Abstract
The main reflector of FAST consists of about 1800 elementary units. Each unit has three adjustable supports to fix its position, and its position is adjusted by mean of mechanical actuators. According to the radio source position at any given time, all the actuators are continuously adjusted to form a proper paraboloid in real time during the course of the observation. The basic requirements of such a control system are discussed. A field bus control system based on LonWorks technology is suggested to control all 1800actuators. The main advantages of this distributed control system are its reliability, flexibility, efficiency and economics.
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References
Peng, B., et al.: 2000, ApSS, in press.
Qiu, Y.: 1998, A novel design for a giant Arecibo-type Spherical radio telescope with an active main reflector, MNRAS 301, 827–830.
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Qiu, Y., Zhu, L. The control system of the active main reflector for FAST. Astrophysics and Space Science 278, 261–265 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013164427755
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013164427755