SSOL: Radio Telescope IRP Presentation

SSOL: Radio SSOL: Radio TelescopeTelescope

IRP Presentation IRP PresentationTeam Ongo-02cTeam Ongo-02c

December 6, 2006December 6, 2006

Client: Iowa Space Grant ConsortiumClient: Iowa Space Grant Consortium

Advisor: Dr. BasartAdvisor: Dr. Basart

Team MembersTeam MembersSecond SemesterSecond Semester Students Students:: Katie Hulet (EE)Katie Hulet (EE) Phil Reusswig (EE)Phil Reusswig (EE) Mike Blasi (CprE)Mike Blasi (CprE)

First SemesterFirst Semester Students Students:: Joel Leyh (EE)Joel Leyh (EE) Ehsan Rehman (EE)Ehsan Rehman (EE) Srisarath Patneedi “Sunny” Srisarath Patneedi “Sunny”

(CprE)(CprE)Fick Observatory

Presentation OutlinePresentation Outline DefinitionsDefinitions

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

End ProductEnd Product

Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Project ActivitiesProject Activities

Resource RequirementsResource Requirements

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Closing SummaryClosing Summary Radio Telescope

List of DefinitionsList of Definitions DAQ: Data acquisition

Shaft angle encoder: Electro-mechanical device used to convert the angular position of a shaft or axle to a digital code

Impedance: Measure of opposition to electric current

propagation in a transmission line.

Azimuth: The measurement of the horizontal movement of the dish

Elevation: The measurement of the vertical movement of the dish

AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments

Financial support:• Iowa Space Grant Consortium• Dr. John Lamont and Prof. Ralph Patterson III

Advising:• Dr. John P. Basart

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Conversion of satellite tracking equipment into a radio telescope at the Fick Observatory in Boone, IA

Telescope needs to be operable from a remote location, via the Internet

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

Amplification system is to be placed outdoor where temperatures ranges from -20°F to 110°F with possibility of snow, ice and strong wind

Vulnerability to lightning which could lead to signal interference and equipment damage

Remaining part of the system will be held indoors at regular room temperature

Intended Users and Intended Users and UsesUses

Intended Users:Intended Users:

Faculty and researchers in astronomyFaculty and researchers in astronomy Astronomy studentsAstronomy students

Intended Uses:Intended Uses:

Radio mapping of the sky at frequency Radio mapping of the sky at frequency around 1420 MHzaround 1420 MHz

Tracking celestial objectsTracking celestial objects Data collectionData collection

End Product End Product Description Description

408 MHz

1420 MHz

10 GHz

A radio telescope to be used by the ISU community that can accurately track & record data from celestial objects with remote operation capabilities.

Assumptions & Assumptions & LimitationsLimitations

Assumptions:Assumptions:

1420 MHz is an appropriate frequency 1420 MHz is an appropriate frequency for radio astronomyfor radio astronomy

Dish will pick up relevant signalsDish will pick up relevant signals

Motors and gearboxes are capable of Motors and gearboxes are capable of precise movementprecise movement

The software and hardware developed by The software and hardware developed by previous semesters work as intendedprevious semesters work as intended

Assumptions & Assumptions & LimitationsLimitations

Limitations:Limitations:

Dish unable to be positioned to true northDish unable to be positioned to true north

Positioning accuracy dependant on motors and Positioning accuracy dependant on motors and gearsgears

Radio sources less than 2.5 degrees apart appear Radio sources less than 2.5 degrees apart appear as one source due to beam width of the dishas one source due to beam width of the dish

Weather conditions limit the work that can be done Weather conditions limit the work that can be done on the exterior components of the dishon the exterior components of the dish

The dish, mount and other fixtures are The dish, mount and other fixtures are irreplaceableirreplaceable

Fick Observatory is nearly 20 miles away from ISUFick Observatory is nearly 20 miles away from ISU

Phil ReusswigPhil Reusswig DefinitionsDefinitions

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

End ProductEnd Product

Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Motor control automationMotor control automation Impedance matchingImpedance matching Shaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder Web serverWeb server Scanning and positioning software improvementsScanning and positioning software improvements

Resource RequirementsResource Requirements

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Closing SummaryClosing Summary

Previous AccomplishmentsPrevious Accomplishments

Installation of dish, motors and other mechanical Installation of dish, motors and other mechanical fixturesfixtures

Major electrical work for motors and positioning Major electrical work for motors and positioning system system

Purchase of radio receiver systemPurchase of radio receiver system

Preliminary software for operating the telescope Preliminary software for operating the telescope

