ObsMate Control Software c/w Denkovi SmartDEN PLC

ObsMate Control is part of a suite of products developed by Astrograph Ltd for managing your Observatory.

Over the last 10 years we have been installing robotic telescope systems in multiple countries. Prior to the world of astronomy, I ran what is called a system integration business. That world was effectively the forerunner of todays ‘Smart Homes’. Back then we had to create each system from scratch. Now it all comes in an app!

When improvements to internet services in remote areas became common, the ability to locate a telescope under inky black clear skies and control it became a reality. However, a way to control simple functions remotely like power were needed. 10 years ago, the control options available were limited and we had to be creative. With a background in system integration solving these problems for a remote telescope came quite naturally.

In that time very few observatory control products have appeared. Hardware reliability and software functionality is not great and ultimately as a reseller and installer that became frustrating. Therefore, the decision was made to develop our own. Enter ObsMate.

Its purpose is to provide you with a centralised control for your observatory that allows you to,

• Open and close your Observatory Roof
• Control Power to your Telescope system and other devices
• Automatically park your mount and close the roof when safe in response to safety alerts
• React to inputs from sensors such as position, relays or temperature
• Remotely access the controller to do such things as shut down or turn on a remote PC
• Run multiple instances for control of multiple controller’s
• Integrate seamlessly with capture software using an integrated Ascom driver
• Provide an optional GUI for those with Red/Green colour blindness

ObsMate Control is a software application that is designed to operate using the Denkovi SmartDEN IP-PLC commercial grade logic controller. This device is freely available and may be source directly from Denkovi. The ObsMate software is coded to the devices MAC address which we will need should you source the hardware directly. Alternatively we can supply and support your SmartDEN IP-PLC directly.

ObsMate Control will continue to develop. Upgrades are free. The next planned update will add conditional logic to the control options. This will allow complex macros and logic such as ‘If Then Do’ operations. This allows some automated functions to be handled by ObsMate or provide a certain amount of protection. Some examples of this might be;

10 Micron Mounts. These mounts have an external controller that is basically a Linux PC. Like any PC they must be started and shut down. To tuns on a 10M mount you first have to connect power. Then you need to press the power button on the controller. There is then a natural delay before the mount is ready to communicate. When turning off the process is reversed but you must wait for the controller to 'shut down' before cutting the mounts power. Failure to do this can lead to corruption of the mounts model which is held in the controller. An ObsMate macro will allow the delay and activation of two seperate relays (power and the on/off). You will not need to worry.

Another instance of a macro might be where you need to ensure that information from multiple sensors is confirmed before allowing something to happen. ObsMate Controls built in Roof control logic already looks at the status of the mount (parked or unparked) before allowing the roof to open. Similar macros can be added that allow multiple sensors to confirm a 'safe' state.

Observatories get hot and equipment does not always like that. Obsmate can monitor temperature and then act at a particular setpoint. This might start a fan in a system cabinet or turn on a heater in the observatory. The options are endless.

Technical specifications

Communication:

• Fully compatible with 10/100/1000 Base-T networks, Auto-MDIX;
• Protocols: TCP/IP, HTTP, DHCP, DNS, SNTP, ICMP (ping);

Inputs:

• 8 digital inputs with On/Off LED (input voltage range: 0-12V DC / 0-24V DC);
• 8 counters (32 bit) attached to digital inputs;
• 4 analog inputs (input voltage range: 0-10V DC);
• 4 temperature inputs for sensors NTC thermistors type B57500M;
• Linearization (scaling) for the analog inputs;
• Programmable temperature units: Celsius/Fahrenheit;
• Configurable filters for the digital/analog inputs;

Outputs:

• 8 SPDT relays (with NO and NC contacts);
• 2 analog outputs: 0-10V DC (10 bit resolution);
• Single pulse feature for the relay outputs;

Web Interface:

• Configuration of system parameters;
• Outputs control, access current measurements;
• Secure login authorization;
• Access protection (by IP and MAC address);

TCP/IP Services:

• HTTP server:
• Read (GET) current input/output values in XML/JSON format;
• Set outputs along with GET request parameters;
• Encrypted login can be used to access XML/JSON values;

Standalone Mode:

• PLC - user can program the I/O of the module to work in custom way using DAEL language;
• Single digital input can be configured to control several relays;
• Single or differential analog input can be configured to control several relays;
• Week schedule table for start/stop the DAEL program at specific time without computer (up to 30 events);
• Real time clock (can sync up with network time servers);

Power Supply:

• Supply voltage: 12V DC or 24V DC (selectable during purchase);
• Additional source voltage 12V DC or 24V DC provided to power input sensors;
• Power supply protection against reverse polarity;

Physical and Environment:

• Working temperature range: 0 to 70°C;
• DIN rail standard housing;