PLEASE READ:
The information provided here is intended for professional programmers, the LX200 Command Set may be used to write custom software for remote operation of an LX200 telescope with a personal computer. Although the information provided here has been researched and tested, it is not provided with a guarantee of accuracy nor is it supplied with any warranty, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
In no event shall Meade Instruments Corporation, or its suppliers, be liable for any damages whatsoever (including without limitation, damages for loss of business profits, business interruption, loss of business information, or any other pecuniary loss) arising out of the use of, or inability to use the information provided herein.
The name Meade and the Meade logo are trademarks registered with the United States Patent Office. The name Meade and the Meade logo may be used only with permission from Meade Instruments Corporation.
The grammar for the LX200 command set is organized according to the action the telescope takes in response to
the command.
There are twenty categories, or groups, of commands according to this 'action' view.
The groups are shown in the table below.
Telescope Command Groupings:
Command Group
Command Designator Symbol
Alignment Query
<ACK>
Alignment
A
Reticule Control
B
Sync Control
C
Distance Bars
D
Fan*
f
Focus Control Commands
F
Get Information
G
Home Position Commands*
h
Hour
H
Library
L
Movement
M
High Precision
P
Smart Drive Control*
$Q
Quit Command
Q
Field De-rotator
r
Rate Control
R
Set Information
S
Tracking Frequency
T
User Format Control
U
View PEC Scale Data
V
Waypoint (Site)
W
PEC Worm*
X
Help Commands
?
Some of the commands are specific to the LX200 16-inch telescopes These commands are marked in the above table using an asterisk following the Command Description on the left hand side of the table.
Each command grouping may have sub-groupings. The Library command group, as an example, can be further broken down into the logical categories of Library Commands affecting the Telescope and Library Commands which affect Objects.
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page
<ACK> A B C D f* F G h* H L M P $Q* Q r* R S T U V* W* X* ?
Notes:
* next to a command identifier indicates a command supported only on the LX200 16-inch telescopes. The asterisk
is not a part of the command syntax.
<none> means nothing is returned from the telescope if listed in the Value(s) Returned column. <none>
means no parameter is supplied and no parameter is needed if listed in the Takes As Parameter(s) column.
Letters & digits shown are the ASCII symbols of the returned values. For example the symbol 'A' as a "Values(s) Returned" entry means that the program should expect to receive an ASCII 'A' (0x41) as the return value. Similarly a lower case 'a' would indicate that the program should expect to receive an ASCII 'a' (0x61) as the return value.
<bool> is a boolean returned value of either an ASCII '0' (0x30) or an ASCII '1' (0x31). Zero is false.
<string> is a sequence of characters followed by a hash-mark (ASCII '#' 0x23).
If a symbol is indicated with enclosing symbols (as in parenthesis marks around the 12 or 24 in the #:Gl# command) the enclosing symbols are literal and are a part of the returned value.
A single ASCII digit as in the return value 2<string> for the command #:MS# indicates an ASCII '2' (0x32) value is prefixed to
the <string>. The ASCII digit and the <string> are both part of the returned value.
ACK
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
ACK <ASCII 6> |
Alignment Query |
|||
|
<none> |
A |
AltAz |
||
|
G |
German Polar Mount |
|||
|
L |
Land |
|||
|
P |
Polar |
A
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
A
Set Alignment Mode
L
<none>
<none>
Land
P
<none>
<none>
Polar
A
<none>
<none>
AltAz
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
B
Reticule Brightness Control
+
<none>
<none>
Increase
-
<none>
<none>
Decrease
0
<none>
<none>
Flashing Mode 0
1
<none>
<none>
Flashing Mode 1
2
<none>
<none>
Flashing Mode 2
3
<none>
<none>
Flashing Mode 3
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
C
Sync -- Match Scope Coord to Object Coords
M
<none>
<string>
Which Object's coordinates were used.
