Re-commissioning the Student Radio Telescope Michelle Ho Dr. Christopher Groppi

Radio Telescope -Rotate along altitude and azimuth angle -Two sets of motors for accurate control. -Limitation of rotation

Programming Software ► Labview  User interface for desired telescope movements.  Should include coordinate system of celestial options.  Easily control movements – amount, direction, velocity, etc.  Motor movement vs. telescope movement. ► QuickControl  Software program for Silvermax 34H motors.  Basic functions – control simple movements.  Data/Register Monitor  Motor Specific Commands.

Basic Write/Read ► Serial communication  Enabling/Disabling Write and Read functions.  Individual commands sent once.  Correct setup of “Motor Settings” for communication.  Automatic formation of the command strings based on user inputs.

Labview Interface

QuickControl Interface QuickControl Interface

Gear Ratio and Conversions ► Conversion of encoder position units for x degrees of movement. ► Automatic encryption of gear ratio factors into motor commands

Reading Encoder Position ► Position value ranges from  Clockwise vs. Counterclockwise, large range of values. ► Power Disconnection  Lost of data.  Encoder Position: Zero

Calibration ► Transfer of Data from Volatile to Nonvolatile Memory.  Distinguishing necessary commands. ► User input of Desired Position  Run time error with command array and automated process.

Future Directions ► Continuous update of telescope motor movements in real-time.  Continuous tracking of celestial objects relative to Earth’s movements. ► Embedded catalog system of celestial objects’ coordinate system.