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Summary of Contents for Ace SmartDome
- Page 1 ACE SmartDome ™ User Reference Manual Computer control for ObservaDome Laboratories enclosures 2021 February 01 ©2001-2021 All Rights Reserved Astronomical Consultants and Equipment Inc. 2901 W. Sahuaro Divide Tucson AZ, 85742 www.astronomical.com...
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Page 2: Table Of Contents
Time Display ...................... 25 SmartDome Log File ..................25 SmartDome Weather Station Interface .............. 26 2.9.1 Enable Weather Station ................26 2.9.2 Report ......................26 SYSTEM ENGINEER SETUP ................28 Overview ......................28 ACE SmartDome™ Application System Setup..........28... - Page 3 3.4.10 Dropout Timer.................... 35 3.4.11 Close Open Up Down Limits..............35 3.4.12 Right Block / Left Block................35 3.4.13 Elevations ....................35 ACE SmartDome ASCOM DRIVER ..............37 Overview ......................37 USING TheSkyX ....................42 Overview ......................42 Configuration .....................
- Page 4 Figure 4-7 ASCOM POTH Setup ..................40 Figure 4-8 ASCOM Dome Chooser ................. 41 Figure 4-9 ASCOM Dome Control Panel with ACE SmartDome Dialog ....... 41 Figure 5-1 ASCOM Telescope driver for TheSky ............42 Figure 5-2 Configuring TheSkyX ..................43 Figure 5-3 TheSkyX Imaging System Setup Dialog ............
- Page 5 Table 6-1 VFD Low Voltage Wiring ................49 Table 6-2 VFD Typical Parameters .................. 51 Table 6-3 VFD Advanced Parameters ................52 TRADEMARKS SmartDome™ is a trademark of Astronomical Consultants & Equipment, Inc. TheSky is a trademark of Software Bisque, Inc.
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Page 6: Introduction
Communication with the ACE SmartDome is through TCP/IP. An option to use a serial communications port is available. This document describes how to operate the ACE SmartDome™ and how to install the SmartDome™ software. -
Page 7: Definitions
EFINITIONS SmartDome™ The term “SmartDome” refers to the equipment which is used to control an astronomical observatory so as to open and close the dome and align the dome with the telescope. The name is also applied to the high-level software that is used for testing the system. -
Page 8: System Hardware Description
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 1.5 S YSTEM ARDWARE ESCRIPTION The system can be divided into those components that are static and those that move with the dome. The static components are: ▪ Main box with push buttons and a LCD screen ▪... -
Page 9: Main Control Box
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome The rotating components are: ▪ Top box with push buttons ▪ Conductor bars ▪ Rain snow sensor mounted on the outside of the dome ▪ Limit switches ▪ Home sensor trigger arm 1-2 S IGURE... -
Page 10: Lcd Screen
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome Unlike some systems there is no “Remote / Local” switch to go between computer and manual control which could be left in the wrong position requiring a trip back to the observatory. The system can handle both the computer and manual operation simultaneously. -
Page 11: Conductor Bars
1.5.7 Top Box The top box controls the shutter door. It is also possible to control additional equipment such as a windscreen, lighting, etc. Please contact ACE for a custom solution if you require these features. There are three push buttons on the top box. Emergency Stop will lock out the doors and also lock out azimuth rotation. -
Page 12: Ace Smartdome™ Software
2.0 ACE SMARTDOME™ SOFTWARE 2.1 O VERVIEW The ACE SmartDome™ software is a C++ application that can run under Microsoft® windows. The following description applies to ACE SmartDome™ Graphical User Interface v206 and later. This software allows control of the ACE SmartDome™ using any ASCOM application (such as ACP) or by using The Sky X Communication is via TCP/IP port and / or a serial communications (COM) port. -
Page 13: Tcp/Ip Setup
192.168.0.142. You will probably need to change the static address to suit your network. Note that the SmartDome does not use DHCP. Your I.T. department may want to know the MAC address of the SmartDome, to allow it on the network. To discover the mac address enter the command:... -
Page 14: Figure 2-3 Typical Sd Card
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2-3 T SD C IGURE YPICAL We need to edit the contents of the network.txt file but notepad and other editors will corrupt the contents of the file. Please use the freely available notepad++ application (download at http://notepad-plus-plus.org/... -
Page 15: Figure 2-5 Setup Ip Address
Save your file and then re-insert the SD card back into the main box and power it back on. Simply plug the SmartDome into any router. You should now be able to ping the SmartDome™ and get a response back. From the ACE SmartDome™ application select IP Address from the setup menu and enter the information. -
Page 16: Serial Communications Port
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.2.2 Serial Communications Port We recommend using the TCP/IP for communications. Alternatively, a serial port can be used which requires an available Com port on the control computer. Use either a PCI / PCIe based serial port or a USB-Serial adapter. - Page 17 Reassign the high-numbered port to a lower value or simply unplug the device for a few seconds and when it is re-found it should have a low comport number. Connect the ACE SmartDome™ to an available computer serial port. The port settings are:...
