I have pulled all the Arduino firmware, Windows App and ASCOM drivers. Since probablly rev 221 things have got worse.
So I have rewritten all of them. Same features, but big changes.We have gone down from 13s for a Windows connect to 3s. ASCOM has gone as well but I am sure will be less when finished.
And some new features (such as Home Switch and many others) have been added as well without any impact on speed. Ive tested at 9600bps and 57600bps, the figures are the same, indicating the bottleneck is not the interface but all the code the arduino is executing.
So its a lot more responsive. HOWEVER, am still having issues with the temperature library so I am tempted to write my own to oversome these issues.
I will post the new firmware/windows app/ascom drivers later in the week.
Regards Robert
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I have uploaded a new documentation pdf which has been updated to reflect the coming v230 changes.The new 230 release will support a mechanical home position switch.
For the 230 release, these are the changes that wil be implemented.
FIRMWARE
// Complete protocol change - only works with Arduino Firmware 230 or higher and ASCOM driver 230 or higher and Windows App 230 or higher
// Fixed error in not saving EEPROM after moves
// Update of focuser position during move deleted (will rewrite this later)
// Added new features
// Implement home position switch, on D12, switch sets pin 12 low when activated, pin 12 held high by 470K resistor
// Get motorspeed
// Set motorspeedchange value (threshold) when moving - switches to slowspeed when nearing destination
// Return motorspeedchange value for which stepper slows down at end of its move
// Enable/Disable motorspeedchange when moving
// Get status of motorspeedchange enabled/disabled
// Save settings to EEPROM
WINDOWS APP 2.2.0.0
// New protocol - much faster, for use with Arduino firmware 230+
// Get motorspeed updates settings menu
// Lots of other minor fixes
// Expanded menu options under settings-MotorSpeed
// Changed delayconnect value to 2s default, accepts number between 2 and 10
// Added Write EEPROM setting menu option
// Additional logging messages
// Time taken to connect and retreive all parameters at 9600bps = 3 seconds
// Support for motor speed change - as it nears target it slows to slowspeed
// Motor speed change can be enabled/disabled from settings menu
// Motor speed distance threshold (in steps) to slowdown is user configurable (50-200)
What is the advantage of moving to the new 230 version when it becomes available?
The answer is speed, yes it is much quicker. Also fixes a number of issues from the current versions.
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v230 released. If any issues are found, please let me know. If an issue relates to temperature, please see pgs 57/58 of the pdf first.
If you require any of the older files, please email me with firmware version filename of .ino file and winapp version etc. I will do my best to send them to you.
Cheers
Robert
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bug with update lcd when focuser is moving in 2.32. I send you an email.
If user get position during focuser moving it deconnect the focuser.
Is it possible to save the win app option ?
I've to check timer box, timer resolution/precison each time i use the win app.
Thx
[EDIT] another issue find, the focuser don't record his position when disconnect.
I'm at 0, go to 500 and disconnect.
When reconnect focuser is at 0.
After testing it's not an issue, there is a delay for eproom saving. If i wait 10 sec before disconnect, this is the good value when reconnect
I've find the value:
long myinterval = 10000L;
Last edit: JoBarTeam 2016-05-09
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try new winapp 2.3.0.2 posted a few hours ago. Most calls should be blcoked when focuser is moving.this fixes 0 probem.
timer precision is saved in eeprom of controller and the windows app gets this setting from the controller when connecting.
Timer resolution is saved in the windows app setting and remembered from session to session.
Timer tick box state is not saved. Easy to remember that state, will put it on to do list for next release.
There is 10s delay after change to when eeprom is rreritten with controller new values. BUT, you can also use new menu option "save eeprom settings now? on settings menu.
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bug with update lcd when focuser is moving in 2.32?
Do you mean the lcd is not updated when focuser is moving?
This is correct, that code was removed in 232 because of another issue.
Now I rewrite that code a different way and will be back in next release.
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hi mathieu varis I had also made the same consideration for the rescue of the EPROM, but Rob told me that this value has been put so because of the limited number of write cycles of the EPROM arduino.
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12052016 New v234 firmware, New v2305 Windows App, New PDF.
New features intoruced, update of LCD when moving, remembering timer state of Windows App, Write focuser defaults (very handy when updating firmware), Write to EEPROM and more. See pdf for details.
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Awesome Clive, a very neat innovatve way of doing the Home Switch, much cleaner and much less work than mine, I shouldve waited for you to complete it and then sinply copy you!
Hey, its a real buzz to see how other people do things like this and a real pleasure to see it working, thanks for the post and movie cause it got me thinking about changing my solutuon as well (the mechanical lever has a bit of inaccuracy in it, not that its a big issue), but I really like what you did!!
Cheers
Robert
PS Remember to get the new firmware. I dont know if your suffered from the not moving after going home issue, but my solution definately did!
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
I have pulled all the Arduino firmware, Windows App and ASCOM drivers. Since probablly rev 221 things have got worse.
So I have rewritten all of them. Same features, but big changes.We have gone down from 13s for a Windows connect to 3s. ASCOM has gone as well but I am sure will be less when finished.
And some new features (such as Home Switch and many others) have been added as well without any impact on speed. Ive tested at 9600bps and 57600bps, the figures are the same, indicating the bottleneck is not the interface but all the code the arduino is executing.
So its a lot more responsive. HOWEVER, am still having issues with the temperature library so I am tempted to write my own to oversome these issues.
I will post the new firmware/windows app/ascom drivers later in the week.
Regards Robert
Ok robert, i sent you a email with my comments, i hope you can be of help, if you need a tester I am available.
NB correction, i use a v220 not v222
Last edit: alessio 2016-05-02
Hi Alessio
Have sent you the 220/221 files as requested.
