Moravian instruments, Inc., source: https://www.gxccd.com/art?id=746&lang=409, printed: 21.03.2025 4:58:14
Main page▹Product Overview▹Software | 3.7.2024 |
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The first minor release of SIPS v4 fixes issues identified especially in the tools newly added to the SIPS v4, like the Program Editor. But the most important additions to v4.1 are new device driver classes for telescope flaps, including calibration covers, and for general switches. So, the list of supported devices is finished, at last for now. The v4.1 should support all major hardware components used to run an observatory. |
New Flap (telescope cover) devicesEspecially remotely operated telescopes are often equipped with motorized, computer-controlled cover, which protect the optics against dust when the telescope is not operating. The Flaps tool provides a GUI allowing to open and close the cover, as well as to set light source brightness, providing the flap is equipped with flat-field calibration light source and the used driver supports this feature. New Switch devicesAn observatory is often a more complex set of instruments than just a telescope and camera. Some devices are supported in SIPS through the specialized drivers and associated GUI tool windows (e.g., focuser or observatory dome), others need not special treatment beside turning on and off (dew heaters, telescope fans, calibration light sources, etc.). Such devices are typically attached to some remotely controllable switches, possibly allowing also setting of analog value (e.g., the voltage). The Switches tool in SIPS then allows controlling of such array of individual switches. The switch can be either just on/off switch or a more complex device allowing setting of output value in defined range. For instance, a fan controller or dew heater controller may allow to regulate fan speed or heating power using output voltage.
The switches driver API allows also for read-only switches, only displaying current value, be it on/off state or analog value. Such switches then lack GUI controls allowing to modify the state. Flaps and Switches in WebSIPSOf course, both Flaps and Switches devices are newly included into SIPS REST API and thus they are accessible from SPL scripts as well as from the web browser based version of SIPS (WebSIPS). Redesigned Dome control toolConstructions of observatory housings are very different. If the housing is motorized and controlled with a computer capable to communicate with a host PC, it is possible to control the observatory dome or roll-off roof operations from the SIPS software package through the Dome tool. The Dome tool GUI adopts itself to the capabilities of the connected driver. The image above shows the Dome tool connected to the ASCOM dome driver simulator, which implements complete functionality contained in the driver interface:
But if the dome slot opens as a whole and does not need altitude settings, the Altitude related controls will be omitted and the Dome tool window will be shrunk (image below left). Also, if the Dome tool is used to control a roll-of-roof observatory, the Azimuth and Altitude controls are not displayed and the tool window show the Shutter related controls only (image below right). Remark: The SIPS dome drivers may optionally return up to four temperatures. Depending on the number of measured temperatures, the Dome tool shows them at the bottom of the tool window. Weather station tool updatesBeside fixing of some bugs, which caused wrong lines drawn in the weather history charts, the Weather station tool also adopts to the capabilities of the connected driver. Different drivers may provide different set of measured values. The image below shows the Weather station tool window with ASCOM Observing conditions simulator driver, providing artificially generated data on all available channels. This is why the window shows all values as well as all history graphs. In reality, the majority of weather station devices and their drivers provide only a subset of all possible channels. The Weather station tool window then shows only a reduced number of values and graphs. Also, the sound alarm check-boxes only for supported channels are provided. Handling of new camera modelsNewly introduced camera models or new features, available for existing camera models, require support in camera drivers. SIPS v4.1 now supports Moravian Instruments cameras:
Bug fixesSeveral bugs were fixed in the v4.1:
Warning: If you upgrade to SIPS v4.1 from some v4.0.x version, it is recommended to uninstall the previous version first and only then to install the v4.1 as a clear install. The v4.0.x installation package mistakenly created a copy of the SIPS main driver configuration file sips.ini in the \Users\Public\Documents\SIPS\ini\ folder. This causes issues with some ASCOM drivers (e.g. ASCOM driver controlling telescope mounts). Uninstalling the previous SIPS version removes the wrong copy of sips.ini from the Public Documents and v4.1 installation does not create is again. Or, it is not necessary to uninstall the previous SIPS version, it is enough just to delete the \Users\Public\Documents\SIPS\ini\sips.ini file. This file can be deleted prior to installation of v4.1 or after the v4.1 is installed. The SIPS v4.1.1 is modified to handle the superfluous sips.ini file without issues. The problem with duplicate sips.ini in the \Users\Public\Documents\SIPS\ini\ folder arises in v4.1, as the new version allows 3rd party device drivers to be included in SIPS through sips.ini in the Public Documents. SIPS newly offers device drivers defined in sips.ini in Program Files and also drivers defined in sips.ini in Public Documents, but drivers in both files should not be duplicated. This means drivers defined in sips.ini in Program Files are the ones distributed with SIPS itself, as this INI file is overwritten with each new SIPS version, while the INI file in Public Documents are left untouched by SIPS installation to allow definition of 3rd party drivers. SIPS is a freeware and can be downloaded from the Download section of this web site. Do you want to stay informed about new SIPS versions and features? Follow @sipssw on Twitter. |