David's Astronomy Pages
Notes - Session 926 Attempt 1 (2021-10-15)

 
Bullet Session Aims & Highlights
 - Observing Result
 - Night Summary Plot
 - Session Event Log
 
Bullet Operational Issues
  - Critical Issues (0),  Major Issues (0),  Minor Issues (6), Small Defects (2),  Continuous Improvement (9)
 
Bullet No Images from 2021-10-15 >>          [ Local Files >> ]
Bullet Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub
2021-10-12
Bullet AllSky/Weather Computer - Installation of Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub

Session Aims & Highlights (2021-10-15)

Main aims

  1. Resync Scope. Resynce scope position and perform short mapping running to update TPoint Model, following daytime maintaince work which necessiated loosing the Telescope's Dec Clutch .
  2. Dec Motor. Make guiding runs to examine the performance of a new Dec Motor Unit that had been installed earlier in the day. 
  3. Targets.  Acquire images of a selection of variable stars, nearby stars, comets & deep sky targets as allowed by time & conditions.
  4. SkyQuality Chart.  Assess the appearance of graph curves & legend on new SkyQuality chart.
  5. AstroMain. Check on fixes and new features added to AstroMain 3.44.2

Equipment & Software

Highlights

Notes:

  Summary Plots & Logs

  
Sky Conditions (Locate Frames)
Image
 
Night Sky Summary Plot
Top axis: Sky Brightness at Zenith (in ADU/s)
Lefthand axis: Local Time (hh LT). Righthand axis: Sun Altitude (degs)
Image   
  
Actual Weather vs Pre-Session Weather Forecast
Image
Image   
  
Session Event Log
Time     Event Detail
01:09:17 Session Created Live Session Created (2021-10-15 S00926 Attempt, ImageSaveNum: 926001)
01:09:19 Program Resumed AstroMain UI resumed again at 01:09 after 8s
01:09:26   Services Started Observatory Services started
01:09:42   Scope Switched On Telescope Power has been switched on via UPB Powerbox.
01:11:27   Services Started Observatory Services started
01:12:09   Telescope Connected Telescope Connected (TheSky6)
01:12:39   Dome Opened Dome opened (opening time 46s)
01:15:03 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:15:33   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
01:15:59 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:20:22   Camera1 Connected SBIG Camera Connected (set point -20°C)
01:21:21     Target Started (NrZen) Target started (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508)
01:22:57     Target Completed Target completed (Focus Field 2, HIP 9508)
01:29:22       Focusing Skipped Foc1 focusing skipped - star is too dim (TCF-S)
01:32:05       Focusing Started-Foc1 Foc1 Focusing Started (TCF-S)
01:37:01       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1, wide)
01:39:27       Focusing Completed Foc1 AutoFocus Completed (Profile No 1)
01:40:35 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:43:36 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:46:28 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:47:37   Telescope Telescope pointing successfully synced
01:47:39   Telescope Pointing Mapping run started
01:47:45   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned)
01:51:59   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (0 points mapped out of 12 points)
01:52:25   Telescope Pointing Mapping run finished (Mapped 0 / 12)
01:53:00 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:54:05 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
01:55:21   Telescope Telescope pointing successfully synced
01:55:24   Telescope Pointing Mapping run started
01:55:28   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned)
02:07:24   Automapping Completed Automapping completed (6 points mapped out of 12 points)
02:07:51   Telescope Pointing Mapping run finished (Mapped 6 / 12)
02:08:20   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned)
02:12:47   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (2 points mapped out of 12 points)
02:13:25 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
02:14:44 Telescope Running 'ResetScopePointing' under user supervision
02:15:40   Telescope Telescope pointing successfully synced
02:15:42   Telescope Pointing Mapping run started
02:15:48   Automapping Started Automapping started (12 points planned)
02:17:30   Automapping Aborted Automapping aborted (0 points mapped out of 12 points)
02:17:42   Telescope Pointing Mapping run finished (Mapped 0 / 12)
02:18:25   Telescope Parked Telescope parked (parking time 33s)
02:18:39   Telescope State Scope parked Turn scope off. (Handbox)
02:19:00   Telescope Switched Off Telescope Power has been switched off via UPB Switch.
02:20:10   Dome Parked Failed Dome parking failed
02:20:13   Dome Closed Dome closed (closing time 47s)
02:20:15   Dome Park Aborted Dome Park aborted (47s, Az=199.4degs)
02:21:16   Dome Parked Dome parked (parking time 51s)
02:21:19   Dome Parked Dome parked
02:21:43   Services Stopped Night Services stopped
 
