A universal control system for small telescopes

An open loop stepper motor controller has been designed specifically for the control of small telescopes. The stepper motor driver is controlled by an IBM-type PC with TURBO PASCAL being used to develop the control software. The software has been set up to be driven either by a mouse or the keyboard. A configuration file contains information specific to the geographical location of the telescope and the mechanical details of the telescope drive such as the type of stepper motors used and the gearing ratios on the two axes. This feature allows the system to be easily attached to a variety of telescopes.     

天文光学望远镜轴系驱动方式发展概述

该文首先介绍了已投入使用的2.5米口径以上的25架地平式光学望远镜和11架赤道式光学望远镜轴系驱动方式,并概述了天文光学望远镜轴系驱动及其相关技术的发展过程;然后对目前国际上在研的6架大型光学望远镜和预研的10架极大光学望远镜轴系所采用的驱动形式进行了归类;最后分析了未来极大光学望远镜轴系驱动的发展趋势和与之相关的研究内容.     

Drive-Control System for the TACTIC Gamma-Ray Telescope

A PC-based drive-control system has been developed for the altitude-azimuth mounted TACTIC -ray telescope to control the speed and direction of motion of its 2-axes. Details of various hardware components chosen for the telescope, including hybrid-stepper motor, 16-bit absolute encoder and CAMAC-based programmable stepper motor controller, are discussed in this paper. The telescope-control strategy, based on the position-loop with a proportional type control for the source-seek mode and the on/off type control for the tracking mode, is explained in detail. Some important performance features of the telescope, including its blind-spot size, drive-system backlash and encoder-error compensation, are also presented. The drive system has been extensively field-tested and has been operating satisfactorily during observation campaigns carried out since March 1997 with the TACTIC Imaging Element. A tracking accuracy of ±3 arc-minutes has been achieved. A test report of its performance, with regard to its tracking accuracy on the basis of successful detection of TeV -rays from the active galaxy Markarian 501 in April–May 1997, is also presented.     

The performance of the Apache Point Observatory 3.5 m telescope

The Astrophysical Research Consortium 3.5 m telescope facility on Apache Point (2800 m above sea level) near the National Solar Observatory in southern New Mexico is nearing completion. The telescope mount has been installed and testing and fabrication of remaining subassemblies are underway. Thef/1.75 lightweight honeycomb primary mirror was cast April 1988 by the Steward Observatory Mirror Laboratory and is currently being figured.The 3.5 m optical telescope is an altitude over azimuth mechanical structure with Ritchey-Chrétien optics. The lightweight (1800 kg) mirror leads to a mount weighting only 41000 kg; readily available rolling element bearings are used to achieve the necessary performance at low cost and without the heat dissipation of externally pressurized types. Drive torques are applied by DC servo-driven capstans. These are coupled by friction to large diameter drive disks on each axis. No gears are used. Position feedback comes from low cost incremental encoders, also capstan coupled.We have recently completed a series of measurements of the telescope mount. These measurements show that the telescope is very stiff; the lowest natural frequencies are about 7.2 Hz. Initial tracking performance is good and the mount shows high resistance to wind-induced vibration. Our experience during acceptance testing suggests that routine power spectral analysis of drive motor torque and other parameters could be an important tool in the early detection of failures.Paper presented at the Symposium on the JNLT and Related Engineering Developments, Tokyo, November 29–December 2, 1988.     

采用VC + + 的射电望远镜控制软件在Windows XP下的设计和实现

射电望远镜控制软件的主要功能是控制射电望远镜精确、实时的跟踪指定目标,本文介绍了Windows XP系统下基于Visual C 的射电望远镜控制软件的设计,重点叙述了软件的功能、通信方式、图形界面的实现[2]。     

Optical design of the new solar telescope GREGOR

This article describes the considerations which led to the current optical design of the new 1.5 m solar telescope GREGOR. The result is Gregorian design with two real foci in the optical train. The telescope includes a relay optic with a pupil image used by a high order adaptive optics system (AO). The optical design is described in detail and performance characteristics are given. Finally we show some verification results which prove that – without atmospheric effects – the completed telescope reaches a diffraction limited performance (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Alma and E-merlin Data Transmission Systems: Lessons for Ska

ALMA, EVLA and e-MERLIN use high data rate optical fibre links based on commercially available 10 Gbps opto-electronics. This paper describes the systems designed by NRAO and JBO staff to be used in ALMA and e-MERLIN. ALMA has a requirement for a 120 Gbps data rate per telescope, requiring the use of 12 lasers in the 1550 nm telecommunication band, with maximum link lengths around 20 km. e-MERLIN has a lower bandwidth and requires 30 Gbps links per telescope and therefore three lasers per telescope; however, the link lengths reach up to around 400 km, and amplification, de-dispersion and regeneration are required. Dense wavelength division multiplexing is used to avoid fibre management problems and save fibre costs. The design criteria and experience gained in these projects is very relevant to SKA as the proposed configuration of the antenna elements maps well to the link lengths used here. The chosen data rate will be a major cost driver.     

