Paramount ME Wireless Control


No Cable Required!*

*Pocket PC, TheSky Pocket Edition and the Bluetooth Wireless Serial Adaptor sold separately.

The Paramount ME or virtually any other RS 232 serial controlled optical encoder system or "goto" telescope (Celestron, Meade, AstroPhysics', Gemini, SGT, Temma) mount for that matter, can be controlled wirelessly via Bluetooth using a Windows Mobile Device running TheSky Pocket Edition or TheSky6 - Serious or Professional edition on a desktop or laptop PC provided you have Bluetooth available. Your PC may or may not be equipped with Bluetooth. This page has several recommendations for adding Bluetooth via a USB port.

NOTE: For Windows Mobile device users if your device does not have Bluetooth built in you will have to find a solution. This is very device specific.

Minimum System Requirements

Notes

Links on this page

How to Configure Bluetooth Adapters

Background

Controlling the Paramount ME or other scope via wireless control is very convenient, and fun! Many of the newer laptop models and Windows Mobile devices come equipped with Bluetooth technology. If your desktop or laptop does not come with Bluetooth then a reasonably inexpensive USB to Bluetooth adapter can be used.

 

Wireless control frees you from the burden of manipulating or tripping over the serial cable in the dark. Of all devices I have in-house and tested the Belkin brand for USB to Bluetooth is my choice. In regard to price, performance, and ease of installation. I have used the 10 meter model and the newer slightly more expensive 100 meter model with great success using all Bluetooth serial adapters documented here. I have yet to check the actual range this particular model has with the Paramount ME but I find it works great with in the same building even through walls and floors and certainly within several feet of the scope out in the field. Line of site outside should allow you to achieve the range advertised.

 

BTW Amazon.com has very good pricing on these adapters!

 

Bluetooth Hardware: USB to Bluetooth options PC/Laptop

The following Belkin USB to Bluetooth is the device I currently use on the laptop and the desktop PC with very good success and minimal effort.

Belkin brand tried and true - Works for Me!

NOTE: Due to their popularity, vendors that sell the Belkin USB to Bluetooth adapters are often out of stock.

 http://www.belkin.com

USB to Bluetooth 100 meters
 price at $52.99 US
Small and convenient


10 meter version
Part # F8T003v

$44.99 U.S.

Aircable USB to Serial - Easiest to Use and Configure!

AIRcable Logo
 

Another option is a device that is specifically USB to RS-232 from Aircable. This device works directly with the Aircable Bluetooth serial adapter but is not as flexible as the Belkin or other generic USB to Bluetooth devices. It is dedicated to the RS232 adapter only. It will not "discover" other Bluetooth devices. However, I find this a joy to use and install. And, you don't have to deal with the Bluetooth discovery issues and changing COM PORT assignment. Again, it just works, and is highly recommended!

 

So if you are not concerned with pairing to any other Bluetooth devices, just use this USB to RS232 Wireless serial port. The total cost for both the USB-Serial and Bluetooth serial adapters is about $140.00 U.S. If you're connecting to a Windows Mobile Device, then only the USB to R232 Wireless serial port is required. The USB to Bluetooth adaptor is also required on your notebook or desktop computer.

USB to Serial via Wireless
Laptops/PC's

This combination works well for desktop or notebook to PC control.

Bluetooth serial adapters

In addition to the Bluetooth requirement on the computer (Windows Mobile Devices, laptops, desktops, Tablet PCs) you will also need a compatible Bluetooth device that converts standard RS232 serial communications to Bluetooth for the wireless connection with the Paramount or any other telescope that does not have Bluetooth built in. Currently I am not aware of any telescope that has built-in Bluetooth. The Bluetooth serial devices (Cordless Serial Adapters) cost around $69.00 to $150.00 U.S. Several brands are listed here.

Air Cable Bluetooth Serial adapter and USB to serial

My first choice. In house and working well with the Belkin USB to Bluetooth adapter and the Aircable USB-Serial adapter. The key for me to get this to work successfully was downloading the Windows configuration software from the AirCable site. This made configuring the device fairly straight forward and easier than using HyperTerminal. Thanks to Bob Rose are in order for tipping me off to the Windows based configuration software.

