Trajectory generation for parametric rotating scan patterns at the LMT

David R. Smith; Kamal Souccar

doi:10.1117/12.926241

17 September 2012 Trajectory generation for parametric rotating scan patterns at the LMT

David R. Smith, Kamal Souccar

Proceedings Volume 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV; 84443G (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926241
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

As main axis controllers for large, high precision telescopes have become more sophisticated, astronomers are developing new approaches to observing. Rather than merely pointing at a particular set of coordinates and tracking to account for the rotation of the Earth or for the ephemeris of the source, these new observing techniques often call for a telescope to scan in a pattern around the nominal source coordinates. These motions are conducted at higher rates and accelerations than traditional single point or raster maps, which introduces additional complexity into the control. Additionally, these motions must work in conjunction with an existing trajectory generator. This paper describes how a general parametric rotating scan pattern has been implemented at the Large Millimeter Telescope (LMT). The desired motion is combined with the existing trajectory generator and allows the addition of a parametric scan pattern, defined for each axis. The pattern can also be continuously rotated at a constant rate as the system tracks the source. The development allows for any parametric scan pattern, and the particular case of a continuously rotating Lissajous pattern is addressed in detail.

Citation Download Citation

David R. Smith and Kamal Souccar "Trajectory generation for parametric rotating scan patterns at the LMT", Proc. SPIE 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV, 84443G (17 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.926241

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