HPS stands for High Precision and Speed, and the HPS mount is a further development of the well-known GM 4000 QCI from 10micron, featuring the same proven mechanics but with high-precision encoders. The future begins with HPS technology. The GM 4000 HPS achieves a satellite tracking and positioning speed of 10 degrees/sec. with an average positioning accuracy of < 20" and a tracking accuracy of approx. 1"/15 min (peak to peak).
The new GM 4000 HPS also features high-precision absolute encoders on both axes, opening up completely new possibilities. The mount never loses its orientation, even if the axes are adjusted manually. No realignment is necessary even after a power failure. In mobile operation, the mount is quicker and easier to set up and align than any conventional parallactic mount. A direct size comparison between the GM 2000 HPS and the GM 4000 HPS is shown in the adjacent illustration, which can be enlarged by clicking on it.
- Maximum payload: 150 kg pure instrument weight (additional counterweights must be added as required)
- Optimal payload: 125 kg instrument weight (additional counterweights must be added as required)
This version of the mount is additionally equipped with the ColdTemp package for temperatures down to -30°C.
- Special lubricants for bearings and gears, functional down to -60°C
- Preloaded axle bearings with special suspension on all axles and shafts for temperature compensation
- Integrated Linux PC in cold-resistant design, specified by the manufacturer for temperatures down to -40°C
- Silicone flex cable inside the mount, laid as a single cable, with cold-resistant copper alloy and highly elastic, break-proof silicone sheathing (Antarctic-tested technology)
- Absolute encoder with bearing preload, designed for continuous temperatures down to -40°C
- Multi-day long-term test in a cold chamber
The WiFi adaptation is not available in conjunction with the ColdTemp package!
10 Micron manufactures mounts of the highest standard. The GM 4000 QCI/HPS mounts from 10 Micron are heavy-duty robotic GoTo mounts with a maximum load capacity (instrument load) of 150 kg.
The GM 4000QCI/HPS is a high-end mount for the "ultimate" observatory.
The mount is available in either a mobile or stationary version. In the mobile version, the common centre of gravity of the instrument and counterweights is located approximately 10 cm off-centre from the column/tripod – as is usual for German mounts.
In the stationary version, the axis intersection point is shifted a further 150 mm from the centre. This elegantly circumvents one of the biggest disadvantages of the German mount. The design principle corresponds to a bent column mount! The swivel range for the instrumentation is greatly increased, eliminating the need for forced stops during meridian passage!
The telescope column is hollow for transport purposes, e.g. for exhibition purposes. For final mounting, the column is usually filled with steel punches directly on site and then weighs up to 750 kg, depending on the column height, so that the centre of gravity is back in the middle.
The advantages at a glance:
Mechanics
- No accumulation of many small screw-fastened parts, but large-dimensioned milled parts made of solid duralumin for maximum torsional rigidity and low vibration
- Slip-free drive technology for maximum precision in positioning and tracking
- Pointing accuracy: <120 arc seconds
- Tracking accuracy: +/- 3" - without additional autoguiding - Slew speed: 5°/sec - suitable for satellite tracking
- Optionally with axis intersection centred or offset up to 40 cm to the north for maximum slewing radius
- Central cable feed-through through the mount
- Free from resonance vibrations due to high-frequency oscillations, as there is no direct drive
- Extremely low waste heat compared to a direct drive, thus no "mount seeing"
Electronics
- Intelligent! An AMD processor works with sophisticated LINUX firmware and enables stand-alone operation for functions that require a PC to be connected with other mounts (e.g. integrated T-point modelling, comet tracking).
- Operation either in stand-alone mode (with handcontroller) or via PC
- Fully network-compatible, integrated LAN interface, controllable via the Internet
- Fully pre-programmable, robotic operation possible thanks to slew limits, homing sensors and remote-controlled on/off switch
- Separate autoguider input
- GPS module can be connected
- No control cabinet required – the entire computer control system is housed in a small enclosure on the RA axis.
- Software and database updates via Internet firmware update
- Screwed cable connections
- Power consumption 24V/5A max.
The enormous load capacity and high tracking and positioning accuracy, which are otherwise only found in professional mounts, make this mount an ideal astronomical base, regardless of which optics you decide to purchase later.
Scope of delivery:
- GM 4000 QCI or HPS mount
- Control box
- Hand controller and all cables
- Counterweight bar.