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Page 18: Ace Smartdome Dialog
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.3 ACE S MART IALOG Once connected to the TCP/IP port (or the COM port) the screen icons will appear and the status of the doors and automation system will be displayed. Assuming that the dome is closed the screen will be similar to that shown in Figure 2-7. -
Page 19: The Status Frame
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.3.2 The Status frame: For the Main Shutter there are six options: Shut Ajar which means neither opened nor closed. Open Fault Opening Closing The Observatory is a state reported to ASCOM and is explained in more detail in each section. -
Page 20: Azimuth Goto
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.4.1 Azimuth GoTo To move to specified azimuth enter the destination in the green entry field and then press GoTo. The system always takes the shortest path. The request to move dome is written to the system log and another entry is written once it reaches the destination. -
Page 21: Park
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.4.3 Park Park is another pre-defined azimuth position. Unlike the Home position there is no sensor. Pressing the Park button will move the dome in the shortest path and a message “Parking” will appear next to the button. When the dome is within ±2 degrees of the parked position the message changes to Parked. -
Page 22: Setup Azimuth
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.5 S ETUP ZIMUTH There are two options in the Setup Azimuth menu, called Home and Park: 2-12 S IGURE ETUP ZIMUTH 2.5.1 Setup Azimuth Home This menu option opens a dialog that allows the home azimuth to be specified. The current value is entered as the default. -
Page 23: Automation
2.6.1 Auto Shutdown This feature monitors the communications between the control computer and the ACE SmartDome™ main box. When it is determined that the system is not receiving any communications and the dome is open the SmartDome™ will automatically close the dome if this feature is enabled. -
Page 24: Rain-Snow
(enabled) and a red background when disabled. The first line on the main box LCD display reads “Auto shutdown OFF” when the feature is disabled or “ACE SmartDome” when enabled. Note for system engineering: The ? and + commands show [ON] when enabled and [OFF] when disabled. -
Page 25: Time Display
MART A log file is generated with the name YYMMDD.log where the year, month and day are determined by the time display used in the ACE SmartDome™. The file is in the directory from which the program was started. (Typically C:\Program Files (x86)\ACE SmartDome) -
Page 26: Smartdome Weather Station Interface
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2.9 S MART EATHER TATION NTERFACE If the ACE SmartDome was purchased with a weather station then the Weather Station will appear in the main menu. 2-19 W IGURE EATHER TATION Current support is for a Davis Instruments station. The weather station itself must be running. -
Page 27: Figure 2-20 Weather Station Dialog
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 2-20 W IGURE EATHER TATION IALOG The close conditions are displayed in the rightmost column. To change the close conditions click on the Close At button (Figure 2-21). Please note that the weather station must be set up with the same (metric) units. -
Page 28: System Engineer Setup
3.0 SYSTEM ENGINEER SETUP 3.1 O VERVIEW Before the ACE SmartDome™ can be used it has to be setup by a System Engineer. This is done by an ACE technician as part of the installation procedure and is documented here for future reference. -
Page 29: Figure 3-1 System Engineer Window
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 3-1 S IGURE YSTEM NGINEER INDOW... -
Page 30: Ace Smartdome™ Commands
The HELP command gives a list of all the commands which are presented in Error! R eference source not found.. The ACE SmartDome™ GUI will automatically convert lower case letters to upper case. If using putty please note that all commands are CASE SENSITIVE and should be in... - Page 31 ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 3-1 C ABLE OMMAND EFERENCE ABLE HELP Commands for ACE SmartDome(TM) Revision 209 Compiled Fri Oct 22 20:05:14 MST 2010 ================================================== THESE COMMANDS ARE DESIGNED FOR SYSTEM SETUP OR FOR USE IN WRITING YOUR OWN INTERFACE.
