ASIAIR Plus network connectivity dropping: Page 2

ASIAIR Plus network connectivity dropping

JMIKEG

Andrea- My experience is that the Plan continues running whether or not you have communication with the ASIAir. But, it's obviously not optimal to be running blind. And, the Scan feature never works for me, either. I run on Station mode on my house's Wifi. It's COLD in Calgary, and I try to run things from inside. But when the ASIAir drops off the network, I have to go outside, physically turn the ASIAir off and back on again, and reconnect.

The other disadvantage of running blind is not being able to review the photos acquired using my iPad. I have to retrieve the memory stick after the fact to see how things went.

It's all pretty frustrating, but at least the ASIAir keeps running the Plan regardless.

bguthrie

In case it helps narrow down where this is happening. I regularly get Wireless crashes, but there appears to be two things that make it happen more regularly.

First, being in 2.4ghz is much worse. It's not clear to me why, but moving to 5Ghz is significantly more stable.

The second area is when using multiple ASIAir, and multiple tablets/phones. I found that I needed to disable auto connect on all tablets/iPhones except the primary, because if one of the other devices tried to connect to one that had an existing connection, the original one would fail. This also suggests that if you are at a busy place like a star party, and others tried to connect to your device that there is a risk the could crash your connection.

JMIKEG

I had not considered the effect of multiple devices. I often have both my iPad and iPhone running the ASIAir app. I'll try disabling the phone. Thanks.

62i30nL1

I recently posted about having the same issue of losing my internet connection with my ASIAIR Plus. It originally worked very well, but began dropping the internet connection with my iPad a couple of weeks ago. ZWO did respond to my original post by telling me to stop using station mode and switch to the 5g frequency. I've never used station mode and had already had the frequency set to 5g.

During a February 6th imaging session at a state park in Arizona, I spent around ninety minutes trying to get the equipment to hold a connection. It wouldn't even hold connection long enough to complete a polar alignment. I tried switching the frequency to 2.4g and it ran continuously with no problems for five hours.

On February 7th, I took my ASIAIR Plus and my iPad back to my dealer (Starizona). They told me several others had experienced the same issue. Their suggestion was to open the settings on my iPad and switch-off cellular data. I had already switched-off Bluetooth and Auto Connect. They said turning-off cellular data had resolved the issue for others.

Following a meeting of the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association on February 7th, a couple of ASIAIR Plus users told me that they had run into the same issue as me. Their problems were resolved by switching to 2.4g.

I'll see if switching-off cellular data on my iPad works sometime this weekend. Hopefully, we'll have clear skies.

JMIKEG

My iPad has no cellular capability, but I still have connectivity issues.

Corsair

Everyone here posting Wi-Fi issues really do need to post the following information with their posts:

ASIAIR Plus Model (ASIAR Pro/ASIAIR Mini/ASIAIR Plus 32GB/ASIAIR Plus 256GB)
Device being used to connect to the ASIAIR (iPad/iPhone/Android/etc)
Device OS version (iOS/iPadOS version / Android version / etc)
ASIAIR App/Firmware version

Would also be helpful to tell us your physical scenario:

Where is your ASIAIR located?
Where are you located with your device?
Approx. distance between you and your ASIAIR?
Are there any obstructions between you and your ASIAIR (types of walls, etc)?
Are you in a densely populated area/what type of area around you?
Are there lots of WiFi networks around you?

Remember that the ASIAIR is not an overly powerful device when it comes to WiFi so its signal can be interrupted by a number of different factors (signal interruption when it comes to WiFi is not uncommon).

james.lewallen

Corsair

ASIAIR Plus
iPad Pro & iPhone 16 mac & M2 Macbook Air
latest on each
2.3.1 (TestFlight)

ASIAIR is mounted to the scope
About 30' from the 5g wifi network (and alternately wired to a portable router in bridge mode)
No obstructions (well, a window)
Rural (5 acre lots)
Only wifi networks are my own; there are a couple

For mine, the important part is I gave up thinking wifi was the problem, but even if i switch to wired mode with a wireless router right at the scope, the connection still drops and won't resume.