Last Semester’s Last Semester’s AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Static IP address for observatoryStatic IP address for observatory

Diagnosis and repair of faulty electronic componentsDiagnosis and repair of faulty electronic components

Research module to remotely control telescope’s Research module to remotely control telescope’s power systemspower systems

Integration of existing software componentsIntegration of existing software components

Design and implementation of automatic scheduling Design and implementation of automatic scheduling softwaresoftware

Obtained telescope’s first raster scans Obtained telescope’s first raster scans

Current AccomplishmentsCurrent Accomplishments

Motor control automationMotor control automation

Impedance matchingImpedance matching

Shaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder

Web server for remote access via a webpageWeb server for remote access via a webpage

Scanning and positioning software improvementsScanning and positioning software improvements

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesMotor control automationMotor control automation

Problem:Problem: Currently power is locally manually controlledCurrently power is locally manually controlled

Fick Observatory is in Boone, IAFick Observatory is in Boone, IA

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesMotor control automationMotor control automation

Approaches considered:Approaches considered: Leave power on continuouslyLeave power on continuously

Automate power supply via relays, FET, or BJT Automate power supply via relays, FET, or BJT by means of computerby means of computer

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesMotor control relayMotor control relay

Joel LeyhJoel Leyh DefinitionsDefinitions

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

End ProductEnd Product

Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Motor control automationMotor control automation Impedance matchingImpedance matching Shaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder Web server Web server Scanning and positioning software improvementsScanning and positioning software improvements

Resource RequirementsResource Requirements

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Closing SummaryClosing Summary

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesImpedance matchingImpedance matching

Problem:Problem: This is the first semester the team had the This is the first semester the team had the

opportunity to quantitatively look at the system opportunity to quantitatively look at the system signal and losses.signal and losses.

The feed horn is not matched to the coax line The feed horn is not matched to the coax line running to the amplifier. This is a source of signal running to the amplifier. This is a source of signal loss.loss.

The process of impedance matching will result in The process of impedance matching will result in the best possible signal strength, and the best the best possible signal strength, and the best possible data for the user.possible data for the user.

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesImpedance matchingImpedance matching

Approaches considered:Approaches considered: Stub tunerStub tuner

Simple length of coax placed on the lineSimple length of coax placed on the line Required to know parameters of the feed hornRequired to know parameters of the feed horn

Adjustable shorting plateAdjustable shorting plate Already permanently installed in the dishAlready permanently installed in the dish Brute force method of tuning – we need to track the Brute force method of tuning – we need to track the

Sun!Sun!

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesImpedance matchingImpedance matching

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesImpedance matchingImpedance matching

ResultsResults

320320

Minimum - 35 Minimum - 35 120 120 210 210 140 140

210210

Maximum - 550Maximum - 550410410

The best position from the analysis was at the limit of the adjustment, which allowed for greatest distance between the monopole and shorting plate.

AttenuatorAttenuator The previous semester noticed a problem when The previous semester noticed a problem when

the sun was scanned, in which the intensity the sun was scanned, in which the intensity dropped to zero. The signal was overpowering dropped to zero. The signal was overpowering the receiver.the receiver.

Before After 3dB attenuation

Ehsan RehmanEhsan Rehman DefinitionsDefinitions

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

End ProductEnd Product

Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Motor control automationMotor control automation Impedance matchingImpedance matching Shaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder Web serverWeb server Scanning and positioning software improvementsScanning and positioning software improvements

Resource RequirementsResource Requirements

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Closing SummaryClosing Summary

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesShaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder

Problem:Problem: Current positioning system based on Current positioning system based on

potentiometerpotentiometer

Output is an analog signal which is susceptible to Output is an analog signal which is susceptible to various forms of electrical noisevarious forms of electrical noise

Positioning system must have higher resolution Positioning system must have higher resolution than 0.1°than 0.1°

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesShaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder

Approaches considered:Approaches considered: Shaft Angle EncoderShaft Angle Encoder

AbsoluteAbsolute IncrementalIncremental

Intuitive Binary Intuitive Binary EncodingEncoding

Gray Binary EncodingGray Binary Encoding

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesShaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder

