Introducing the GCUSB-nSTEP

A new design that allows you to control your unipolar focus stepper motor directly from your PC or MAC via USB interface.

Based on the same proven controller as the GCUSB_nSTEP and the GC USB-ST4 the unit allows for:

1)      ASCOM driver for XP/Vista/W7 32 and 64bit, MAC OSX support by StarkLabs

2)      Compact, cost effective format based on 48MIPs microprocessor with native USB and serial interface

3)      Temperature compensated focusing

4)      Stepping rates based on resolution of 0.68ms timer, up to 1464 PPS

5)      Wave stepping, Half stepping and full torque step types

6)      Field upgradeable firmware, customizations considered

7)      No requirements on phase winding pinouts, firmware natively supports all possible phase wiring configurations

8)      Coming soon: support on MAC by Starklabs focuser control software

9)      Native support for hand controller option with display/keypad

10)  Native support for wireless class 1 BT interface (in place of USB)


Jan 27,2020: ASCOM drivers added for iFrame Analog motor support (requires above #1, #2 or #3 for nStep below also)

INNO based installer GCUSB-iFRAME (rotator) ASCOM driver v1.0.1 with iFrame support.


Jan 27,2020: ASCOM drivers added for iFrame Stepper motor support (requires above #1, #2 or #3 for nStep below also)

INNO based installer GCUSB-iFRAME (rotator) ASCOM driver v1.0.10 with iFrame support.
Updates for Start and Desktop icons, driver is same as 10/2/2018 version

Oct 2, 2018: ASCOM drivers added for nStep1 and nStep2 with gcusb_iframe support.

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#1 ASCOM driver v8.0.0 with iFrame support.

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#2 ASCOM driver v8.0.0 with iFrame support.
Oct 2, 2018: ASCOM drivers added for iFrame support (requires above #1, #2 or #3 for nStep also)

INNO based installer GCUSB-iFRAME (rotator) ASCOM driver v1.0.9 with iFrame support.

Jan 14 2017: ASCOM drivers added for nStep #2 and nStep #3.

Jan 11 2017: Firmware for nStep adds deadman for wireless usage, if connection goes down stops all motion commanded wirelessly after 10 seconds.

ASCOM driver update Dec 30, 2016 for support of reversing motors in firmware
Firmware for nStep support reversing motors

ASCOM driver update Jan 1, 2015 for first nStep on system (SGP compatability update)

ASCOM driver update June 15, 2013 for second nStep on a system
ASCOM driver update Sep 10, 2012

Updated for Windows 7 compatability issue Mar 1, 2012

Fixed support for ASCOM v6 install added to package Nov 14, 2011
Also added internationalization fix for Switzerland

Support for ASCOM v6 install added to package July 17, 2011
Also changes default installed value for COILSOFF to True, motor coils deenergized to keep motor heating own


Support for running two nStep1's on same computer: ASCOM driver and firmware image added May 7, 2011
Adds support for stored positions save, recall and GoTo
Adds support for in the device termperature compensation


New ASCOM drivers and firmware image added March 30, 2011
Adds support for stored positions save, recall and GoTo
Adds support for in the device termperature compensation


New ASCOM drivers added March 6, 2011

Created July 26, 2010

 

connect.gif

 

PC side requirements:

Windows XP/Vista/W7/W10

ASCOM platform

Full Speed/High Speed USB port

 

Full ASCOM support is provided for higher level programs to control the nSTEP or you can use the GCUSB-nSTEP graphic handbox standalone to control the nSTEP.

gcusb_step1

 

 

GCUSB-nSTEP

INF driver for PC:

INF file, no code added, uses PC’s USBSER native driver

Device shows in device manager as VID_04D8&PID_FBB2

Simple Windows INF file required for CDC class, uses windows USBSER driver, no other hardware drivers required

 

MAC supports CDC serial USB profile, no low level driver required

 

User Manual Includes PC and ASCOM driver install instructions and GUI users guide:

Updated May, 2011: Click here to download


Updated Aug 14, 2010: Click here to download

 

Updated Jan 14, 2017: ASCOM driver for second nStep on a system v6.0.7 driver, supports firmware motor reverse

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#2 ASCOM driver v6.0.7.

Updated Jan 14, 2017: ASCOM driver for third nStep on a system v6.0.7 driver, supports firmware motor reverse

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#3 ASCOM driver v6.0.7.

