Operational Modes

• Receive Only
  • Located in Federally mandated radio quiet zone
  • Dark sky location

Location

• Table Mountain, Boulder County, U.S.A. (Map)
• GPS Location: Upper Dish at Bldg T-22

  	N40° 08' 53"	W105° 13' 56"
  	N40° 08.900'	W105° 13.922'
  	N40.14833°	W105.23203°
  	Elevation:	1666 m, 5465 ft
  	Horizon Elevation: Data, Plot

Antennas

• Antenna Specifications

  Parameter   Upper Dish   Lower Dish‡ Frequencies: 400 MHz - 2 GHz 400 MHz - 2 GHz Diameter: 60 feet 60 feet Antenna Gain: 42.5 dBi at 1 GHz 42.5 dBi at 1 GHz (see plot) Beam Width: 2.6°/400 Mhz, .7°/2 GHz 2.6°/400 Mhz, .7°/2 GHz Noise Temperature: 1-2db at 400MHz total system - Noise Figure: 0.8db at 400MHz w/ 20db LNA - Coverage: Full Hemisphere† 340° to 190°(?) Slew Rate Max Az/El: 40/40 deg/min 40/40 deg/min Slew Rate Min Az/El: ??/?? deg/min ??/?? deg/min Azimuth Repeatability: ?? min ?? min Elevation Repeatability: ?? min ?? min               † Except at low elevation to South and West ‡ Not Currently Operational

• Antenna Patterns
  • [Rex]
• Antenna Feeds
  • 400MHz helical
  • 400-430 MHz dipole
  • two log cones
  • LNA
• Antenna Drive System
  • Motors: One 3hp, 460vac, 1750 rpm motors on each axis.
  • Speed Control: Variable Frequency Controllers
  • Brakes: Spring set, electrically released.
  • Machine Safeties: End of travel limit switches, Mechanical impact absorbers.
  • Shaft Encoders: Quadrature Relative. 1.17 Minute resolution
  • Shaft Encoders (Future): Absolute encoder, 12 bit, 5.27 min resolution
  • Primary Position Display: Selsyn 2 speed, 6 Minute resolution
  • Computer Position Detector: Quadrature encoder + Reference sensors
  • Computer Analog Resolution: 12 bit
• Antenna Steering Command Interface
  • Manual control station with selector switchs and rate potentiometers.
  • PC interface using proprietary software (Paratrack)
  • PC interface using commercial software (Suding)
  • PLC touchscreen based semi-automatic control interface.
• Antenna Operation
  • User Manual (password)
  • Antenna Service Positions
    • Hatch opening: Az 195°
    • Scaffolding: Az 272°, El 0.6°
    • Park: El 90°

DSES Equipment

DSES Equipment and Control Room

• Receivers
  • Icom 8500
    • Frequencies:
    • Sensitivity:

• Computers
  • HP 6900??

• Test Equipment
  • Signal Generator
  • Spectrum Analyzer
    • Noise Floor: -100dbm
  • Oscilloscope:

• Recording
  • VCR
  • PC based to floppy, hard disk and flash cards

System Description

• System Block Diagrams
  • Signal Path
  • Data Recording
  • Motion Control
  • Sonic Anemometer
  • Power System
  • Networking
• Component Descriptions, Diagrams and Schematics
  • Tracking Computer
  • Position Controller
  • VectorTrak Controller
  • Cables and Connectors

Performance Tests and Calibrations

• Feeds
  • Feeds
  • Patch Antennas
  • LNAs
  • Cable loss
• Receivers

Facilities Development

• Dish Control System
  • COSMOS Project

Optical Camera

Optical Camera