From: Milton Aupperle <milton@outcastsoft.com>

Date: August 22, 2011 3:03:59 PM MDT

To: Astro_IIDC@yahoogroups.com

Subject: Re: [Astro_IIDC] Guiding HW Addition

Hi Rodolphe;

It likely could do it, but given that the Scorpion cameras are obsolete / out of production and that PGR has settled on the Hirose 8 pin connector with 4 GPIO pins, I'm pretty reluctant to do it.

However I do have a suggestion on how to work around it without any software changes.

Basically add a physical switch to outside of the box. Connect I/O 0 and I/O 1 (or I/O 2 and I/O 3) GPIO pins  to each end of the physical switches contacts.

When the switch is closed, then two pins are connected and can be used for long exposure control. You should also unplug the ST4 port too in case it interferes too.

When the switch is open, then the pins are not connected and could be used to control the ST4.

I realize that doesn't allow you to do both at the same time, but it's pretty unlikely to be using 5+ second exposures for guiding.

HTH..

Milton J. Aupperle

On 22-Aug-11, at 11:14 AM, Rodolphe Pineau wrote:

On Mon 8/22/11, at 9:37, Milton Aupperle wrote:

Thanks Milton for the precisions.

The Scorpion also has some extra pin that are used as a serial port. As IO0 and IO1 are already used on the scorpion for long exposure, could you have a special version that uses the other 4 pin used as a the serial port (they are in fact also GPIO pins) so that one can keep the long exposure and use the ST4 interface (I do understand that this is not a priority for you and will understand if you chose not to do this).

Rodolphe

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