The systems and design philosophy behind OnStepNinja, NS-5000, and AiBridge are grounded in many years of hands-on experience in real-time control and embedded systems.
I am a hardware and software engineer with a background in arcade game machine development and telescope control systems.
In the 1980s, I worked on arcade game machines, where I gained practical experience in real-time control, hardware-level timing, and embedded software design.
In 1992, I developed and commercialized the GOTO system DOG NS-4
based on the Z80 CPU.
DOG stands for Digital Observer Guide.
This was followed by the photodiode-based autoguider SST,
and in 1995 the encoder-compatible DOG NS-12 (also Z80-based),
together with the video-camera autoguider VST.
In 2008, I developed DOG NS-5000, a more advanced GOTO system using a 16-bit CPU, designed for long-term real-world observatory use.
In 2025, I released AiBridge, an interface system connecting
OnStep, NS-5000, and external devices, and OnStepNinja,
a hybrid telescope control framework integrating OnStep and NS-5000.
For binaries and applications, please visit my BOOTH page: https://onstepninja.booth.pm/ NS-5000 packages are available as paid downloads, while OnStep (NS-3000) related files are provided for free.
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NS-5000 binaries and tools (paid, BOOTH)
https://onstepninja.booth.pm/ -
OnStep (NS-3000) related files (free, BOOTH)
https://onstepninja.booth.pm/ -
Official OnStep project repository
https://github.com/hjd1964/OnStep
This project follows the OnStepNinja License v1.1. We provide an open hardware reference design for a hybrid telescope mount controller compatible with OnStep and NS-5000. We encourage DIY building and community sharing!
✅ What you CAN do Enjoy DIY: Use the schematics and PCB data for your personal projects.
Build & Modify: Construct, improve, and use the hardware on your own telescope.
Share the Hardware: You are free to share or give away unprogrammed PCBs to your friends or club members at cost for non-commercial use.
Individual Purchase: Every user who operates the NS-5000 software must purchase their own license from our official store (BOOTH). This supports the continued development of the project.
❌ What you CANNOT do Commercial Use: Sell products or services using NS-5000 without prior written permission.
Brand Infringement: Use the names "OnStepNinja" or "NS-5000" for your own commercial products.
本プロジェクトは OnStepNinja License v1.1 に準拠しています。OnStepおよびNS-5000と互換性のあるハイブリッド望遠鏡マウント制御装置の設計を公開しており、DIYによる製作とコミュニティ内での共有を心から歓迎します！
✅ 許可されること DIYを楽しむ: 回路図や基板データを、個人のプロジェクトで自由に使用すること。
製作と改変: 自身の望遠鏡のためにハードウェアを製作し、自由にカスタマイズして使用すること。
基板の共有: 製作した未書き込みの基板を、非営利目的（実費程度）で仲間に譲渡したり共有したりすること。
各自での購入義務: NS-5000ソフトウェアを使用して実際に望遠鏡を動かす方は、開発継続への支援として、各自で公式ストア（BOOTH）からライセンスを購入してください。
❌ 禁止されること 商用利用: 許可なくNS-5000を利用した製品やサービスを販売・提供すること。
名称利用の制限: 「OnStepNinja」や「NS-5000」の名称を、自身の商用製品やブランド名として使用すること。
本プロジェクトは、個人ユーザやDIY愛好家が
安心して自由に使えることを目的としています。