Computer Science – Performance
Scientific paper
Sep 1999
adsabs.harvard.edu/cgi-bin/nph-data_query?bibcode=1999msngr..97...25s&link_type=abstract
The Messenger, vol. 97, p. 25-25
Computer Science
Performance
Scientific paper
New highlights can be reported from the 3.6-m upgrade project: the full VLTcompliant Telescope Control System (TCS) has been finally tested and commissioned during recent technical-time periods. On August 9th it has been successfully put into routine operation. Let us briefly recall the milestones passed. The "heart" of the telescope, the servo control system for the axis, was completely modified. The telescope control is now based on so-called “Local Control Units” (LCUs), an identical hardware platform to that used at the VLT. It substitutes the over 20 years old TCS running on HP1000 computers. In contrast to the VLT and NTT, the 3.6-m is an equatorial mounted telescope, and the entire control SW had to be modified and adapted for controlling the alpha and delta axis. With the broad usage of standardised architectures and software concepts at the 3.6-m, which were originally designed and developed for the VLT, we intend to gain operational stability, quality, and maintainability. However, it also requires to replace proven components like the old, incremental encoders with optical strip encoders which are required to read the telescope position. The new encoders are supposed to deliver a five times higher resolution, but once we tested the performance of them in practice, we encountered an unexpected problem: in extreme telescope positions, implying several tens of tons of weight on the axis, the tight tolerances (±100 mm) required for reliable readings of the position were exceeded, thus loosing control over the telescope. Through careful adjustment of the heads we were able to restrict the “dead zone” to a very small region in the Northwest. In September, a dynamical mount for the reading heads will be installed, which is expected to completely solve this problem.
Sterzik Michael
Weilenmann Ueli
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