HC port, any suggestions on the best place to get a USB/Serial cable that will actually work with it?
2 years 2 months ago #79573
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Replied by Karl Rees on topic indi_celestron_aux

Gene and Fabrizio's responses came while I was writing mine. Thanks guys. I did increase the timeout, by the way, to no avail. I like Gene's option. If this were my main mount (or if someone had already written up an easy recipe for doing this directly from a Raspberry Pi), I'd probably go for it. Seems like using the HC port is the better fit for me, assuming I can find the right adapter and get it to work.
2 years 2 months ago #79574
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Replied by Fabrizio on topic indi_celestron_aux

In my experience is hard to distinguish between different types of USB/Serial converters from product description. 99% of low cost converters claims RS232 compatibility but they have a TTL interface (0,+5v) that works only with the so-called "TTL tolerant RS232". In our case, they can be only used for the AUX interface. For all the other mount interfaces a "quasi-true" USB/RS232 converter (-5,+5v swing ) is sufficient.
Below there is a copy taken from indilib.org/telescopes/celestron/celestron-aux-driver.html of the specification of each interface of Celestron scopes, including the required voltage swing.
  1. <strong>HC:</strong> serial cable connected to hand controller serial port (less recent models).
    • 4 pins connector (RJ11).
    • 3 wires used: GND, TX, RX.
    • RS-232 serial voltage levels (+5V,-5V).
    • 9600 baud transmission speed.
    • No transmission flow handshake, no echo.
    • Command protocol: pass through (mostly AUX protocol encapsulated inside HC messages).
  2. <strong>HC</strong>: USB cable connected to hand controller USB port (most recent models) (alpha testing).
    • mini USB connector.
    • Command protocol: pass through (mostly AUX protocol encapsulated inside HC messages).
  3. <strong>AUX:</strong> serial cable connected to Celestron AUX port.
    • 6 pins connector (RJ12)
    • 5 wires used: GND, TX, RX, CTS, RTS
    • TTL serial voltage levels (+5V, 0V)
    • 19200 baud transmission speed
    • Half duplex CTS/RTS handshake with echo
    • Command protocol:  AUX
  4. <strong>PC:</strong> serial cable connected to Celestron PC port
    • 8 pins connector (RJ45)
    • 5 wires used: GND, TX, RX, CTS, RTS
    • RS-232 serial voltage levels (+5V,-5V)
    • 19200 baud transmission speed
    • Half duplex CTS/RTS handshake with echo
    • Command protocol: AUX
  5. <strong>USB</strong>: USB cable connected to an USB port of telescope mount (alpha testing).
    • USB connector type A.
    • Command protocol: AUX .
Last edit: 2 years 2 months ago by Fabrizio.
2 years 2 months ago #79576
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Replied by Alex on topic indi_celestron_aux

Hi all,
I have a Celestron Evolution with a wedge.
How can I change the initial mount position for the wedge configuration?
with a wedge the mount must pointing to south, but in KStars the position is set to north. I cant set the current position. or do I need special settings for a wedge alt-az setup?
i would be create if you can give me some advice for this setup costellation.

CS Alex
2 years 1 month ago #80169
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Replied by David Hill on topic indi_celestron_aux

I have been following this thread for some time. I currently connect to my AVX via that hand controller but going forward I would like to connect my Raspberry Pi directly to my mount via the AUX port and to start using this driver.
However I am struggling to undestand how to do this. Is there a pre-built USB -- RJ12 cable that can be purchased from somewhere?
Or can I use a USB FTDI TTL 5V cable and connecting the correct pins to the RJ12 plug and make it work? 
I'd like to do the second option but as far as I can tell from reading numerous sources on the web, this cannot be done.

 
2 years 1 month ago #80500
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Replied by Maciek on topic indi_celestron_aux

When using caux with alt-az mount, Ekos guide tab is available. Does it mean that I can guide my Evolution mount in alt-az mode ?
2 years 1 month ago #80631
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Replied by Magnus Larsson on topic indi_celestron_aux

Hi!

Anyone here have a wiring diagram for a RJ12 to D-SUB-cable for conneting to a seria/USB converter (RS232)? For the AUX port. 

"5 wires used: GND, TX, RX, CTS, RTS"

So which are these, and to which pins in the DSUB?

Magnus
2 years 1 month ago #80710
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Replied by T-Studio on topic indi_celestron_aux

Celestron's AUX terminal (same as the hand controller connection terminal) cannot be connected with UART serial like SkyWatcher's mount.
The TTL level of the signal line is 3.3V, but it is necessary to switch the signal line electrically instead of a simple TX or RX connection.

I was able to assemble and operate the circuit on this site.

rtr.ca/esp32_wifi+bt+gps/index.cgi?1+large+nothumbs

However, the Celestron Aux driver only has the coordinates of the altazimuth mount and the fork equatorial mount, so German equatorial mounts like the Advanced-VX will move to different positions. .. ..

If you use SkyPotal, you can control it directly without a hand controller.

I have compiled the information you need to create your own interface.
Please check with Google Translate etc.

tstudioastronomy.blog.fc2.com/blog-entry-513.html

 
Last edit: 2 years 1 month ago by T-Studio.
2 years 1 month ago #80785
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Replied by T-Studio on topic indi_celestron_aux

On Cloudy Nights, the handle name mlord has published a number of homebrew interfaces for Celestron mounts.

The interface I made is one of them, but I think the interface that connects to UART is the easiest to make.

www.cloudynights.com/topic/812944-homebr...-for-aux-port/page-2

If you use this circuit, you can connect the Celestron mount directly to the USB of the PC from the AUX terminal or HC terminal like EQMOD.(However, the German Equatorial Mount works because the driver does not have the correct coordinates, but it moves to a considerably different position with GOTO.)
2 years 1 month ago #80933
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