UPDATE August 2007

Apparently the newest Air Cable Serial adapter version 3 is even easier to configure! Although I have not tried one yet it sounds like you don't have to run any configuration software. Just set the DIP switches to the proper settings, i.e. baud rate and handshaking disabled and you are ready to go! How simple it that!

 

The following page has a link for the Windows configuration software and exactly how to configure this device.

Configuring the AirCable Bluetooth serial adapter  <--- Click here, every step you need!

Advantages

  • Device has separate LED's indicating power and Pairing

  • Does not need a null modem adapter or gender changer for normal use

  • Costs  ~$69.00 U.S.

  • Can be ordered in Male or Female type connectors

  • Can be powered by pin 9 using +5 to +9 volts DC

  • Hardware Handshaking can be disabled! - No need for tying pin 7 to 8

  • The device appears to remember the COM PORT settings on reconnect

Disadvantages

  • Does not have the ability to be screwed in securely

  • The very small DIP switches are really difficult to set IMHO

Cordless Serial Adapter - My second choice

Socket Communications (Approximately $105.00 to $125.00 U.S.)

Also well-suited for telescope control


Socket web site: http://www.socketcom.com

Configuring the Socket serial adapter <---- Click here, every step!

Advantages

  • It has the proper male DB-9 connector for the Paramount ME

  • It has an LED power indicator

  • does not need a null modem adapter or gender changer
  • comes with a 5-volt power supply
  • comes with the null modem adapter to configure it
  • It comes with very easy to use Windows configuration software

Disadvantages

Parani10 Bluetooth Serial Adapter from Aaxeon (Approximately $98.00)


Software Bisque has successfully tested
this device to control the Paramount ME

This device is a female DB-9 connector. Therefore, a male-to-male gender changer is required to connect it to the Paramount ME's female serial port. Along with the gender changer, a null modem adapter swapping lines 2 and 3 is also required. Both can be purchased from Software Bisque for less than $10.00.

Advantages

Disadvantages

Configuring the Parani10 serial adapter  <---- Click here, every step!

Note the Parani10 device does not require tying of pins 7 and 8 together like the above Socket serial adapter. However, the use of a null modem adapter AND 9 pin male-to-male gender changer are required! This is not "clean", but works.

Null modem adapter

and gender changer

I don't know why that is the case. I have not found an alternative null modem adapter that uses all 9 pins yet but I am 99% certain one with all 9 pins exists. In fact, the Aircable device is now supplying such a null modem adapter with their products.

Free2Move Bluetooth Serial device

Free2Move Bluetooth - serial port plug - F2M01

In house and working

Disadvantages

  • A bit more expensive than other models

  • Requires separate null model and gender changer adapter to work

  • Does not have mounting screws to securely attached it to the telescope's serial port

  • No power switch

  • No LED indicating power or status

Null modem adapter

and gender changer required

Making the Serial Adapters Work with the Paramount ME

On a desktop or laptop computer you must install the supplied software for the USB to Bluetooth device  first AND also . As always it is best to install the latest drivers from the manufacturer's web site if/when they are  available. In my experience this is ALMOST always the case.

Installing the USB to Bluetooth Adapter

Follow the manufacturer's instructions to install the USB to Bluetooth device. For the most part this should just be plug-n-pray ;).

 

After you have installed the Bluetooth driver and then plugged in the USB to Bluetooth device on the lower right hand side of the screen the Bluetooth icon shows on the task bar. See below. If the Bluetooth Icon does not appear go back and try to install the USB to Bluetooth device.

 

You can also access the Bluetooth devices using the Bluetooth icon found in the Control Panel.

 

NOTE: The following assumes the Bluetooth serial adapter is already properly configured and the USB to Bluetooth serial adapter on the PC or Mobile device is also already working. <- Click here for details on how to configure the specific Bluetooth serial adpaters.

Control Panel access to Bluetooth devices

You can also use the Control Panel to access the Bluetooth devices. Use Start | Control Panel and click on the Bluetooth devices icon. See Below!
 

The following is showing the Windows Classic Icon View of the Control Panel. Look for Bluetooth devices. If you are using the default Windows view Bluetooth is located under Printers and Other Hardware.

Control Panel

Click on Bluetooth devices

In this case we are going to "Add a Bluetooth Device" which is the Socket Cordless Serial adapter. 