Optimal Baffle Design in a Cassegrain Telescope

An exact analytical procedure is described for the optimum design of baffles for any Cassegrain telescope with conicoid type mirrors. Here, `optimum' means the least obstruction coefficient given perfect blocking of direct light by baffles. The corresponding algorithm is based on the ray-tracing formulas in a two-mirror telescope with arbitrary position of the aperture stop. The optimal configuration of baffles is unique. The dependence of the obstruction coefficient upon the telescope characteristics is studied. The optical system can be designed in such a way that the obstruction is equal to a predefined value. As examples, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Ritchey–Chretien system with the obstruction coefficient 0.25 are considered. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Pointing of HAGAR telescope mirrors

An array of seven atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes was commissioned at a high altitude site in Hanle in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas. The array called HAGAR has been designed to observe celestial γ-rays of energy >100 GeV. Each telescope is altitude-azimuth mounted and carries seven parabolic mirrors whose optic axes are co-aligned with the telescope axis. The telescopes point and track a celestial source using a PC-based drive control system. Two important issues in positioning of each HAGAR telescope are pointing accuracy of telescope axis and co-alignment of mirrors’ optic axes with the telescope axis. We have adopted a three pronged strategy to address these issues, namely use of pointing models to improve pointing accuracy of the telescopes, RA-DEC scan technique to measure the pointing offsets of the mirrors and mechanical fine-tuning of off-axis mirrors by sighting a distant stationary light source. This paper discusses our efforts in this regard as well as the current status of pointing and monitoring of HAGAR telescopes.     

1米太阳望远镜液压监控系统

1m太阳望远镜的方位驱动控制系统采用液压轴承,液压系统正常工作时望远镜才能实现平稳旋转。可通过油压、油温监测液压系统的工作状态。针对原有液压系统不能提供其工作状态实时监测和自动化程度较低的缺陷,设计了液压监控系统并将其集成到望远镜控制系统中,可实现油压油温数据采集、油压异常报警、油泵自动启停等功能,保证液压轴承的安全运转。介绍了该监控系统的结构和工作原理,阐述了油压、油温数据采集系统的软硬件实现并给出了相应的实验数据和运行结果。理论分析和实验结果表明系统工作正常,数据采集速度快、分辨率高,精度可满足要求,能长期稳定运行。     

Adapted Fuzzy Controller for Astronomical Telescope Tracking

This paper presents a novel application of fuzzy logic (FL) controller driven by an adaptive fuzzy set (AFS) for position tracking of the telescope driven by electric motor. Also, the proposed FL controller, driven by AFS, is compared with a classical FL control, driven by a static fuzzy set (SFS). Both FL controllers algorithm use the position error and its rate of change as an input vector. The mathematical model of the telescope driven by electric motor is highly nonlinear differential equations. Therefore the use of the artificial intelligent controller, such as FL is much better than the conventional controller, to cover a wide range of operating conditions. So, the output of FL control is utilized to force the electric drives, of the telescope, to satisfy a perfect matching of the predefined desired position of the telescope arms. Both of FL controllers, using AFS and SFS, are simulated and tested when the system is subjected to a step change in reference value. In addition, these simulation results are compared with the conventional Proportional-Derivative (PD) controller, driven by fixed gain. The proposed FL, using an adaptive fuzzy set, improve the dynamic response of the overall system by improving the damping coefficient and decreasing the rise time and settling time compared with other two controllers.     

Optimal Baffle Design in a Cassegrain Telescope

An exact analytical procedure is described for the optimum design of baffles for any Cassegrain telescope with conicoid type mirrors. Here, `optimum' means the least obstruction coefficient given perfect blocking of direct light by baffles. The corresponding algorithm is based on the ray-tracing formulas in a two-mirror telescope with arbitrary position of the aperture stop. The optimal configuration of baffles is unique. The dependence of the obstruction coefficient upon the telescope characteristics is studied. The optical system can be designed in such a way that the obstruction is equal to a predefined value. As examples, the Hubble Space Telescope and the Ritchey–Chretien system with the obstruction coefficient 0.25 are considered.     

