iKarus Stellar Mate Plus, User Manual

Page: 162 / 227

The StellarMate Plus Manual
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Ethernet cable (StellarMate to Mount direct), or the mount can be connected to a wired
router where it can be accessed over the network. Consult the mount manual to find which
mode it supports and what is the default IP address and port of the mount once it is
connected to the network.
·
Direct Ethernet : When connecting a Direct ethernet cable without a router in between,
an automatic IPv4 address is created. The automatic IP address is usually in the form
of
169.254.XXX.XXX . In order for StellarMate to communicate with the mount, the exact
IP address and port must be specified in the INDI Control Panel. StellarMate can also
be configured to any IP address manually in order to communicate with whatever IP
schema used by the mount.
·
Ethernet LAN : If the mount can be connected to a router, it should be able to obtain an
IP address automatically from the router. Access your router configuration page and
find the IP address assigned to the mount. Use this IP address in the INDI Control Panel
in order to establish communication with it. The port number should be listed in your
mount manual.
Wireless Connection
Wireless mounts are usually connected either directly (via mount own Hotspot) or they can
be configured in
Infrastructure Mode where they can join an existing WiFi network.
·
Mount HotSpot : When connecting a mount hotspot, make sure that all devices including
the laptop, tablet, StellarMate..etc are all connected to the mount hotspot. This is to
ensure that all the devices are on the same network talking to each other. You cannot
have half the devices on a different network. Once the devices join the mount HotSpot
network, they should be assigned their own IP addresses. Use the mount hotspot IP
address in INDI Control Panel in order to establish communication with the mount. The
port number should be listed in your mount manual.
·
Mount Infrastructure : Some Wireless mount can be configured in Infrastructure Mode.
This is the mode where the mount does not start its own hotspot but insteads joins an
existing WiFi network. Make sure all the relevant devices (StellarMate, Laptop,
Tablet..etc) are all joined to the same WiFi network so that they can talk to each other.
Find out the mount IP address and enter it in INDI Control Panel in order to establish
communication with the mount. The port number should be listed in your mount manual.
Connecting Focusers
StellarMate supports a broad range of focusers from professional focusers to DYI types.
Most focusers fall in the following two categories:
·
Absolute/Relative Focusers : Absolute focusers are usually stepper motors that can
go to a specific step that is remembered across power cycles. This is the recommened
type to use since Auto Focus operations are reliable with this type of focuser.
·
DC Focusers : DC Focusers are open loop simple motors in which the program can
control the speed and direction of the focuser, but not its exact position. These exist in
cheap focusers and DSLR cameras. It is generally recommended to avoid such
focusers.