The W2DRZ CT-2 antenna controller system is a low cost but effective
system to monitor and control an antenna system's position. It features
a 18F4580 PIC processor
chip with nonvolatile memory to hold program instructions
and configuration settings. It interoperates with four
different kinds of sensors to read the antenna position
for azimuth and elevation. The controller is normally
used by connecting to a PC via a serial data link. The PC
runs a program to interact with the controller, sending
and receiving position and control information. A setup, test, and
tracking program is supplied with the controller to allow
tracking, configuration and calibration, as well as testing. The
controller can track heavenly bodies by interacting with
several popular tracking programs:
There are several
safeguards built into the controller to help prevent
antenna system damage in case something goes wrong. If
the antenna fails to move when commanded to, the
controller will stop the motion motors and refuse new
motion commands until the problem is resolved and the
controller has been reset. If a reverse motion command
should be received while the antenna is in motion the
controller will stop the antenna for a short time before
engaging the opposite direction. The user can configure
the operation of these safeguards to suit his needs. And
if communications with the Setup or tracking program are
lost for more than 2 seconds the controller will stop
antenna motion.
- Operates on 12 VDC with on board regulator
- Can supply +12 or +5 volts to encoders if needed
- Onboard A/D conversion for use with potentiometers as position
sensors.
- Interface for
US
Digital A2 absolute encoders on board
- Onboard programming of US Digital absolute encoders.
- Interface for various incremental (pulse type)
encoders on board
- A/D decoder for measuring signal levels or any
other voltage value
- Standard DB9 serial interface connector to
connect with PC
- Built in loss of movement safety monitor and
shutdown
- Built in stop motion timer to prevent antenna
whiplash
- Automatic shutdown in case of loss of
communication
- Two antenna speed control systems
- Handles South Stop azimuth systems
- Control program DrzTrack.exe
can act as a DDE client, allowing more programs to control
the CT-2 (Nova in DDE mode, TrackSm, and SatScape)
- When working in DDE mode
the control program shows current antenna position, and
desired position requested by tracking program
- Readout accuracy to .01 degree with
appropriate encoder
- Has a receptacle for an external LCD display to show current
position
- Comes with Setup program to configure, test, and
calibrate
- Open collector transistor driver outputs to
control your relays
- Microprocessor is socketed for easy replacement
with updated firmware
See the
DrzTrack page for details on usage of the DrzTrack
program. See the Download Page
to obtain the DrzTrack program and for information on determining
what firmware version you have. |
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