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TCS - Telescope Control System.

Alluna optics sets new standards in telescope control with the TCS second generation. 
The standard installed Telescope-Control-System on all Alluna optics telescopes enables remote control as well as autonomous control of our Ritchey-Chrétien telescopes and Newton astrographs. Whether for scientific use, for the CCD astrophotographer, or for the demanding visual observer, it serves as a helpful additional control instrument



 

Connected to a PC/Notebook, all fundamental functions on the RC telescope can be controlled and monitored by way of the supplied Windows software
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The elementary main functions of the TCS


Focusing the optics
focus accuracy 0,0035 mm
Robotic mirror cover
"Dust Cover"
Control CCD instrument rotator
Accuracy of positioning 0,1 degree of angle

Heating control mirror
Automatic cooling of the optic
Temperature measurement of the main mirror, the secondary mirror and ambience
Control via PC, autonomously via hand controller, or remote. API "Application Programming Interface" available, Connection to ASCOM

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The control software was developed for IBM compatible PCs with Microsoft Windows™ operating systems. An intuitive user interface graphic makes it very simple to control your telescope.
hand controller
Using the supplied API "Application Programming Interface" you have the ability to integrate all of the functions in your own applications, regardless of whether it is a Windows, Linux, Apple or other operating system.

Furthermore, all functions can also autonomously be controlled with the optionally available hand controller (shown at the right) and important parameters can be read. This is possible even if the PC system is switched off or is in another room or location. The operation of the TCS hand controller is via touch display.



 
Tab: Climate

telescope climate control

With the "Climate" function, it is possible in a short amount of time to align comfortably and thermally control the telescope in a safe manner. The temperatures of the primary mirror, the secondary mirror as well as the room temperature can be queried and evaluated.
With the TCS, the fan power can be adjusted manually from 0 to 100 percent using a very sensitive slider. Alternatively, you can easily leave the fan control to the automatic climate regulator, which automatically regulates the fan power depending on the current delta between environment and primary mirror temperature.Another important information element for continuous temperature monitoring on a long photo night, is the integrated temperature monitor. It was important for us to make to make the entire timeline visible in a so-called high-resolution dynamic window, OneView, meaning that a horizontal scroll through the timeline is no longer necessary. Regardless of the photo session duration. In this way, the entire timeline will always be available at a glance.   



Tab: Focus

telescope focus control

In the tab "Focus", you see at a glance to the left side where the current focus is located. On the right side, you accurately control the focusing Digit with a resolution of 2240 digit / millimetre. This corresponds to 0.446 µm/Digit on the secondary mirror or 0.0035 mm on the CCD chip. The total possible travel distance is 22400 digits. 
For precise focusing with the CCD camera, an increment can be specified in the settings. If, for example, a value of 4 were specified, the focal point would move 0.014 mm (4x0,0035 mm) in the desired direction with each click.
The GoTo function enables you to set automatic focal position quickly and accurately.



Tab: DustCover

telescope dustcover control

The robotic fourfold main mirror cover is primarily for the protection of the primary mirror from dust and mechanical damage when not in use. The four flaps with servo motor can be controlled via the TCS and be automatically opened or closed. A must when the telescope is operated from a remote position or the position of the telescope is such that the mechanical removal of a cover by hand can only be done with difficulty.
The tab "Dust Cover" indicates the current position of the robot main mirror cover. This is indicated by "LEDs" - green the flaps are open, blue the flaps are closed. If red the flaps are currently moving. More information about the DustCover here



Tab: CCD instrument rotator

telescope instrument rotator control

The CCD instrument rotator is further described on a separate page. Please click here
 



Detailed information about all TCS functions can be found in the TCS-2 user manual in the Download section
 

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