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Software Bisque Paramount ME User Manual

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Paramount ME
User's Guide
Revision 1.77
Copyright 1996-2012 Software Bisque, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Summary of Contents for Software Bisque Paramount ME

  • Page 1 Paramount ME User’s Guide Revision 1.77 Copyright 1996-2012 Software Bisque, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • Page 3 Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Software Bisque. The software products described in this document are furnished under a license agreement or nondisclosure agreement. They may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of the agreement.
  • Page 4 Paramount ME User’s Guide Software Bisque End User License Agreement SOFTWARE BISQUE ("BISQUE") IS WILLING TO LICENSE THESKY™ ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE, CCDSOFT CCD ASTRONOMY SOFTWARE™, TPOINT™ TELESCOPE POINTING ANALYSIS SOFTWARE, ORCHESTRATE™ SCRIPTING SOFTWARE, AUTOMADOME™ DOME CONTROL SOFTWARE, IACLIENT™/IASERVER™ SOFTWARE, THE GRAND TOUR, THESKY POCKET EDITION, THESKY POCKET EDITION WITH POCKET TPOINT, AND OTHER SOFTWARE COMPONENTS LICENSEE ELECTS TO PURCHASE FROM BISQUE, AND THE APPLICABLE USER DOCUMENTATION (THE "SOFTWARE") ONLY ON THE CONDITION THAT THE USER...
  • Page 5 Copyright 2002-2007, Software Bisque, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Protected by copyright and licenses restricting use, copying, distribution and decompilation. TheSky6 Professional Edition, CCDSoft, Browser Astronomy, IAClient, IAServer, Orchestrate, Paramount ME, and Software Bisque are trademarks of Software Bisque, Inc. in the United States and other countries.
  • Page 6 Paramount ME User’s Guide...

  • Page 7: Table Of Contents

    Table of Contents The Paramount ME Robotic Telescope System ................13 What Makes the Paramount ME So Different? ............... 13 Optional Accessories...................... 14 Unpacking the Paramount ME ..................14 Packing List ........................15 Box 1 ........................15 Paramount ME Mount .................... 15 Box 2 ........................
  • Page 8 Altitude Adjustment ...................... 45 Azimuth Adjustment ..................... 45 Azimuth Tensioning Screws ..................46 Additional Azimuth Adjustment................46 Paramount ME Quick Polar Alignment Method ................47 Step-By-Step Procedure ....................47 Precise Polar Alignment ........................49 Polar Alignment Using TPoint ..................49 Getting Started Using TPoint ..................
  • Page 9 Paramount ME User’s Guide Focus Pulse ......................63 Home Sensor Hour Angle and Sensor Declination ..........63 Save to Flash ......................64 Copy to Clipboard ....................64 Periodic Error Correction (PEC) ..................65 Recording the Periodic Error ..................65 The Periodic Error Correction Tab.................. 66 Recording Corrections ....................
  • Page 10 Troubleshooting Mount Operation ....................93 Problem ........................93 Solution ........................93 Appendix A: Preparing the Paramount ME Pier ................95 Paramount ME Adapter Plate Specifications ..............95 Heavy-Duty Wedge to Pier Adaptor Plate ..............95 Lightweight Wedge to Pier Adaptor Plate..............95 Primary Mounting Holes ..................
  • Page 11 Paramount ME User’s Guide Slo-Blo Subminiature Fuses Part Numbers ............103 Camera Power Cable Pin Out Specifications ............103 Appendix C: Updating the Control Software (Firmware) ............105 To determine your mount’s firmware version ............105 Appendix D – Southern Hemisphere Setup and Use ..............109 Sensor Hour Angle (HA) and Sensor Declination (Declination) ........

  • Page 13: The Paramount Me Robotic Telescope System

    What Makes the Paramount ME So Different? The Paramount ME is designed from the ground up to be a rock solid, reliable mount for instrument payloads up to 68 kg (150 lbs.). The following features ensure that you’ll enjoy increased productivity and superior results from your observing efforts.

  • Page 14: Optional Accessories

    Software Bisque has made every effort to ensure that your new mount arrives just the way it left our facilities: fully operational and ready to use. We want your first experience to be as enjoyable as the hours you’ll spend using it under the night sky.

