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This location is for downloading "Pre-release Updates" to files for the Sitech Servo system software and firmware.
Information about the updates will be in this upper section of the webpage and in the "Comments" section at the bottom of this webpage.
The links for actually downloading the files are in the "Attachments" area most of the way down on the page below.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There are now three versions of the Sitech controller. All three controllers work with the same sitechexe.exe program, and all three work with the same handpads (hardline and RF). The original controller is now referred to as the "ServoI" controller. It comes in two versions, an "early" version and a "later" version. The "early" version had the motor power wires running inside the same 8 wire flat cable as the encoder wires to each motor. The "later" version ServoI controller has the motor power wires running in separate cables from the encoder wires that go to each motor. The 3rd and latest version of the controller is referred to as the "ServoII" controller, and has a number of enhanced features above the ServoI controllers. Click on this link for more details on the ServoII controller.
Pre-Release software is "Beta" software that has enough shelf life and testing to provide to the general user population and "should" work ok, but may still have some bugs.... "Caveat Emptor " is the rule when using Pre-release software, and is the price you pay for messing with the latest new capabilities...... So, before you install the updated "Pre-Release" software, be sure to save the files it is replacing "just in case".
The formal "Released" versions of Sitech software are accessed and downloaded at the Sidereal Technology Website at: http://www.siderealtechnology.com/
UPDATE INFORMATION (as of 11/14/11):
The "no kidding absolutely gotta have" minimum software you need to have to initially get up and running is:
- DotNet version 1.1 installed (must be done before the initial install of sitechexe.exe is done). OK to also install later versions on top of 1.1
NOTE: Download from:
- ASCOM 4.1 Installed (assuming you want to use the ascom features of sitechexe.exe.
NOTE 1: The link to 4.1 on the ASCOM website is no longer available, so I have posted a copy of ASCOM 4.1 on this website in the attachments section below. NOTE 2: We can confirm than an initial install of the Sitech system can start with ASCOM 6 instead of starting with ASCOM 4.1, however, the ASCOM 4.1 install file is included for download off this website from the attachments section below......Install ASCOM 4.1 first, then update it to ASCOM 6 if you wish, or simply start with ASCOM 6. .
Note 3: The link to download the ASCOM 6 platform (which is supposed to not require any previous ASCOM version to have been installed first,is at: http://ascom-standards.org/About/Projects.htm
- ServoConfig.exe Installed. For ServoI controllers, use version 1.1 (must be done in order to load the controller firmware and config the controller). For ServoII controllers, install version 1.1, and then copy the file for version 1.2 into the c:\servoconfig folder.
- Controller firmware version 37A flashed to the controller flash ROM for all ServoI controllers used (version 37A.bin is latest beta version available). For ServoII controllers, use v86A.bin firmware, and use servoconfig v1.2 to flash it to the controller flash ROM. IMPORTANT: Do NOT use Servoconfig v1.1 to try to flash the v86,bin firmware to the ServoII Controller!! (and use the USB link to do the update)
The two "unique" files for the ServoII controller (Servoconfig v1.2 and firmware v86A.bin) are both in the same .zip file named "ServoII controller unique files"
- Sitechexe.exe installed (latest version is 56Z). For initial installs, please look at the note below about using the v51 Initial Install package. Both ServoI and ServoII controllers use this same Sitechexe.exe file. The lastest version (56Z) is now distributed in an "update installer package". Simply download from the attachments area below, unzip it, and double click on it. It will take care of putting the updated file(s) in all the right places
- Sitech.dll installed (latest version is dated 7/3/09)
NOTE: An initial install requires first using the SitechExe051.zip initial install package, which installs sitechexe.exe version 51 and all the basic support files and hooks into windows. Then you need to update the sitechexe.exe file to version 56Z, and the sitech.dll file to the 7/3/09 version:
NOTE: Save the v37A.BIN file (or the v86A.bin file) in the C:\ServoConfig folder, and use ServoConfig to flash the new firmware to the controller. Be sure that sitechexe and servoconfig are not connected to the controller at the same time (controller can only talk to one of them at a time). And, if you use two controllers (RA/Dec for one controller and focuser for the second for example) only one controller can be plugged into the RS232 port on the PC at a time when running ServoConfig. Both ServoI controllers will need to both be updated to v37A if you want to have both plugged into the same RS232 port with a Y cable...
