Onstep GOTO User manual

OnStep GOTO Quick Start Guide
for Hubble Optics
UP12G/UL16G/UL20G/UL2 G
(R 1.3.1, 10/3/2023)
1 Introduction.................................................................................................................2
2 Hardware Setup...........................................................................................................4
3 OnStep drivers Installation..........................................................................................
4 OnStep GoTo Controller.............................................................................................6
4.1 Power Supply.......................................................................................................9
4.2 LED Operation.....................................................................................................9
4.3 DB9 Encoder Port Connection...........................................................................10
Smart Hand Pad.........................................................................................................11
.1 Initialization Sequence.......................................................................................12
.2 Starting Up.........................................................................................................12
.3 Button Functions................................................................................................12
.4 Use......................................................................................................................13
. Icons...................................................................................................................13
.6 Menu structure 3.x.............................................................................................1
.6.1 Main Menu [center button long press]........................................................1
.6.2 Feature Key menu.......................................................................................20
6 Telescope Encoder Wiring and Setup.......................................................................20
7 Using Browser to Configure and Control the Controller..........................................21
8 Quick Start Operations via OnStep Android App.....................................................27
9 Quick Operation Guide on Sky Safari......................................................................33
10 Quick Operation Guide on Stellarium.....................................................................3
10.1 Quick Operation Guide on Stellarium Mobile Plus.........................................36
10.2 Quick Operation Guide on Stellarium on MS Windows platform...................39
11 Telescope control via ASCOM Planetarium programs...........................................4
12 Smart Telescope Setup via INDI on Raspberry Pi 4B...........................................4
12.1 Smart Scope using stellarmate.........................................................................46
12.2 Smart Scope using ASiair Pro / Plus................................................................46
13 Imaging with ULXXG............................................................................................46
14 Limited Warranty....................................................................................................46
1 Technical Support...................................................................................................47
Appendix A: Motor and Motor Encoder Pin Out.........................................................47
1

1 Introduction
The state-of-the-art OnStep GoTo controller, designed by Howard Dutton, is
extremely powerful and feature-rich. However, this document will only explain the
basic configuration and operation applicable to Hubble ULXXG scopes. For advanced
users who want to explore the full potential of the OnStep controller, please refer to
the OnStep Instruction Wiki.OnStep instruction WiKi
The Hubble OnStep controller supports:
INDI (WiFi) and ASCOM (WiFi, Bluetooth, and USB) under the LX200
protocol.
WiFi 802.11n/g/n connection with a built-in website accessible from any
browser on any platform, and direct WiFi support for Sky Safari and
Stellarium.
Bluetooth classic 4.2 support for host computer ASCOM connection and
direct wireless support to Sky Safari & Stellarium.
iOS App and Android Virtual Handpad Apps for controlling the scope,
including initialization, configuration, alignment, and movement (slewing and
GoTo). You are strongly recommended to use the Android-based OnStep
Controller2 for the initial setup!
Smart Hand Controller with approximately 30,000 objects. Although the scope
can be fully controlled — including initialization, configuration, alignment,
and movement (slewing and GoTo) — without any other device needed, the
use of the Android-based OnStep Controller2 is strongly recommended for the
initial setup!
Telescope Encoders for extra accuracy in pointing and tracking.
Real-Time Clock (RTC): The RTC module maintains seconds, minutes, hours,
day, date, month, and year information.
Please refrain from flashing the OnStep firmware on the controller and handpad
independently without prior consultation with Hubble Optics. Failing to adhere
to this directive may result in damage to the controller and/or handpad and will
consequently void the warranty.
MPORTANT: Safety Warning Regarding Stepper Motors and Electrical
Equipment
Stepper motors are powerful and, if misused, can cause extreme damage to equipment
and pose significant risks to human life. Exercise utmost caution to ensure that your
telescope does not move to a mechanical limit, such as the ground, to prevent damage
to motors or gears and avoid injury to yourself and others. This product is NOT a toy
and should not be operated by children.
Adhere to the following safety precautions rigorously:
Avoid utilizing the equipment in adverse conditions.
Be mindful of electrical safety: shocks and bodily injuries can occur if devices
using electricity are mishandled, particularly outdoors. Proper setup and
2