  • Page 15: Packing List

    (24 x 12 x 12 in.) Weight: 27 kg (60 lbs.) One 4.7 m (15-foot) USB Cable Use this cable to control the Paramount ME through its USB port. (Page 1 16 Four 3/8-inch, 24 thread-per-inch Base Plate Attachment Knobs These knobs attach the mount to the pier.
  • Page 16 1/2-inch x 24 threads per inch (TPI) One 3 m (10-foot) RS232 Serial Cable The Paramount ME uses either USB or serial communication for software-based mount control. This cable runs from the computer’s RS232 port to the port labeled RS232 on the...

  • Page 17: Counterweights

    Optional Counterweight Extension Shaft Bar Component This is an optional accessory and is not included with the Paramount ME unless ordered separately. The Counterweight Shaft Extension Bar screws into the end of the Standard Counterweight Shaft for additional counterweight capacity.

  • Page 18: Removing Paramount Me From Shipping Box

    1 serial number. Removing Paramount ME from Shipping Box Please carefully read the following before attempting to remove Paramount ME from the shipping box. In order to prevent damage, the right ascension and declination worms are disengaged from the gears during shipment.

  • Page 19: The Paramount Me And Theskyx Professional Edition

    TheSkyX Professional Edition offers new and expanded features for Paramount ME control that are not included in this document. If you plan to use TheSkyX Professional Edition to operate the Paramount ME, please refer to the Paramount MX User Guide for details. The Paramount MX User Guide can be downloaded in PDF format from the Software Bisque web site using the URL below: http://www.bisque.com/sc/media/p/50302.aspx...

  • Page 20: Mount Nomenclature

    Telescope plate Declination assembly RA assembly Counterweight attachment block Counterweights Wedge assembly Pier Counterweight shaft Altitude retaining knobs (2 each side) Baseplate attachment knobs (4) with Micro-levelers underneath (4) Altitude positioning device Azimuth adjustment knobs (2) Figure 2: Paramount ME components.

  • Page 21: Adaptor Panel Basics

    RA housing Cable Conduit (through RA shaft) Adapter Panel Figure 3: Paramount ME components (rear view). Adaptor Panel Basics The table below describes each component of the Adaptor Panel. Figure 4: Adaptor Panel (Paramount ME with the MKS4000 control system).
  • Page 22 To control a pulse focuser from TheSky6 Professional Edition, first plug the pulse focuser into this port (or the identical port on the Instrument Panel), establish communication with the Paramount ME, and then click Telescope > Options > Focus Control. Guider Input for the autoguider.
  • Page 23 This panel provides access to the USB port and fuses. See and USB Port “ A ppendix E – USB Driver Installation and Use ” for details about controlling the Paramount ME via USB. (Page 1 11 See “ A uxiliary Port 1 and 2 Fuse Replacement ” for details...

  • Page 24: Instrument Panel Basics

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Earlier models of the MKS control system provided three “generic” lines of through the mount cabling through this DB9 port (on pins 2, 3 and 5). Aux Serial 1 (9- The port provides nine “generic” lines of through-the-mount line) cabling.

  • Page 25: Aux 1 And Aux 2 Port Specification

    171-7391.* *Critical Note The size of the Aux port connectors on your Paramount ME could be 2.5 mm instead of 2.1 mm. Although Software Bisque tries to ensure the 2.1 mm manufacturing specification, the Instrument and Adaptor Panel boards are manufactured outside Software Bisque by a third-party electronics manufacturing house, and to date, a handful of Adaptor Panels have been shipped with Adaptor Panels that use the 2.5 mm plug for the Aux ports.

  • Page 26: Paramount Me Assembly And Setup

    2.5 mm power plugs. The Mouser part number for the 2.5 mm Kobiconn DC is 171-7395. Paramount ME Assembly and Setup Now that you’re familiar with each Paramount ME component, it’s time to place the mount on your pier and align it to the pole. Approximate Altitude Adjustment The mount’s altitude is set to the lowest position (15 degrees) for shipping.

  • Page 27: Remember The "Right Hand" Rule

    ( F igure 7 Remember the “Right Hand” Rule! The Paramount ME uses “right-handed” threads. If you need to make an altitude adjustment, and forget which direction to rotate the altitude-positioning device, just use the right hand rule.

  • Page 28: Positioning The Versa-Plate

    (forward, middle and back) to accommodate different weight distributions of different equipment. The Paramount ME is assembled and shipped with the Versa-Plate mounted in the forward-most position. This position should work a wide-variety of equipment and optical tube assembly combinations so that you should not need to change it. However, if you need to adjust the Versa-Plate’s position to achieve balance in declination for your optical...
  • Page 29 (for Schmidt–Cassegrain or similar OTAs) or one- inch backward (for Newtonians or longer OTAs). There are twelve tapped holes in the top of the Paramount ME declination gear ( F igure 10 The four inner holes accept 1-inch, ¼-20 thread, flat socket cap screws (± 0.001 inches).
  • Page 30 Note that the machined arrow on the declination hub points in the same direction as the incoming light. The Paramount ME is shipped with the Versa-Plate mounted in the “typical configuration” as shown in the left drawing in F igure 12 .

