Dome Control System

Project Summary

The system must rotate the dome in alignment with the telescope, achieving a 0.2-degree accuracy using an AC VFD drive and induction motor.

The telescope’s movement profile will be provided in an Excel sheet, and the system should use this position data to rotate the dome accordingly, ensuring real-time alignment with the telescope.

Location

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Sector

Space Applications Centre

Project Year

2024

Platform

SCADA System + PLC + VFD + Control Panel

Challenges

This project is required to ensure precise real-time alignment between the rotating dome and the telescope, allowing accurate tracking of satellites or celestial objects.

Without this system, the dome’s position would not synchronize with the telescope, leading to obstructions in the field of view and potential data inaccuracies. The automated dome movement, based on the telescope’s position profile, enhances observation efficiency and ensures seamless operation.

Solutions

  • We successfully implemented a system that ensures precise real-time alignment between the dome and the telescope.
  • Using an AC VFD drive and induction motor, the dome now rotates with 0.2-degree accuracy.
  • The movement profile of the telescope, provided in an Excel sheet, is used to control the dome’s rotation, ensuring it stays perfectly aligned with the telescope during operation.
  • This solution eliminates the risk of misalignment and ensures unobstructed, accurate satellite or celestial tracking.

Hardware

  • PLC
  • VFD
  • Encoder
  • Control Panel

Software

  • Customized Scada System (Developed in NI Labview):The SCADA system software serves as a human interface.

Results

  • The dome accurately followed the telescope’s movement profile, as outlined in the provided Excel data, ensuring precise tracking of celestial objects without any interruptions.
  • The solution demonstrated reliable performance and improved operational efficiency, meeting all project requirements for accuracy and synchronization.