AO-X compatibility update

Discussion in 'Guiding and Adaptive Optics - StarChaser and AO' started by Ron Frisk, Oct 20, 2014.

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  1. Ron Frisk

    Ron Frisk Cyanogen Customer

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    Please advise post merger.

    Thanks, Ron
     
    Ron Frisk, Oct 20, 2014
    #1
  2. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    Hi Ron,

    As it stands, we've made many changes to the MaxIm DL AO plugin, and the SBIG Universal driver with the end goal of supporting the AO-X unit. We have had some success in improving the stability of the program with it, and advise our customers to upgrade to MaxIm DL version 6.06, and sbigudrv.dll version 4.81 build 1 as soon as possible. If you are still experiencing issues with the software controling the AO-X unit, then we advise you open a tech support ticket in our software thread. If there is a problem with your hardware, you're welcome to open a support ticket in this thread.

    Cheers,
    -Adam
     
    Adam Robichaud, Oct 20, 2014
    #2
  3. Ron Frisk

    Ron Frisk Cyanogen Customer

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    Hi Adam - thanks for the quick response. Hopefully in the next couple of nights I will be abler to give it a shot. Will report back following testing. Sorry if I posted in the wrong place.

    Thanks again and CS, Ron
     
    Ron Frisk, Oct 20, 2014
    #3
  4. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    No problem, Ron. Best of luck with the test!
     
    Adam Robichaud, Oct 21, 2014
    #4
  5. Steve cooper

    Steve cooper Cyanogen Customer

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    Hi Ron,
    Any luck with this?
    Thanks,
    Steve
     
    Steve cooper, Nov 10, 2014
    #5
  6. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    Adam recently identified a potential problem if you try to take a dark frame on the main chip while AO guiding is operating. Therefore we recommend you not take dark frames, including auto-darks, while actively AO guiding. Stop the guider, do your calibration frames, and then restart.
     
    Doug, Nov 27, 2014
    #6
  7. atheelen

    atheelen Standard User

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    My AO-X is not working at all with MaxImDL. Although it is working perfectly well with both CCDOPS and TheSkyX Camera add-on.

    Setup:
    OS: Windows 7 32bit
    MaxImDL: version 6.07
    SBIG 64 Bit driver version = v4.81, build 1
    All SBIG firmware is showing as current
    SBIG Equipment in use:
    STXL-11002
    FW8G-STXL
    AO-X

    Test:
    Auto-dark = OFF (although AO-X still Accumulates dark frames when starting track mode)
    guide star located =YES
    trained AO-X = YES
    guide star located and locked = YES
    start guide using AO-X = NO - guide star lost! (when starting AO-X guider on selected star the guider will not find the guide star even though a suitable guide star was located and selected in the 1st step)

    regards
    Andrew
     
    atheelen, Nov 29, 2014
    #7
  8. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    Hi Andrew,

    There is a bug in the AO-X plugin which incorrectly reports Guide Star Fade (on occasion). Does MaxIm DL show a guide star in the tracking window, and report RMS Wander, AO Tilt, Rate, and Total Counts? If so, it's likely that the AO-X is tracking properly in spite of the errant "Guide Star Fade".

    Cheers,
    -Adam
     
    Adam Robichaud, Dec 1, 2014
    #8
  9. atheelen

    atheelen Standard User

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    hi Adam,
    no not at all. Sometimes (less than 5% of the time) I may see the guide star in the tracking window, but then the AO tilt moves to 100% within about a second in one of the 2 axis. but again most of the time there is no guide star displayed and the RMS wander, AO tilt, etc just remains at a constant figure and reports guide star fade.

    Andrew
     
    atheelen, Dec 1, 2014
    #9
  10. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    For the benefit of the group: I'm investigating a possible firmware fix to this issue with Andrew.
     
    Adam Robichaud, Dec 2, 2014
    #10
  11. Jimmy Walker

    Jimmy Walker Cyanogen Customer

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    The newest maxim release isn't working with AOX as per NMSkies on my system with STX 16803 and AOX
     
    Jimmy Walker, Dec 19, 2014
    #11
  12. Steve cooper

    Steve cooper Cyanogen Customer

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    6.08 did nothing to help me with this either.
    Steve
     
    Steve cooper, Dec 22, 2014
    #12
  13. Adam Robichaud

    Adam Robichaud Lead Developer Staff Member

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    If updating your STX/STXL drivers and MaxIm DL to the newest versions is not correcting your issue, please contact me via private conversation about testing a new version of the STX firmware. We're having some success with it.

    Cheers,
    -Adam
     
    Adam Robichaud, Jan 5, 2015
    #13
  14. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    A quick update: we have in fact found a firmware bug in the STX/STXL, which would cause the camera to lock up under certain conditions. It's related to managing main versus guide chip operations. Hopefully we will be able to issue a firmware update in a few days to resolve that issue.
     
    Doug, Jan 12, 2015
    #14
  15. Steve cooper

    Steve cooper Cyanogen Customer

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    Great!!
     
    Steve cooper, Jan 12, 2015
    #15
  16. Steve cooper

    Steve cooper Cyanogen Customer

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    Is the new firmware ready yet?
    Thanks,
    Steve
     
    Steve cooper, Jan 25, 2015
    #16
  17. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    We have a new version and it is currently being tested. Should be available shortly.
     
    Doug, Jan 25, 2015
    #17
  18. Ron Frisk

    Ron Frisk Cyanogen Customer

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    That would be much appreciated Doug - thanks.

    Ron
     
    Ron Frisk, Jan 25, 2015
    #18
  19. Martin Pugh

    Martin Pugh Cyanogen Customer

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    Great news Doug. Looking forward to testint that.

    Cheers
    Martin
     
    Martin Pugh, Jan 26, 2015
    #19
  20. Doug

    Doug Staff Member

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    New drivers and firmware have been released.

    Please use your SBIGDriverChecker program to update your drivers, and update your STX/STXL camera firmware.

    Important: Do not interrupt the firmware upgrade process, or your camera will have to be sent back to Bill for service!!!

    Note: If the driver checker goes "not responding" during the firmware upload process, it's actually working correctly. DO NOT INTERRUPT - wait for it to finish.
     
    Doug, Feb 2, 2015
    #20
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