  • Page 31: Plugging In The Instrument Panel Electronics

    Plugging In the Instrument Panel Electronics This section describes the procedure for properly plugging in the Instrument Panel electronics, and is included for reference purposes only, since the Paramount ME is now assembled and shipped with the Instrument Panel Housing and electronics already mounted to the Versa-Plate.

  • Page 32: Attaching The Mount To The Pier

    The Paramount ME’s Micro-Levelers are used to fine-tune the mount’s level. The maximum amount of adjustment for each leveler is approximately 3 mm or 1/8-inch. The Micro-Levelers are also used ensure the base plate of the Paramount ME is not distorted by an uneven mounting surface.

  • Page 33: Critical Micro-Lever Note

    Base Plate Attachment Knobs The Paramount ME attaches to the pier using four Base Plate attachment knobs near the corners of the Wedge Base Plate ( F igure 17 ) .

  • Page 34: First Time Operation

    48-Volt power supply to the Adaptor Panel). Figure 31: Paramount ME Adaptor Panel. Note that the Paramount ME will not respond to joystick or TheSky6 slew commands and will not begin tracking until the control system is homed. See “...

  • Page 35: Audible Feedback

    Audible Feedback While the Paramount ME is turned on, please listen! The control system emits different sounds to indicate the status of initialization operations, error conditions, and will also “hum” during normal operation.
  • Page 36 ” on page for more information about homing. Variable- Always. When the Paramount ME is turned on and pitched hum. initialized, the servomotors emit an audible, variable-pitched sound. This sound is the result of the control system checking and adjusting the position of the servomotors about 3,000 Hz, and is normal.

  • Page 37: What Is Autohoming

    AutoHoming is an automated initialization process that slews both the right ascension and declination axes to a mechanically fixed position called the home position. The control system must perform this step every time the Paramount ME is turned on to reestablish the mount’s absolute position to the nearest one arcsecond.

  • Page 38: Homing Troubleshooting

    Manufacturer Part number: B3W-1050 Mouser Electronics ( h ttp://www.mouser.com ) part number: 653-B3W-1050 H T U U T H Connecting the Paramount ME to Your Computer TheSky6 Professional Edition can control the Paramount ME using either Universal Serial Bus (USB) or RS232 interface.

  • Page 39: Usb Or Rs232 Interface

    The Paramount ME can communicate with a personal computer using a standard RS232 serial port, or by USB port. Before the Paramount ME can be controlled via USB port, you must install the MKS 4000 USB driver first. See “...

  • Page 40: Determining The Paramount Me's Equatorial Coordinates

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Determining the Paramount ME’s Equatorial Coordinates The Paramount ME does not employ conventional “setting circles.” Instead, use TheSky6 Professional Edition to determine where the mount is pointing. From TheSky6 Professional Edition, click the Status Bar command from the View menu, mark the Telescope Position option and then click OK.
  • Page 41 OTA to the Versa-Plate. Figure 21: This figure shows a Paramount ME that is dangerously out of balance. Caution! Never position the Paramount ME in the above...

  • Page 42: Balance The System

    The Paramount ME comes with two 9 kg (20 lb.) counterweights to balance the optical tube assembly. To balance the right ascension axis, slide the counterweights up or down the counterweight shaft until the system has no tendency to rotate in either direction.

  • Page 43: Balance Knobs

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Balance Knobs The Balance Knobs serve a dual purpose. When turned clockwise, they pull the worm away from the gear, allowing free rotation of the axis so that the mount’s payload can be balanced. When turned counterclockwise, they hold the worm into mesh with the gear, preventing disengagement.

  • Page 44: Attaching The Optical Tube Assembly To The Versa-Plate

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Knobs are not used to adjust tension between the worm and the gear. However, the Balance Knobs can be over tightened and bind the servomotors. Figure 25: RA Balance Knob Attaching the Optical Tube Assembly to the Versa-Plate...

  • Page 45: Altitude Adjustment

    “tics” on the altitude positioning handle is equal to two arcminutes of movement. Azimuth Adjustment The Paramount ME uses an innovative design that allows you to adjust the mount’s azimuth without changing its altitude. The base plate consists of an outer, fixed plate and an inner rotating plate on which the mount sits.