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Page 32: Motion Control Status
Line 3 has the following Code options: The two-digit codes should be considered deprecated. They are kept for backward compatibility with classical Version 1.0 ACE SmartDomes still used in the field. For all new applications use the third field of line 3. -
Page 33: Engineering Status
Up limit active high: 1 Down limit active high: 1 Right block: -1.000000 Left block: -1.000000 Elevation Horizon: 30.00 Elevation Zenith: 60.00 Accept Elevations: 1 Elevation Requested: 45.00 > The following notes describe some of these parameters. For additional help contact ACE. -
Page 34: Top Box Radio Ok
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 3.4.1 Top Box Radio OK The Top Box radio OK will either read 1 or 0, with 1 being good and 0 being lost. The LCD display will read TOP BOX RADIO LOST if the value is 0. Check the radios. When they are communicating the red/green LED’s flash at about 5 HZ. -
Page 35: Last Azimuth Goto
21 (command 21 SM). 3.4.9 Has Hinged Dropout / Has Latched Door. These are set by ACE and cannot be changed by the user. For an ObservaDome the correct value is 0. 3.4.10 Dropout Timer. - Page 36 ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome The value in degrees for the elevation of the windscreen, if enabled.
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Page 37: Ace Smartdome Ascom Driver
Double-click on the ASCOM Diagnostics icon and click on the Run Diagnostics button. This will take several minutes to complete. Now start the ACE SmartDome dialog and connect to the TCP/IP or COM port. Then exit the dialog. This will automatically register the ACE SmartDome.dome ASCOM driver. -
Page 38: Figure 4-3 Ascom Platform 6 Menu
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 4-3 ASCOM P IGURE LATFORM... -
Page 39: Figure 4-4 Ascom Dome Control
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 4-4 ASCOM D IGURE ONTROL Use the Setup button to display the setup dialog as shown in Figure 4-5. 4-5 ASCOM D IGURE OME AND ELESCOPE ETUP Be sure to set the Latitude, Longitude and radius of dome or the dome pointing will be... -
Page 40: Figure 4-6 Ascom Dome Chooser
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome Press the Select Dome button to display the ASCOM Dome Chooser and select POTH Hub from the drop-down box. (Do not select ACE SmartDome!!!) 4-6 ASCOM D IGURE HOOSER If this is the first time running the POTH Hub you must select the Properties button. -
Page 41: Figure 4-8 Ascom Dome Chooser
Telescope Setup, earlier, but now it wants the radius in meters). The Slave Control determines the minimum dome move and the update frequency. In the Dome Connection select Choose Dome and ACE SmartDome from the list box. 4-8 ASCOM D... -
Page 42: Using Theskyx
5.1 O VERVIEW This chapter describes how to setup the TheSkyX from Software Bisque to control the ACE SmartDome™. Note that you must have one of the following versions of TheSky installed: TheSky X Pro 10.2.0 or later (this is the best option!). -
Page 43: Configuration
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 5.2 C ONFIGURATION First, you must set the location of the telescope and the correct date and time from the Input menu. 5-2 C IGURE ONFIGURING Next, from the Telescope menu select Telescope Setup. This displays the Imaging System Setup dialog, as shown in Figure 5-3. -
Page 44: Figure 5-3 Theskyx Imaging System Setup Dialog
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 5-3 TheSkyX I IGURE MAGING YSTEM ETUP IALOG On the left hand side select Mount and then Mount Setup. Choose the telescope mount from the list. If you don’t have a telescope installed at the moment then choose the Simulator as shown in Figure 5-4. -
Page 45: Figure 5-5 Theskyx Choose Dome Dialog