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
B
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
C
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
D Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
D
Get Distance Bars String
<none>
<string>
Number of bars on the display (see exceptions)
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
f |
Fan Control (16-inch only) |
|||
|
+ |
<none> |
<none> |
On |
|
|
- |
<none> |
<none> |
Off |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
F |
Focus Control |
|||
|
+ |
<none> |
<none> |
In |
|
|
- |
<none> |
<none> |
Out |
|
|
Q |
<none> |
<none> |
Quit Focus Command |
|
|
F |
<none> |
<none> |
Focus Fast |
|
|
S |
<none> |
<none> |
Focus Slow |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
G |
Get Information |
|||
|
0 |
<none> |
Alignment Menu 0# |
Alignment Menu Entry 0 |
|
|
1 |
<none> |
Alignment Menu 1# |
Alignment Menu Entry 1 |
|
|
2 |
<none> |
Alignment Menu 2# |
Alignment Menu Entry 2 |
|
|
A |
<none> |
sDD*MM# |
Telescope Altitude |
|
|
a |
<none> |
HH:MM:SS# |
Local Time in 12-hour Format |
|
|
b |
<none> |
sMM.M# |
Brighter |
|
|
C |
<none> |
MM/DD/YY# |
Calendar Date |
|
|
c |
Clock 12 or 24 hour status |
|||
|
<none> |
(12)# |
|||
|
<none> |
(24)# |
|||
|
D |
<none> |
sDD*MM# |
Telescope Declination |
|
|
d |
<none> |
sDD*MM# |
Object Declination |
|
|
F |
<none> |
NNN'# |
Field |
|
|
f |
<none> |
sMM.M# |
Fainter Limit |
|
|
G |
<none> |
sHH# |
Hours From UCT (GMT) |
|
|
g |
<none> |
DDD*MM# |
Site Longitude |
|
|
h |
<none> |
DD*# |
Higher Limit |
|
|
L |
<none> |
HH:MM:SS# |
Local Time in 24-hour Format |
|
|
l |
<none> |
NNN'# |
Larger Size Limit |
|
|
M |
<none> |
XYZ# |
Site Name 1 |
|
|
N |
<none> |
XYZ# |
Site Name 2 |
|
|
o |
<none> |
DD*# |
Lower limit |
|
|
O |
<none> |
XYZ# |
Site Name 3 |
|
|
P |
<none> |
XYZ# |
Site Name 4 |
|
|
q |
Minimum Quality For Find Operation |
|||
|
<none> |
SU# |
Super |
||
|
<none> |
EX# |
Excellent |
||
|
<none> |
VG# |
Very Good |
||
|
<none> |
GD# |
Good |
||
|
<none> |
FR# |
Fair |
||
|
<none> |
PR# |
Poor |
||
|
<none> |
VP# |
Very Poor |
||
|
R |
<none> |
+HH:MM.T# |
Telescope RA |
|
|
r |
<none> |
HH:MM.T# |
Object RA |
|
|
S |
<none> |
HH:MM:SS# |
Sidereal Time (24-hour) |
|
|
s |
<none> |
NNN'# |
Smaller Size Limit |
|
|
T |
<none> |
TT.T# |
Current Track Frequency |
|
|
t |
<none> |
sDD*MM# |
Site Latitude |
|
|
y |
<none> |
GPDCO# |
Types Parameters (Capital == Selected else not) |
|
|
Z |
<none> |
DDD*MM# |
Telescope Azimuth |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
h |
Home Position Search Controls (16" only) |
|||
|
S |
<none> |
Start Home Position Search, Save Current Position |
||
|
F |
<none> |
Start Home Position Search Set To Saved Values |
||
|
P |
<none> |
Slew to Home Position |
||
|
? |
||||
|
<none> |
0 |
Home Search Failed |
||
|
<none> |
1 |
Home Search Found |
||
|
<none> |
2 |
Home Search in Progress |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
H |
<none> |
<none> |
Toggles 12 or 24 Hour Time Format |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
L |
Library Control |
|||
|
B |
<none> |
<none> |
Previous Object In Find |
|
|
C |
NNNN |
<none> |
Find CNGC Type Objects |
|
|
F |
<none> |