  • Page 46: Azimuth Tensioning Screws

    ) equals two arcminutes. Azimuth Tensioning Screws The two azimuth tensioning screws can be adjusted by inserting a hex wrench into the front of the Paramount ME base plate (the two straight arrows in F igure 26 ) . These tensioning screws push pliable Delrin plungers against the internal rotating wedge plate.

  • Page 47: Paramount Me Quick Polar Alignment Method

    Paramount ME Quick Polar Alignment Method The Paramount ME contains homing sensors that can be used to aid in the first step of polar alignment. Each time the Paramount ME is homed, it returns to the exact same position (that is, to the nearest encoder tic, or a fraction of an arcsecond).
  • Page 48 Paramount ME User’s Guide the mount is level, set the Paramount ME’s altitude to the latitude of the observing site (page Step 2 Make sure that TheSky6 Professional Edition has the correct date and time information, and then Home the mount by clicking Telescope >...

  • Page 49: Precise Polar Alignment

    Once you are familiar with the technique of telescope mapping as described in the TPoint User’s Manual, you are ready to collect modeling data. If the Paramount ME’s polar alignment is way off, even short star-hopping slews may require the destination star to be...

  • Page 50: Telescope Mapping And Polar Alignment Procedure

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Telescope Mapping and Polar Alignment Procedure 1. Set the local time as accurately as possible each night before observing. 2. Insert a New TPoint model into TheSky6 Professional Edition (Edit > Insert >TPoint Model). 3. After accurately synchronizing the telescope, slew to a nearby star (by identifying the...

  • Page 51: Polar Alignment - The Drift Method

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Note the specific Paramount ME instructions on the dialog box. These calibrated instructions for the Paramount ME appear only if the Telescope text on the Data > Observing Parameters dialog box in TPoint reads Paramount ME (TPoint version 5.00.504 or later w ww.bisque.com/download...

  • Page 52: Using A Calibrated Video Display

    Paramount ME Initialization This section describes the steps necessary to initialize the Paramount ME on the first night of operation and on subsequent nights. Discussions related to TPoint modeling, mount initialization, and parking might seem daunting at first.

  • Page 53: Homing

    Paramount ME can maintain accurate pointing. Homing The Paramount ME can be initialized to exactly the same position using a process called homing. Essentially, the homing procedure slews the mount to an absolute position. Using this home position and an accurate time base (obtained from TheSky6 Professional Edition), the control system can be initialized very accurately from session to session.

  • Page 54: Setting The Computer's Clock

    Parking the Paramount ME Parking is a command that can be issued to the Paramount ME and performs the following operations: 1. After confirmation by the user, the mount is automatically slewed to a user-defined altitude and azimuth coordinate, called the park position.

  • Page 55: Defining The Park Position

    Software Bisque recommends that the telescope be parked as close to the home position as practical. Since the Paramount ME must be homed at power up, the time required to find the home position is reduced when the park position is near the home position.

  • Page 56: Connecting The Electronics And Power

    Panel. This supplies power to the Paramount ME. Note: The Paramount ME power supply is designed for indoor use only. 4. Turn on the Paramount ME using the rocker switch labeled Mount Power on the adapter panel. On power up, you will hear the motors seeking for the nearest index on the encoders for several seconds.

  • Page 57: Cabling Supplied With The Paramount Me

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Cabling Supplied with the Paramount ME The Paramount ME has two built in cables that pass from the Adapter Panel at the south end of the mount up through the axis and into the Instrument Panel on the Versa-Plate.

  • Page 58: Cable-Conduit

    Step 1 Preserve the Mount's Elevation Setting If the Paramount ME has been aligned to the celestial pole, make a pencil mark on the Altitude Adjustment knob before raising the mount so that you can return the mount to the same elevation (with less than one arcminute of error).
  • Page 59 Paramount ME User’s Guide Step 2 Remove the RA Panel Remove the RA box panel on the East side of the mount (see F igure 35 ) . This involves removing eighteen screws:  Thirteen ¼-in. flat socket cap screws surrounding the RA panel...

  • Page 60: Remove The Declination Box Panel

    Paramount ME User’s Guide This photograph is for illustration purposes only. Please remove all counterweights and the counterweight shaft before performing this operation. Step 3 Remove the Declination Box Panel Remove the Dec box panel on the East side of the mount (see...

