Serial to Mount connection
Mounts will utilise varying technologies to send software signals over a serial port to the mount’s command port. The technology used to provide the Serial connection depends on the mount manufacturer and age of the mount. The options can range from RS232, TTL, USB, Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
In addition to the mount’s standard command interface, other serial interfaces may also be available for the mount. An example would be to add a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth module to convert the serial from a radio interface to the TTL needed by a Mount.
For the example of a USB to serial, two common computer chips are available that convert from USB to TTL.
The USB to serial cables would normally use one of these common computer chips.
These chips require a driver from the appropriate chip manufacturer to drive the chip’s circuitry.
The chips commonly used in USB to TTL:
- Prolific (Prolific Technology Inc.) Windows driver download.
- FTDI (Future Technology Devices International Ltd.) Driver Download.
Cables also exist that add the additional interface to provide RS232 if needed.
Example cables for a Sky-Watcher mount:
- Commercially made cables are made by Shoestring.
- These cables can be obtained locally from places such as Bintel
- Sky-Watcher USB to Sky-Watcher mount (RJ45 TTL)
- USB2EQ5 (RJ45 TTL)
- USB2EQ6 (DB9 TTL)
- USB to RS232 (DB9 RS232 – e.g.to connect to the RS232 cable supplied by Sky-Watcher for Synscan updates or to use the ‘Direct’ mode to transit Synscan to go to the mount)
- Wi-Fi interface (RJ45 TTL)
- Make your cable (TTL, RS232 & Bluetooth options)