Jordan Hodge Jordan Lyford Wilson Schreiber

 Background  Problem Statement  Solution  Software 2

 VTC developing CubeSat, transmits data  Continuing where previous groups have left off  Have to follow CubeSat to receive data  Existing 3-meter parabolic dish antenna  Low orbit satellite revolves around earth in minutes, seen for short time per orbit  Existing solutions  EGIS Bi-axial antenna positioning system 3

 Equipment-Gesellschaft für Internationale Elektronik Systeme  Cost:  Software $400  Data Interface $1,100  Hardware $2,700 (EL-40°, AZ-180°)  Extension $2,200 (EL-90°, AZ-360°)  Rotor Hardware Mount $400  Satellite Dish Mount $400  Total $7,200 4

 A free software available online for tracking satellites. Updates on screen and controls rotor to point to position satellite  Uses orbit of satellite and observer position  Many types of rotors to select for output  Uses Serial port or Parallel port on PC 5

Screen Shot of SatPC32 in use WinListen predicts path 6

 Track a low orbit satellite such as a CubeSat from horizon to horizon is as little as 30 seconds 180°/30 seconds=6°/sec  Move a 3 meter satellite dish  360° Azimuth (left/right)  90° Elevation (up/down)  Interface to PC running SatPC32 7

 Gears and motors, motor controllers  Freescale Coldfire 32-bit Microcontroller  Serial interface with SatPC32 using EGIS controls and a serial port  Magnetic Encoders measure position of dish  Use/Modify existing designs for elevation and azimuth control 8

Micro- controller EL - Motor Controller AZ - Motor Controller Limit Switches RS232 SatPC32 Position Encoders 9

 Azimuth  A left to right angle measurement from a fixed point (north in navigation)  Worm Gears  Speed (Gear Ratio)  Torque  Modify existing designs 10

Position Encoders ACAC Motor Controller 12Vdc 10Amp FUSE 5Vdc regulator Micro- controller A E Circuit Protection 12Vdc 10Amp FUSE PC Running SatPC32 Limit Switch 11

 Read new position from serial port  Stores values when they come in  Read actual position from encoders  Measure periodically  Decide where to turn, how fast  Always checking limit switches  If ever activated, stop motors Controller (Set Outputs) New Serial? Check Encoders? Read Serial Read Encoders 12