  • Page 61: Add Additional Cabling

    Paramount ME. More Settings Dialog Box The default settings for the Paramount ME’s control system allow operation right out of the box; typically there is no need to make changes to these settings. However, the control system is very powerful and offers many options, so the default setting of many functions...

  • Page 62: Mount Type

    Note that the two dialog boxes pictured above show the default settings for the right ascension and declination axes. Mount Type The Paramount ME is a German Equatorial telescope, so this option should be set to German Equatorial. Mount ID This information is for reference purposes only.

  • Page 63: Guider Speed

    When the Sync button is clicked, the hour angle and declination of the home position are computed and stored in the flash memory of the control system. For the Paramount ME, these values are approximately hour angle 2 and declination 0 degrees for a mount that is leveled and polar aligned.

  • Page 64: Save To Flash

    To view this text, click the Paste command from the Edit menu of any text editor, such as Notepad. You may be asked to email this information to Software Bisque if there is an issue with the control system. Following is a sample of the information that is copied to the clipboard when this command is used.

  • Page 65: Periodic Error Correction (Pec)

    Recording the Periodic Error Recording the Paramount ME’s periodic error involves guiding on a star using a CCD camera or manually making guiding adjustments for one revolution of the worm.

  • Page 66: The Periodic Error Correction Tab

    The best periodic error recording results are obtained by autoguiding with a CCD camera. In fact, the periodic error of the Paramount ME may be too small for the human eye to reliably detect. Figure 40: Periodic Error Correction tab on the More Settings Dialog Box (TheSky6 Professional...

  • Page 67: Recording Corrections

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Figure 41: The Periodic Error Correction tab's graph of raw periodic error data (TheSky6 Professional Edition). Recording Corrections Please read the Important Note in the “ P eriodic Error Correction (PEC) ” section on page before continuing.

  • Page 68: Curve Fit: Smoothing The Pec Table

    5. Upload the PEC Table to the More Settings – Click Upload to copy the smoothed table from the dialog box into the More Settings. 6. Turn the Paramount ME Off, then On – The power on the Paramount ME must be cycled before the new periodic error corrections take effect.

  • Page 69: Polynomial/Sine Curve

    ” section on page before continuing. The Paramount ME’s motor to worm reduction assembly uses gears with the ratio of 3.3333 : 1 and 3.000 : 1. These additional pulleys add higher order frequencies to the recorded periodic error. Using the Polynomial option, the Curve Fit button computes a least squares polynomial fit of the order entered in the Polynomial Order text box.

  • Page 70: Apply Pec Correction

    Number of PEC table entries = 125 * PEC ratio So, for the gear reduction system in the Paramount ME, the PEC ratio is 10 (that is, a 10:1 gear reduction before the worm) and the number of PEC table entries is 1,250.

  • Page 71: Paste

    Zero Flash Click this button to erase the Paramount ME control system’s existing PEC table. Status Tab Figure 44: The Advanced Tab of the More Settings dialog box (TheSky6 Professional Edition).

  • Page 72: Advanced Tab

    Figure 46: Homing/Limits tab of the More Settings dialog box (TheSky6 Professional Edition). Click Telescope > Options > More Settings, and then click the Homing/Limits tab to access these options. The Homing/Limits tab allows you to change some of the default options of the Paramount ME’s control system.

  • Page 73: Right Ascension/Declination

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Software Bisque recommends that you do not make changes to any of the values unless you have a clear understanding of how the change will effect the mount’s operation. For example, if you set the Minimum Limit to –4,000,000 instead of -3,250,000, the mount may collide with the right ascension stop if the mount is under joystick control or PC control.

  • Page 74: Count

    These options apply to the MKS 4000 model control system only. All Paramount ME’s shipped prior to July 2004 use the MKS 3200 control system, and these options do not apply. The MKS 4000, Software Bisque’s third-generation control system, has several new features including USB support, built in thermometer and soft reboot capability.

  • Page 75: Current Percentage

    Enable Infrared Software Bisque is currently investigating the use of Infrared ports on Pocket PC’s as a means of mount control when in *close* proximity to the mount. Please check the Paramount website for any breaking news on this support, late in 2004. Support is subject to factors beyond Software Bisque’s control, so we are not guaranteeing infrared...

  • Page 76: Direction Output (1)

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Direction Output (1) Open Collector Output (1) Direction Output (2) Open Collector Output (2) These options are future MKS 4000 features and are currently not implemented. System Reboot Group The MKS 4000 can be rebooted through software as if power to the mount was cycled. This...

