Avalon Instruments STARGO GOTO User manual

STARGO GOTO CONTROL SYSTEM
USER MANUAL
Version 4.1.2, February 2020 by Mauro Ghiri
All the pictures and contents here included are property of AVALON INSTRUMENTS. The contents may not e
reproduced, pu lished, copied or transmitted in any way, including the internet, without the written permission
of AVALON INSTRUMENTS.

Preface
Avalon Instruments manufactures astronomical mounts and control systems that are
known for excellence of design, superior engineering and extreme accuracy. The StarGo
Control System has een designed for integrated use with the Avalon Linear and M-uno
mounts, or in a separate control ox for the M-zero mount. The StarGo system can also e
equipped with special hardware for use with mounts from other manufacturers.
This manual descri es the new Avalon Goto Control System for astronomical mounts; it is
part of a set which also includes the manuals of the single mounts produced y Avalon
Instruments as well as a training manual for the use of third party software with the StarGO
hardware.
The manual is in a process of continual development and improvement. Therefore it is
suggested that users regularly consult the Avalon Instruments we site support page to
o tain easy access to newer updated versions.
Please report any errors, omissions or inaccuracies in this manual y sending an email to
[email protected]. We also welcome suggestions for improvements in this
manual and in our products.
VERY IMPORTANT NOTE
It is mandatory that StarGO applications as well all other ASCOM
client applications are la nched with the “Administrator” privileges
nder Windows environment. If this req irement is not applied the
sim ltaneo s comm nication among the applications and the StarGO
hardware and software are not g aranteed
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 2

Summary
1. System Description and Technical Specifications..............................................................5
1.1 Technical Specifications:..............................................................................................9
1.2 The StarGO Goto Control System hardware interface..............................................10
1.3 StarGO Power On......................................................................................................12
2. StarGo software suite installation.....................................................................................14
2.1 Mount preliminary settings for a mount quick use with StarGO Software..................22
3. StarGO software description.............................................................................................25
3.1 Graphic User Interface (GUI).....................................................................................25
3.2 Parameter setting.......................................................................................................26
3.2.1 System Panel......................................................................................................26
3.2.2 RA DEC Panel.....................................................................................................28
3.2.3 AUX Panel...........................................................................................................30
3.2.4 ADVANCED Panel...............................................................................................31
3.2.5 ALIGN Panel........................................................................................................32
3.3 Warning Descriptions.................................................................................................34
3.4 Using the special features of the Main Graphical Area..............................................35
This section descri es in greater detail all items and features in the Main Control Panel
of the GUI, which are not descri ed or are only riefly mentioned in the previous
sections.............................................................................................................................35
3.5 Use of the StarGO for controlling telescope in Equatorial Mode...............................40
3.5.1 Alignment (SYNC) and GoTo Operations............................................................40
3.6 Use of the StarGO with a PC for controlling telescope in Alt-Az Mode......................42
3.7 Mount control using ASCOM driver............................................................................43
3.8 Using the StarGO with a wireless connection............................................................46
3.8.1 Bluetooth pairing the StarGO with a Windows PC..............................................47
3.8.2 Bluetooth pairing the StarGO with a Macintosh..................................................49
3.8.3 Connect the StarGO to a Windows PC via WiFi.................................................50
3.8.4 Connect the StarGO to a Macintosh via WiFi.....................................................51
4. StarGO and SkySafari......................................................................................................52
4.1 Mo ile device connection via Bluetooth and Wi-Fi....................................................52
4.1.1 Bluetooth pairing the StarGO with an Android ta let or smartphone..................52
4.1.2 Wi-Fi connection of StarGO with an Android ta let or smartphone....................54
4.2 Sky Safari setup.........................................................................................................56
4.3 Preliminary settings via PC for a visual session without PC......................................56
4.4 SkySafari Connection and alignment.........................................................................60
5 - Mount Control with StarGO-BT for Android.....................................................................64
5.1 Application Installation................................................................................................64
5.2 Application Use...........................................................................................................65
5.3 Application setup........................................................................................................66
A1.0 Introduction...................................................................................................................70
Required Equipment.........................................................................................................70
A2.0 X-Solver Operation.......................................................................................................71
A2.1 X-Solver connection.................................................................................................71
A2.2 – Settings panel.......................................................................................................73
A2.3 Plate Solve panel.....................................................................................................74
A2.4 The X-solver as single star Plate Solver..................................................................75
A2.5 The X-Solver as a pointing model for as many as 24 stars/points..........................75
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 3

