Astromi.ch MGBox Manual Download Page 19

 

 

Page 19 

 

Version 0.7 

Log-Button 

The Log-Button opens an additional Window that contains Logging information sent from 

MGBox to the application. The entries in this window are sorted by time, so the newest ones are 

always at the top of the list. 

Clicking with the right mouse button will bring up a context menu that allows you to either copy 

the content to the clipboard, or to save it to a file. 

 

 

 

 

Setup Window 

 

Update time 

Updates the mount’s time to the time received from the GPS Module.  
 

Update refraction 

Sends updated temperature and pressure information to the mount. 

 

 
More Details 

 

When MGBox is plugged into the mount it will boot up and constantly query the mount for 

various information. As soon as a valid reply is received for a specific command, the main 

processes start. 

 

Tracking state 

MGBox queries the mount for its tracking status at frequent intervals. Any updates to time or 

refraction parameters will only happen if the status is anything but tracking. 

 

Summary of Contents for MGBox

Page 1: ...MGBox Manual...

Page 2: ...Offsets 11 GPS Location altitude and UTC Time 12 Connection indicator 12 Setup and Close buttons 14 Setup 14 Close button 15 Running multiple Instances of the application 16 Firmware Versions 17 Stand...

Page 3: ...tting calibration values 27 Send GPS Data to Mount Generic Firmware only 27 Send Meteo Data to Mount Generic Firmware only 27 Update Mount refraction data 10Micron specific Firmware only 27 Update Mou...

Page 4: ...cies in pointing and tracking that can result from mechanical tolerances atmospheric refraction and other factors In order for this model to be of the highest quality the mount computer or controlling...

Page 5: ...PS Fix is acquired LED remains off once a valid GPS Fix is achieved 3 Mount Status LED Only relevant for the 10Micron specific Firmware Indicates if communication with the mount has been established I...

Page 6: ...cess please reinstall the one from the FTDI website http www ftdichip com Drivers VCP htm WindowsXP o Service Pack 3 o Net Framework 4 0 o FTDI Driver http www ftdichip com Drivers VCP htm Other Opera...

Page 7: ...at least once to in order to configure the behavior of the RJ10 Port On older Windows Versions or other Operating Systems it might be necessary to install the proper FTDI Driver before the device beco...

Page 8: ...ount and use Per Frejvall s ASCOM Driver for the mount the driver will read this file and send the atmospheric information to your mount Temperature Pressure and Dew Chart As soon as MGBox is connecte...

Page 9: ...the chart area will change it to a crosshair that provides detailed information about a certain point on the chart when hovered over a line On the bottom left of the chart the current range index of...

Page 10: ...ll data points available into a CSV file that can later be used with 3rd party Software e g Excel to recreate the graphs Clear o Clears the current graph and removes all data points Temperature Pressu...

Page 11: ...uestion will bring up a small window asking for a new offset to be applied Offset values are stored inside the EEPROM and are therefore unique to the device and transferred to all systems that you use...

Page 12: ...displayed in the GUI Connection indicator Below the dew point information the connection status is displayed If no MGBox is detected by the software Waiting for MGBox is displayed Once a connection ha...

Page 13: ...Page 13 Version 0 7...

Page 14: ...o AutoDetect is the default setting In this configuration the application will periodically scan all available com ports on your system for a MGBox It does so by connecting to the port listening to th...

Page 15: ...sion During the update process various Windows may pop up Please ignore them and do not interrupt the update process o The Firmware can only be updated if connected via Serial Port NOTE 1 When connect...

Page 16: ...to run multiple instances of the MGBox application The instance number is displayed in the title bar of the application the second and each subsequent instance that is launched Please note that each...

Page 17: ...re is available The goal is to have one device that is plug and forget and does all of the above automatically and therefore reduce complexity for the user Installation and Configuration Please downlo...

Page 18: ...ghtly different to take advantage of these features The additional functionality described below is enabled automatically when the software detects the 10Micron specific Firmware Main Window Mount Mod...

Page 19: ...it to a file Setup Window Update time Updates the mount s time to the time received from the GPS Module Update refraction Sends updated temperature and pressure information to the mount More Details W...

Page 20: ...d by the difference Refraction data is updated If MGBox misses an update to the mount e g because the mount has been tracking for the last 15 minutes it will update the mount as soon as the tracking s...

Page 21: ...nd operating limits Pressure Sensor Parameter Min Typical Max Unit Operating temperature range 40 25 85 C Operating pressure range 300 1100 hPa Absolute accuracy pressure 1 0 hPa Relative accuracy pre...

Page 22: ...ega644P is configured to use its internal oscillator running at 8MHz GPS Module MGBox uses a GlobalTop PA6C GPS Module The Module utilizes the MT3339 Chipset from MediaTek It features high sensitivity...

Page 23: ...d The following picture illustrates the pinout Conversion from TTL to RS 232 is done by a Max3232ESE IC The supplied cable is a standard RJ10 cable and the pinout is as follows colors may vary Importa...

Page 24: ...our own application or script Serial Port settings Use the following settings to connect to MGBox and start receiving data Baud 38400 Data Bits 8 Stop Bits 1 Parity None Serial Port settings RJ10 With...

Page 25: ...ng more readable format Start of sentence P Proprietary sentence XDR Transducer type P Sensor type pressure 96276 0 Sensor value P Sensor units pascal 0 Sensor ID C Sensor type temperature 31 8 Sensor...

Page 26: ...plied by 10 e g 1 0 RH MG UR MG Send GPS Data to Mount UR Update mount s refraction data 1 Enabled 0 Disabled MM UT MM Send Meteo Data to Mount UT Synchronize mount s time 0 Disabled 1 Enabled 78 Chec...

Page 27: ...be sent to the Mount 1 Enable sending 0 disabled End of message indicator Send Meteo Data to Mount Generic Firmware only mg 1 mm Set s if Meteo Data should be sent to the Mount 1 Enable sending 0 disa...

Page 28: ...ing Mount Firmware Version 10Micron specific Firmware only mfget mfget Returns the Mount s Firmware if MGBox has this information End of message indicator Query the status of the initial time sync 10M...

Page 29: ...t shows up Install reinstall the driver if necessary http www ftdichip com Drivers VCP htm If configuring ASCOM Connection and it appears that nothing happens when you click the Configure button look...

Reviews: