ASA Electronics DDM200 User Manual
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ASA Electronics DDM200 User Manual

Direct drive mount
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DDM200 user manual - software
DDM200 – Direct drive mount
ASA part #: 0200748A
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
Original user manual
version: 9600025A
page 1 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020

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Summary of Contents for ASA Electronics DDM200

  • Page 1 DDM200 user manual - software DDM200 – Direct drive mount ASA part #: 0200748A Created by: MPuchner 01.2020 Original user manual version: 9600025A page 1 of 46 printed: 26.02.2020...

  • Page 2: Table Of Contents

    DDM200 user manual - software Table of contents Software concept............................... 3 Switch on DDM power supply ........................... 4 Switch power supplies using the buttons ....................5 Using the web interface of the remote power switch ................5 Establish connection to TCU ..........................8 Directly connect monitor, keyboard and mouse ..................

  • Page 3: Software Concept

    DDM200 user manual - software 1 Software concept Software: Software: Windows Remote Desktop or Autoslew and other astro- TeamViewer software DDM200 Mount Telescope Control Unit Remote user - PC User PC/laptop (If you want to control the telescope remotely) LAN, TCP/IP...

  • Page 4: Switch On Ddm Power Supply

    The following power ports of the remote power switch have to be switched on for telescope operation: Power port 1 “DDM200 main” … power supply for mount main drives (RA, DE) Power port 2 “DDM200 aux”...

  • Page 5: Switch Power Supplies Using The Buttons

    DDM200 user manual - software Switch power supplies using the buttons Open the telescope cabinet. DANGER! Do not touch any current-carrying parts! For operating the mount you need to switch on the ports 1, 2 and 8. By pressing the “select” button (1) you can choose which port you want to switch.
  • Page 6 Press login. Figure 4 - Remote Power Switch Web Interface When the power ports “DDM200 main”, “DDM200 aux” and “DDM200 TCU” are switched on, the mount is powered and ready for operation. Created by: MPuchner 01.2020...
  • Page 7 DDM200 user manual - software For configuring the remote power switch, consult the device’s user manual: Gude Expert Power Control 8211 Created by: MPuchner 01.2020 Original user manual version: 9600025A page 7 of 46 printed: 26.02.2020...

  • Page 8: Establish Connection To Tcu

    You can connect a monitor, keyboard and mouse to the DDM (TCU) using the HDMI and USB connector. Consult the chapter Connectors on the mount bottom side of the DDM200 hardware manual. Now you have direct access to the Windows interface of the TCU. You can configure the TCU’s IP address or install software.
  • Page 9 DDM200 user manual - software You can find the TCU’s TeamViewer ID on a separate sheet of paper which comes with this manual. As the Teamviewer ID is allocated by the Teamviewer server, the ID might have changed. So if you cannot connect to the TCU via Teamviewer you need to connect monitor, mouse and keyboard to find out the new ID.

  • Page 10: Using Windows Remote Desktop

    DDM200 user manual - software Using windows Remote Desktop To configure Windows Remote Desktop either connect monitor, keyboard and mouse to the mount or connect to the TCU via TeamViewer. You need to enable Remote Desktop in the Windows settings on the TCU.
  • Page 11 DDM200 user manual - software Note down the IPv4 address Start Remote Desktop Connection on your user PC/laptop. Click Show Options Enter the TCU’s IP address in the line Computer Enter ASA in the line User name Press Connect The default password is 123456!a Created by: MPuchner 01.2020...

  • Page 12: What Is Autoslew

    DDM200 user manual - software 4 What is Autoslew Autoslew is ASA’s software for controlling your DDM mount and all of its features. It provides an ASCOM interface for establishing a connection to other Astro-programs/devices. Autoslew is already preinstalled on the telescope control unit (TCU) of your DDM mount.

  • Page 13: Using A Gps Receiver

    DDM200 user manual - software Using a GPS receiver You can also use a USB GPS receiver for getting your observatory location. It is particularly recommended because Autoslew can use it to get a very accurate time. Just connect your USB GPS receiver to the USB port on the bottom side of the mount and install the required drivers on the TCU.
  • Page 14 DDM200 user manual - software Click on the marked button. Activate the checkbox „On“ and leave this window with „OK“. Caution: If you change the USB-Port or connect any device between computer and GPS- Receiver (e.g. USB-Hub, repeater cable,..), the Com-Port might change. In this case you need to perform the Com-Port settings again.

