Antenna Control Servo System

Overview

The antenna control servo system (ACSS) is built to control a 32-mtr deep space antenna (DSN) system. The antenna axis configuration is an elevation over azimuth. AZ has steerability of  270  and EL has steerability is 0-90.

The system consists of ACU rack, ADU rack, DBR rack and portable antenna control unit (PACU).

ACSS is an antenna pointing system, controlled manually or automatically, which positions the antenna to receive the peak signal from a satellite. This ACSS described here is designed to position an antenna in azimuth, elevation axis of movement for the purpose of location and tracking the satellite of interest.

The ACSS uses the latest processor technology, providing accurate positioning, high reliability and maximum system flexibility. The system has capabilities for rapid access with RS 232 or RS-422 remote control applications.

Function

The function of the system is to control the antenna movement in azimuth, elevation to track satellites through various functional modes. It continuously monitors and displays axis angle, the functional mode selected, and indicates errors like limits & interlocks if any.

Application

The antenna control servo system (ACSS) is an intelligent and powerful control system which finds its applications on earth stationed antenna control for satellite tracking purpose in manual and advanced auto track modes.

System Interfaces & Specifications

ADU 4-channel analog inputs ±10V from ACU for drive amplifier interface. 8-channel analog outputs to ACU from drive amplifier.
Motor Interface 2 motors each for azimuth and elevation axis interface.
Front Panel Interface Potentiometer for speed selection on front panel of maintenance panel, Azimuth and elevation ON / OFF switch, command interface i.e., Enable, selection switches rocker switches.
Power Supply 24V DC for drive amplifiers, motor brakes and interlocks.
Display 4 analog panel meters, two each for AZ & EL axis on the maintenance panel.
Protection Circuit breakers at the input mains contactor choke and filter in series with the power supply to the drive amplifier.

Fuse between Drive amplifier and Regenerative resistor.

Circuit breakers at the input of the power supply.
AC Power Input 415V AC 3Ø, 50Hz, ±10% tolerance.
230V AC 1Ø, 50Hz, ±10% tolerance.
Environmental Operating Temperature: 0 to 50 °C.
Storage Temperature: -20 to 70 °C.
Relative Humidity: up to 95% non-condensing.

ACU Interfaces & Specifications

Bus Compatibility cPCI Based
Type of Interfaces
Analog Interface ±10 VDC analog output with fine setting of 1 mV with analog isolation.

±10 VDC differential analog input with 16-channel interface with measurement accuracy of 0.5% of full range and analog isolation.
Digital Interface 64-channel optically isolated interface with isolation level of 1.5 kV.
Encoder Interface 2-channel EnDAT encoder interface.
Resolver Interface 2-channel resolver interface with accuracy of 1 arc minute.
IRIG-B Interface 1-channel IRIG-B interface with modulated signal levels from 250 mVp-p to 10 Vp-p and modulation ratio of 1:2.5 to 1:6.
Ethernet Interface 10 / 100 Mbps Ethernet interface with 1:4 Ethernet switch for SGC, STC, and SRCU.
COM Port RS-232 / RS-422 interface to ATE.
PACU Interface RS-422 interface for Portable ACU.
Display 6” / 9” graphical LCD.
Keyboard Membrane keyboard suitable for the application.
AC Power Input 230 V AC 1Ø, 50 Hz, ±10% tolerance.
Power Supply SMPS-based power supply with low EMI / EMC.
External Interfaces
Hand Wheels 2-channel incremental encoder interface for AZ and EL manual movement.
PACU RS-422 serial asynchronous interface.
Ethernet Hub / Switch 4-port or 1:4 channel Ethernet switch interface.
ADU Interface Analog and digital interface with Antenna Drive Unit.
Potentiometer Interface 2-channel, 2-turn potentiometer interface from encoder boxes. Excitation voltage: 5 V or 10 V DC.
Tilt Sensor Interface
Wind Speed Operational: 60 kmph
Survival: 160 kmph
Stowing: 60–90 kmph
Precision Tracking: 30 kmph (gusting up to 45 kmph)
Environmental Operating Temperature: 0 to 50 °C
Storage Temperature: −20 to 70 °C
Relative Humidity: up to 95% non-condensing
Mechanical Dimensions 19”, 4U / 6U height, 400 mm to 600 mm in depth should be used.

PACU Mode

Function
  • Dumb Terminal
  • On receiving echoes character
  • On key press transmits key code
Interface
Asynchronous Communication
Bus Drivers
RS-422
Baud Rate
2400 baud to 38.4k baud
Display
Standard 20 × 4 Character Display
Monochrome
Keyboard
20-key membrane keyboard
5 × 4 matrix configuration

EnDat Reader Mode

Function
  • EnDat / SSI Reader
  • Upon selection stores local flash
  • Upon selection transmits continuous to remote system
  • Upon selection transmits stored data to remote system
Remote Interface
Asynchronous Communication
Bus Drivers
RS-422
Baud Rate
2400 baud to 38.4k baud

EnDat Interface Specifications

Type of Encoder
EnDat / SSI Encoder
Number of Channels
1 Channel
Interface
EnDat 2.2 Interface
Isolation
Not Available
Bus Buffer
Differential (RS-485 Level)
Speed
Up to 4 Mbps (Programmable)
Data Length
Programmable
Angle Update Rate
200 Hz (Maximum)
Ext/Int Trigger :

Default Internal triggering at fixed update rate 200Hz is selected
Upon selection EnDat Angle update is possible on Ext triggering

Ext Trigger Signal: TTL, Positive Edge
Trigger Output: TTL
Sampling delay from ext trig : 10uSec Max