1. Multidisciplinary Senior Design I: Problem Definition Review
P17310: RIT Observatory Telescope Dome Controls

2. Agenda Team Introduction Project Background
Problem Statement & Project Deliverables
Use Scenarios
Customer Requirements
Engineering Requirements
House of Quality
Project Plan Draft

3. Team Members Member Role Raymond Castro
Team Lead, Mechanical Control Lead
Sarah Williams
Mechanical Design Lead, EDGE Master
Joseph Brescia
Electrical Engineer
Wilson Quizhpi
Ahmed Alhurubi
Electrical Controls

4. Project Background
The RIT Observatory has had the bare necessities to operate as a functional observatory for years. The dome is motorized, but must be operated manually, moving both the entire structure and the slit on a regular basis. In order for the Observatory to function more effectively and to allow users to focus on other aspects of obtaining science images, it requires several technical upgrades.

5. Problem Statement
An automated observatory makes it easy to observe the stars from a remote location. As time passes, the position of the stars in the sky changes location to which the telescope and dome will move to accordingly not to obstruct the view of the telescope. Currently, the dome at the RIT observatory moves independently of the telescope and requires periodic manual adjustments.
The goals of this project are to facilitate communication between the dome and the telescope to synchronize their motions with minimal user interaction. It is expected that we incorporate existing software available at the observatory as well as existing motors and only add sensors and microcontrollers where needed to minimize additional wire clutter in the already confined space.

6. Deliverables Project Goals Constraints
Automated Dome Control System Prototype
Detailed System Design and User Guide
Constraints
System utilizes existing dome and slit motors
Wired communication
Maxim DL software integration
Sensors must be water resistant
Work cannot interfere with observatory labs or open houses

7. Additional Project Deliverables
Dome closes automatically based on weather conditions
Camera system for remote view of telescope/dome
Automate the lower slit panel of dome

8. Stakeholders Sponsor: Main Customers: Others:
RIT School of Physics and Astronomy (SoPA)
Main Customers:
Dr. Jennifer Connelly & Dr. Michael Richmond
Others:
Physics/Astronomy Research Students & Faculty

9. Use Scenarios

10. Customer Requirements
Category
Requirement #
Importance
Requirement Description
Dome Automation A1 9
Dome can be opened/closed and rotated by computer controls A2
Dome can be set to automatically follow motion of the telescope A3
Dome can report its absolute position and move to a desired position A4 6
Telescope movement limitation based on dome position A5 3
Dome closes automatically before inclement weather A6
Motor is capable of quickly changing directions without major delay or direction lock
Slit Automation B1
Semi-Automatic adjustment of slit position B2
Display warning to stop data collection when occulting
Sensors C1
Dome can detect inclement weather
Safety D1
Camera visual and audio monitoring D2
Cable management

11. Engineering Requirements
Source
Engineering Requirement Metric
Measure
Target Value
Acceptable Value S1 A1
Dome Motor Response Time w.r.t. Controller s
<1 2 S2 A2
Dome Settling Position w.r.t. Telescope
Degrees
± 1
± 2 S3 A3
Dome Settling Position w.r.t. Controller
± 5 S4 A4
Telescope Position Reading S5 A5
Dome Motor Response Time w.r.t. Inclement Weather Reading 5 10 S6 A6
Motor Directional Response Time
0.5 1 S7 B1
Slit Motor Response TIme w.r.t. Controller S8 B2
Occult Detection Angle S9 C1
Humidity/Atmospheric Pressure Reading %
S10 D1
Camera Activation Speed w.r.t. Dome Motion
S11 D2
Non-Moving Cables Left Uncontained
# Cables

12. House of Quality

13. Benchmarking (Motors)

14. Benchmarking (Dome Control System)

15. Risk Analysis

16. Project Plan

17. Questions?