AbstractThe goal of our project is the continued restoration of the 8.5 meter dish at the Fick observatory in Boone, IA. Before restoration began, the dish had been left dormant for 15 years. The project entails creating or modifying all mechanical, electrical, and software systems necessary to operate the dish as a radio telescope. When the restoration is finished, the dish will have been transformed into a working radio telescope that can be used by astronomers to study the universe in the radio frequencies.

Problem Statement There is presently no way for astronomers to use the parabolic dish at Fick Observatory for practical radio astronomy. Previous semesters’ students completed work on all major mechanical systems. Now the focus is on the development of electrical and software systems, to allow astronomers to use the dish for radio astronomy. Eventually the dish will be a fully functional radio telescope that can be operated from a remote computer.

Operating EnvironmentThe antenna is mounted on a tower outdoors and must withstand the full range of seasonal weather including rain, snow, lightning, and temperatures ranging from -55°C to +85°C.

Intended Users and UsesAstronomers and students will use the radio telescope to measure the 1420 MHz radiation of celestial objects as they move across the sky.

Assumptions• Motors and gearboxes have precise movement• Feedback system is capable of giving accurate measurement of dish’s position• All work done by previous team members has been tested and documented

Limitations• Antenna cannot be rotated through north azimuthally• Antenna mount is not replaceable• Antenna cannot be operated in high winds• Antenna cannot be operated with ice on the surface

Faculty Advisor

Prof. John P. Basart

Client

Iowa Space Grant Consortium

System Diagram

The team members thank the Iowa Space Grant Consortium at Iowa State University for its support and generous donations. They also thank their advisor, Professor John P. Basart, who has contributed to the project with his vast knowledge about the dish systems.

Acknowledgement

Introduction

• A remotely controlled instrument for use in radio astronomy by students and astronomers• Documentation and instructions for operators of the radio telescope• Technical documentation of design considerations and decisions for future teams

End Product

• Receiver system must be repaired before further software testing can continue • Receiver system in two stages

Stage 1: On-campus testing using lab equipment Stage 2: On-site testing using actual dish systems

• Once relay circuitry is in place, ensure proper power management

Testing Consideration

Design Objectives• Diagnose and repair receiver system • Design relay system for remote power management • Test software modules with functioning receiver system• Document all work to assist future maintenance and improvements

Functional Requirements• Users input and receive data in standard astronomical units• Software automatically moves the dish to track objects across the sky• Continuously record the intensity of the 1420 MHz signal from the dish• All systems can be controlled remotely

Design Constraints• Design must accommodate existing parts whenever possible• Hardware must be protected from the elements as well as operator error• Design must utilize high-quality parts

Measurable Milestones• Obtain valid data from the receiver system • Software modules can automatically track a set of celestial objects • All systems can be operated from a remote location• Fully functional telescope is demonstrated to the project faculty advisor

Project Requirements

The radio telescope at Fick Observatory is not operational at this time. Work this semester will focus on repairing the receiver system and testing software modules, in addition to the development of new technologies. In the future, numerous tests must be performed to determine the accuracy of the telescope. After these objectives are completed, the radio telescope will be able to track celestial objects and provide useful data to radio astronomers.

Personnel Effort

Other Required Resources

• Total estimated personnel effort = 610 hours• Total estimated financial resources (with labor) = $9,150

Project Schedule

Budgets and Personnel Effort

• Astronomer selects the object to study and enters its location• Tracking software positions the dish to track objects• Limit circuitry prevents over-rotation and damage to the system• Telescope receives radio signals• Data acquisition software processes and records signals

Basic Operation of the Radio Telescope

Space Systems and Operations Laboratory (Ongo-02c)

Second semester members

LaTasha Mabry (EE) Ankur Tandon (CprE)Matt Fischer (CprE) Umair Farooq (EE)

Proposed Approach• Research technologies for relay system • Design, develop, and install relay system• Test and repair electrical systems as needed to ensure functionality• Develop software module to facilitate automatic scheduling

Technologies Considered

Remote power management • MOSFET transistors• Triacs• Relays

Scheduling software• LabView• C++

Spring 2006

Summary

Documentation preservation• Lamination • Electronic conversion• Three ring binders

Control panel labeling• Engraving• Heat transferred labels

First semester membersPhil Reusswig (EE) Mike Blasi (CprE)Katie Hulet (EE)

Receiver System Repair 28 days Sun 1/22/06 Sun 2/19/06

Documentation 3 days Mon 2/20/06 Wed 2/22/06

Relay System 19 days Wed 2/8/06 Tue 2/28/06

Documentation 3 days Wed 3/1/06 Fri 3/3/06

Test Raster Scan 7 days Sun 2/19/06 Sun 2/26/06

Debugging 5 days Wed 2/22/06 Sun 2/26/06

Documentation 2 days Mon 2/27/06 Tue 2/28/06

Test Tracking Program 7 days Sun 2/19/06 Sun 2/26/06

Debugging 5 days Wed 2/22/06 Sun 2/26/06

Documentation 2 days Mon 2/27/06 Tue 2/28/06

Website 79 days Tue 1/31/06 Thur 4/20/06

Operation Manual 7 days Fri 4/21/06 Fri 4/28/06

Elevation System Repair 28 days Sun 1/22/06 Sun 2/19/06

Scheduling Program 21 days Tue 2/14/06 Tue 3/7/06

Testing 6 days Wed 3/1/06 Tue 3/7/06

Documentation 2 days Wed 3/8/06 Thur 3/9/06

Maintenance of Fick 5 days Mon 4/17/06 Sat 4/22/06

Documentation 7 days Tue 3/21/06 Tue 3/28/06

Scan Documents 3 days Tue 3/21/06 Thur 3/23/06

Organize Documents 4 days Fri 3/24/06 Tue 3/28/06

22 3022 30 6 14Mar 22, '06 Apr 14, '06

9 17 25 2 10 18 26 6Jan 9, '06 Feb 2, '06 Feb 26, '06

14Task Name Duration Start Finish

LaTasha Mabry (94 hours)

Ankur Tandon (84 hours)

Matt Fischer (89 hours)

Umair Farooq (88 hours)

Phil Reusswig (83 hours)

Katie Hulet (87 hours)

Mike Blasi (85 hours)

Rope and basket $15

Voltage Divider Circuit $25

Mileage $200