Session Alerts
Time     Alert Detail
-- No Alerts                --                              

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Operational Issues (2021-10-15, S926 Attempt 1)

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Critical Issues

Major Issues

Minor Issues

Small Defects

Continuous Improvement

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Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub (2021-10-15)

USB Control Hub
A Pegasus USB Control Hub (UCH) which had been recently ordered from The Widescreen Centre arrived today (2021-10-15)
( https://www.widescreen-centre.co.uk/

Description
The UCH Control Hub is a SuperSpeed (SS), low power, switchable USB3.1 Gen1 hub. The Hub supports Hi-Speed (HS), Full Speed (FS) and Low Speed (LS). The new SuperSpeed hubs operate in parallel with the USB 2.0 controller, so 5 Gbps SuperSpeed data transfers are not affected by slower USB 2.0 traffic.  The Hub is certified to work flawlessly from -40°C to +85°C.  Size is 100mm x 72mm x 24mm / 3.9” x 2.8” x 0.94”. Weight is 200g / 7 oz.

The Hub has 6 x USB 3.1 Ports. All ports are backwards compatible with USB 1.0 and USB 2.0 devices. Moreover, each port can deliver up to 2.5Amps of current.   There is a smart current limit sensor in every port which automatically limits or cuts power in case of a short-wire or power consumption that is above 2.5Amps.  Maximum Total Amperage is 8 Amps.

Each USB port can be controlled and switched ON/OFF by Pegasus Astro's standalone software or via ASCOM Switch Connection.  The benefit is that there no more need to pull out and re-plug USB cables to 'reset' equipment.  

The Hub is powered using a 12V supply from a power adapter with 2.1mm plug or using supplied cigarette lighter plug to 2.1mm socket.  

In my case I've purchased the UCH along with a  Pegasus's 12V/10A Power Adapter. Whilst has the potential to provide far more power than required by the USB devices being run on the AllSky/Weather Computer, this particular adapter was acquired as it could potentially act as a spare should the 12V/10A adapter that powers a Pegasus PowerBox (mounted on telescop) fail at some future date.

Details from UCH product page at https://pegasusastro.com/products/usb-control-hub/


Planned Role

Software & Documentation
USB Drivers, ASCOM Switch Driver and UCH Software were downloaded from Pegasus Astro's Software & Documentation Page
https://pegasusastro.com/downloads/

- Firmware Version  1.3
- Software Version  1.4.2.0
- ASCOM Switch Driver version 1.1

 USB Control Hub Forum  at  https://pegasusastro.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9&sid=7cc5d27f09b019935fd34fde4bb89cd8

USB Ports
Ports are arranged in the following arrangement (both physically and in the Pegasus UCH Software).

  Port 2     Port  4    Port 6
  Port 1     Port  3    Port 5

Initial Tests
After connecting to 12V Power Supply and allowing the Hub to boot-up a series of initial tests were carried out

- Tested the USB Control Hub and its functions via the Pegasus Astro UCH Software:
 
- Demonstrated that each of the 6 USB ports operates ok and can be individually turned off/turned on
 
- Demonstrated that USB Settings as start-up are saved to the Hub's eeprom.
  (confirmed this by turning the hub off and on again and checking the individual ports were on or were off as expected.
 
- Noted that port names are limited to 10 characters.   It is proposed to use the following port name after the Control is installed on the AllSky/Weather Computer.
 
   Port Name     Device
   WeatherStn     Weather Station Hub
   AllSky Cam     Occulus AllSky Camera
   ObsCam          ObsCam HD Camera
   G Drive            USB Hard Drive
   Empty              None

ASCOM Tests
Testing then proceeded with testing of ASCOM Switch Connection and UCH Operation
 
- Switch Driver :   ASCOM.UCH.Switch
- Switch Name :   Pegasus Astro - USB Control Hub
- Discovered that the Hub can be operated from either Pegasus Astro UCH Software or from an ASCOM switch client but not both at the same time.  (They each require sole access !)
 
- Tested a client connection to the USB Control Hub using ASCOM.UCH.Switch, and demonstrated that a particular port could be turned on / off from the client
(existing client switch test routines & buttons/fields in AstroMain were adpated for the testing)
 
- It should be noted that USB Port 1 is accessed via Switch 0 (with USB Port 2,3,4,5,6 being accessed via Switch 1,2,3,4,5)
 
- Client reports that the UCH has 7 switches though obviously there are only 6 accessible USB Ports.  It's not clear if the 7th port is because the UCH is based on a controller that can take up to USB port but only 6 are used, or it represents a capability to collectively turn off/on all ports .