  • Page 15: Set Location With Gps

    DDM200 user manual - software If your GPS-Receiver already receives sufficient signals, the display changes to green. Then the time value in Autoslew gets synchronized with the accurate time value received via satellite. PLEASE NOTE: It might take up to two minutes until the GPS-receiver receives sufficient signals.
  • Page 16 DDM200 user manual - software Now the following window appears: Click „Get From GPS“. After closing the confirmation window, the right location coordinates should be filled-in automatically. Close this window with „OK“. Save your settings with „File“→“Save Parameter“ Created by: MPuchner 01.2020...

  • Page 17: Motor Tuning

    DDM200 user manual - software 7 Motor Tuning For the mount’s flawless operation it is absolutely essential that you optimize the weight balance of both axes as good as possible. Consult the hardware manual. Tuning the motor parameters is absolutely essential for the mount to operate properly. If the motor parameters are not optimized sufficiently there might appear vibrations, loud noise or irregular movements during slewing or tracking.
  • Page 18 DDM200 user manual - software Press TUNE Manual In this window you can adjust the PID parameters for the direct drives. The red line in the middle of the blue area represents the desired position. The motor controllers try to keep this desired position as good as possible.
  • Page 19 DDM200 user manual - software If you press Go, the Azimuth axis will start to move with sidereal speed. Now a yellow line will appear. This represents the actual position of the axis measured by its encoders. In this case the motor parameters are already pretty good, as the yellow line follows the red line very accurately.
  • Page 20 DDM200 user manual - software • Oscillation with high frequency: try to decrease your D value or increase your I and P value If you are satisfied with your settings, press the Stop button. Now switch to the altitude axis (DE) and repeat the procedure.

  • Page 21: Additional Features Of The Tuning Window

    DDM200 user manual - software Additional features of the tuning window Noise Filter In some cases mounts work better without using the default noise filter. If you have problems with the motor tuning, try to disable it by unchecking the checkbox ON.

  • Page 22: First Mount Movements

    DDM200 user manual - software 8 First mount movements You can use the Move Controls – buttons to move your mount. Adjust the movement speed with the slider next to the buttons. If you want to use a gamepad for movement, please refer to the chapter Using a Gamepad / Joystick In some positions the mount might not move because it is next to a software limit.

  • Page 23: Synchronizing Your Mount Position For Practicing

    DDM200 user manual - software 9 Synchronizing your mount position for practicing For training and testing purposes it is sufficient to synchronize the telescope roughly on a position. The following position is pretty suitable for that, as we know it without the need of visible stars. Just move your telescope to this position: As default, Park Position 1 is predefined as zenith east, so exactly this position.
  • Page 24 DDM200 user manual - software → If you want to save this Synchronization for the next start, just press Mount Set new Homeposition. Now you can enable the limits again: You should now be able to move your telescope within the normal range of the sky without getting into a software limit.

  • Page 25: Connecting Autoslew To A Planetary Software

    DDM200 user manual - software 10 Connecting Autoslew to a planetary software Autoslew can be connected to many different planetary programs via ASCOM. You can install any windows and ASCOM compatible planetary software on the telescope control unit (TCU). Always ensure that time and location settings are correct in your planetary software and are equal to the settings in Autoslew.
  • Page 26 DDM200 user manual - software 8. Press Connect The square next to the connect button will turn green and your connection is established. Now your current telescope position will be displayed on the sky chart with white concentric circles. If you have problems connecting your planetary software with Autoslew, it might be necessary to run both programs as administrator.
  • Page 27 DDM200 user manual - software Choose the tab Compatibility and check the box Run this program as an administrator. Press Apply and OK. Created by: MPuchner 01.2020 Original user manual version: 9600025A page 27 of 46 printed: 26.02.2020...

  • Page 28: Synchronizing Your Telescope Position With A Planetary Software

    DDM200 user manual - software 11 Synchronizing your telescope position with a planetary software To tell Autoslew where the telescope is currently pointing at, you need to synchronize the telescope position. Therefor you need to move the telescope manually to an object on the sky (for example a bright star). Centre the object on your camera chip or eyepiece by slowly moving the mount with the move controls.

  • Page 29: Performing Slew-Commands With Your Planetary Software

    DDM200 user manual - software 12 Performing Slew-commands with your planetary software Slew commands only work correctly if your mount is properly synchronized on the sky (see previous pages). To move your telescope to a certain object on the sky, just select the object in your planetary software and choose the Slew-command.

