Astro-Physics Command Center (APCC) Software

The Astro-Physics Command Center (APCC) provides advanced mount control features useful for local or remote operation of your Astro-Physics GTO mount. It was developed by Ray Gralak, the author of PulseGuide and PEMPro in collaboration with Astro-Physics.

Whether you are controlling your mount while seated at your computer six feet or half a world away, there are functions to provide you with a more productive and pleasurable experience. Comet or satellite trackers will love the custom rates and 3600GTO owners with limit switches and/or precision encoder will appreciate the user interface. Through the application of virtual serial ports, APCC will act as a hub for a number of other applications that can all communicate with the mount through a single COM port. APCC provides useful safeguards even if you are operating your scope in your backyard.

APCC will be offered in two versions: APCC Standard (APCC-ST) and APCC Pro (APCC-PRO). APCC Upgrade from Standard to Pro Version (APCC-UP) will also be available.

APCC Standard Version (APCC-ST), includes Horizons

Features of APCC Standard

Editable 3D telescope view shows the current orientation of your telescope and mount.
Editable horizon tracking limits to stop tracking or park the mount once a horizon limit is reached.
Editable meridian tracking limits to protect your telescope from pier collisions.
Slew to counterweight-up positions with dynamic meridian delay feature (tied to meridian tracking limits).
Multiple virtual ports to allow easy connection of applications that do not require ASCOM support (like PulseGuide or TheSky6/X).
Site management allows easily changeable setup for multiple sites.
Display and change time zone settings.
Support for reading latitude/longitude/elevation from third-party GPS devices.
GoTo or sync on RA/Dec and Alt/Az coordinates.
Access to backlash, reticle, focus and PEM settings.
Set custom RA/Dec tracking rates.
Can save/recall multiple RA/Dec and Alt/Az slew coordinates.
Park to editable Alt/AZ positions.
Easy to read status window summarizes mount status of critical parameters.
Logging of all commands for debugging if a problem occurs.
Convenient log zipper to bundle relevant log files should problems occur and you need support from AP’s world-class support team!
Can be configured to utilize a secondary serial port to prevent communication loss if a serial port to USB converter fails.
Terminal Interface tool to send commands directly to the mount.
All features of the latest GTOCP3 control box firmware are supported allowing feedback of the actual status of the mount at all times.
Tight integration with the ASCOM driver.
Advanced support features for 3600GTO/3600GTOPE for precision encoder and limit switch functions.
Quick access to the Help files that relate to the function that you are attempting to use. Note the help icons on the screenshots below.

APCC Pro Version (APCC-PRO), includes Horizons

Features of APCC Pro

All of the features of APCC Standard.
Dual-model pointing and tracking rate correction even with the telescope in the counterweight UP position.
Includes a separate application to acquire Pointing/Tracking model data (APPM).

IMPORTANT: APPM requires the PinPoint Astrometric Engine for plate solves. Please go to the following website to download the 60- day trial version or make your purchase: http://pinpoint.dc3.com. PinPoint is Included with ACP Observatory Control software by Bob Denny and available from DC-3 Dreams .

Astro-Physics Horizons - Bonus Application

Horizons allows your Astro-Physics mount to accurately follow solar system objects such as Comets, Asteroids, Planets, and even the moon and sun. It uses data that you import from the JPL Horizons Ephemerides web site to calculate the precise tracking rates needed to follow a target without any guiding. This means you can do longer unguided exposures of a comet without it blurring. Or, in the case of fast moving asteroids, you don't need to worry about keeping your scope centered because Horizons will do that for you.

APCC and Astro-Physics Horizons Demonstration

In the video below, Howard Hedlund, from the Astro-Physics Technical Support staff, demonstrates key features of APCC Pro and the Astro-Physics Horizons program at the Northeast Astronomy Forum (NEAF) in Suffern, NY in April 2013. Dennis DiCicco, Sky & Telescope editor, conducted the interview. If you wish to skip ahead and view only the APCC portion of this video, start at 13:50. However, we invite you to view the entire video for demonstrations of these exciting products: 1100GTO and 1600GTO German Equatorial mounts with discussion of the Absolute Encoder System, Right-Angle Polar Alignment Scope and the 10 x 60 Vario Finder with Quick Release Guider Bracket.

Screenshots

Here are a few screenshots of APCC to give you an idea of the interface.

This is the Main Window of APCC Standard Version. The Setup Tab is visible and various other tabs, the 3D View or Status Window can be easily selected. The telescope position values continually update and the graphic plots the position of your telescope and indicates the pier side. Move commands are readily available as is the status bar on the lower portion of the window. Connection information is always visible. Note that you can set up a backup COM port that will be available if you experience connection problems with your primary port. The circular help buttons direct you to the specific part of the manual that discusses the function of the group box.

The 3D scope view is a separate window that can remain open alongside the main window, if you wish. It provides a visual representation of the movement of your mount and telescope relative to the pier. The dimensions of the telescope, dewcap, focuser, camera and pier can all be edited (and saved for future use) to provide a fairly accurate graphic of your instrument. However, we do not recommend that you rely solely on this graphic as you move into tight positions near the pier. Nevertheless, this is a very useful (and fun) tool.

The horizon tracking limits graph is featured here. You can either set your limits by double clicking on this screen or use the alternate procedure available with the edit button.

Hardware and Software Requirements

Mount Hardware Requirements

Astro-Physics GTO mounts or OEM German Equatorial mounts with GTO Servo System (Parallax Instruments or Mathis Instruments), except for OEM equatorial fork mounts.
GTOCP3 Control Box with revision "S" or later firmware (Refer to information regarding firmware upgrade, if needed). APCC takes advantage of advanced features introduced in the “S" chip. APCC cannot be used with the earlier GTOCP1 or GTOCP2 control boxes. However, GTOCP3 control boxes can be purchased as an upgrade. Check out the additional information. Before you place your order, gather the information required on the GTOCP3 Upgrade/Replacement - Required Information form.
APCC cannot be used with any other mount.

Minimum Recommended Computer Hardware Requirements

Dual Core CPU (or fast single core CPU)
2GB RAM
1GB of free disk space
3D accelerated graphics card or integrated controller recommended
OpenGL 1.5 or later required
Native serial port or USB/serial port converter required.

Minimum Recommended Computer Software Requirements

Window XP/Vista/7/8 32-bit or 64-bit
ASCOM Platform 6 or later
AP V2 ASCOM Driver v5.06.00 or later

Pricing

APCC Standard - $250
APCC Pro - Price to be determined.

When Will APCC Be Available?

Since APCC requires the installation of the new “S" version chip for the GTOCP3, the first phase of the rollout will be shipping “S" chips. Please refer to this information in order to purchase your chip. When you order your “S" chip, please provide the e-mail address that will identify you when you sign up for a future APCC trial or purchase. This is the e-mail address that we will enter into our database and that you must match when you sign up for APCC.

We anticipate that the APCC Standard and Pro versions will be available for download by Winter 2013.

If you would like to give APCC a test drive before you make your purchase, a 30-day trial version will allow you to try it before you buy. The download link for the trial version will be available soon. Please note that you must have the "S" chip (or later version) in order to download and use the trial.

Please watch this website for further information regarding the download location.

Astro-Physics, Inc.
11250 Forest Hills Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115, U.S.A.
Phone: 815-282-1513 Fax: 815-282-9847