Intuitive EncodingIntuitive Encoding

SectorSector Contact Contact 11

Contact Contact 22

Contact Contact 33

AngleAngle

11 OffOff OffOff OffOff 0-450-45

22 OffOff OffOff OnOn 45-9045-90

33 OffOff OnOn OffOff 90-13590-135

44 OffOff OnOn OnOn 135-135-180180

55 OnOn OffOff OffOff 180-180-225225

66 OnOn OffOff OnOn 225-225-270270

77 OnOn OnOn OffOff 270-270-315315

88 OnOn OnOn OnOn 315-315-360360

Gray EncodingGray Encoding

SectorSector Contact Contact 11

Contact Contact 22

Contact Contact 33

AngleAngle

11 OffOff OffOff OffOff 0-450-45

22 OffOff OffOff OnOn 45-9045-90

33 OffOff OnOn OnOn 90-13590-135

44 OffOff OnOn OffOff 135-135-180180

55 OnOn OnOn OffOff 180-180-225225

66 OnOn OnOn OnOn 225-225-270270

77 OnOn OffOff OnOn 270-270-315315

88 OnOn OffOff OffOff 315-315-360360

Images courtesy of Wikipedia.com

Line DriverLine Driver Line noise reductionLine noise reduction

Mike BlasiMike Blasi DefinitionsDefinitions

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Problem StatementProblem Statement

Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment

Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses

End ProductEnd Product

Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Motor control automationMotor control automation Impedance matchingImpedance matching Shaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder Web serverWeb server Scanning and positioning software improvementsScanning and positioning software improvements

Resource RequirementsResource Requirements

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Closing SummaryClosing Summary

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesWeb serverWeb server

Problem:Problem:

Currently remote access is limited to Windows remote desktopCurrently remote access is limited to Windows remote desktop

Need a user friendly remote interface for telescope controlNeed a user friendly remote interface for telescope control

Limit access to authorized usersLimit access to authorized users

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesWeb serverWeb server

Design:Design: LabVIEW built-in web server with internet toolkitLabVIEW built-in web server with internet toolkit

Remote power relay must be installedRemote power relay must be installed

Fick Laboratory (Boone, Iowa)

User accessing the control box from a remote location

SERVER

MOTOR CONTROL BOX

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesWeb serverWeb server

Implementation:Implementation: Configure network settings in LabVIEW and routerConfigure network settings in LabVIEW and router

LabVIEW must be running to host websiteLabVIEW must be running to host website

Convert LabVIEW modules to web compatible versionConvert LabVIEW modules to web compatible version

Project ActivitiesProject ActivitiesWeb serverWeb server

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Scanning and positioning software Scanning and positioning software

improvementsimprovementsProblem:Problem: Raster scan needs to output intensity values to fileRaster scan needs to output intensity values to file

Raster scan needs real time gauges during scanningRaster scan needs real time gauges during scanning

Positioning software is inaccuratePositioning software is inaccurate

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Scanning and positioning software Scanning and positioning software

improvementsimprovementsImplementation:Implementation: Add gauges and file output to raster scan using Add gauges and file output to raster scan using

LabVIEWLabVIEW

Project ActivitiesProject Activities Scanning and positioning software Scanning and positioning software

improvementsimprovementsImplementation:Implementation: Verify astronomical equations in positioning Verify astronomical equations in positioning

softwaresoftware

Sunny Sunny PatneediPatneedi DefinitionsDefinitions AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements Problem StatementProblem Statement Operating EnvironmentOperating Environment Intended Users and UsesIntended Users and Uses End ProductEnd Product Assumptions and LimitationsAssumptions and Limitations AccomplishmentsAccomplishments Project ActivitiesProject Activities Resources and ScheduleResources and Schedule

Schedule Schedule Personal EffortPersonal Effort Financial RequirementsFinancial Requirements

Closing MaterialsClosing Materials Project EvaluationProject Evaluation Future ActivitiesFuture Activities Lessons LearnedLessons Learned Risks & Risk ManagementRisks & Risk Management Closing SummaryClosing Summary Questions ?Questions ?