  • Page 77: Quick Start

    Figure 48: Telescope Setup and Settings dialog boxes. Quick Start 1. From TheSky6 Professional Edition, click Telescope > Setup. 2. Select Paramount ME by Software Bisque from the Telescope or Control System list. 3. Click Settings, select the serial (COM) port to use and then click OK.

  • Page 78: What Does The Sync Command Do

    In theory, after the Paramount ME is aligned with the celestial pole, it can be synchronized once and never again. In practice, you will need to sync the system from time-to-time.

  • Page 79: Best Synchronization Practices

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Figure 50: TheSky6 Professional Edition looking south with the meridian turned on. The white line in Figure 50 is the local meridian. When the Paramount ME is:  in the northern hemisphere, and  the Versa Plate is in the “standard orientation” (page 29), and ...

  • Page 80: Performing A Telescope Synchronization

    (See “Best Synchronization Practices” on page 75). In the southern hemisphere, the Paramount ME must be synchronized to a star that is on the east side of the meridian. Figure 50 shows the Virtual Sky with the telescope cross hair on the west side of the meridian.

  • Page 81: Session To Session Pointing Repeatability

    In subsequent sessions, TheSky6 Professional Edition can accurately compute the current equatorial and horizon coordinates of the telescope using the stored hour angle and declination of the mount and the local sidereal time. In fact, the Paramount ME’s pointing accuracy should be virtually identical from session to session.

  • Page 82: Making Sure Synchronization Is Correct

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Making Sure Synchronization Is Correct The first step to ensure the Paramount ME is properly synchronized is to look at the hour angle and declination of the homing sensors reported by TheSky6. After synchronizing the mount, from TheSky6 Professional Edition, click Telescope > Options > More Settings. The Setup tab shows the Home Sensor Position (see Figure 52).

  • Page 83: Purple Region

    The red region also indicates the area where, when the OTA is on west side, the mount can be slewed past the meridian without flipping sides. Figure 53: If you’ve successfully synchronized the Paramount ME, the shaded regions will be centered on the meridian.

  • Page 84: Synchronization Checklist

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Figure 54: If the shaded regions are not centered on the meridian, or the shaded regions do not appear, then the mount is not properly synchronized. If you’ve synchronized the mount using a star that is on the same side of the meridian as the optical tube assembly, and you attempt to slew the mount across the meridian, the following error message is displayed.

  • Page 85: To Prepare For A Mapping Session

    Even though this initial synchronization is never perfect due to imperfections in the system, it establishes the angles in the Paramount ME control system that all subsequent mapped stars will use.

  • Page 86: Using Protrack

    TPoint documentation and meaning of each term).  Evaluate the TPoint terms based on your actual pointing results. Here are some general guidelines for getting the most out of TPoint, the Paramount ME, and ProTrack:  Once you have your desired accuracy in polar alignment, make a high-density TPoint model.
  • Page 87 (except those with AAT in the name; those are for the Anglo- Australian telescope, not the Paramount ME). Look for terms that, when used, will significantly reduce the Sky RMS and PSD values. (RMS = root mean square error;...

  • Page 88: Enabling Protrack

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Enabling ProTrack To enable ProTrack, launch TheSky6 Professional Edition, establish communications with the mount, and then click Telescope > Options > ProTrack Status (or press CONTROL+K) to display the ProTrack Status dialog box. Next, mark both the Activate ProTrack and Enable Tracking Adjustments options.

  • Page 89: Tracking Satellites

    (and other objects that move at a non-sidereal rate) easier. For example, in order to track a satellite using a Paramount ME, TheSky6 Professional Edition can download the latest two-line element data (TLEs) from the world-wide web, and then all you need to do is find a satellite that is above the horizon using TheSky6’s Find...
  • Page 90 Paramount ME User’s Guide 4. Locate the name of a target satellite; for now, any one that is above the horizon will do for this exercise. Click Edit > Find, and mark the Object Information option. This will automatically show the Object Information dialog box for any object that is selected.

  • Page 91: Start/Stop Search

    The software and hardware combination of CCDSoft version 5, TheSky6 Professional Edition and Paramount ME offers an exclusive technology, called “DirectGuide,” which bypasses the autoguider port, and sends closed-loop autoguider corrections directly to the MKS 4000 control system. Once CCDSoft is configured to use DirectGuide, (instead of the traditional relay autoguiding method through the camera to the telescope) no autoguider cable is needed.
  • Page 92 Backlash Y = 0 10. Unplug the autoguider cables from the Paramount ME. 11. Autoguide as usual. CCDSoft will now send autoguider corrections directly to the Paramount ME (via TheSky6 Professional Edition). You now have one less cable to worry about!