<none> |
Start Find Operation |
|
|
f |
Field |
|||
|
<none> |
<string> |
Number of objects in field & object in center field. |
||
|
I |
<none> |
<string> |
Object Information |
|
|
M |
NNNN |
<none> |
Find Messier |
|
|
N |
<none> |
<none> |
Next Object In Find |
|
|
o |
Set the NGC library type |
|||
|
0 |
<bool> |
Objects CNGC |
||
|
1 |
<bool> |
Objects IC |
||
|
2 |
<bool> |
Objects UGC |
||
|
s |
Set the STAR object library |
|||
|
0 |
<bool> |
STAR library |
||
|
1 |
<bool> |
SAO library |
||
|
2 |
<bool> |
GCVS library |
||
|
S |
NNNN |
<none> |
Find STAR Type Objects |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
M |
Move |
|||
|
A |
<none> |
0 |
Slew to AltAz (16-inch only) used with Sa Sz cmd |
|
|
e |
<none> |
<none> |
East |
|
|
n |
<none> |
<none> |
North |
|
|
s |
<none> |
<none> |
South |
|
|
w |
<none> |
<none> |
West |
|
|
S |
|
Slew to Object |
||
|
<none> |
0 |
Slew is Possible |
||
|
<none> |
1<string> |
Object Below Horizon w/string message |
||
|
<none> |
2<string> |
Object Below Higher w/string message |
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
P |
High Precession |
|||
|
<none> |
<none> |
"HIGH PRECISION" |
When On (14 character string) |
|
|
<none> |
<none> |
"LOW PRECISION" |
When Off (14 character string) |
$Q
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
$Q
Toggles Smart Drive Status
1
<none>
<none>
2
<none>
<none>
3
<none>
<none>
4
<none>
<none>
5
<none>
<none>
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
Q
Abort Movement
e
<none>
<none>
East
n
<none>
<none>
North
s
<none>
<none>
South
w
<none>
<none>
West
<none>
<none>
<none>
Stop the Slew
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
r
Field De-Rotator (16" only)
+
<none>
<none>
On
-
<none>
<none>
Off
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
R
Set Movement Rate
C
<none>
<none>
Center
G
<none>
<none>
Guide
M
<none>
<none>
Move
S
<none>
<none>
Slew
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
S
Set Telescope or Object Parameter
a
sDD*MM
<bool>
Object Altitude (16-inch only) used with MA cmd
b
sMM.M
<bool>
Brighter
C
MM/DD/YY
<bool><string>
Calendar: If the date is valid 2 <string>s are returned "Updating planetary data#"
followed by a second string (all blanks terminated by '#')
d
sDD*MM
<bool>
Object DEC
f
sMM.M
<bool>
Fainter
F
NNN
<bool>
Field
g
DDD*MM
<bool>
Site Longitude
G
sHH
<bool>
Hours From UTC (GMT)
h
DD
<bool>
Higher
l
NNN
<bool>
Larger
L
HH:MM:SS
<bool>
Local
M
XYZ
<bool>
Site Name 1
N
XYZ
<bool>
Site Name 2
o
DD*
<bool>
Lower Limit
O
XYZ
<bool>
Site Name 3
P
XYZ
<bool>
Site Name 4
q
<none>
<none>
Quality
r
HH:MM.T
<bool>
Object RA
s
NNN
<bool>
Smaller
S
HH:MM:SS
<bool>
Sidereal
t
sDD*MM
<bool>
Site Latitude
T
TT.T
<bool>
Frequency
w
N
<bool>
Max Slew Rate dgrees/second (2..4)
y
GPDCO
<bool>
Find String Type: Capitals indicate active
z
DDD*MM
<bool>
Object Azimuth (16-inch only) used with MA cmd
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
T
Tracking Frequency
M
<none>
<none>
Switch to Manual
Q
<none>
<none>
Switch to Quartz
+
<none>
<none>
Increment by one tenth
-
<none>
<none>
Decrement by one tenth
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
U
<none>
<none>
<none>
Toggles Long format on and off.