So far, support has tried to help, but even with my wired case they were unable to provide any meaningful improvement.

62i30nL1

For what it's worth, I finally got a short break in cloud cover on February 11th and returned to Picacho Peak State Park to try the solution (switching off the cellular data on my iPad) recommended by my dealer. With cellular data turned off, I didn't encounter any issues with my ASIAIR Plus disconnecting. It ran just fine in 5g. Unfortunately, clouds quickly moved-in and I only managed about an hour and a half of imaging.

The site I've been using is somewhat isolated. There are no WiFi networks to compete with, no obstructions between my iPad and ASIAIR Plus, and my iPad is positioned on a table three to four feet from my telescope and ASIAIR Plus. My imaging camera, electronic focuser, guide camera and mount are plugged into my ASIAIR Plus. I don't power my mount through my ASIAIR Plus.

When we get some clear skies here in southern Arizona, I'll see how it works during a longer session.

franco

I thought it was just the old Asiair Pro that has become unusable, was tempted to drop kick mine over the fence the other night. I swapped it for my Asiair Mini and that got me going again but even that was disconnecting each time I walked between the device and the wifi access point, which is very frustrating if it happens while doing the PA which has to be restarted.

maxchess

ASIAR plus. Skywatcher adv GTi, EAF, Dew band, Asi290mc
Same issues. Start evening with PA, plan sequence 180 x 60 secs, camera cooled 10 deg
All goes well during PA, start sequence, it runs for 50-60 exposures then tells me connection lost. It does NOT continue imaging.
Tried connecting via Wi-Fi, travel router and direct Ethernet cable. Used IPhone and android tablet.
Using 12v 5 amp mains adapter. Tried powering mount separately. Monitored power usage never more than 1.5 amp.

maxchess

Corsair tried with Travel router, same model as yours. Still dropped connection and froze. No further images. Does yours work OK for 1 hr + imaging session?

Corsair

If you're having connectivity issues and haven't already - please log a support ticket: https://support.zwoastro.com/

I'm still running firmware version 2.1-10.74

I don't experience connectivity issues (especially if I use a travel router) or crashes for my circumstances. I also mount my ASIAR on the tripod (specifically the accessory tray) not the scope. This way the ASIAIR doesn't move around which means the antenna doesn't move around (the antenna moving around can have an impact on Wi-Fi connectivity).

I don't use Autorun/Plan Mode. I only use Live Mode to do Live Stacking for EAA. And because I do it unguided (i.e. no guide scope/guide camera) my max exposure time is 30 seconds per frame (with maximum total exposure time of 1 hour). I'll do multiple targets in a night. I don't get Wi-Fi disconnections nor does my ASIAIR freeze during this time.

For some people on here it actually sounds like your ASIAIR is actually crashing after an hour (not just Wi-Fi dropouts).

This is why it is important that you always list your firmware version (like I have) in both your support ticket and your forum posts.

Because there could well be a bug in the certain firmware versions that causes the ASIAR to crash in certain conditions.

@Tech@ZWO @PMTeam@ZWO

Deuero83

Hello everyone,
Since I have a similar problem, I wanted to ask if any of you have already solved the problem? I have also opened a ticket and am still waiting to hear back. But I would be interested in your experience.
Thank you

Regards
Tobias

Seira

I have had similar issues since I bought the ASIAIR Plus 256g in November 2024. The problem happened every single night I brought it out (6 or 7 times). I've tried different setups (swaped network, power, connected devices, cables...), but to no avail. Here are the details.
ASIAIR Plus 256g
Camera : Sony A7IV with ZWO shutter release cable
Guide camera : ASI174MM mini.
I list the cameras since the problem occured when using either of these as the main camera, with and without a guide camera plugged in.
Mount : SW Star Adventurer GTI
Power : ZWO 12V 5A AC to DC Power Adapter (American standard). Problem happens connected straight in a wall outlet or using an Anker Solix F1500 power station (1800W AC continuous output). In the ASIAIR app, the input voltage fluctuates from 12.2V to 12.4V. I am not using any of the ASIAIR's four outputs, although I intend to down the line if I can resolve this issue. Across multiple tests, CPU temp ranged from 10°C to 35°C.
Network connectivity : I've tried the ASIAIR's Wi-Fi, both in 2.4G and 5G; station mode over Wi-Fi, again both in 2.4G and 5G; and wired ethernet.
Connected devices : iPad Air 3rd gen IpadOS version 18.3.2/ Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Android version 14. ASIAIR app in version 2.3 for both devices.
Connection drop happens even when I'm standing right next to the ASIAIR with my phone or tablet. My setup is at most 8 meters away from my glass patio door, I can be sitting at most 15 meters away from the device, but the issue happens regardless of distance and physical obstruction.

