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
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-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)
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)
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)
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)
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:
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
Click here for help
file on screens
GCUSB-nSTEP
$134.95+shipping |
Buy Now! |
Temperature
sensor $19.95 + shipping |
Buy Now! |
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Other add-on capabilites of the unit:
Email me: astrogene1000_stuff AT yahoo.com if
interested in the following:
Custom bluetooth module based on the Roving Networks RN41
Class 1 BT 100M range
5V power taken from USB cable, no USB signalling