Updated Jan 11, 2017: Firmware for first nStep on a system supporting deadman timer in firmware for wifi

nStep firmare for device #1 supporting deadman timer in firmware for wifi(right click/SaveAs)

Note: Firmware update will erase all device setting you have, please record these prior to updating.

Note: !!! All motion commanded via wireless is limited to ten seconds, if need to go further, just press In/Out again as needed after 10 seconds




Updated Jan 11, 2017: Firmware for second nStep on a system supporting deadman timer in firmware for wifi

nStep firmare for device #2 supporting deadman timer in firmware for wifi(right click/SaveAs)

Note: Firmware update will erase all device setting you have, please record these prior to updating




Updated Jan 11, 2017: Firmware for third nStep on a system supporting deadman timer in firmware for wifi

nStep firmare for device #3 supporting deadman timer in firmware for wifi(right click/SaveAs)

Note: Firmware update will erase all device setting you have, please record these prior to updating




Updated Dec 30, 2016: ASCOM driver for first nStep on a system v6.0.7 driver, supports firmware motor reverse

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#1 ASCOM driver v6.0.7.

Updated Dec 30, 2016: Firmware for first nStep on a system supporting motor reversing in firmware

nStep firmare for device #1 supporting motor reverse in firmware(right click/SaveAs)

Note: Firmware update will erase all device setting you have, please record these prior to updating




Updated Jan 1, 2015: ASCOM driver for first nStep on a system v6.0.2 driver

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#1 ASCOM driver v6.0.2.

Updated June 15, 2013: ASCOM driver for second nStep on a system v6.0.0a driver

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#2 ASCOM driver v6.0.0a.

Updated Sep 10, 2012: ASCOM driver v6.0.0 driver

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP ASCOM driver v6.0.0.

Updated Mar 1, 2012: ASCOM driver v5.0.12 driver

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP ASCOM driver v5.0.12.

Updated Nov 14, 2011: ASCOM driver v5.0.11 driver fixing support ASCOM v6 install and Switzerland internationalization

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP ASCOM driver v5.0.11.

Updated Nov 14, 2011: ASCOM driver for second nStep on same computer, v5.0.11 supports ASCOM v5.X and v6.X:

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP#2 ASCOM driver v5.0.11 fixing support ASCOM v6 install and Switzerland Internationalization

Updated May 7, 2011: Firmware image for nStep:

With one or two GCUSB_nSTEP's, install this firmware on one of them

With two GCUSB_nSTEP's, install this firmware on the second one

If v5.0.11 first driver not installed currently, uninstall current version and install v5.0.11 from above
Use GCUSB_FLASH from v5.0.11 setup above to update the firmware on units


Beta firmware for GCUSB-nSTEP
Supports new firmware features of stored positions and interal to device temperature compensation.
Right click and 'Save Link As' or 'Save Target As' to some location on your disk.
Use the Flashing program included with your current driver to flash update to the new firmware.
See Start->Programs->GCUSB-nSTEP->GCUSB_FLASH after driver is installed



Updated Mar 7, 2011: ASCOM driver v5.0.7 feature updates and support for dual nStep's:

 

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP ASCOM driver v5.0.7, XP/Vista/W7



Updated Aug 17, 2010: ASCOM driver v5.0.5:

 

INNO based installer GCUSB-nSTEP ASCOM driver v5.0.5, XP/Vista/W7

Manual install required for ASCOM 4.1 platform

 

ascom_hbx_v502ascom_setup_v502

 

Click here for help file on screens

 

 

gcusb_nstep_sm

 

GCUSB-nSTEP $134.95+shipping

Buy Now!

gcusb_nstep_temperature_sm

 

Temperature sensor $19.95 + shipping

Buy Now!

 

 

 

Connector details

 

Other add-on capabilites of the unit:

Email me: astrogene1000_stuff AT yahoo.com if interested in the following:

 

Wireless bluetooth control

Custom bluetooth module based on the Roving Networks RN41

Class 1 BT 100M range

5V power taken from USB cable, no USB signalling

 

stepper_bluetooth_board_lg

 

 

See my nStep2 modular stepper controller for unit with buttons, display and wireless, shown below



gcusb_nstep2/all_together2.jpg


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