A2.6 Image management.................................................................................................77
A2.7 POLAR ALIGNMENT TOOL....................................................................................78
A2.8 TIPS & TROUBLESHOOTING.................................................................................79
B.1 Software Updating..........................................................................................................80
B.2 Firmware Updating – StarGOLoader.............................................................................81
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 4

1.System Description and Technical Specifications
The StarGO is a GoTo Control System ased on stepper motor technology. It has een
designed to e intuitive and easy to use. Thanks to this characteristics it can e used in
three main modality:
•Simple tracker – Without any kind of device. Just get the power and it is ready to
track oth in Equatorial and Alt/Az axis mode.
•Wireless GoTo System - To e used with SkySafari and smartphones/ta lets. In this
mode the 24 star pointing model is already availa le. This modality is mainly
suggested for visual o servation.
•Full GoTo system mount controller – To e used with a PC. In this way it will e
possi le to use the Stargo System, via ASCOM driver, with the main astronomical
softwares such Maxim, TheSkyX, Phd2, SGP, Carte du ciel etc. allowing the full
control and features: home position, goto, park/unpark, autoguide, focus etc. This
modality is mainly suggested for astrophotography. The System has een
succesfully tested with Windows 7/8/10 (via ASCOM Driver) and OS X (LX200
classic).
The StarGo Goto Control System was designed mainly for the Avalon Instruments mounts
ut, thanks to the programma le gear ratio and the motors kit availa le, it can e easily
adapted to other mounts also.
The StarGO hardware has een designed to e strong, relia le and long lasting. The
StarGo intelligence has een moved to the internal firmware and the external software,
oth easily to update. It is important to note that in this way it will e possi le to maintain
the whole system always updated without the need of any hardware upgrade.
In the following page it is possi le to see the StarGO connection and functionality scheme.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 5

____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 6

The StarGO Goto Control System is composed y the following parts:
1. The StarGO Control Box, which can e em edded within the mount as in the
Avalon Linear and M-Uno, or in a separate
control ox for the M-Zero. In addition,
thanks to the programma le Gear Ratio and
the special motor kit, the StarGo Control Box
is also compati le with many mounts from
other manufacturers. It has the a ility to
provide a smart interface etween the
mount’s drive motors and the external world.
Using internal and user-selected
computerized astronomy software
applications, it performs all the necessary
communications with specific components,
including autoguiders, focusers, CCD rotators, DSRL cameras, and other auxiliary
devices via USB connections with Windows and Macintosh computers. Wireless
capa ility, ased on Bluetooth (right picture) or Wi-Fi (left picture), is
also integrated in the control ox unit to interact with intelligent
devices such as smartphones, ta lets, Android devices as well as
Windows and Mac computers. The wireless system (BT or Wi-Fi)
must e chosen at time of order.
2. The StarGO Keypad is a le to physically command the mounts and
perform almost all the most needed operations without the use of a
computer or other control device.
3. The StarGO software, developed entirely y Avalon Instruments,
uses a computer to perform all the setup and management
operations, including the control of various external equipment that can e
connected to the control ox. It is also a le to perform all the same operations
performed y the StarGO keypad.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 7

4. The StarGO-BT application for Android devices allows them to interface with the
StarGO control ox via Bluetooth connection. With this application the Android
devices ecome perfect smart-device control pads. This application, as well as
StarGO, is under continuous development to add new functionalities.
5. The Avalon Stargo ASCOM driver makes possi le the interaction etween the
StarGO Control Box and the most used astronomical softwares.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 8

1.1 Technical Specifications:
General Computerized control system ased on stepper motor technology and
dual communication (USB and Bluetooth or Wi-Fi).
Operational Mode Equatorial or Azimuth (for the appropriate mounts)
Pointing Model
•Single star
•Three star (only in Alt Az axis mode)
•Multistar (Up to 24 stars)
System Speeds:
•“Guide”: From 0,05 to 0,95X in 0,05X increments.
•“Center”: From 2 to 10X
•“Find”: From 10 to 150X.
•“Slew”: N. 4 speeds ranges (Low, Medium, Fast, Ultra)
depending on the mount “gear ratio” and, for the maximum
speed “Ultra”, on the power supply (requires at least 15 VDC).
Tracking Speeds
•Sidereal
•Solar
•Lunar
•Terrestrial (No tracking)
RA – DEC Motor
Currents
Typical currents are 0.3 A for tracking and 1.5 A (adjusta le) for
slewing.
Data Base
14000 Default o jects. The data ase is easily edita le y the user
using a simple text editor. This data ase is part of the StarGO software
and it may e accessed using a PC.
Input/Output Ports
•USB
•Bluetooth or WiFi
•ST4
Output Ports
•AUX0: (Baader Steeldrive only in Bluetooth version)
•AUX1: Hy rid Step Motor with a max current of 1 A.
•AUX2: Hy rid Step Motor with a max current of 1 A.
Electrical
Characteristics
Power Supply: 12 – 18 VDC sta ilized
Current: from 0.3 to 1.5 A (adjusta le) in all operating
conditions
Control Operations
•Goto and Sync to celestial o jects
•Automatic Meridian Flip
•User defina le parking and homing functions
•Programma le Custom Gear Ratio.
User updata le
firmware Via USB connection
Operating
Temperature Range -20 ≈ +40 °C
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 9