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Q
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
r
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
R
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
S
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
T
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
U
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
|
Command (Major Grouping) |
Command (Minor Grouping) |
Takes As Parameter(s) |
Value(s) Returned |
Description |
|
V |
View PEC Scale Data (16" only) |
|||
|
D |
NNN |
N.NNNNNN# |
DEC Scale Data |
|
|
R |
NNN |
N.NNNNNN# |
RA Scale Data |
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
W
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
W
Set Waypoint (Site) Number
1
<none>
<none>
Set To Site 1
2
<none>
<none>
Set To Site 2
3
<none>
<none>
Set To Site 3
4
<none>
<none>
Set To Site 4
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
X
Worm Sector Position (16" only)
D
<none>
<none>
DEC ALT Current Worm Sector Position
R
<none>
<none>
RA AZ Current Worm Sector Position
Y
Write Targeted Sector
D
<none>
Write to DEC EEPROM
R
<none>
Write to RA EEPROM
Z
<none>
<none>
Target Sector of a worm (0..199)
Command (Major Grouping)
Command (Minor Grouping)
Takes As Parameter(s)
Value(s) Returned
Description
?
Help Menu Page Strings
?
<none>
<string>
Starts return of the page
+
<none>
<string>
Next page
_
<none>
<string>
Previous page
X
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
?
Return To LX200 Alphabetical List of Commands
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page
There are four special non-terminal characters in the grammar. The <command-prefix> non-terminal (see the BNF or RR Syntax pages) is a hash-mark (or number sign) character (ASCII 0x23 '#') followed by a colon character (ASCII 0x3a ':'). The <command-suffix> non-terminal is a hash-mark (or number sign) character (ASCII 0x23 '#'). An ACK non-terminal (ASCII 0x06) is also used as a Command in the grammar (returning the current Alignment mode). And finally the degree symbol (ASCII 223 '°' [0xdf]) non-terminal is used as the separator character in degrees and minutes. This character is shown as an asterisk (ASCII 0x2a '*') in the manual for both the 16-inch and smaller telescopes and is followed by a note in the manual describing the ASCII value of the character. On the hand controller, however, the value appears as a degree symbol.
The grammar's syntax is simple consisting of the command prefix of a hash-mark and colon pair (ASCII 0x23 "#", ASCII 0x3A ":"), followed by a <statement>, followed by a end-character of a hash (or number) mark (ASCII 0x23 "#"). Making the <command> production rule:
<lx200-command> <==> <command-prefix> <statement>
<command-suffix>
<command-prefix> <==> '#' ':'
<command-suffix> <==> '#'
<statement> is defined more formally in the BNF formalism
detailed in the next section. Commands are case-sensitive across the grammar. For instance :H#
is quite different than :h#
The first command toggles the 12/24 hour flag in the firmware and
the second should return a value indicating whether the search for home position succeeded, failed or is in progress.
Command processing begins upon receipt of the <command-suffix>.
The LX200 16-inch telescope has more statements than the smaller telescopes. The statements that are unique to the 16-inch telescope are indicated in the tabular listing of the commands contained in this HTML document.
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page
This page is under construction and is not complete. It is provided here as a reference (or starting point) to programmers who which to reference the formalism as far as it has been developed (or for those who wish to continue the formalism on their own). Please DO NOT assume that the formalism as shown here is complete or final. Changes will be made to this page.
The symbol <==> is the production symbol and should be read as "is produced by". Parenthesis and brackets are used as grouping symbols. Squoted vales are literal. The escape character is the reverse virgule (also known as a back-slash '\'). As an example look at the non-terminal <tick-suffix>.
Be aware that new commands and changes to both the grammar and the syntax are possible in the future. This page is intended as a GUIDE only.
