Tracking System Daniel Rainey Acknowledgements Michael Parker John

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Tracking System Daniel Rainey Acknowledgements: Michael Parker John Jensen Rincon Research Corp. Arizona Space

Tracking System Daniel Rainey Acknowledgements: Michael Parker John Jensen Rincon Research Corp. Arizona Space Grant 2008 -2009 Statewide Symposium April 18 th 2009

Objective To create a tracking system using received GPS coordinates to steer an antenna

Objective To create a tracking system using received GPS coordinates to steer an antenna rotator to point directly at a target. l Designed with idea that target would be orbiting satellites, high altitude weather balloons, or anything else that needs to be tracked. l

The systems we used l GPS – global positioning satellite to attain latitude, longitude,

The systems we used l GPS – global positioning satellite to attain latitude, longitude, and altitude measurements. l Automatic packet reporting system (APRS) to send and receive “packets” of GPS information

MT-1000 EL. Positioner The rotator Azimuth/elevation high output rotator l Assembly and calibration l

MT-1000 EL. Positioner The rotator Azimuth/elevation high output rotator l Assembly and calibration l OR-288 P-DC AZ. Positioner Elevation worm gear

The Controller l l The antenna controller, RC 2800 PRKX, was essential for communications

The Controller l l The antenna controller, RC 2800 PRKX, was essential for communications with the AZ/EL rotators It served as the link between the computer and the rotator through an RS 232 serial port.

Programming We used Python to write code. l Program had to intercept APRS packets

Programming We used Python to write code. l Program had to intercept APRS packets from Kenwood receiver through serial port, calculate total azimuth and elevation (taking into account elliptical curvature of earth), and build a specific string script to send to the controller which would then be forwarded to the rotator l

A glimpse at the code

A glimpse at the code

Ground station

Ground station

Things we learned/strengthened l l l RF signal processing: power ratios, signal to noise,

Things we learned/strengthened l l l RF signal processing: power ratios, signal to noise, etc. How to operate and analyze devices such as a spectrum analyzer and oscilloscope In depth programming Using RS 232 serial interface Assembly of mechanical rotator parts Spherical trig and lots of vector algebra Spectrum Analyzer Oscilloscope

Future Directions The ground station we created could potentially be used to point an

Future Directions The ground station we created could potentially be used to point an antenna or large satellite dish at a satellite. When an antenna is pointed directly at the source of a signal is when the signal is received best. l This system could also be made portable, and aid in recovery of high altitude rockets and weather balloon instruments. l

Thank You

Thank You

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