operation are vital to prevent electronic components from shocking,
overheating, melting, or exploding.
Specifically:
1. Avoid Wet Conditions: Never operate the equipment or handle cabling if it is
wet or moist, or if there's even a slight chance that parts of the equipment may
be damp.
2. Ensure Proper Grounding: Connect all grounding points to the battery (-)
terminal before powering on any equipment. Never disconnect the grounds
while the unit is powered on.
3. Avoid Reversing Power Leads: Ensure power leads are not reversed.
Misconnection will certainly cause component failure. Components may
overheat and explode with violent force.
4. Mechanical Limits: Be mindful to prevent your telescope from moving to a
mechanical limit (like the ground) to avert damage and injury.
5. Voltage Caution: Utilize 12VDC – Even though the controller can operate
between 12V-24VDC. We recommend 12VDC only, for the safety reasons.
WARNING: DC voltages higher than 12 volts can be lethal upon shock!
6. Avoiding Cable Wrapping: Ensuring that cables do not wrap around ALT
pulleys is vital for safety and maintaining equipment integrity. The ALT
pulley can easily breaks the cable, resulting in a short circuit, a potential
electric shock, and significant damage. It is strongly advised to attach a battery
to the telescope rocker, ensuring that all cables stay stationary relative to the
OTA as the telescope moves. It's essential to select the battery that can deliver
a constant 12VDC output, as not all products guarantee this.
It's imperative to observe these safety guidelines strictly. Your wellbeing and the
integrity of your equipment depend on cautious and correct operation. If uncertain
about any procedure, please consult the product manual or contact customer support.
3

2 Hardware Setup
The sketch below illustrates the vital components of the OnStep control system. Note
that the following features and functions are optional and not provided by default:
Rotator and Focuser Control: These functionalities are not enabled and not
included.
Home Switches: The necessary wiring for home switches is not provided.
Limit Switches: While the features for limit switches are enabled, the actual limit
switches and necessary wiring are not included.
4

3 OnStep drivers Installation
To install the OnStep ASCOM driver, you will need to use a PC based on the MS
Windows operating system. For utilizing the OnStep INDI driver, a Raspberry Pi
system is required. Notably, the OnStep INDI driver is included in the standard
Astroberry releases.
Please proceed as follows:
For the ASCOM Driver:
Download and install the latest ASCOM platform.
Subsequently, install the OnStep ASCOM driver, which can be obtained from:

http://www.stellarjourney.com/index.php?r=site/software_telescope
4 OnStep GoTo Controller
OnStep Controller
1. USB Port
2. ST- /Smart Hand Controller Port
3. DB9 Encoder Port
6

. Locking Toggle Power Switch: This switch features a safety mechanism to
prevent accidental toggling. To change the switch positions, the toggle actuator
must first be pulled upward (or outward) in a "pull-to-unlock" motion. Only then
can the switch's position be altered.
5. Auxiliary Port (For limit switches)
6. Optional Rotator Motor Port
7. Optional Focuser Motor Port
8. Power Supply Socket (21.-2.5mm, center positive)
9. ALT Axis Motor Port
10. AZM Axis Motor Port
Power Cable
Motor Cables
7