But 230 will be a major improvement.
Cheers
Robert
I have uploaded a new documentation pdf which has been updated to reflect the coming v230 changes.The new 230 release will support a mechanical home position switch.
For the 230 release, these are the changes that wil be implemented.
FIRMWARE
// Complete protocol change - only works with Arduino Firmware 230 or higher and ASCOM driver 230 or higher and Windows App 230 or higher
// Fixed error in not saving EEPROM after moves
// Update of focuser position during move deleted (will rewrite this later)
// Added new features
// Implement home position switch, on D12, switch sets pin 12 low when activated, pin 12 held high by 470K resistor
// Get motorspeed
// Set motorspeedchange value (threshold) when moving - switches to slowspeed when nearing destination
// Return motorspeedchange value for which stepper slows down at end of its move
// Enable/Disable motorspeedchange when moving
// Get status of motorspeedchange enabled/disabled
// Save settings to EEPROM
WINDOWS APP 2.2.0.0
// New protocol - much faster, for use with Arduino firmware 230+
// Get motorspeed updates settings menu
// Lots of other minor fixes
// Expanded menu options under settings-MotorSpeed
// Changed delayconnect value to 2s default, accepts number between 2 and 10
// Added Write EEPROM setting menu option
// Additional logging messages
// Time taken to connect and retreive all parameters at 9600bps = 3 seconds
// Support for motor speed change - as it nears target it slows to slowspeed
// Motor speed change can be enabled/disabled from settings menu
// Motor speed distance threshold (in steps) to slowdown is user configurable (50-200)
What is the advantage of moving to the new 230 version when it becomes available?
The answer is speed, yes it is much quicker. Also fixes a number of issues from the current versions.
Here is some of the latest timing information re v230, these times include temperature conversion on connecting, which is much faster than before
V230
WinApp 5s including 3s restart down from 13 seconds
2/05/2016 4:23:52 PM: Connect Start Time
2/05/2016 4:23:57 PM: Connect Finish Time
ASCOM 9s (includes 3s restart) down from 17s
16:26:44.462 START Connect Started
16:26:53.416 START Connect Finished
v230 of ASCOM, Arduino Firmware and WinApp will be released tomorrow
v230 released. If any issues are found, please let me know. If an issue relates to temperature, please see pgs 57/58 of the pdf first.
If you require any of the older files, please email me with firmware version filename of .ino file and winapp version etc. I will do my best to send them to you.
Cheers
Robert
7th May 2016 - v231 firmware available (fixes 2 reported bugs)
v231 Here is how I am going to attach the home position switch.
v232 firmware replaces v230/231, which had a bug whih reset the position to 0
Hi,
bug with update lcd when focuser is moving in 2.32. I send you an email.
If user get position during focuser moving it deconnect the focuser.
Is it possible to save the win app option ?
I've to check timer box, timer resolution/precison each time i use the win app.
Thx
[EDIT] another issue find, the focuser don't record his position when disconnect.
I'm at 0, go to 500 and disconnect.
When reconnect focuser is at 0.
After testing it's not an issue, there is a delay for eproom saving. If i wait 10 sec before disconnect, this is the good value when reconnect
I've find the value:
long myinterval = 10000L;
Last edit: JoBarTeam 2016-05-09
try new winapp 2.3.0.2 posted a few hours ago. Most calls should be blcoked when focuser is moving.this fixes 0 probem.
timer precision is saved in eeprom of controller and the windows app gets this setting from the controller when connecting.
Timer resolution is saved in the windows app setting and remembered from session to session.
Timer tick box state is not saved. Easy to remember that state, will put it on to do list for next release.
There is 10s delay after change to when eeprom is rreritten with controller new values. BUT, you can also use new menu option "save eeprom settings now? on settings menu.
mathieu varis
9 hours ago
Hi,
bug with update lcd when focuser is moving in 2.32?
Do you mean the lcd is not updated when focuser is moving?
This is correct, that code was removed in 232 because of another issue.
Now I rewrite that code a different way and will be back in next release.
hi mathieu varis I had also made the same consideration for the rescue of the EPROM, but Rob told me that this value has been put so because of the limited number of write cycles of the EPROM arduino.
12052016 New v234 firmware, New v2305 Windows App, New PDF.
New features intoruced, update of LCD when moving, remembering timer state of Windows App, Write focuser defaults (very handy when updating firmware), Write to EEPROM and more. See pdf for details.
21-May-2016 New Firmware 235 - fixes Home Position bug
21-May-2016 New ASCOM drivers, heaps of new features, redesigned layout
ASCOM 232
Video of home position switch
https://youtu.be/b4JV-V0EbSM
amd new PDF documentation v231 20-May-2016 covering new ASCOM driver, home position and new Save/Restore Settings menu to be released
Hi Robert here is the home button in action
Awesome Clive, a very neat innovatve way of doing the Home Switch, much cleaner and much less work than mine, I shouldve waited for you to complete it and then sinply copy you!
Hey, its a real buzz to see how other people do things like this and a real pleasure to see it working, thanks for the post and movie cause it got me thinking about changing my solutuon as well (the mechanical lever has a bit of inaccuracy in it, not that its a big issue), but I really like what you did!!
Cheers
Robert
PS Remember to get the new firmware. I dont know if your suffered from the not moving after going home issue, but my solution definately did!
I got it already, just fitting home micro to the big moomlight ATM, motor already mounted will post pic soon, and thanks :)
Here is Moonlight with home stop. using PG27 and slip clutch.
Wow you have been busy Clive. That yellow moonlite is very impressive. And costly I bet as well.
Cheers
Robert