Using the Control Panel | Bluetooth option

Use the devices tab

Click Add

Using the Task Bar - Right Mouse Click Bluetooth Icon

Bluetooth on the Icon

Task Bar

Right clicking on the Bluetooth icon to display Bluetooth-specific options. A menu similar to the following shows.

From Task Bar

Choose Add a Bluetooth device

Choose "Add a Bluetooth Device" from the task bar Bluetooth Icon will launch the device wizard as shown below.

The Bluetooth device wizard
Check My Device is set up and ready to be found

Click Next. After some time of "searching" a list of available Bluetooth devices will be presented. Assuming your Bluetooth serial device is already installed and functioning properly (the cordless serial adapter in this case) you will see the device listed by name.

Adding the Bluetooth Device
Assuming it has been properly configured!

List of existing Bluetooth devices
 Found the Socket serial adapter, all is well!

Configuring the Bluetooth Serial Adapters

Note the name of the Socket Serial Adapter is "Socket SPP" by default. The new Bluetooth device the cordless serial adapter will now be added to the system. Double click the Socket SPP icon and then click Next. The device may show with a different name!

No Authentication

Don't use a passkey if asked!
 Security is not really an issue with telescope control, but you can
use a passkey if you wish

If you want to use security settings enter the PIN you have assigned to the adapter when prompted for it.

WARNING!

YOU MUST SEE THE FOLLOWING TAKE PLACE after double mouse clicking on the device name and entering the PIN when used!

Brief message you must see!
Note the pass key being used in the above - 18764

WARNING  #2!

You must see the following dialog indicating that TWO individual COM PORTS have been assigned to the system. One single com port assignment will not work! There must be both an incoming and outgoing port. See below!

 

DO NOT CONTINUE UNTIL YOU HAVE THE TWO PORTS Outgoing and Incoming as SHOWN below. These will also be displayed in the WINDOWS DEVICE MANAGER! I have never had any success with a one way connection with the exception of the Aircable USB - Serial adapter/Bluetooth combo. In that case only 1 com port is needed.

Note Windows COM PORT assignments here!

Two Com port assignments is normal!

You must see two COM PORT assignments as shown above. One Incoming and one Outgoing just like above. You use the OutGoing COM Port in TheSky usually the lower of the two numbers. See above using COM PORT #94 in TheSky's telescope settings.

 

If you do not see the two com ports go back and double check the device settings. Without an incoming and outgoing port the connection in TheSky will fail.

Show Bluetooth Devices

Right Mouse Click the Bluetooth icon

Task Bar

Show Bluetooth Devices

Double check the COM port settings

The following shows the most convenient way to determine what COM port numbers are assigned to the Bluetooth Serial Adapter. It is imperative that you use the correct Outgoing COM port setting in TheSky. The Outgoing COM PORT is the one that is Entered in TheSky6' Telescope Setup.

Properties Tab on Bluetooth devices
 
Display the services for the device using Properties

Use the Services tab on the Socket SPP Properties dialog. Here COM3 has been assigned to the adapter.  Enter this in TheSky. The services tab ONLY shows a single com port even though there are two. However, this COM PORT number is the one to use with TheSky.

Note Com port number here on the services tab!

Com 3 is the assigned COM Port - Enter in TheSky

Now enter COM PORT 3 in TheSky's Telescope Setup.

Use COM ports tab to see all assignments

Note com port assignments

Windows Device Manager - checking Com Port assignments

Use the Start button then up to Control Panel and open the System icon. From the System Properties dialog use Hardware | Device Manager and choose the Hardware tab see below.

Hardware

Then Device Manager

 In the device manager go down to the entry "PORTS (COM & LPT)" as shown below.

Example of Bluetooth com port assignments shown

NOTE: Yours will differ! Use the lower COM number - 6 above

Entering the proper Bluetooth COM Port in TheSky

Once you know the proper com port settings enter the OUTGOING COM PORT NUMBER in TheSky's Telescope Setup. In the example above that is Standard Serial over Bluetooth link (COM6). Again yours will differ. Keep in mind this could be ANY COM PORT number. Above the Aircable COM PORT was assigned to COM PORT 6. The point is that these will vary and you simply CANNOT GUESS or play musical COM PORTS. Ask the system of the device for a list of COM PORTS.

ALWAYS check the Windows Device Manager if you are unsure! That is the easiest way to find out what COM PORTS the system has.

