
Proceedings Paper
HETDEX tracker control system design and implementationFormat | Member Price | Non-Member Price |
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Paper Abstract
To enable the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Dark Energy Experiment, The University of Texas at Austin Center for
Electromechanics and McDonald Observatory developed a precision tracker and control system – an 18,000 kg robot to
position a 3,100 kg payload within 10 microns of a desired dynamic track. Performance requirements to meet science
needs and safety requirements that emerged from detailed Failure Modes and Effects Analysis resulted in a system of 13
precision controlled actuators and 100 additional analog and digital devices (primarily sensors and safety limit switches).
Due to this complexity, demanding accuracy requirements, and stringent safety requirements, two independent control
systems were developed. First, a versatile and easily configurable centralized control system that links with modeling
and simulation tools during the hardware and software design process was deemed essential for normal operation
including motion control. A second, parallel, control system, the Hardware Fault Controller (HFC) provides independent
monitoring and fault control through a dedicated microcontroller to force a safe, controlled shutdown of the entire system
in the event a fault is detected. Motion controls were developed in a Matlab-Simulink simulation environment, and
coupled with dSPACE controller hardware. The dSPACE real-time operating system collects sensor information; motor
commands are transmitted over a PROFIBUS network to servo amplifiers and drive motor status is received over the
same network. To interface the dSPACE controller directly to absolute Heidenhain sensors with EnDat 2.2 protocol, a
custom communication board was developed. This paper covers details of operational control software, the HFC,
algorithms, tuning, debugging, testing, and lessons learned.
Paper Details
Date Published: 17 September 2012
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV, 84445J (17 September 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.925760
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8444:
Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV
Larry M. Stepp; Roberto Gilmozzi; Helen J. Hall, Editor(s)
PDF: 15 pages
Proc. SPIE 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV, 84445J (17 September 2012); doi: 10.1117/12.925760
Show Author Affiliations
Joseph H. Beno, Ctr. for Electromechanics, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Richard Hayes, Ctr. for Electromechanics, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Ron Leck, McDonald Observatory, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Richard Hayes, Ctr. for Electromechanics, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Ron Leck, McDonald Observatory, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Charles Penney, Ctr. for Electromechanics, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Ian Soukup, Ctr. for Electromechanics, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Ian Soukup, Ctr. for Electromechanics, The Univ. of Texas at Austin (United States)
Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 8444:
Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV
Larry M. Stepp; Roberto Gilmozzi; Helen J. Hall, Editor(s)
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