斜轴式望远镜动力学建模与鲁棒控制

斜轴式望远镜是一种新颖的望远镜结构, 其独特的结构设计更适合南极等极端气候环境, 但目前国内外缺乏针对斜轴式望远镜详细的动力学建模与控制研究. 提出一套斜轴式望远镜动力学建模与鲁棒控制方法, 首先, 对斜轴式望远镜进行了动力学分析, 采用拉格朗日法建立望远镜2自由度刚体模型; 接着, 结合望远镜驱动系统的柔性和所受干扰, 完成了斜轴式望远镜的干扰情况下刚柔耦合系统数学模型的推导; 然后, 针对抗干扰问题, 根据所建数学模型, 设计了基于干扰观测器的滑模控制器, 对于所受干扰进行抑制, 实现了斜轴式望远镜的鲁棒控制; 最后, 仿真结果显示, 在考虑模型的非线性外部干扰的情况下, 相比于传统的比例-积分-微分控制器, 基于干扰观测器的滑模控制器使得系统具有更好的动态性能和抗干扰特性.     

用PCI中断实现射电望远镜跟踪的方法

讨论运用PCI 9054(美国PLX公司生产的接口芯片)作为接口芯片的PCI(Peripheral Component Interconnect)板卡的软硬件设计,以实现天线跟踪的两个时间同步中断。利用标准秒信号中断作为系统时钟同步信号,并同步产生时间间隔为20ms(或40、50ms,可选)的中断信号,来处理天线跟踪指令输出。中断信号通过PCI中断口INTA#接入计算机,在驱动中识别不同的中断信号,并在应用程序响应中断处理后,命令ACU(Antenna Control Unit)机,实现射电天文望远镜的同步跟踪。其控制过程分3部分阐述:硬件设计、驱动程序设计、安装及应用;着重讨论了前两者的设计方法及思路。     

LAMOST网络控制系统结构

LAMOST(大型多天体分光望远镜)建成后将成为世界上视场最大、光谱观测效率最高的4m级口径以上的光学望远镜。它将要同时高效地观测4000颗星的光谱,这对网络控制系统的设计是巨大的挑战。该文主要从LAMOST网络控制系统构建的角度介绍了系统如何在大数据量、多任务的情况下实现各子系统控制、环境监测、授时和无线远程监控等功能,叙述了在该系统中运用的实时分布式操作系统、实时数据库,全球定位系统(GPS)和全球移动通讯系统(GSM)等多项技术．     

基于遗传算法的相位差法波前检测piston误差

光学综合孔径望远镜常常因为子望远镜间的失调大于1λ产生相位差,影响望远镜的分辨能力。基于相位差法的检测技术,可以检测出子望远镜间的微小失调误差。提出了相位差波前检测方法与遗传算法相结合,设计了一个相位差波前传感器,进行综合孔径望远系统的piston误差检测。在计算机模拟成像系统的基础上,仿真结果证明,基于遗传算法的相位差波前检测方法可以较准确地恢复波前相位,检测piston误差。     

北京天文台施密特望远镜驱动系统的改进设计

介绍了北京天文台 60 0 / 90 0mm施密特望远镜驱动系统的改进设计 ,即用 2只步进电机 ,取代了原望远镜由 4只变速箱、 7只电机驱动的复杂的赤经 ,赤纬驱动系统 ,最终实现了计算机控制。     

HAXTEL: A Laue lens telescope development project for a deep exploration of the hard X-ray sky (> 60 keV)

A review of the HAXTEL project devoted to the development of a Laue lens telescope for hard X-/gamma-ray observation of the continuum spectra of celestial sources is presented. Main design properties, open issues, the status of the project and an example of multi-lens configuration with sensitivity expectations are discussed.     

New design of large fully-steerable radio telescope reflector based on homogenized mesh structure

The self-weight of a large fully-steerable radio telescope is one of the important factors affecting its performance. In the existing reflector system scheme, the problem of surface accuracy caused by its large and heavy structure has seriously restricted the application and implementation of large radio telescopes.Therefore, a new mesh structure scheme for a large fully-steerable radio telescope reflector is proposed in this paper. This scheme is based on a homogenized mesh back-up structure in the form of a quasi-geodesic grid and regular quasi-tri-prism or tetrahedron, which can significantly reduce the structural complexity and self-weight of the reflector under the condition that the reflector can meet the desired performance requirements. Finally, the feasibility and rationality of the scheme are evaluated by numerical simulation analysis, which has significant advantages and provides a new design for the reflector of a large fullysteerable radio telescope.     

The university of New South Wales automated patrol telescope

The Automated Patrol Telescope is a wide-field CCD imaging telescope of novel design. The telescope is a converted Baker-Nunn satellite tracking camera that has undergone extensive modification to its optical, mechanical and electronic systems. Telescope operation is entirely under computer control, and the instrument is to be used for a variety of astronomical survey and monitoring projects.