  • Page 93: Cold Temperature Operation

    Therefore, the maximum slew rate for the right ascension axis should be reduced when the Paramount ME is operated in cold temperatures (less than 32º F or 0º C). Reducing the maximum slew rate effectively increases the servomotor’s maximum torque so that the mount can operate normally.
  • Page 94 S lew Speed Adjustment (Temperature) Group ” on page additional cold temperature operation suggestions. Mount cannot locate The Paramount ME contains two optical sensors that are used the Home Position in to detect the Home Position. If homing fails, check the one or both axes.

  • Page 95: Appendix A: Preparing The Paramount Me Pier

    Appendix A: Preparing the Paramount ME Pier Paramount ME Adapter Plate Specifications The Paramount ME Wedge to Pier Adapter Plate is mounted between an existing pier or tripod and the Paramount ME’s base plate. Figure 61: Heavy-duty Wedge to Pier Adaptor (unanodized).

  • Page 96: Primary Mounting Holes

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Primary Mounting Holes There are two sets of three mounting holes. The Primary mounting holes can be used for adapting to piers that have a large, flat top. There are built in “washers” on the bottom of these holes in case the mounting surface is not perfectly flat.
  • Page 97 , the Celestial Pole is towards the bottom of the page. The three primary mounting holes form an “arrow” that points toward the north when the mount is located in the northern hemisphere or the south in the southern hemisphere. Figure 65: Top view of the Paramount ME adapter plate.

  • Page 98: Software Bisque Pier Specifications

    Software Bisque Pier Specifications Figure 67: Sample 46 cm (18-inch) Paramount ME Pier The Software Bisque Paramount ME pier is available in heights ranging from 30.5 cm to 122 cm (12-inches to 48-inches). Software Bisque stocks 30.5 cm (12-in), 61 cm (24-in.), 91 cm (36-in.) and 122 cm (48-in.) piers.

  • Page 99: Pier Base Plate

    Pier Base Plate F igure 69 shows the footprint of the Paramount ME pier. The pier can be mounted using four 0.50-inch J-bolts placed in concrete. Software Bisque recommends that the base plate remain in contact with the cement surface to minimize damping times.

  • Page 100: Pier Top Plate

    The Paramount ME Pier Top Plate is slightly larger than the Base Plate. It is constructed out of 0.50-inch thick steel plate and is drilled in the corners to accept the Paramount ME. North is indicated in the above drawing. However, since the 9.40-inch hole pattern is symmetric about the center of the pier, and multiple of 90-degrees will also work.

  • Page 101: Appendix B: Miscellaneous Paramount Me Specifications

    50º 46.0 cm (18.1 in.) The height is measured from the base of the Paramount ME to the center of the OTA. This measurement is especially important if the mount is inside a dome, or there are walls around the observatory building that might obstruct the telescope’s view. An unobstructed view at the horizon requires the pier top be high enough so that OTA does not point “into the wall”...

  • Page 102: Guider Jack Wiring Specifications

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Guider Jack Wiring Specifications The Adaptor Panel’s Guider port accepts a male RJ12 modular connector and provides access to the directional switching used during autoguiding. Pinouts for the Male RJ12 End of Guider Cable that Plugs into the...

  • Page 103: Auxiliary Port 1 And 2 Fuse Replacement

    Paramount ME User’s Guide Description Part Number Quantity per Package 5.5 mm O.D./2.1 mm I.D. DC power 274-1569 plug 3.5 mm phono plug (mono) 274-286 RJ12 modular phone plug 279-421 DB9P (male) 276-1537 DB9S (female) 276-1538 DB9 hood (used with DB9P and DB9S) 276-1539 DB9 female-to-female cable, 6 ft.
  • Page 104 Paramount ME User’s Guide The camera power input is the 5-Pin DIN round connector mounted to the front of the electronic board and is labeled JP3 on the board; the Molex 8-pin connector is the white connector mounted to the backside of the electronic board and is labeled JP7.