COM PORT of Bluetooth serial adapter

TheSky's Telescope Setup - Specify the COM port here

Now you are ready to use TheSky's Telescope | Link Establish. If the telescope is on and the correct serial port is entered you are good to go.

 

If the telescope does not respond check power on the scope and Bluetooth adapter and then go back and make sure you have entered the correct Bluetooth COM PORT number and make sure it exists in the Device Manager.

Telescope not responding

Paramount is not turned on or,
Bluetooth adapter not plugged into telescope!

NOTE: The above error indicates a valid COM PORT is trying to be used but the telescope is not responding!

Invalid Communications Port - or it does not exist!

Invalid Communications port error

Port not in the system or in use by another application

What COM PORT setting are you entering in TheSky? Does it exist - What COM PORTS are listed in the Device Manager?

 

RS 232 Cabling Issues

In order to get the Paramount ME to work with the Socket serial adapter I had to satisfy some handshaking by hardwiring two of the serial pins together on the serial adapter side (pins 7 and 8 tied). By placing a jumper across pins 7 - Request To Send and pin - 8 Clear To Send on the Socket serial adapter/Aircable side by using an additional female 9 pin connector connecting pin 2 to 2, pin 3 to 3, and pin 5 to 5 using another male DB-9 connector things worked fine. However, this is quite messy so I chose to make the Adapter Panel Modification for the cleanest installation.

Paramount ME/Astrophysics' wiring for the Socket Cordless Serial adapter

Paramount ME

A much cleaner way to use these types of adapters is to perform a simple hardware modification to the Paramount Adapter panel. This is detailed here. Note the difference. No external wires!


Click on image for complete details

Aaxeon Parani10 adapter/Free2Move and Aircable serial adapters

Because Handshaking is not an issue here there is nothing fancy. Just connect these devices using a null modem adapter and gender changer if necessary. Then they are ready to go. See example below. Applies to the Aaxeon device as well.

Sample Parani10

Not as clean as it could be - but functional

Clearing the registry of COM PORT assignment(s)

I have found on the PC that more often than not the com port assignments changes each time I add the Bluetooth serial adapters. I have seen the COM PORT number come in as high as 58 for example! If you wish to clean the system (registry) of COM PORT settings there is a knowledge base article on the Software Bisque site explaining how to do this. It is article number 1188 and here is the link.

Click here for details on how to clear the COM port settings!

Flow Control - No Hardware handshaking

NOTE: If the Bluetooth serial device you are using has an option to not use hardware handshaking as in "No Flow Control" or Flow Control "NONE" use it. This way you will not have to be concerned with the hardwired pin 7 and 8.

 

The Socket Cordless Serial adapter DOES NOT currently have any option to ignore handshaking at this time. That is the ONLY strike against the device that I can see and the issue is resolved by tying pin 7 to pin 8. This seems to also be true of the Aircable device WHICH does allow handshaking to be disabled. However without tying pin 7 to pin 8 it is very possible the device will not work!

Socket Cordless Adapter

No choice for flow control  = "NONE"!

When performing the Adapter panel modification on the Paramount ME this is a moot point. That is because you have to solder the +5 volt line anyway. Just tie pins 7 and 8 together while you are at it because his will not cause any harm with normal hardwired serial connections as long as you ignore pin 9 in the cable. These types of hard wired serial cables can be made by Software Bisque up to 200 feet.

DB-9 Serial connector - Explained


Temma Telescope settings

Note! The Temma goto telescope mount uses a baud rate of 19200 AND Even Parity with one stop bit! Make sure the Bluetooth device is configured accordingly!

 

Temma settings

Even Parity!

The default Temma serial cable also takes care of hardware handshaking internally by tying pin 7 to pin 8.

Can I control more than one telescope at a time?

A resounding YES! Provided you have a properly configured Bluetooth serial adapter for each telescope. But only 1 Bluetooth master is needed then just run several instances of TheSky connecting to each using individual COM numbers.


I have been able to successfully control 3 Paramount ME's using one Belkin USB to Bluetooth adapter and 3 Bluetooth to serial adapters (different brands) using 3 instances of TheSky6. Specifically, the first being the Socket brand the second being the Free2Move brand and the 3rd being the ParinahI0.

 

Why not 1 Paramount ME on USB, another on Com1, Com2, Com3, Com4, then 10 more on Bluetooth wireless connections?