OnStepX

OnStepX Telescope Controller

What is OnStepX?

OnStepX is the advanced version of the OnStep computerized telescope controller with support for interfacing with/controlling a variety of motor drivers (and so motors) including Step/Dir, ODrive, and Servo (a combination of encoder and DC motor or Stepper motor) types.

It supports:

• Telescope Mount control (Alt/Azm and Equatorial GEM/Fork.) Optional support for Eq mounts with Tangent Arm Declination. Usually the Goto capability is enabled, but that's optional as well for those who just want basic mount control.
• Telescope Rotator control (including Alt/Azm de-rotation.)
• Telescope Focuser control (up to 6 focusers so it can handle collimation as well as focusing.)
• Telescope Accessory control (combination of up to 8 dew-heaters, switches, analog PWM.)

Features

OnStepX supports a wide variety of connection options. Several serial "command channels" can be utilized. One of the these is normally devoted to a USB connection and for the other(s) choose from the following:

• Bluetooth
• ESP8266 WiFi
• Arduino M0/Ethernet Shield
• Even another USB port or RS232 serial isn't very difficult to add.

In the case of running OnStepX on an ESP32 it can provide its own Bluetooth or WiFi IP command channels without additional hardware by simply activating the feature in OnStepX.

Other software in the OnStep ecosystem include:

• an ASCOM driver (with IP and Serial support),
• an Android App useable over WiFi or Bluetooth equipped Phones/Tablets,
• a "built-in" website (on the Ethernet and/or WiFi device),
• a full planetarium program that controls all features (Sky Planetarium).

OnStep is compatible with the LX200 protocol. This means it can be controlled from other planetarium software, like: Sky Safari, CdC (even without ASCOM), Stellarium, etc.

There are also INDI drivers so it can be used from Linux, with CdC or KStars.

Documentation

Detailed documentation, including the full set of features, detailed designs for PCBs, instructions on how to build a controller, how to configure the firmware for your particular mount, can all be found the OnStep Group Wiki.

Change Log

All the changes are tracking in git, and a detailed list can be accessed using the following git command:

git log --date=short --pretty=format:"%h %ad %<(20)%an %<(150,trunc)%s"

Support

Questions and discussion should be on the mailing list (also accessible via the web) at the OnStep Group.

License

OnStep is open source free software, licensed under the GPL.

See LICENSE.txt file.

Author

Howard Dutton