- Names and descriptions of switches returned by the Switch.GetSwitchName(id) and Switch.GetSwitchDescription(id) methods reflect 'hard-coded' names like 'USB Port 1' rather than the nicknames given to switches in Pegasus UCH Software (eg.  'AllSky Cam') . Nicknames are not written to the UCH's eeprom.

- Following Log was collected. 

USB Control Hub     2021-10-16 00:22  (Local)
  Connected         True
  Name              USB Control Hub
  Description       Pegasus Astro - USB Control Hub
  Driver Info       Version: 6.4
  Driver Version    6.4
  Interface Version 2
  No. Switches      7
  
  Supported Actions 
  
  Switch 1          Switch 1 (id=0)
    Name            USB3 Port 1
    Description     USB3 Port 1
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       True
    Switch State    False
  Switch 2          Switch 2 (id=1)
    Name            USB3 Port 2
    Description     USB3 Port 2
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       True
    Switch State    True
  Switch 3          Switch 3 (id=2)
    Name            USB3 Port 3
    Description     USB3 Port 3
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       True
    Switch State    False
  Switch 4          Switch 4 (id=3)
    Name            USB3 Port 4
    Description     USB3 Port 4
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       True
    Switch State    False
  Switch 5          Switch 5 (id=4)
    Name            USB3 Port 5
    Description     USB3 Port 5
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       True
    Switch State    False
  Exception         Method GetSwitchValue is not implemented in this driver.
  Switch 6          Switch 6 (id=5)
    Name            USB3 Port 6
    Description     USB3 Port 6
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       True
    Switch State    False
  Exception         Method GetSwitchValue is not implemented in this driver.
  Switch 7          Switch 7 (id=6)
    Name            USB Bus Voltage
    Description     USB Bus Voltage
    Min-Max         0 - 1 (step 1)
    Can Write       False
    Switch State    True

It's unclear without checking the client code whether the two 'GetSwitchValue is not implemented in this driver' exceptions relate to Ports 5 & 6 (a possible carry over from code fixes in early versions of UCH) or they relate to Ports 6 & 7. GetSwitch value is not critical for two value (0 / 1) switches anyways since the switch position is normally accessed using Switch.GetState(id) and set using Switch.SetState(id, bool)

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2021-10-16


AllSky/Weather Computer - Installation of Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub

USB Control Hub
A Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub (UCH) was installed in the observatory today (2021-10-16) where it replaces an existing standard 4 port USB Hub attached to AllSky/Weather computer

Details about the Control Hub, it's initial testing and its planned role is described in the section above (see Pegasus Astro USB Control Hub, 2021-10-15).

Software & Drivers
USB Drivers, and the Pegasus UCH Software were downloaded and installed from Pegasus Astro's Software & Documentation Page
https://pegasusastro.com/downloads/

Opportunity was taken to upgrade the computer's ASCOM Platform from 6.5 to 6.5SP1, after which the Pegasus UCH Ascom driver was installed.

Setup
The Pegasus UCH Software was used to setup Port Names and the Default Power States at Startup.

Port No   (Switch ID)  Port Name     Device
  1               (0)              AllSky Cam     Occulus AllSky Camera
  2               (1)              WeatherStn     Weather Station Hub
  3               (2)              Cloud Sens     Aurora/Eurotech Cloud Sensor III
  4               (3)              ObsCam          ObsCam HD Camera
  5               (4)              G Drive            USB Hard Drive
  6               (5)              Empty              None

Image

Next Steps

Update 2021-12-06

An USB powered 'Laptop' Light was added to the USB Control Hub using the previously vacant 6th USB Port

A  'Aux.Light'  button added to AstroObsCam program (v1.8) to allow the USB light to be toggled on/off.  This is designed to allow a colour image of the Observatory Interior to be seen, which may be useful for identifying/confirming positions of objects and equipment in the Observatory.  This follows an incident during session S939 when the rubber strip around the interior flnage of the observatory roof peeled off during the session and caused an incident.  An object was seen on 4 frames from the ObsCam images at the time but it wasn't possible to identify the object on the camera's black/white night time images.

Whilst the control of USB Light from AstroObsCam works,  the light itself is found to be too dim to activate the ObsCam Camera into 'daylight mode' and it continues imaging in night time (b/w mode)

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