ASA Electronics DDM200 User manual
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 1 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
DDM200 –Direct drive mount
ASA part #: 0200748A
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 2 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
Table of contents
1 Software concept............................................................................................................................................... 3
2 Switch on DDM power supply ........................................................................................................................... 4
Switch power supplies using the buttons.................................................................................................. 5
Using the web interface of the remote power switch .............................................................................. 5
3 Establish connection to TCU.............................................................................................................................. 8
Directly connect monitor, keyboard and mouse....................................................................................... 8
Using TeamViewer..................................................................................................................................... 8
Using windows Remote Desktop............................................................................................................. 10
4 What is Autoslew............................................................................................................................................. 12
5 Starting Autoslew ............................................................................................................................................ 12
6 Entering Location............................................................................................................................................. 12
Using a GPS receiver................................................................................................................................ 13
6.1.1 Set Location with GPS...................................................................................................................... 15
7 Motor Tuning................................................................................................................................................... 17
Additional features of the tuning window .............................................................................................. 21
8 First mount movements .................................................................................................................................. 22
9 Synchronizing your mount position for practicing.......................................................................................... 23
10 Connecting Autoslew to a planetary software............................................................................................ 25
11 Synchronizing your telescope position with a planetary software ............................................................. 28
12 Performing Slew-commands with your planetary software ....................................................................... 29
13 Creating a pointing model / pointing file .................................................................................................... 30
Creating a Pointing file for polar alignment ............................................................................................ 30
Creating a Pointing file for normal operation ......................................................................................... 35
14 Defining Park Positions................................................................................................................................ 39
15 Using a Gamepad / Joystick......................................................................................................................... 40
16 Autoguiding ................................................................................................................................................. 43
17 Backup and restore settings........................................................................................................................ 43
Save your personal settings..................................................................................................................... 43
Restoring personal settings..................................................................................................................... 44
Restoring factory settings........................................................................................................................ 44
18 Updating Autoslew...................................................................................................................................... 45
19 Remove Autoslew completely..................................................................................................................... 46
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 3 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
1Software concept
DDM200 Mount
User PC/laptopRemote user - PC
(If you want to control the
telescope remotely)
Telescope Control Unit
TCU
Internet
Software:
Windows Remote Desktop or
TeamViewer
Software:
Autoslew and other astro-
software
LAN, TCP/IP
Figure 1 - Software concept
There is a windows computer built-in the mount –the telescope control unit (TCU). The TCU contains all the
programs necessary for operating the mount and all of its components.
To gain access to the TCU you need to use tools like Windows Remote Desktop® or TeamViewer®. You can
connect a monitor mouse and keyboard to your telescope to determine the TCU’s IP-address or TeamViewer ID.
Therefor the mount provides a USB and a HDMI connector on the bottom.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 4 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
2Switch on DDM power supply
Inside the mount’s electronics cabinet there is a remote power switch. With this device you can switch on and
off the mount’s power supplies either with the buttons on the device or via a web interface. The procedures are
described in the next chapters.
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” …power supply for telescope auxiliary drives (focuser, covers)
Power port 8 “DDM200 TCU” …power supply for TCU
When port 8 is switched on the TCU boots automatically.
Always shut down Windows properly on the TCU before switching off the power supply to
avoid damaging the operating system.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
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. The LEDs (3) show which port is currently selected. Press and hold the
“ok” (2) button to switch on the currently active port. The led changes from red to green when the power port is
switched on.
Figure 2 - Remote power switch
Using the web interface of the remote power switch
You can also control the remote power switch by accessing it via your web browser. Enter the IP-address of the
remote power switch into the address bar of the browser. If you don’t know the IP-address you can find it with
the tool GBLconfig (preinstalled on the TCU). You should also install it on your user PC. You can download it
here. https://www.gude.info/fileadmin/user_upload/Download/gblconf_v2.7.11.exe
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
Figure 3 - GBL_Conf
The Software automatically searches for your remote power switch in your network.
It is listed as “Expert Power Control 8211 – v4.2 –EPC-8211”. Double-click on the device and your browser will
connect automatically to the remote power switch.
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.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
3Establish connection to TCU
Directly connect monitor, keyboard and mouse
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.