The issue itself is very similar to what has been described so far : the connection between the app and the ASIAIR drops and can't reconnect unless I shut down the power to the ASIAIR, and sometimes even that won't work until the next morning. After the first connection drop, if I manage to get it connected again, it'll drop within a few minutes.
I doubt that the actual Wi-Fi / Ethernet signal is the leading cause of the issue. When connected to the ASIAIR's Wi-Fi, my phone / tablet remain connected to the Wi-Fi, but can't find the device to reconnect to. When in Wi-Fi Station mode or Wired Ethernet, the ASIAIR still shows up as connected to my home network even though the app can't find it after the crash. The crash happened with every mode I used so far : Focus, PA, Preview, Autorun and Plan.
Other details I noticed : I can't seem to reproduce the crash during the day. I tried shooting a hundred 1 sec images during the day, without tracking and guiding, and everything went well. I can also leave it on idle for a whole day without a crash happening.
The crash happens when I'm actually imaging (with and without guiding). Sometimes it'll keep tracking and shooting even though I can't connected to the ASIAIR, but sometimes it will even stop everything. I noticed that both the PWR and Wi-Fi LED remained open and solid, which is normal. The SYS LED, however, stops blinking. It either stays on and solid or just off (I've stared at it for minutes). That last bit of information leads me to believe that the device is at fault more than network signal.
Finally, the first crash of the night tends to happen when I navigate the app. For instance, if I manage to get my polar alignment, guiding and imaging session going, then leave the tablet on and touch nothing at all, I can image without crashing. But if, for instance, I do the following in the app: zooming in and moving around in an image; opening the guide graph; checking the Networks tab; etc. any of those actions can drop my connection with no hope of reconnecting without turning off the ASIAIR.
I sent a ticket through ZWO's support a week ago but haven't heard back yet.
Any help from ZWO and fellow users would be greatly appreciated, I'd really love for this device to work.

Deuero83

Seira

I can totally understand your frustration. I'm still on the right causes, but I had been able to work through the night once. I didn't use a USB stick, but the internal memory. Everything worked without any problems. I am currently testing various USB sticks when the night sky allows it. Unfortunately, my old problem came up again last time and I'm struggling with the alignment again.
But try it this way, i.e. internal storage. But you're using a mirrorless REflex7 camera anyway, aren't you?
Maybe it will help you.

Greetings
Tobias

Seira

Deuero83
Thank you for your reply. I haven't been using a USB stick, only the internal memory.

I am indeed using a mirrorless Sony A7IV camera. But the crashes happen even when the only things plugged into the ASIAIR are my mount (SWSA GTI) and guide camera (ASI174mm mini, either set as a main or guide cam). For instance, it can crash while I am polar aligning with the ASI174 or in the guiding calibration process.

Everytime a crash happens, the SYS light on the ASIAIR+ is either completely off or solid, but never blinking.

And the crashes are definitely linked to using the app (iPad Air 3rd gen IpadOS version 18.3.2/ Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Android version 14. ASIAIR app in version 2.3 for both devices). If I can manage to get a session going then close my phone / tablet, I can get a few hours of imaging. This is still far from ideal.

james.lewallen

It's a bit premature, but i got my first run on the newest beta build and it ran all night without any hangs. It looks like i might have another clear one tonght, so I'll try a second.

Very excited if so, the one "feature" I've been missing is stability.

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