Sideres Deltacode Mount Control System

Sideres Deltacode Mount Control System

DELTACODE - the ultimate observatory telescope controller

The development was based on the philosophy of obtaining a professional control system that is robust, reliable, easy to operate and expandable.

Thus, Sideres has limited itself to the most important things without "bells and whistles", but it is equipped for future expansions due to its modular design. Another major advantage of the modular design is that the control system can be optimally adapted to the user´s wishes.

The power supply is - contrary to many other competing products - already built into the control box, thus minimizing the cabling. The hand control box is ergonomically shaped and has rubber edge protection. The robust short-travel keys with defined pressure point make it easy to operate even with gloves.

The features in detail:

General Features:

Equatorial and altazimuth operation of the controller

All plug-in connections are made via high-quality circular connectors with gold-plated contacts and interlocking (except for the standardized PC connections)

Master module:

Master module with 32-bit main processor (ARM Cortex-M3)

Battery-buffered real-time clock

2 serial interfaces

USB interface

Ethernet interface

Standardized ST-4 autoguider connection (floating via internal optocouplers)

Software updates free of charge!

Once the alignment has been performed on a fixed mount, there is no need to repeat the process when the controller is switched on again.

The alignment can be performed on one of the 278 stored brightest stars, but also on all Messier, NGC or IC objects.

For the GoTo function the internal object database includes all Messier, all NGC and all IC objects

Via the USB or serial interface, the GoTo can also be controlled (via the LX200 commands) by planetarium programs, such as Cartes du Ciel, Guide 9, etc.)

Power module (one module per motor):

Own 32-bit processor (ARM Cortex-M3)

42 volt motor voltage for fast slewing speeds

Motor current adjustable from 0.3 to 4.4 amps in 1 mA steps

Microstep operation with up to 64 microsteps per full step

Length of start and stop ramp adjustable in a wide range

Various control inputs, routed via optocouplers (potential-free) - two limit switches and one reference contact as well as one encoder connection for each motor

Motor, mounting and gearbox parameters can be stored in memory

Change between several parameter sets possible (when using the control on different mounts)

Hand controller:

Separate hand controller with 2×16-character LCD and 9 keys

Display with dimmable red backlighting

Flashlight function on the back via dimmable red LEDs

Protection against low temperatures (temperature resistant down to -25 °C)

The entire hand controller is waterproof and dustproof

Polyurethane sheathed connection cable

Rubberized holding magnet on the back

Hand controller operation in three operating modes: direction keys for 3 motors and speed selection, short commands, menu system for object selection and parameter setting

Options:

High-resolution encoder module for one or both axes (to eliminate the screw error)

Planned expansions:

Control module for focusing motor

Control module for field rotation motor

Control module for dome control

Module with adjustable DC outputs for dew shield heater or similar

XL version:
The control also available in an XL version. The hand controller and the modules are the same. It only has a stronger power supply, one more slot and connection possibilities for external emergency stop switches ( for example for observatories with visitor operation).

Safety informations: PDF Download