Encoder Cable
Smart Hand Pad Cable
8

Cable Management
.1 Power Supply
The controller features a . mm-2.1mm power connector (center positive). Ensure to
utilize a regulated supply or battery; a 12VDC supply with a 3-amp capacity is
recommended. If employing a 12VDC battery, ensure it can maintain a constant
12VDC output.
WARNING:
Power Supply Polarity: Pay keen attention to the power supply polarity for the
OnStep controller! The wire with the white stripe is positive. Reversing the power
connections will likely blow the fuse and potentially damage other components.
Voltage Caution: DC voltages exceeding 12 volts can be lethal upon contact!
Motor Cable Management: Do not disconnect the motor cable while the unit is
powered on.
USB Connection Protocol: Preferably, power on the unit before connecting the
USB cable to the USB port. Always disconnect the USB cable before powering
off the unit.
.2 LED Operation
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1. Power Supply LED
2. Scope Tracking LED
3. WiFi Status LED
4. CPU Status LED
The controller is equipped with four LEDs, labeled as LED 1, LED 2, LED 3, and
LED 4. These LEDs serve to keep you informed about the controller's status and
activity.
LED 1 indicates the Power Supply status: It should remain illuminated while the
controller is powered on.
LED 2 reflects the scope's tracking status: It flashes while tracking and remains
steadily illuminated otherwise.
LED 3 indicates the status of the WiFi service: A flashing LED signifies that the
WiFi service is being established, while a steadily illuminated LED indicates that
the WiFi service is ready.
.3 DB9 Encoder Port Connection
The RS232 serial port is a 9 pin modular jack which is mainly used for the telescope
encoders. But it can also be used by other purpose.
Pin 1: Ground
Pin 2: Vsel ( V)
Pin 3: Encoder 1B, encoder 1 input B
Pin 4: Encoder 2B, encoder 2 input B
Pin :
Pin 6: Aux3, typically used for a Home SW on RA or Azm but can be used any
purpose (dew heater for instance, on/off switch, etc.). Not wired and not enabled.
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Pin 7: Aux4, typically used for a Home SW on Dec or Alt but can be used any
purpose (dew heater for instance, on/off switch, etc.). Not wired and not enabled.
Pin 8: Encoder 1A, encoder 1 input A
Pin 9: Encoder 2A, encoder 2 input A
5 Smart Hand Pad
The user can Configure, Initialize & Align the mount, Park, and find/goto celestial
objects using the Smart Hand Pad. The objects include Moon, the Planets, and several
catalogs: NGC/IC, Herschel 400, Messier, the named bright stars, and variable stars
etc, about 30,000 objects in total.
The main display is the Alt, Azm, or RA and Dec that the telescope is currently
pointing at; you can toggle between the Alt/Azm and RA/Dec by single clicking the
center button. A small telescope icon with an H under it, means the telescope is in the
Home position When the telescope is slewing, a double triangle will show. When it is
tracking, a single triangle will show, as well as the pier side, and the tracking rate ('s'
for sidereal).
Press any of the N, S, W, E buttons to move the telescope
Press the center (+) button to wake up the screen
Press it again to cycle through status displays (RA/Dec coordinates, Alt/Az,
Local/Sideral Time)
Quickly press the center button twice to get to the Speed menu
Long press the center button for the menu
oGoto
oSync
oAlign
oParking
oPEC
oSettings
Select a menu by the Up or Down button, then Right to enter that menu
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Smart Hand Controller (SHC)
5.1 Initialization Sequence
5.2 Starting Up
When the SHC is powered up an "OnStep" splash screen will appear for a few sec-
onds then it'll tell you it's trying to connect. At this point the SHC presents a signal to
OnStep on it's ST4 port to indicate that a SHC is present. After a couple of seconds
OnStep re-configures the ST4 port lines for synchronous serial comms and the SHC
will start displaying the status information across the top line (guide rate, pulse-guide
rate, and a series of icons as described below) and the RA and Dec below that.
5.3 Button Functions
N：North when slewing or Scroll Up while in Menu's
E: East when slewing or Back while in Menu's
+: Short Press = Scroll Information screen, Long Press = Main Menu, Double Click
= Feature Menu
W: West when slewing or select current option while in Menu's
S: South when slewing or Scroll Down while in Menu's
f: Decrease currently selected Feature
12

F: Increase currently selected Feature
5. Use Key functions:
When at the main info display page, pressing [N],[S],[E],[W] guides in that di-
rection at the rate selected (see below).
When at the main info display page, a click on [+] cycles through the display
of RA/Dec, Alt/Az, Time, and (optionally) ambient conditions.
oWhen doing an align, a click of the [+] key instead accepts the align
star once you've centered it using [N],[S],[E],[W]
When at the main info display page, a double click on [+] brings up the Fea-
ture key selection menu where you can scroll to among guide rate, reticle
light, utility light, focuser, or rotator for the [f] and [F] key action. Pressing the
[W] key at this point makes the selected menu item the Active Feature.
oPressing the [f] (decrease) or [F] (increase) keys then adjusts the se-
lected feature
oWhen doing an align, a double click of the [+] key instead allows se-
lecting a different align star (after the goto to the prior align star com-
pletes). Also, during an align, the [f] and [F] keys work only for guide
rate selection.
A long press on [+] brings up the menus
oThe [N],[S] keys then move up/down the menu selections.
oThe [W] key selects a menu item.
oThe [E] key navigates back to the prior level.
5.5 Icons
Alignment Star #1
Alignment Star #2 (#3 thru #8 not shown)
Alignment Star #9 (last possible)
Telescope is at home position. Tracking is OFF
Unknown error. Tracking has stopped
Telescope position exceeds user defined Meridian limit. Tracking has stopped
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Telescope position exceeds user defined RA limits "Under Pole". Tracking has
stopped
Telescope position exceeds user defined Azimuth limits. Tracking has stopped
Telescope position exceeds user defined Declination limit. Tracking has
stopped
Telescope limit sensed. Tracking has stopped
Telescope position exceeds user defined Horizon or Overhead limit. Tracking
has stopped
Motor fault. Tracking has stopped
East side of pier. Declination is between 90 and -90
West side of pier. Declination is between 180 and 90 or -90 and -180
PEC, paused
PEC, recording
PEC, playing
Telescope is slewing
Lunar Tracking rate is selected
Solar Tracking rate is selected
King Tracking rate is selected
Sidereal Tracking rate is selected
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Sidereal Tracking, refraction compensated (RA-axis only)
Sidereal Tracking, refraction compensated (Dual-axis)
Sidereal Tracking, refraction and pointing model compensated (Full)
Sidereal Tracking, refraction and pointing model compensated (Full, Dual-ax-
is)
Tracking is OFF
Telescope is guiding
Park failure
Telescope is slewing to park position
Telescope is parked
.6 Menu structure 3.x
The following is a map of the menu structure of the SHC as of version 3.x.
Words that are in a normal font appear on the screen exactly that way (in the
English-localized configuration).
Anything in square brackets provides information that does not appear on the
screen and is an interpretation of what the function means.
The indentation level is intended to reflect the submenu nesting.
5. .1 Main Menu [center button long press]
5.6.1.1 Goto
5.6.1.1.1Stars
Bright Stars [408 stars brighter than 4th magnitude]
STF** [Struve The Father (Friedrich) double stars]
STT** [the other Struve (Otto) double stars]
1