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome If you purchased the Dome Add On then select Dome in the same manner and navigate to the ASCOM Dome as shown in Figure 5-5. 5-5 T IGURE HOOSE IALOG Click on OK to get to the Dome Setup. Note that the default parameters in this dialog box will not work for most systems! Unless you have a German equatorial mount the settings shown in Figure 5-6 should work in most cases. -
Page 46: Figure 5-7 Ascom Dome Control Panel For The Sky
Dome being a POTH Hub and the Scope being the ASCOM Telescope driver for TheSky. 5-7 ASCOM D IGURE ONTROL ANEL FOR Click on Connect. This will start TheSky and the ACE SmartDome application. When the telescope is slewed the ASCOM Dome Control Panel will keep the telescope and the dome aligned. -
Page 47: Azimuth Variable Frequency Drive
The requirement is written on the front panel of the drive. In all cases the VFD outputs 3-phase power to the 3-phase azimuth motor(s). An encoder feeds back the current azimuth to the ACE SmartDome™. WARNING ... -
Page 48: Slow Speed Moves
If the commanded move is less than the COAST distance then the COAST feature will not be invoked. 6.3 VFD L OLTAGE ONTROL IRING The ACE SmartDome™ Main Board has an 8-conductor screw terminal for azimuth drive control, as shown if Figure 6-1, located just by the large relays. 6-1 A IGURE ZIMUTH CREW... -
Page 49: Programming The Vfd
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 6-2 VFD L IGURE OLTAGE ONTROL CREW ERMINAL 6-1 VFD L ABLE OLTAGE IRING SmartDome Color Description Note BLACK Rotate Right Red LED GREEN Rotate Left Green LED GREEN LOOP TO 2 WHITE High Speed... -
Page 50: Figure 6-3Vfd Digital Keypad
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 6-3VFD D IGURE IGITAL EYPAD Note the black potentiometer knob. Always leave this set at 100%. Table 6-2 lists all of the parameters that must be changed from the factory defaults. Be absolutely certain to change Parameter P1.02 which is the deceleration parameter. - Page 51 Multi-Function Input terminal DI3 P 3.04 Multi-Function Input terminal DI4 P 3.05 Multi-Function Input terminal DI5 P 5.01 Multi-Speed 1(HZ) (Slow Speed) P 5.03 Multi-Speed 3(HZ) (High Speed) Note: Qualified ACE Control Engineer will tune the drive to optimize performance.
- Page 52 ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome ADVANCED MUTI-SPEED SETTINGS 6-3 VFD A ABLE DVANCED ARAMETERS DATA SHOWN FOR 3.5-m Observa-Dome model Parameter Description ACE value P 0.00 Motor Nameplate Voltage P 0.01 Motor Nameplate Amps P 0.02 Motor Base Frequency P 0.03...
- Page 53 ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome DATA SHOWN FOR 6.0-m Observa-Dome model Parameter Description ACE value P 0.00 Motor Nameplate Voltage P 0.01 Motor Nameplate Amps P 0.02 Motor Base Frequency P 0.03 Motor Base RPM 1750 P 0.04 Motor Max RPM (See notes) 1750 P 1.00...
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Page 54: Programming The Smartdome Radios
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 7.0 PROGRAMMING THE SMARTDOME RADIOS 7.1 I NTRODUCTION If two SmartDome systems are installed at the same observatory the radios can cross-talk. To prevent this the radios must be programmed to different ID’s. 7.2 P REPARING THE... -
Page 55: Preparing Putty
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 7.3.1 Preparing Putty Start Putty, a terminal emulator. It is available for free download here. Select the Serial radio button option and edit the COM port number. Click on Terminal and set the values shown above. -
Page 56: Using Putty
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 7.3.2 Using Putty When the session is opened rapidly type +++ to start communicating. The system will respond with OK. The system will time out if there is no activity after only a few seconds. To restart simply type +++ again. -
Page 57: Electrical Diagrams
ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome 8.0 ELECTRICAL DIAGRAMS... - Page 58 ACE SmartDome Controller for ObservaDome...