Celestron Origin Telescope Simulator

A comprehensive C++ Qt-based simulator for the Celestron Origin telescope system that implements both WebSocket and HTTP protocols for complete telescope control and image serving functionality.

Features

• Complete Protocol Implementation: Supports both WebSocket control commands and HTTP image serving
• Real-time Status Updates: Broadcasts telescope status, focuser, camera, and environmental data
• Command Processing: Handles telescope control commands including alignment, GOTO, tracking, and imaging
• Image Simulation: Serves simulated telescope images via HTTP
• Network Discovery: Broadcasts UDP discovery messages for automatic telescope detection
• WebSocket Ping/Pong: Proper WebSocket heartbeat implementation with timeout handling

Architecture

The simulator is organized into several key components:

Core Classes

• TelescopeState: Maintains all telescope state data (mount, camera, focuser, environment, etc.)
• CelestronOriginSimulator: Main simulator class handling network protocols and coordination
• WebSocketConnection: Manages individual WebSocket connections with proper frame handling
• CommandHandler: Processes telescope control commands and updates state
• StatusSender: Manages status broadcasts to connected clients

Key Features

• Dual Protocol Support: WebSocket for control, HTTP for image serving
• Proper WebSocket Implementation: Complete frame parsing, ping/pong, close handling
• Command Processing: Supports mount control, focuser operations, camera settings, and more
• Status Broadcasting: Regular status updates to all connected clients
• Image Generation: Creates realistic dummy telescope images with star fields

Supported Commands

Mount Control

• RunInitialize - Initialize telescope with location/time
• StartAlignment / AddAlignmentPoint / FinishAlignment - Alignment sequence
• GotoRaDec - Slew to coordinates
• StartTracking / StopTracking - Tracking control
• AbortAxisMovement - Emergency stop

Camera Control

• GetCaptureParameters / SetCaptureParameters - Camera settings
• RunImaging / CancelImaging - Imaging operations
• GetFilter - Filter wheel status

Focuser Control

• MoveToPosition - Move focuser to position
• GetStatus - Get focuser status
• SetBacklash - Set backlash compensation

System Commands

• GetStatus - Get component status (Mount, Camera, Focuser, etc.)
• GetVersion - Get firmware version
• GetModel - Get device model and capabilities

Network Protocols

WebSocket (Port 80)

• Endpoint: ws://localhost/SmartScope-1.0/mountControlEndpoint
• Purpose: Real-time telescope control and status
• Features: Command/response, status notifications, ping/pong heartbeat

HTTP (Port 80)

• Live Images: http://localhost/SmartScope-1.0/dev2/Images/Temp/
• Astrophotography: http://localhost/SmartScope-1.0/dev2/Images/Astrophotography/
• Purpose: Serve telescope images and captures

UDP Broadcast (Port 55555)

• Purpose: Network discovery
• Message: "Origin IP Address: [IP] Identity: Origin140020 Version: 1.1.4248"

Building

Requirements

• Qt 5.12 or later
• C++11 compatible compiler
• macOS (for Xcode project generation)

Build Steps

qmake OriginSimulator.pro
make

For Xcode Development

qmake -spec macx-xcode OriginSimulator.pro
open OriginSimulator.xcodeproj

Usage

1. Start the Simulator:

   ./OriginSimulator

2. Connect via WebSocket:

   const ws = new WebSocket('ws://localhost/SmartScope-1.0/mountControlEndpoint');

3. Send Commands:

   {
     "Command": "GetStatus",
     "Destination": "Mount",
     "SequenceID": 1,
     "Source": "TestClient",
     "Type": "Command"
   }

4. View Images: Open http://localhost/SmartScope-1.0/dev2/Images/Temp/0.jpg in browser

File Structure

├── TelescopeState.h           # Telescope state data structure
├── CelestronOriginSimulator.h # Main simulator class
├── CelestronOriginSimulator.cpp
├── WebSocketConnection.h      # WebSocket protocol handler
├── WebSocketConnection.cpp
├── CommandHandler.h           # Command processing
├── CommandHandler.cpp
├── StatusSender.h            # Status broadcast manager
├── StatusSender.cpp
├── main.cpp                  # Application entry point
├── OriginSimulator.pro       # Qt project file
└── README.md                # This file

Implementation Notes

WebSocket Protocol

• Full RFC 6455 compliance for frame parsing
• Proper masking/unmasking for client frames
• Ping/pong heartbeat with 10-second timeout
• Graceful connection closure with status codes

Command Processing

• Asynchronous command handling
• Proper error responses with codes/messages
• State validation for operations (e.g., alignment required for GOTO)
• Realistic timing simulation for slews and imaging

Status Broadcasting

• Regular status updates every second
• Component-specific update intervals
• Efficient JSON message construction
• Selective client notification support

Testing

The simulator has been tested with:

• WebSocket clients (browser, Node.js)
• HTTP image requests
• Multiple simultaneous connections
• Command sequences and error conditions
• Network discovery via UDP

Future Enhancements

• Support for additional telescope commands
• More realistic imaging simulation
• Configuration file support
• Logging and debugging features
• Additional image formats and metadata