GCVS~* [General Catalog of Variable Stars]
5.6.1.1.2 Deep Sky
Messier, Caldwell, Herschel400, Collinder, NGC, IC
5.6.1.1.3 Solar System
Sun, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Moon
5.6.1.1. User
[Select from up to 16 user catalogs uploaded through SmartWebServer or Sky
Planetarium interface]
5.6.1.1.5 Filter
[Define filters for catalog objects displayed on 'Stars' and 'Deep Sky' menus. If the
selection as displayed is prefixed and suffixed by a small dot it means a filter has been
set for that property. Initially, the 'Above Horizon' property is the only one set]
Reset Filter
Above Horizon
Constellation
[A list of the standard 88 IAU constellation names]
Type
All, Galaxy, Open Cluster, Star, Double Star, Other, Galaxy Pair, Galaxy
Triplet, Galaxy Group, Globular Cluster, Planetary Nbla, Nebula, Hii Region,
Cluster+Nebula, Asterism, Reflectn Nbla, SuperNov Rmnt, Emission Nbla,
Non Existant, Nova, Duplicate, Dark Nebula
Magnitude
[for selections other than All, the magnitude is followed by an estimate of the
minimum telescope aperture required to see the object]
All, 10th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 1 th, 16th, 17th
Nearby
[angular distance from current position, does not mean distance from Earth]
OFF/Within 1, Within , Within 10, Within 1 [degrees]
Var* Max Per.
[maximum period for variable star filter]
Off, <=0. , <=1.0, <=2.0, <= , <=10, <=20, <= 0, <=100 [days]
Dbl* Min Sep.
[minimum separation for double star filter]
Off, >=0.2",>= 0. ", >=1.0", >=1. ", >=2.0", >=3.0", >= .0", >=10", >=20",
>= 0" [arc-seconds]
Dbl* Max Sep.
[maximum separation for double star filter]
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Off, <=0. ", <=1.0", <=1. ", <=2.0", <=3.0", <= .0", <=10", <=20", <= 0",
<=100" [arc-seconds]
5.6.1.1.6 Coordinates
[You can enter arbitrary RA/Dec coordinates here (e.g. comet or asteroid coordinates
obtained from sources like a planetarium program)]
5.6.1.1.7 Spiral Search
[New as of version 3.02a. If your alignment is poor and a 'Goto' did not put the object
in the field of view or you want to browse around an extended object like M42 in a
spiral pattern, this function initiates a spiral search at the current guide rate around the
current position. Press any button to stop.]
5.6.1.1.8 Last
[New as of version 3.02d. If you didn't locate the object using the Spiral Search
function, perhaps because it was moving too slowly or too quickly, this option will
return to the last used 'Goto' coordinates where you could change the guide rate and
try again.]
5.6.1.1.9 Home
[Will prompt for confirmation of model clearance. Use N/S to toggle Yes and No
('Yes' clears the model and returns to the home position, 'No' aborts the Goto Home
command). If you do not want to lose the model because the telescope will not be
moved since the last alignment you should use the 'Park' function.]
5.6.1.2 Sync
['Stars', 'Deep Sky' and 'Solar System' will sync the telescope to the coordinates of the
object selected without moving the telescope. You are expected to have centered the
object already]
Stars
[Same selections as Goto, Stars]
Deep Sky
[Same selection as Goto, Deep Sky]
Solar System
[Same selection as Goto, Solar System]
Here
[syncs to the last Goto coordinates]
5.6.1.3 Align
1..9-Star Align
[e.g. '1-Star Align', '2-Star Align', '3-Star Align', etc.]
Show Model
[shows pointing model coefficients derived from the alignment points]
Clear Model
[clears the model]
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Reset Home
[sets OnStep position to home after physical telescope movement to home]
5.6.1. Parking
Park
[move telescope to park position (default is home position) and save the alignment
model in preparation for power down]
