From da548f7a3443ba825a2da0ee67cf0ca9bf95f04a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andre Stefanov Date: Tue, 15 Jul 2025 23:58:15 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] Add comprehensive development roadmap for OpenAstroFirmware --- ROADMAP.md | 206 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 206 insertions(+) create mode 100644 ROADMAP.md diff --git a/ROADMAP.md b/ROADMAP.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..815fa7c --- /dev/null +++ b/ROADMAP.md @@ -0,0 +1,206 @@ +# Development roadmap + +**Description:** This document outlines a comprehensive development roadmap for OpenAstroFirmware, an open-source telescope mount control system built on Zephyr RTOS. It provides a structured, phased approach to transform the current foundational codebase into a professional-grade astronomical control platform. + +**Goal:** To establish clear development priorities and timelines for implementing essential features including LX200 protocol support, mount control systems, hardware integration, and advanced astronomical capabilities, ultimately creating a competitive alternative to commercial telescope control solutions while maintaining the project's open-source and DIY-friendly nature. + +## 🎯 Current State Assessment + +**Strengths:** +- Solid foundation with Zephyr RTOS and modern C++ +- Comprehensive stepper motor driver framework (TMC22xx, TMC50xx, GPIO) +- Cross-platform development with native simulation +- Professional build system (West/CMake) +- Clear architecture separation + +**Gaps:** +- LX200 protocol implementation incomplete +- Minimal Mount class with no coordinate management +- No integration between stepper drivers and mount control +- Missing calibration and homing procedures + +--- + +## 🚀 Phased Development Roadmap + +### **PHASE 1: Core Foundation (3-6 months)** +*Goal: Achieve a functional MVP that can control a basic telescope mount* + +#### 1.1 Complete LX200 Protocol Implementation +- **Priority: CRITICAL** +- Implement full command parser and response generator +- Add error handling and timeout management +- Support core commands: slewing, positioning, tracking +- Enable compatibility with SkySafari, Stellarium, ASCOM + +#### 1.2 Mount Control System +- **Priority: CRITICAL** +- Expand Mount class with coordinate transformation engine +- Implement RA/DEC to stepper coordinate mapping +- Add real-time sidereal tracking algorithms +- Support different mount types (German Equatorial, Fork) + +#### 1.3 Stepper Motor Integration +- **Priority: CRITICAL** +- Connect Zephyr stepper framework to Mount class +- Implement homing and limit switch support +- Add basic calibration procedures +- Support TMC2209/TMC5160 drivers on MKS Robin Nano + +#### 1.4 Basic Safety & Control +- **Priority: HIGH** +- Implement emergency stop functionality +- Add software limits and collision detection +- Basic power management +- Status monitoring and error reporting + +--- + +### **PHASE 2: Enhanced Functionality (6-12 months)** +*Goal: Create a feature-rich mount controller competitive with commercial solutions* + +#### 2.1 Advanced Calibration System +- **Priority: HIGH** +- Automated star alignment (1-star, 2-star, 3-star) +- Polar alignment assistance with drift method +- Periodic error correction (PEC) +- Pointing model with atmospheric refraction correction + +#### 2.2 Extended Hardware Support +- **Priority: HIGH** +- Additional controller boards (Arduino-compatible, ESP32) +- WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity modules +- GPS integration for automatic site setup +- Temperature compensation sensors + +#### 2.3 User Interface Development +- **Priority: MEDIUM** +- Touch display support (TFT, OLED) +- Web-based configuration interface +- Mobile app connectivity (WiFi/BT) +- Comprehensive diagnostic tools + +#### 2.4 Multi-Axis Control +- **Priority: MEDIUM** +- Focuser control integration +- Camera rotator support +- Filter wheel control +- Dome/roof automation interface + +--- + +### **PHASE 3: Advanced Features (12-18 months)** +*Goal: Implement professional-grade features for serious astronomers* + +#### 3.1 Custom Object Tracking +- **Priority: MEDIUM** +- Solar system object tracking (planets, Moon, Sun) +- Satellite pass prediction and tracking (ISS, etc.) +- Comet/asteroid tracking with orbital elements +- Non-sidereal rate tracking + +#### 3.2 Professional Automation +- **Priority: MEDIUM** +- Automated meridian flip with resume +- Weather monitoring integration +- Scripting support (Lua/Python) +- Observatory-wide automation + +#### 3.3 Advanced Astronomy Features +- **Priority: LOW** +- Autoguiding integration (PHD2, internal) +- Plate solving for improved pointing +- Multiple target queue management +- Mosaic planning support + +#### 3.4 Ecosystem Integration +- **Priority: HIGH** +- ASCOM driver development (Windows) +- INDI driver support (Linux) +- Integration with NINA, PHD2, SGP +- Cloud connectivity for remote access + +--- + +### **PHASE 4: Optimization & Community (18+ months)** +*Goal: Build a sustainable, community-driven ecosystem* + +#### 4.1 Performance & Reliability +- Real-time performance optimization +- Memory and power efficiency improvements +- Thermal management for outdoor use +- Long-term stability testing + +#### 4.2 Community Features +- Plugin architecture for extensions +- User-contributed mount profiles +- Crowdsourced pointing models +- Community documentation portal + +#### 4.3 Professional Tools +- Observatory management software +- Fleet management for multiple telescopes +- Advanced telemetry and analytics +- Commercial support options + +--- + +## 🛠️ Development Infrastructure (Continuous) + +### Testing & Quality Assurance +- **Comprehensive test suite**: Unit, integration, hardware-in-the-loop +- **CI/CD pipeline**: Automated building and testing +- **Hardware simulation**: Virtual mount testing +- **Performance benchmarking**: Real-time performance validation + +### Documentation & Community +- **Developer documentation**: API references, architecture guides +- **User manuals**: Setup guides, troubleshooting +- **Hardware compatibility**: Tested board and driver combinations +- **Video tutorials**: Setup and calibration procedures + +### Development Tools +- **Hardware debuggers**: In-circuit debugging support +- **Mount simulators**: Software models for different mount types +- **Configuration tools**: GUI-based setup utilities +- **Testing rigs**: Automated hardware validation + +--- + +## 📋 Implementation Priorities + +### **Immediate (Next 3 months)** +1. Complete LX200 protocol implementation +2. Implement basic coordinate transformation in Mount class +3. Integrate stepper drivers with mount control +4. Basic tracking and slewing functionality + +### **Short-term (3-6 months)** +1. Automated calibration procedures +2. Additional hardware board support +3. Web-based configuration interface +4. Comprehensive error handling + +### **Medium-term (6-12 months)** +1. Touch display support +2. Advanced alignment algorithms +3. Multiple mount type support +4. Professional automation features + +### **Long-term (12+ months)** +1. Custom object tracking +2. Professional ecosystem integration +3. Community platform development +4. Commercial-grade reliability + +--- + +## 🎯 Success Metrics + +- **Technical**: Successfully control major telescope mount brands +- **Performance**: Sub-arcsecond pointing accuracy, <1 second response time +- **Community**: Active contributor base, 1000+ installations +- **Compatibility**: Support for 20+ controller boards, major astronomy software +- **Documentation**: Complete user and developer documentation + +This roadmap transforms OpenAstroFirmware from a work-in-progress into a comprehensive, professional-grade telescope mount control system while maintaining its open-source, DIY-friendly nature. \ No newline at end of file