1.2 The StarGO Goto Control System hardware interface
It is supplied with the following items:
1. Main Board and aluminium case. (Figure 1 StarGO Bluetooth Front Panel;
Figure 2 StarGO Wi Fi Front Panel)
2. StarGO control keypad.
3. Keypad connection ca le (RJ45 Standard).
4. USB ca le.
5. 12-24 VDC power supply with 110-240 VAC and 12 VDC inputs + cigarette
lighter 12V power ca le.
6. A USB flash drive containing the StarGO software and other utilities needed for
its setup and operation, as well as the complete documentation, including this
and other manuals.
7. A foam-lined high-impact carrying case for all of the a ove (provided only with
the StarGo Stand Alone kit.)
The Main Board for the Avalon Instruments Linear and M-uno mounts comes already
internally installed in those mounts from the factory. On the M-zero mount and the
Stand Alone kit, it is mounted externally in a separate case. The StarGO control ox
(item 1 a ove) which comes with the M-zero and the Stand Alone Kit is an attractive
Aluminium case which contains the StarGO main control oard. It is also designed to
e installed externally on mounts of other rands and has external connections to
power the motors and other devices This section descri es the StarGO control
interface and the related keypad.
Figure 1.2.a illustrates the physical interface of the StarGO Bluetooth control ox.
Figure 1.2. illustrates the physical interface of the StarGO Wi-Fi control ox.
Figure 1.1.a. StarGO
Bluetooth Front Panel
1. On/Off Power utton
2. ST4 autoguide port
3. 12-18 VDC power supply plug
4. Bluetooth capa ility sym ol
5. DSLR Canon exposure
management port
6. USB2 I/O Port
7. Baader SteelDrive focuser control
port (Bluetooth version only)
8. Handheld keypad RJ45 plug
9. Stepper Motor Auxiliary Output Port
(Aux 1)
10. Stepper Motor Auxiliary Output Port
(Aux 2)
11. On/Off LED
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 10

12. On/Off Power utton
13. ST4 autoguide port
14. 12-18 VDC power supply plug
15. WiFi capa ility sym ol
16. DSLR Canon exposure
management port
17. USB2 I/O Port
18. Handheld keypad RJ45 plug
19. Stepper Motor Auxiliary Output Port
(Aux 1)
20. Stepper Motor Auxiliary Output Port
(Aux 2)
21. On/Off LED
Figure 1.1.c Illustrates the manual keypad which is connected to the StarGo Control Box at
the plug la eled “Keypad” (#7) with the included RJ45 ca le.
Figure 1.1.c Keypad
W / E Decreases/Increases the Right Ascension
N / S Increases/Decreases the Declination
Fn Function Key
SPEED+/- Increases/Decreases the mount’s
movement speed
Fn&SPEED+/- Increases/Decreases the Polarscope
LED light intensity
FOCUS+/ - Controls the in and out movement of the
SteelDrive focuser motor in the port with the same name.
Also controls the movement of any focuser connected to
either of the two Aux ports.
Fn&FOCUS+/- Changes the Aux port to which the
changes are sent. (1)
Fn&N / S Select system tracking speed (Sidereal,
Solar, Lunar, Terrestrial) (2)
Fn&E / W Select telescope max slewing speed (Low,
Medium, Fast, Ultra) (3)
(1) By holding pressure on the Fn key and then pressing the FOCUS+ key, each time the FOCUS
key is pressed, the output port to changes the order: Steeldrive (in the Bluetooth version only),
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 11
Figure 1.1.b.StarGO Wi Fi Front
Panel