<lx200-command> <==> <ack> | <command-prefix> <statement>
<command-suffix>
<statement> <==> <alignment-commandst> | <reticule-control> | <sync-control> |
<distance-bars-control> | <fan-control> | <focus-control-commands> | <get-information-commands> | <home-position-commands> | <hour-commands> | <library-commands> | <movement-commands> | <high-precision-commands> | <smart-drive-controls> | <quit-control> | <field-derotator> | <rate-control> | <set-information-commands> | <tracking-frequency-commands> | <user-format-controls> | <view-pec-scale-data-commands> | <waypoint-commands> | <worm-sector-control> | <help-menu-control>
<command-prefix> <==> '#' ':'
<three-place> <==> <digit> <digit> <digit>
<four-place> <==> <three-place> <digit>
<date> <==> <month> '/' <day> '/' <year>
<month> <==> (['0'] <non-zero-digit>)|('1' ('0'|'1'|'2'))
<day> <==> (['0'] <digit>) | ('1' <digit>) | ('2' <digit>) | ('3' ('0'|'1'))
<year> <==> <digit> <digit>
<full-time> <==> <time> ':' <second>
<time> <==> <hour> ':' <minute>
<hour> <==> <base-3-digit> <digit>
<minute> <==> <base-6-digit> <digit>
<second> <==> <base-6-digit> <digit>
<digit> <==> '0'|'1'|'2'|'3'|'4'|'5'|'6'|'7'|'8'|'9'
<non-zero-digit> <==> '1'|'2'|'3'|'4'|'5'|'6'|'7'|'8'|'9'
<sign> <==> '+'|'-'
<command-suffix> <==> '#'
<degree-mark> <==> '°'
<base-6-digit> <==> '0'|'1'|'2'|'3'|'4'|'5'
<base-3-digit> <==> '0'|'1'|'2'
<tick-suffix> <==> '\''
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page
This page is under construction and is not complete. It is left in as a reference (or starting point) to programmers who which to have a visual reference to compliment the BNF formalism. Please DO NOT assume that the formalism as shown here is complete final or even started. Changes will be made to this page. The Railroad Syntax Diagrams are being converted to Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF format for distribution on this HTML page. Please be patient.
A
B
C
D
f
F
G
H
H
L
M
p
Q
r
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
?
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page
Return values from the issued commands fall into 4 categories:
|
Returned Command Value Types |
Notes |
Terminated with a '#' |
Example Command |
Example Returned Value |
|
numeric |
NNNN |
Sometimes |
||
|
booleans |
An ASCII '0' (0x30) or an ASCII '1' (0x31). |
Never |
||
|
strings |
A sequence of characters. Usually less than 33 characters in length. |
Always |
||
|
none |
Nothing is returned at all. Don't expect or look for a value. |
Never |
The ACK command has no command prefix or suffix (no preceding hash-mark, colon and no trailing hash-mark). It is simply an ASCII 0x06. It returns a single character which is not terminated by a hash-mark.
The "#:D#" command returns a string of ASCII <DEL> (0x7f) characters, terminated by a hash-mark. The count of the <DEL> characters is the count of the bars indicated on the display of the hand controller.
The #:Gy#" command always returns the characters "GPDCO" in either upper or lower case combinations indicating which is active. Upper case characters indicate active.
The "#:GF#", "#:Gl#" and "#:Gs#" command return "numeric" as their value types, followed by a squote (single quotation) character (ASCII 0x27).
The "#:MS#" command returns one of three values, two of which may be viewed as mixed types. A single ASCII '0' (0x30) character if returned indicates that a slew is possible. If either an ASCII '1' (0x31) or an ASCII '2' (0x32) is returned, the ASCII value will be followed by a string (which is always terminated by an ASCII '#' [0x23]). The latter two examples could be seen as strictly string returns, however the return of just an ASCII '0' is not terminated by a hash-mark! This simply is an example of a mixed type return.
The "#:P#" command returns 14 characters. Either the string "HIGH PRECISION" or the string "LOW PRECISION". There are two spaces between the "W" in LOW and the "P" in PRECISION. Neither string is terminated by a hash-mark.
The "#:SC#" command returns a <bool> followed by a <string> followed by a <string>. Each string is hash-mark terminated. The second <string> will be all ASCII blanks (0x20) followed by the single hash-mark.
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page
This section is being developed separately in conjunction with a tutorial and programatical suite program. It will include examples of correctly and incorrectly formatted commands as well as valid and invalid responses to those commands. When this section is completed it will be published on the Meade WEB page, and otherwise distributed.
Return To LX200 Command Set Table of Contents
Return To LX200 Command Set Top of Page