Default Windows password: 123456!a –ASA recommends changing the password.
Although this could be used for normal operation, we only recommend it for the initial setup. For
normal operation we recommend using a separate user PC/laptop and connect via LAN which is
described in the following chapters.
Using TeamViewer
Make sure your user PC/laptop is connected to your network.
TeamViewer is preinstalled on the TCU and starts automatically when the TCU boots. Download and install
TeamViewer www.teamviewer.com on your user PC/laptop.
Important: Teamviewer is only free for private use. For commercial use you need to purchase a
license. Refer to www.teamviewer.com for further information.
Alternatively you can use Windows Remote Desktop –described in the following chapter or
you can use any other remote desktop software such as VNC.
Enter the TCU’s TeamViewer ID and press connect. The default password is: 123456!a
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 9 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
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.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
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.
Find out the TCU’s IP address:
Press +r
Enter cmd and press enter
Now the command terminal is opened
Enter ipconfig
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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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
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
4What 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.
Some of the following steps may be skipped, because ASA already preconfigured some of the settings in
Autoslew. Nevertheless we recommend reading the complete manual to get fundamental knowledge about the
features of this software.
5Starting Autoslew
Open Autoslew by double-clicking the shortcut on the TCU’s desktop.
6Entering Location
Goto Mount
→
Location and enter the coordinates of your observatory location.
Confirm by pressing OK.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
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.
Open your windows device manager:
At the ports-section there should appear a GPS receiver with a comport number. Remember this number. (10 in
this case)
Switch to Autoslew.
Go to Control
→
Com Ports
Now enter the port number in the Autoslew Com-Settings.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 14 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
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.
In the Autoslew info bar you can see the number of satellites Autoslew receives signals from.
Now choose the feature „Tools“→“SynchTimeToGPS“
Click on the marked button.
Activate the checkbox „On“ and leave this
window with „OK“.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
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. Please wait a while and click “SynchTimeToGPS” again. If the display is still red and
shows “GPS 0Sat”, the position of the receiver is probably not ideal. Make sure that the
receiver has a visual connection to the sky. You can use an USB extension cord for that.
6.1.1 Set Location with GPS
To set the location, determined by GPS, go to “Mount”→”Location”.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
Now the following window appears:
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“
Click „Get From GPS“.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
page 17 of 46
printed: 26.02.2020
7Motor 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.
Before starting the motors put your mount to the following position:
Start the motors by pressing the button “Motor is off”.
When the button turns green, the motors are in operation. There might be some humming or whistling sounds.
Don’t worry – nothing will be damaged. That just means that your motor parameters need to be optimized.
Therefor go to Drive→Servo Setup
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
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.
The PID parameters will influence how fast, accurate and stable this will work. Higher values improve the
resistance against wind and other impacts, but make the system more receptive to oscillations. So you need to
find a compromise between stiffness and stability.
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
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.
You can now try to tap your scope with your fingers and watch the yellow line moving away from the desired
position and coming back. (to simulate wind)
If you increase the PID values your telescope will react more aggressive to compensate such impacts, but if you
are using too high parameters it might happen that the mount will start oscillating.
Here are some examples of situations with non-ideal parameters:
•Oscillation with low frequency:
try to increase your D value or decrease your I and P value
DDM200 user manual - software
Created by: MPuchner 01.2020
version: 9600025A
Original user manual
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printed: 26.02.2020
•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.
Autoslew uses 2 different sets of parameters for each axis. You already adjusted the parameter sets for sidereal
speeds. If you move the mount with speeds higher than 0,05°/s Autoslew will switch to another set of
parameters that needs to be adjusted too.
Therefor switch to Slewing Speed and press Go.
Your mount will now move a few degrees in one direction and then reverse.
These PID values can be much lower as we do not need as much stiffness for slewing as for tracking. Do not
spend too much time to get the yellow line fitting to the red one. For this set of parameters (used for slewing) it
is absolutely sufficient that your mount moves without noise and without obvious oscillations.
Do not forget to adjust the parameters for Slewing Speed for the other axis too.After adjusting all these
parameters press Save and exit. Your motors are now ready for operation.
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