AUX1 and AUX2. By keeping pressure on the Fn key then pressing the FOCUS key the
selection order is inverted: AUX2, AUX1, Steeldrive (in the Bluetooth version only).
(2) By holding pressure on the Fn key and then pressing the S key, each time the S key is pressed,
the system speed varies in the order: Sidereal, Solar, Lunar, Terrestrial. By keeping pressure on
the Fn key then pressing N key the selection order is inverted (Terrestrial, Lunar, Solar,
Sidereal). The system does not memorize the tracking speed as modified and the next time the
system is powered on, it returns automatically to the default Sidereal speed.
(3) By holding pressure on the Fn key and the pressing the W key, the telescope max slewing
speed varies in the order: Low, Medium, Fast, Ultra. By keeping pressure on the Fn key then
pressing E key the selection order is inverted (Ultra, Fast, Medium, Low). The system does not
memorize the slewing speed as modified and the next time the system is powered on, it returns
automatically to the default Slew speed.
1.3 StarGO Power On
Preliminary operation to do efore start using the StarGO.
1. Using the USB ca le provided connect the StarGO to the PC
2. Connect the power supply ca le connector to the StarGO.
NOTE: efore to connect the StarGO please check that the power supply is set on
15V as shown in the image elow. StarGO can also work fine with 12V input with the
only limit that in this way is not possi le to go eyond the medium slew speed.
3. Before to start the software installation or a session, please check that the power
ca le is well inserted on StarGO power connector and that the StarGO is connected
to the PC via USB ca le as shown in the picture elow
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 12
Figure 1.3.a: Power supply

Detailed info a out the StarGO power supply using and characterisitics please visit
StarGO power supply using we page.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 13
Figure 1.3b: StarGO power connection

2. StarGo software suite installation
In order to get the maximum performances with the StarGO System it is necessary to
install the StarGO Software Suite. The installer file can e found in the Installer-Tutorial-
Software folder inside the flash drive that comes with the mount.
The step y step Windows version installation procedure (that you can also find in a tutorial
video on our support page) is the following:
1. Run the Installer file
In order to have a correct installation these application must “Run as
administrator”. To use this option, right click with the mouse on the StarGO
installer file called “Install_StarGo_xxx.exe” (where xxx indicates the StarGo
version) then click on the “Run as administrator” option.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 14
Figure 2.a: StarGo Installer folder location

During the software installation process, as descri ed elow, the Avalon ASCOM
driver, the serial-USB FTDI drivers, the StarGO application, its firmware and related
update utility are installed.
More details a out the StarGo using with others astronomical software can e found
in the “SW&StarGO_Tutorial_v1.x.x_eng.pdf” file that is inside the flash drive.
Note: Before launching StarGO e sure that the ASCOM platform is already
installed http://download.ascom-standards.org/ASCOMPlatform6). If this is
not done, the program will a ort and the Run-Time error message “429” will e
generated.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 15
Figure 2.b: Installer must be ran as administrator

2. Select the preferred language and then press OK:
3. The installation splash screen will appear containing the StarGO GoTo Control
System Setup Wizard welcome window. Click Next:
4. The welcome window inside the splash screen will e replaced y the License
Agreement window. Select “I accept the agreement” and then “Next”.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 16
Figure 2.c: Installation language chooser
Figure 2.d: StarGO System setup wizard

5. The next window will allow the creation of a StarGO desktop icon. It is advised to
accept and then press “Next”
6. The next window inside the splash screen will present the summary of the task
selected and proposes to start the installation. Click on the “Install” utton.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 17
Figure 2.e: StarGo software license agreement
Figure 2.f: Desktop icon creation option

7. At the end of the installation process a window will e presented to asking to finish
the StarGO installation process. It will ask to perform additional operations if
needed, such as install the FTDI USB drivers, install the most updated StarGO
ASCOM driver and launch the StarGO software at the end of the installation
process. Click on the “Finish” utton.
NOTE: The FTDI serial-USB drivers must e installed during the first
installation. Because they are much less frequently updated than the StarGO
driver, it is not necessary to install them each time.
8. If the FTDI driver installation has een selected, the FTDI CDM window will come
up, click on the "Extract" utton
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 18
Figure 2.g: Start installation window
Figure 2..h: Install FTDI driver options window

9. At the end of the FTDI drivers extraction the “Device Driver Installation Wizard” will
appear. Click on the "Next >" utton to go on with the installation.
10.Before to proceed with the installation it will e necessary to accept the agreement.
Check the "I accept the agreement" check ox and click on the "Next >" utton.
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 19
Figure 2. j: FTDI Device Driver Installation Wizard
Figure 2.i: FTDI Driver extracting window

11. Click on “Next”. The windows announcing the correct driver installation will appear.
Press “Finish” to exit. The new drivers are ready for the USB connection.
12.After the FTDI driver installation (if selected) the Accept the License Agreement in
the following window and click on “Next”. Click on “Install” in the su sequent
window:
____________________________________________________________________
© All Rights reserved 20
Figure 2.k: driver license agreement
Figure 2.l: FTDI finish installation window