The m1OASYS Observatory Automation System is an ASCOM-compatible roof control platform designed for observatories utilizing the Elk M1 Gold security and automation controller.
The system combines the reliability of the Elk M1 hardware platform with a custom ASCOM Dome Driver to provide robust roll-off roof automation, telemetry monitoring, hardware-based safety interlocks, and unattended observatory operation.
m1OASYS was designed around a layered architecture that separates observatory automation, roof control, and hardware safety enforcement into independent systems for maximum reliability.
Full ASCOM IDomeV2 compatibility including:
- OpenShutter()
- CloseShutter()
- AbortSlew()
- ShutterStatus
- Connected state management
Compatible with:
- NINA
- Voyager
- Sequence Generator Pro (SGP)
- CCD Commander
- ASCOM Device Hub
- Custom automation software
The driver communicates directly with the Elk M1 through the Elk XEP Ethernet Interface using the Elk ASCII protocol.
Supported functions include:
- Task activation
- Status polling
- Counter polling
- Custom telemetry messages
- CRC packet validation
- Automatic reconnect handling
The Elk M1 remains the authoritative hardware controller while the ASCOM driver provides roof automation and safety enforcement.
Optional Hall-effect pulse telemetry provides:
- Real-time pulse counting
- Motion verification
- Stall detection
Pulse telemetry may be enabled or disabled from the ASCOM Setup Dialog.
Physical Open and Closed roof sensors provide positive confirmation of roof position.
The driver uses:
- Open limit status
- Closed limit status
- Controller-reported roof state
- Optional pulse telemetry
to determine roof position and movement status.
When Open or Closed limit sensors are active, they are treated as the authoritative indication of roof position.
m1OASYS includes automatic pulse calibration.
- Ensure the roof is fully closed.
- Start calibration from the Status Window.
- The roof opens automatically.
- Total travel pulses are measured.
- The full-open pulse count is stored.
Calibration values are automatically saved and restored across:
- Driver restarts
- Observatory software restarts
- Computer reboots
Following disconnects, network interruptions, or software restarts, the driver automatically restores roof position based on:
- Open limit status
- Closed limit status
- Previously calibrated pulse values
This allows accurate roof position reporting even if pulse counters have been reset by the controller.
The driver continuously monitors roof motion duration.
If expected motion completion does not occur within the configured timeout period, the driver:
- Aborts roof motion
- Enters a fault state
- Reports an error to ASCOM clients
Protects against:
- Roof jams
- Failed relays
- Motor failures
- Missing limit transitions
- Communication failures
When Hall telemetry is enabled, the driver verifies pulse activity during roof movement.
If roof motion is commanded but pulse activity stops unexpectedly, the driver:
- Stops roof movement
- Reports a fault condition
- Protects observatory equipment
Detects:
- Mechanical stalls
- Slipping couplers
- Failed Hall sensors
- Drive system failures
m1OASYS supports hardware-based mount safety validation through Elk M1 automation rules.
When enabled:
- Roof motion is blocked unless the mount is reported safe.
- Safety status is evaluated by the Elk controller.
- The ASCOM driver enforces roof protection.
The driver does not control telescope parking.
Responsibility remains:
- Telescope parking → Automation software
- Mount safety verification → Elk M1
- Roof movement enforcement → ASCOM driver
This separation provides maximum flexibility and safety.
The telemetry layer continuously tracks:
- Roof state
- Open limit status
- Closed limit status
- Mount-safe status
- Hall pulse count
- Percent open
- Motion status
- Fault conditions
- Reconnect events
- Watchdog activity
Telemetry is synchronized across:
- Elk M1 Controller
- ASCOM Driver
- Live Diagnostics Window
A dedicated diagnostics window provides real-time monitoring of observatory roof operations.
- Roof state
- Percent open
- Hall pulse count
- Fault status
- Reconnect status
- Watchdog activity
- Mount-safe status
- Calibration status
- Automatically opens when connected
- Automatically closes when disconnected
- Runs independently of driver operations
- Remains responsive during calibration
- Designed as a lightweight monitoring utility
Traditional limit-switch roof operation.
Features:
- Open/Closed sensor monitoring
- Roof control through Elk tasks
- No Hall-effect sensor required
- No mount-safe sensor required
Enhanced telemetry and safety monitoring.
Features:
- Hall pulse telemetry
- Percent-open tracking
- Pulse watchdog protection
- Automatic calibration
- Mount safety interlocks
- Enhanced diagnostics
Typical Elk automation support includes:
- Open Roof Task
- Close Roof Task
- Stop Roof Task
- Hall Pulse Counter
- Roof Open Status
- Roof Closed Status
- Mount Safe Evaluation
- Observatory Safety Rules
The exact implementation is configurable through ElkRP automation rules.
Observatory Automation Software
(NINA, Voyager, SGP, CCD Commander)
↓
ASCOM Dome Driver
↓
Telemetry & Safety Layer
↓
TCP/IP Communications
↓
Elk XEP Interface
↓
Elk M1 Controller
↓
Tasks, Rules & Counters
↓
Relays, Sensors, I/O
↓
Observatory Roof
m1OASYS intentionally separates responsibilities between system components.
| Component | Responsibility |
|---|---|
| Elk M1 | Hardware authority and sensor evaluation |
| ASCOM Driver | Roof control, telemetry, safety enforcement |
| Automation Software | Observatory sequencing and telescope control |
This layered architecture provides:
- Improved reliability
- Easier troubleshooting
- Hardware independence
- Safe unattended operation
- Windows
- ASCOM Platform
- Observatory automation software (optional)
- Elk M1 Gold
- Elk XEP Ethernet Interface
- ElkRP Configuration Software
- Roof motor controller
- Open limit sensor
- Closed limit sensor
Optional:
- Hall-effect pulse sensor
- Mount-safe sensors
- Additional Elk automation rules
| Feature | Status |
|---|---|
| ASCOM Dome Driver | Complete |
| Elk M1 Integration | Complete |
| Automatic Calibration | Complete |
| Hall Pulse Telemetry | Complete |
| Watchdog Protection | Complete |
| Mount Safety Interlock | Complete |
| Live Diagnostics Window | Complete |
| Observatory Deployment | Operational Testing |
Personal and educational observatory automation project.
Chuck Faranda
CCD Astro Observatory Automation