NOTE: You can download and install later versions than 1.1 of the DotNet framework if other programs require the later versions, but you MUST leave the 1.1 version installed on your PC to support sitechexe.exe. Later versions install in addition to but not replacing) the 1.1 version. Several users have found the dot.net 3.5 sp1 framework is able to support sitechexe operations fine without the v1.1 being installed (especially in the case of Win7 being used rather than XP). Till I can sort this out better, the conservative path is to install 1.1 first, then add later dot.net versions.
Additional files to use the advanced features of Sitechexe.exe are:
The links for actually downloading the files are in the "Attachments" area most of the way down on the page below. Additional sound files: (not strictly required but very handy):
- Soundfile updates.zip (unzip into the sound folder that is inside the sitech folder)
For mount modelling (automated if you use a CCD camera): (Read me files are in each of these downloads)
- CalPointsXPv1.09
- PlateSolveXPv1.16
- The Database for PlatesolveXP
NOTE:
The database for PlateSolveXP can be downloaded from http://siderealtechnology.com/APM.zip If you have trouble downloading the full APM.zip (it is over 500 MB) you can download it in "pieces" here. There are 29 files, none of which are over 20 MB and you need all of them.
For interfacing to LX200 programs: - LXtoSitech080.zip
For interfacing to planetarium programs that do not have a straightforward ASCOM interface:
- MegaStar-to-ASCOM.zip
- TheSky version X, v6(Pro), or v5(Level IV): (instructions are part of each of the download files):
If you are using ASCOM v5.0 or earlier and TheSky v6 or v5 download: TeleAPI PlugIn v4-0-1.zip
If you are using TheSky vX, or ASCOM v5.5 or later with TheSky v6 or v5, download: TeleAPI 5-0-4 Setup.zip
Addition Files for even more fun with Sitech!!
The links for actually downloading the files are in the "Attachments" area most of the way down on the page below. Sample Batch files for easily changing the configuration files for Sitechexe.exe when swapping between two mounts that each use the Sidereal Technology Servo Drive system. NOTE the two mounts cannot be controlled at the same time from one mount.... These sample files simple change the confuration files to match the mount being controlled... (NOTE: you WILL have to edit these files to tailor them for the file locations on your PC and the file/folfer names you are using)
- Config Change Batch Files.zip
For using your mount and CCD camera to write with a star image:
Sky Writing files.zip
For doing troubleshooting on encoder (mount and motor) performance:
ChucksLogger1-3.zip
DanEncoderRunout.xls |
SitechEXE051.zip is the "Initial Install" package. Be sure to have already installed the Microsoft Dot Net Framework version 1.1 (ok to also install later versions, but you MUST install version 1.1). Also install the latest version of the ASCOM initiative Platform.
ServoConfig1.1.zip is the latest version of the ServoConfig program. Unzip this file, and run the exe program. It will then create a directory c:\ServoConfig, and place the files to use the program there. This folder is also where you will save the updates to the firmware (V*.BIN) so ServoConfig can find them for updating the controller. This is the program used to configure the Sitech Controller itself with the latest firmware, and important information it needs about your mount. It also has very useful tools for helping to determine this information on your mount.
SkyWriting Files.zip is a collection of files required to use SitechEXE to use a mount to write designs using a ccd camera aimed at a star. Instructions for this are in the Operations Manual.
MegaStar-To-ASCOM.zip contains the files needed to run the LX-200 to ASCOM interpretor named MegaStar-To-ASCOM that was written and tailored specifically for allowing the planetarium program MegaStar (which is not ASCOM compliant) to be able to interface with ASCOM compliant programs like SitechExe. Thanks to the authors of MegaStar-To-ASCOM and com0com for allowing these programs to be re-distributed here.
TheSky requires changing out the TeleAPI.dll file to be able to work with ASCOM. The operations Manaual, Appendix B, page 165 has all the instructions, including the link on the ASCOM website to download the new teleAPI.dll. However, for you convenience it is in the download files here also. Be sure to run all the instructions in Appendix B for "TheSky" to set things up...
PlatesolveXP1.16.zip contains the latest update from Dave Rowe to PlatesolveXP.exe Unzip and save the file to the Sitech folder.
LXtoSiTech_080.zip contains the required files to set up SitechExe.exe to interface with programs that are not ASCOM compatible, but instead use LX-200 commands. The zip file contains the instructions for installing the program LXtoSitech.exe, the Program, and a freeware Virtual Serial Port program that is automatically called up by LXtoSitech and creates a virtual serial port that the non-ascom compatible program will connect to to send/receive its LX-200 commands.
