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Fick Observatory - Boone, IA
Observatory Automationongo02e
March 26, 2002
• Faculty advisor:Dr. John P.
Basart• Client:
Joe Eitter
ISU Physics Department
• Team members:Justin Doyle (2nd sem)
Derek Halverson (2nd
sem)
Rob Walstrom (2nd sem)
Tai Ward (2nd sem)
Shahril Abdullah (1st
sem)
Jeff Rastrelli (1st sem)
Nick Williams (1st sem)
Fook-Keong Yap (1st
sem)
Presentation Outline
• Problem Statement• Design Objectives• End Product Description• Assumptions and Limitations• Project Risks and Concerns• Technical Approach• Evaluation of Project Success• Recommendation of Future Work• Human and Financial Budget• Lessons Learned• Summary
Problem Statement
• Automation of the Fick Observatory– Phase 1: Remote
Control– Phase 2: Automated
System
Design Objectives
• Functionality– Control the telescope– Collect telescope data– Operate the roof– Gather weather conditions– Provide visual feedback– Provide remote control via the Internet– Automate the system
Control the Telescope
• Control via serial port• Filter wheel• Slides/covers• Focus• Raw code vs.
commercial– The Sky– Orchestrate
Collect Telescope Data
•Combine filtered images
•Clean images
•CCD video capture
•MaxIm DL/CCD
Operate the Roof
Operate the Roof
• Telescope room has movable walls and roof• Existing system built in 60’s• Current system uses manual levers • New system run by actuators • Old system had no safety stops• Redundant magnetic and optical safety stops • Computer software controlled
• Actuators• Magnetic switches• Extensive safety
measures • Visual feedback from
cameras
Operate the Roof
Provide Visual Feedback
•Surveillance camera system
• Streaming live video over the Internet
Provide Remote Control
• Main computer accessible via remote access software
•PCAnywhere
•GoToMyPC
•WindowsXP
•Radmin
• Allow systems to be turned on remotely
Gather Weather Conditions
• SkyCam– Protective housing
• Weather station• Temperature
sensors• Online resources
Design Constraints
• Location of observatory• Limited space for adding equipment• Budget• External weather conditions• Overheating of equipment in summer• Interfacing with old equipment• High-speed Internet connection
Intended Users and Uses
• Intended users– Physics faculty– Astronomers
• Intended uses– Fully automated control (like a VCR timer)– Remote control from campus
End-Product Description
• Remote control of all equipment within the observatory
• Programmable system to gather data while not being user-controlled
Assumptions and Limitations
• Assumptions– Single user access at one time– High-speed Internet connection– Must be secure from Internet attacks– All components powered up prior to use
• Limitations– Limited site access for team members– Speed of Internet connection– Hydraulics of existing roof control system– Two speeds at which roof may open or close– Telescope may not be compatible with commercial software– Existing hardware
Project Risks and Concerns
• Knowledge of telescope operation
• Damaging the telescope
• Existing hardware failure
• Loss of client
Technical Approach
Division of project into sub-projects– Telescope operation– Video – Roof control– Weather station– Remote control
Technical Approach
• Split processing to two computers
• Roof sensors: magnetic vs. optical
• Telescope software: commercial vs. raw code
Evaluation of Project Success
• Research (90%)• Documentation (100%) - ongoing• Network (25%) – in progress• Roof control (10%) – in progress• Telescope control (10%) – in progress• Video (20%) – in progress• Weather monitoring (90%) – future semester• Temperature monitoring (0%) – future semester• Remote operation (0%) – future semester
Future Work
• Prototype roof control board• Complete roof control implementation• Install surveillance video cameras• Setup server for video streaming• Install remote access software• Remote climate control• Installation of weather station• Fully network all computers in observatory
Human BudgetTeam Member Estimated Hours Actual Hours
Shahril Abdullah 105 87.5
Justin Doyle 100 84
Derek Halverson 110 88.5
Jeff Rastrelli 105 79
Rob Walstrom 120 116
Tai Ward 100 81
Nick Williams 95 83.5
Fook-Keong Yap 95 85
Totals 860 789.5
Financial BudgetComponents Estimated Cost Revised Cost Actual Cost
Computer (Windows) $500 $1000 $0
Computer (Linux) $1000 $1000 $0
Watchdog Timer $100 $100 $0
I/O Boards $80 $100 $0
A/D PCI card $400 $400 $0
CCD Software $400 $400 $0
Printed circuit board $300 $300 $0
16 port network switch $200 $80 $0
WOL Ethernet card(2) $36 $36 $0
Video Multiplexer $1200 $200 $0
Video Capture cards(2) $320 $320 $0
Video server software $200 $200 $0
Misc. Parts $75 $100 $0
Weather Station $400 $400 $0
Printing $50 $40 $38
Total $5061 $4476 $38
Lessons Learned
• Communication with client
• Clearly defined requirements
• Interfacing with old technology can be difficult
• Gained knowledge on video frame grabbers, control software, data acquisition cards, etc.
Summary
• Firm foundation of research and design
• Finished project will greatly increase usability of the observatory
Questions
Questions?
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