  • Page 105: Appendix C: Updating The Control Software (Firmware)

    The following procedure currently applies only to the older MKS 3000 and MKS 3200 control systems. This appendix describes the procedure to update the Paramount ME with the MKS 3000, MKS 3200 model control system and the Paramount GT-1100S control software.
  • Page 106 Paramount ME User’s Guide Figure 78: Advanced tab of the Paramount ME More Settings dialog box showing the firmware or “control” version. 1. Download the most recent version of TheSky6 Professional Edition from Software Bisque at w ww.bisque.com/download H T U U T H 2.
  • Page 107 Paramount ME User’s Guide  On the Paramount ME with the MKS 3000, remove the access panel on the control panel mounted on the back of the RA box. Once removed, you will see the adapter board with numerous wires and ribbon cables attached. There are two DIP switches on this board labeled Program on one side and Run on the other.

  • Page 109: Appendix D - Southern Hemisphere Setup And Use

    Appendix D – Southern Hemisphere Setup and Use The following directions show how to configure TheSky6 Professional Edition so the Paramount ME or GT-1100S performs properly in the Southern Hemisphere. See “ P aramount ME Initialization” on page for details about connecting your telescope to the computer and establishing communications with the mount.

  • Page 110: Sensor Hour Angle (Ha) And Sensor Declination (Declination)

    Setting Telescope Limits Figure 82: Setting Telescope Limits. The Declination Limit Lines must be set to –90 degrees for the Paramount ME to function normally in the Southern Hemisphere. Otherwise, an “exceeded slew limit” warning is issued each time the mount is slewed. Click View > Reference Lines > Edit Dec Limit to...

  • Page 111: Appendix E: Usb Driver Installation And Use

    The installer for the latest TheSky6 update is available on this disc. To Install the MKS 4000 USB Drivers 1. Insert the Paramount ME System Disc into your CD or DVD-ROM drive and wait for the introduction screen to appear.
  • Page 112 Paramount ME User’s Guide 6. Click Install to install the MKS 4000 USB to UART Bridge Controller Driver Set. 7. During driver installation, the following screen appears twice. Click Continue Anyway each time. 8. Click OK on the on Installation Successful screen.
  • Page 113 Paramount ME User’s Guide 11. Select Install From a List or Specific Location (Advanced) and then click Next. 12. When prompted to specify where to search for the drivers, click Don’t Search. I Will Choose the Driver to Install option. Click Next.
  • Page 114 Paramount ME User’s Guide 13. Select the Universal Serial Bus Controller from the Common Hardware Types list and then click Next. 14. Click the Show Compatible Hardware option, then select the MKS 4000 USB Composite Device from the list, and then click Next. You’ll be prompted to verify the installation of the USB drivers.

  • Page 115: To Uninstall The Mks 4000 Usb Drivers

    Paramount ME User’s Guide The MKS 4000 USB drivers should now be installed and ready to use. The following drivers are copied to the Windows System32 folder:  Slabbus.sys  SlabWH.sys  SlabWNT.sys  MKSUSBUn.u2k  MKSUSBUn2K.exe To Uninstall the MKS 4000 USB Drivers 1.

  • Page 116: Using The Mks 4000 Usb Port

    Figure 83: Use a small Phillips screwdriver to remove the cover labeled “Access to Fuses and USB Port” to access the USB port. 2. Plug the USB cable to any USB port on the computer, and into the Paramount ME’s USB port.

  • Page 117: Changing The Mks 4000 Usb Com Port Number

    Paramount ME User’s Guide You can determine the COM port number (or change it) using the Windows Device Manager. Note that under Windows NT, 2000 and XP Professional, the user account must be a member of the Administrator’s group to alter these settings.
  • Page 118 Paramount ME User’s Guide 4. On the Advanced Settings for COM N dialog box, from the COM Port Number list, select the desired COM port to use for the MKS 4000 USB port.

  • Page 119: Appendix F: Fcc Compliance Statement

    Appendix F: FCC Compliance Statement Warning Changes or modifications to this unit not expressly approved by the party responsible for the compliance could void the user's authority to operate this equipment. Note This device complies with Part 15 of FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: 1.

  • Page 121: Index

    Index Drift method ............51 Adaptor panel ............. 34 48-Volt Power In port ........ 16, 23 FCC Warning ............ 119 Access panel ........... 23 Firmware Auxiliary port 1 ..........23 updating ............105 Auxiliary port 2 ..........23 Fuses ............... 103 Auxiliary Serial 1 port ........
  • Page 122 Paramount ME User’s Guide Pier ..............20 Southern hemisphere operation ......109 base plate ............99 Synchronization ..........77 height determination ........101 starting from scratch........84 Software Bisque permanent ......98 top plate ............100 Polar alignment Temperature drift method ............ 51 cold weather operation ........

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