Tracking System Daniel Rainey Acknowledgements: Michael Parker John Jensen Rincon Research Corp. Arizona Space Grant Statewide Symposium April 18 th 2009

Objective To create a tracking system using received GPS coordinates to steer an antenna rotator to point directly at a target. To create a tracking system using received GPS coordinates to steer an antenna rotator to point directly at a target. Designed with idea that target would be orbiting satellites, high altitude weather balloons, or anything else that needs to be tracked. Designed with idea that target would be orbiting satellites, high altitude weather balloons, or anything else that needs to be tracked.

The systems we used GPS – global positioning satellite to attain latitude, longitude, and altitude measurements. GPS – global positioning satellite to attain latitude, longitude, and altitude measurements. Automatic packet reporting system (APRS) to send and receive “packets” of GPS information Automatic packet reporting system (APRS) to send and receive “packets” of GPS information

The rotator Azimuth/elevation high output rotator Azimuth/elevation high output rotator Assembly and calibration Assembly and calibration Elevation worm gear OR-288P-DC AZ. Positioner MT-1000 EL. Positioner

The Controller The antenna controller, RC2800PRKX, was essential for communications with the AZ/EL rotators The antenna controller, RC2800PRKX, was essential for communications with the AZ/EL rotators It served as the link between the computer and the rotator through an RS 232 serial port. It served as the link between the computer and the rotator through an RS 232 serial port.

Programming We used Python to write code. We used Python to write code. Program had to intercept APRS packets from Kenwood receiver through serial port, calculate total azimuth and elevation (taking into account elliptical curvature of earth), and build a specific string script to send to the controller which would then be forwarded to the rotator Program had to intercept APRS packets from Kenwood receiver through serial port, calculate total azimuth and elevation (taking into account elliptical curvature of earth), and build a specific string script to send to the controller which would then be forwarded to the rotator

A glimpse at the code

Ground station

Things we learned/strengthened RF signal processing: power ratios, signal to noise, etc. RF signal processing: power ratios, signal to noise, etc. How to operate and analyze devices such as a spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope How to operate and analyze devices such as a spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope In depth programming In depth programming Using RS232 serial interface Using RS232 serial interface Assembly of mechanical rotator parts Assembly of mechanical rotator parts Spherical trig and lots of vector algebra Spherical trig and lots of vector algebra Spectrum Analyzer Oscilloscope

Future Directions The ground station we created could potentially be used to point an antenna or large satellite dish at a satellite. When an antenna is pointed directly at the source of a signal is when the signal is received best. The ground station we created could potentially be used to point an antenna or large satellite dish at a satellite. When an antenna is pointed directly at the source of a signal is when the signal is received best. This system could also be made portable, and aid in recovery of high altitude rockets and weather balloon instruments. This system could also be made portable, and aid in recovery of high altitude rockets and weather balloon instruments.

Thank You