ScheduleScheduleRemote Motor Control Box

Testing 14 days 9/16/2006 9/29/2006

Implementation 16 days 9/30/2006 10/15/2006

Documentation 9 days 10/16/2006 10/22/2006

Power Supply Stabilization

Research 14 days 9/25/2006 10/8/2006

Implementation 7 days 10/9/2006 10/16/2006

Documentation 5 days 10/16/2006 10/20/2006

Raster Scan

Modification 42 days 9/11/2006 10/25/2006

Documentation 6 days 10/22/2006 10/28/2006

Positioning Software

Modification 53 days 10/9/2006 12/9/2006

Documentation 6 days 12/4/2006 12/9/2006

Shaft Angle Encoder

Research 15 days 9/18/2006 10/2/2006

Documentation 6 days 10/2/2006 10/8/2006

Impedence Matching

Research 43 days 9/10/2006 10/22/2006

Implementation 26 days 10/23/2006 11/17/2006

Documentation 5 days 11/27/2006 12/1/2006

Web Server

Implementation 87 days 9/4/2006 12/8/2006

Documentation 12 days 11/27/2006 12/8/2006

Website 66 days 9/25/2006 12/8/2006

Maintenance of Fick 5 days 12/4/2006 12/8/2006

Documentation 5 days 12/4/2006 12/8/2006

11 18 25 2Task Name Duration Start Finish 6 139 16 420 27Dec-06

21 28 4Aug-06 Sep-06 Oct-06 Nov-06

23 30

Personal EffortPersonal Effort

Member Estimated Actual

Katie Hulet 95 94

Phil Reusswig 96 80

Mike Blasi 94 87

Joel Leyh 87 72

Srisarath Patneedi 87 80

Ehsan Rehman 82 66

Semester Total 541 hours 479 hours

Financial BudgetFinancial Budget

ItemItemW/OW/OLaborLabor With LaborWith Labor

Previous School Previous School SessionsSessions    $4,037.00$4,037.00 $4,037.00$4,037.00

AttenuatorAttenuator $150.00$150.00 $300.00$300.00

Relay connectorsRelay connectors $10.00$10.00 $40.00$40.00

RackRack $70.00$70.00 $100.00$100.00

MileageMileage $200.00$200.00 $200.00$200.00

    Subtotal:Subtotal: $4,537.00$4,537.00 $4,897.00$4,897.00

Labor at $15.00/hrLabor at $15.00/hr      

Previous School Previous School SessionSession       $53,892.00$53,892.00

Current semesterCurrent semester     

    $7,185.00$7,185.00

   Total:Total: $4,537.00$4,537.00 $61,077.00$61,077.00

Project EvaluationProject EvaluationMilestonesMilestones RelativeRelative

ImportanceImportance

EvaluationEvaluation

ScoreScore

ResultantResultant

ScoreScore

Teaching LabVIEW to new Teaching LabVIEW to new studentsstudents

5%5% 75%75% 3.75%3.75%

WebserverWebserver 10%10% 66%66% 6.66%6.66%

Remote activation of the Remote activation of the motor control boxmotor control box

20%20% 33%33% 6.66%6.66%

Raster scan software Raster scan software updateupdate

15%15% 66%66% 10%10%

Shaft angle encoderShaft angle encoder 5%5% 100%100% 5%5%

Power supply stabilizationPower supply stabilization 10%10% 80%80% 8%8%

Impedance matchingImpedance matching 10%10% 80%80% 8%8%

Positioning softwarePositioning software 20%20% 75%75% 15%15%

Website maintenanceWebsite maintenance 5%5% 100%100% 5%5%

TotalTotal 100%100% 68%68%

Future Required Future Required ActivitiesActivities

Integrate an automated power management solution

Combine all software into a user-friendly web-based interface

Calibrate system for accurate positioning

Continue improving software interactivity with hardware

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Technical:Technical: Positing system of the dishPositing system of the dish Shaft Angle encoders, PotentiometersShaft Angle encoders, Potentiometers Impedance matching Impedance matching LabVIEW concepts and standardsLabVIEW concepts and standards

Non-Technical:Non-Technical: The importance of team planning and communicationThe importance of team planning and communication Making decisions as a groupMaking decisions as a group Importance of clear and concise documentationImportance of clear and concise documentation Importance of time and task managementImportance of time and task management

Risks & Risk Risks & Risk ManagementManagement

Risk of shock or electrocution while working on the motor control box Power should be disconnected before beginning work

Loss of software or any vital data for the project Regularly create backups

Loss of team member Obtain information about his/her activities from their

log book

Closing SummaryClosing Summary The purpose of this project is to restore the dish so that The purpose of this project is to restore the dish so that

it will be fully operational for use in radio astronomy. it will be fully operational for use in radio astronomy.

This semester we have been working on :This semester we have been working on : Researching the usage of shaft angle encoders Researching the usage of shaft angle encoders

Building and integrating the relay system for remote activation Building and integrating the relay system for remote activation

of the control boxof the control box

Incorporating a web server and providing access via a web Incorporating a web server and providing access via a web

interfaceinterface

Resolving errors related to the positioning of the dishResolving errors related to the positioning of the dish

Upon completion of this project, the dish at Fick Upon completion of this project, the dish at Fick

Observatory will track and record data from celestial Observatory will track and record data from celestial

objects for use by the ISU community.objects for use by the ISU community.

Questions?

SSOL: Radio Telescope Team Ongo-02c