Un-Park
[when powered up at park position following use of Park command in previous
session, restores the alignment model and starts tracking]
Set-Park
[used to define a custom park position at the current axis locations]
5.6.1.5 Tracking
Start / Stop
[The following 3 selections set the tracking rate to the standard for stellar objects, the
sun or the moon]
Sidereal
Solar
Lunar
Rate Reset
[Reset tracking rate to a standard rate]
[use the following to adjust tiny tracking rate errors due to gearing parameter
inaccuracies]
Rate +0.02Hz
Rate -0.02Hz
5.6.1.7 Settings
Date/Time
[Set local date and time. Questions are asked about whether the time was AM or PM
(if the SHC was configured with DISPLAY_24HR_TIME OFF) and whether the time
was a DST-adjusted time]
Site
Select Site
[Select one of 4 user-defined sites. If the controller gets site data from a GPS,
when received it is always stored in 'Site 1' with the name of 'GPS']
Latitude
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Longitude
UTC Offset
[this is the inverse of your timezone offset, e.g. + for North American
Eastern which is defined as - as a time zone. Do not adjust this for
Daylight/summer time... the stars don't care about that]
Display
Turn off
[Press any key to turn on. That first key press is ignored so there's no worry it
will cause a telescope motion]
Contrast [also known as brightness]
Min, Low, High, MAX
Dim Timeout
[dims display after key inactivity interval]
Disable, 30 or 60 seconds
Blank Timeout
[blanks display after key inactivity interval. On the wireless SHC it is
advisable to use '1 minute' so that the unit spends the maximum amount of
time in low-power mode.]
Disable, 1, 2, 3, 4 or minutes
Buzzer [On or Off]
5.6.1.8 Configuration
Goto Speed
[Sets the Goto speed to 2x, 1. x, 1x, .7 x or . x of the configured
SLEW_RATE_BASE_DESIRED, respectively]
Fastest, Faster, Default Speed, Slower, Slowest
Backlash
[sets gear backlash for axis 1 and 2]
Axis1 RA/Az, Axis2 Dec/Alt
Limits
Horizon Limit
[Sets number of degrees telescope is allowed to point below the horizon while
tracking or slewing]
Overhead Limit
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[Sets number of degrees above the horizon that the telescope is allowed to
point while tracking or slewing. This is important for Alt/Az telescopes
especially because of the 'Dobson hole'. For others it prevents crashing the
bottom of an OTA into a pier or tripod.]
Meridn Limit E/Meridn Limit W
[For GEM or FORK mounts, sets how close the telescope is allowed to track
to the meridian before a meridian flip is required (tracking stops if meridian
flip is not automatic)]
Pier Side
[Sets the 'preferred pier side']
Best, East, West
Firmware Ver
5. .2 Feature Key menu
[Center button double tap. Select desired Feature [ N ] [ S ] to scroll, [ W ] to accept
then press f or F button to alter selected feature. Depending on configurations not all
of these selections may be present]
Guide Rate
[Select guide rate between 2x and Max slew speed]
Pulse Guide Rate
[Select pulse guide rate between 1/4x and 1x]
Utility Light
[Off or one of levels]
Reticle
[Increase or decrease brightness]
Telescope Encoder Wiring and Setup
Once your encoders are properly wired, you can connect any device to the controller
via WiFi and navigate to http://192.168.0.1 using a web browser to verify the
connection and direction of the encoders. On the webpage's main screen, observe the
encoder values as the telescope moves; these should alter concurrently and should
closely align with the motor’s values. Specifically:
The altitude numbers should increase when elevating the telescope.
The azimuth values should ascend as the telescope rotates clockwise.
20