  • Page 30: Creating A Pointing Model / Pointing File

    DDM200 user manual - software 13 Creating a pointing model / pointing file A pointing model enables Autoslew to compensate every repeatable error of your telescope and improves pointing and tracking accuracy significantly. Ensure that your mount is aligned to the pole as accurate as possible by using a compass, laser, or other tools.
  • Page 31 DDM200 user manual - software 5. Autoslew will tell you what to do in the status bar in the lower left corner 6. Autoslew wants us to slew to the first star of our pointing model. As we are still pointing to the star we used for synchronization we can use this star as the first star of our pointing model.
  • Page 32 DDM200 user manual - software 12. When you have enough stars, stop the pointing file 13. Press Calculate Configuration 14. Choose normal Optimization and press START Created by: MPuchner 01.2020 Original user manual version: 9600025A page 32 of 46 printed: 26.02.2020...
  • Page 33 DDM200 user manual - software 15. Now have a look at the Polar Alignment Error For a permanent setup we should seek for a maximum error of 5arcmins in both axes. So that means that we need to change the mechanical adjustment of Alt and Az of the mount.
  • Page 34 DDM200 user manual - software 19. As described in the text below the pictures you should now switch to your planetary software and slew to a star near meridian south at about 20-40°(horizontal type) or about 33-63° (tilt type) altitude (leave this current window open).

  • Page 35: Creating A Pointing File For Normal Operation

    DDM200 user manual - software Creating a Pointing file for normal operation Creating a pointing file for normal operation is pretty much the same as making one for the polar alignment. The only difference is, that we need a lot more stars. How many depends on your telescope, focal length and exposure times you want to achieve.
  • Page 36 DDM200 user manual - software 3. Press Start/Add Pointingfile 4. Confirm this message with OK, as you already synced before Created by: MPuchner 01.2020 Original user manual version: 9600025A page 36 of 46 printed: 26.02.2020...
  • Page 37 DDM200 user manual - software 5. Now Autoslew asks you to enter a name for the pointingfile and the directory where it should be saved at. We keep the default directory, call the file “pointing1” and press the save button.
  • Page 38 DDM200 user manual - software 13. When you have enough stars, stop the pointing file 14. Press Calculate Configuration 15. Choose normal Optimization and press START Created by: MPuchner 01.2020 Original user manual version: 9600025A page 38 of 46 printed: 26.02.2020...

  • Page 39: Defining Park Positions

    DDM200 user manual - software Choose Use now, save and use on next start Now you can save this Configuration on your hard disk. It will be used automatically when you start Autoslew. Autoslew will now use this configuration to optimize pointing and tracking accuracy.

  • Page 40: Using A Gamepad / Joystick

    DDM200 user manual - software Save these settings by pressing the save-button If you want to move your telescope to a park position, you only need to press the button for the appropriate park position: and then press the Goto button Now your telescope moves to the defined park position.
  • Page 41 DDM200 user manual - software → To change the button layout press Control Joystick Settings If you want to change the button for a certain function, press Select at this function and then press the desired button on your gamepad.
  • Page 42 DDM200 user manual - software In our case we use the Xbox One controller. We use The A-button (button 1) for fast move (300x sidereal speed) and the X-Button (button 3) for turbo move (2500x sidereal speed). Created by: MPuchner 01.2020...

  • Page 43: Autoguiding

    DDM200 user manual - software 16 Autoguiding For Autoguiding you need to connect Autoslew to the program that reads out the autoguider CCD and measures the deviation with the telescope via ASCOM. If you are using MaximDL, connect to “Astrooptik Server Telescope”. Then set the autoguider options to “Telescope”...

  • Page 44: Restoring Personal Settings

    DDM200 user manual - software Restoring personal settings → For restoring these settings press File Restore Settings. Choose the desired file and press Restore Customer Settings. Restoring factory settings In case you have changed any settings by mistake or struggle with malfunctions, you can restore the factory settings and configure everything (motor settings, location,..) from scratch.

  • Page 45: Updating Autoslew

    DDM200 user manual - software 18 Updating Autoslew To update Autoslew to a newer version you need to uninstall the current version from your windows control panel. After that you just need to run the latest Autoslew Installer. If you follow this procedure all the settings of Autoslew persist. If you want to remove your settings, you need to delete the Settings folder after uninstalling →...

  • Page 46: Remove Autoslew Completely

    DDM200 user manual - software 19 Remove Autoslew completely This chapter describes how to remove Autoslew completely from your computer, including all the software settings. Caution: This is also the default folder for pointing files. Backup those in a separate directory if you want to keep them.

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