The GM 4000 QCI/HPS is one of the most stable mounts available in series production. Finally, there is an affordable mount with a load capacity of 150 kg, state-of-the-art electronics and high energy efficiency without waste heat! The GM 4000 QCI/HPS meets professional requirements – and all this at an ideal price-performance ratio of approx. £115 per kilogram of payload! The GM 4000 QCI mount is available in two versions - as a "mobile" mount with the centre of gravity shifted 10 cm to the south, and as a fixed observatory mount with the centre of gravity shifted a further 15 cm off-centre. This turns the often-cited limitation of the German design into an advantage. The GM 4000 ST can be operated as a trunnion mount – even swivels of up to 30° above the meridian are easily possible with a 60 cm optical aperture. With smaller apertures, the mount does not need to be turned over at all – an important advantage for all robotic measurement applications and for astrophotography. The GM 4000 QCI is one of the few mounts on the market that allows any number of cables to be routed directly through the polar axis to the telescope (or sideways to the DE axis). This means that there is no longer any danger of cables becoming tangled or torn off when using eyepiece accessories that require electrical cable connections (CCD camera, stepper motor focuser).
These arguments have convinced not only a large number of universities and public observatories, but also the following customers:
- DLR Berlin: Satellite communication, extreme positioning and tracking requirements Institute for Planetary Research, Atacama Desert, Chile: Continuous parallel observation of the COROT star field
- Chile: Continuous parallel observation of the COROT star field,
- Alfred Wegener Institute: Meteorological research at the South Pole, at -80 degrees Celsius and on Spitsbergen
The HPS series: True precision for your astronomical future Take photographs without autoguiding, track satellites, find exoplanets using high-precision spectroscopy - and all with portable equipment!
GM 1000 HPS: - 25kg load capacity
GM 2000 HPS: - 50kg load capacity
GM 3000 HPS: - 100kg load capacity
GM 4000 HPS: - 150kg load capacity
MECHANICS
- Self-locking, high-precision worm drive with classic sliding clutch
- DC high-powered servo motor - no stalling due to imbalance
- GM 1000 HPS with integrated high-precision encoders for portable stand-alone operation
- Internal wiring - no external motor cables
ELECTRONICS
- Absolute encoder installed in both RA and DEC axes with more than 10 million increments (interpolated), fully encapsulated and calibrated
- RMS tracking precision up to 0.5“ - for long exposures without guiding!
- Satellite tracking speed of up to 20 degrees per second!
- Extremely low energy consumption, small electronics box (20x15x8cm)
- The electronics (box and hand-held controls) can be simply removed after each use. This prevents damage due to premature ageing and moisture.
FIRMWARE
- Fully automatic correction of atmospheric refraction - the only way to get perfect long exposures without guiding
- Intuitive V 2 firmware and QSI controller, with Linux-based computer system incl. AMD microprocessor.
- Precise GoTo - thanks to the Multistar alignment system and pointing models. Possibility to import satellite and comet orbits from web directories. Multiple individually programmable observation sessions
- Very well documented firmware, German and English instructions
- Autonomous operation without planetarium software, stand-alone operation using the hand-controller
- Option to connect to all common planetarium software for remote operation (LAN, RS).
- Electronic balancing - without opening the axes (pointing model is preserved)
- Precise, fast and extremely accurate polar alignment thanks to the latest alignment software
INTERFACES
- RS232, Ethernet, Wi-Fi
- Connections for: GPS, autoguider, keypad, mount, AUX and remote switch
- PC software: Virtual Keypad, Clock Sync Tool, Multi Mount, ASCOM drivers
Upgrade: 10micron control box
10Micron has redesigned the hardware of the electronic control box. From now on, all 10Micron mounts will be delivered with the new control box version 3 as standard.
Important new features of the control box V3:
- Powerful motherboard – New ARM-based processor for higher performance and future-proofing.
- High-quality industrial connectors – All power and data connections are equipped with high-quality Binder plugs from Deutschland and offer improved protection against moisture, dust and environmental influences.
- Improved connectivity – A special connection for an external WiFi antenna optimises wireless communication.
- Optimised data interfaces – New RJ ports for LAN, autoguider and GPS ensure reliable signal transmission.
- Precise GPS integration – The GPS module is now connected via a PS2 interface (instead of RJ) and has an integrated PPS signal for high-precision time measurement, ideal for satellite tracking.
- Professional socket/plug for power supply – The previous connection has been replaced by a two-pin Binder plug for 24V DC. A new power cable is included in the scope of delivery.
- Extended AUX interface – 6-pin AUX connection (DIN EN 61076-2-106) – improves control of remote switches and feedback when switching on.
New web interface for all 10Micron mounts
The new control interface is accessible via any web browser – without any additional software. The mount is displayed directly in the local network under its device name.
Features of the new interface (from firmware 3.0):
- Direct access to user manual and command log
- Download of TLE data as well as comet and asteroid data
- Automatic firmware check and easy updates
- Virtual hand control box with all the functions of the physical keypad
- Compatible with any browser and any instrument (PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones) as well as all operating systems