Sitechdll7-3-09.zip is the latest updated version of the sitech.dll file. This file replaces the version located at C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope
PlatesolveXP1.16.zip contains the latest update from Dave Rowe to PlatesolveXP.exe. Unzip and place the following files in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope|Sitech folder:
PlateSolveXP.exe
AARemote.dll
Interop.MaxIm.dll
Save the file named "ListenSitech.neb" to your "My Documents" folder
Open the file named "ScriptedPxPOpsCueCard Rev C.xls with a spreadsheet program. It is a shorthand version of a checklist to setup and use the scripted PXP Operations capability.
CalPointsXP1.09.zip is the latest version of CalPointsXP by Dave Rowe. Unzip and place these files in the C:\Program Files\Common Files\ASCOM\Telescope\Sitech folder. This program is used by SitechEXE in the Scripted PXP capability that allows the mount to automatically build a PointXP model of the mount.
NOTE: You need to edit the file: Sample File - Sitech.hrz to document your local horizon. Then re-save it in the Sitech Folder, with the filename: Sitech.hrz Then be sure to delete the file: Sample File - Sitech.hrz
ServoII Controller Unique File.zip contains the two files that are unique to the newer ServoII Controller (Servoconfig version 1.2 and the firmware v85.bin). Download and install servoconfig version 1.1 first, and then copy the version 1.2 file into the C:\servoconfig folder. Copy the firmware file v85.bin into the same c:\servoconfig to make it easy to find when using servoconfig v1.2 to flash the servoII Controller flash ROM. The new ServoII Controllers are supposed to ship with v85, so you should not need to do the firmware update, but just in case, here it is!!!
ASCOM 5.5 Driver Registration.txt contains the information to either force a driver migration or to do it manually to allow the Sitech driver to show up in the ASCOM Chooser when using the later versions of the ASCOM Platform.
TeleAPI 5-0-4 Setup.zip contains a standalone installation file (.exe) to install the TeleAPI files needed to by TheSky vX,6, or v5 to work with the ASCOM Platform v5.5 or later. Instructions are inclused in the install file when its run.
TeleAPI PlugIn v4-0-1-0.zip is the original TeleAPI update package to provide ASCOM capability for TheSky v6 or v5 with ASCOM platform version 5.0 or earlier. Install instructions are included in the zip file.
DanEncoderRunout.xls is an Excel spreadsheet that Dan Gray built to determine how much periodic error would get introduced into a roller drive system (as part of the drive train, or as part of an encoder mounting). Fields to enter data on drive roller diameters are colored green.
v86A ServoII Unique Files.zip contains the latest firmware update for the ServoII controllers, and the SitechConfig.exe version 1.2 program used to update the Firmware in the ServoII controllers. Install version 1.1 of ServoConfig initially, then simply copy the version 1.2 file into the C:\ServoConfig folder to replace the version 1.1 file. If you have Both types of controllers, rename the version 1.2 file to be able to keep both in the same folder... Copy the firmware update (v86A) into the ServoConfig folder to make it easy for ServoConfig to find it.
V37A.bin is the latest firmware for the ServoI controllers and has fixes for backlash and RA/Dec error limits chaging all by themselves. Do NOT try to use it in the ServoII controllers! Save it to the C:\ServoConfig folder, and run Servoconfig 1.1 (be sure Sitechexe is NOT running, and if you have two controllers in series, unplug one, update the firmware in the one still plugged in, then swap controllers plugged in and update the other one (both need to have the same firmware loaded!). Click on the button named "Upgrade Flash ROM", and select the 37A.bin file. You should see it sending blocks of data, and when finished it will say "The update appears to be successful" (hows that for a politically correct statement by a computer!!). You may have to power cycle the controller after the update if it stays in manual (blinky) mode.
SitechExe056X.zip contains the latest Beta version of Sitechexe.exe Unzip the sitechexe.exe file and use it to replace the one in the sitech folder at: c:\program files\common files\ASCOM\telescope\sitech
SitechSetup056Z.zip is the first of the updates to the Sitech components that is distributed via an "Installer Package". So now, rather than unzipping and having to copy the file(s) to the Sitech folder, simply download, unzip, and double click on the .exe file and it will take care of putting the file(s) in the right places for you.