Torque-bias profile for improved tracking of the Deep Space Network antennas

Author

Gawronski, W. ; Beech-Brandt, J.J. ; Ahlstrom, H.G., Jr. ; Maneri, E.

Author_Institution

Jet Propulsion Lab., California Inst. of Technol., Pasadena, CA, USA

Volume

42

Issue

6

fYear

2000

fDate

12/1/2000 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

35

Lastpage

45

Abstract

Measurements at the drives of the NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) antennas indicated that the small gap between gear teeth was causing backlash at the gearboxes and elevation bullgear. Left uncorrected, backlash will deteriorate the antenna´s pointing precision. At DSN, the backlash was eliminated by implementing two identical drives that impose two nonidentical torques (a.k.a. torque bias, or counter-torque). The difference between these two torques depends on the antenna load, and is shaped by the drive´s electronic circuits. The paper explains the shaping principles of the circuit, and shows how the circuits can be modified to improve the antenna dynamics under external disturbances

Keywords

antenna accessories; machine control; mechanical control equipment; motor drives; pointing systems; reflector antennas; space communication links; telecommunication control; torque control; DSN; Deep Space Network antennas; antenna load; counter-torque; elevation bullgear; external disturbances; gear teeth; gearboxes; nonidentical torques; pointing precision; torque-bias profile; tracking; Antenna accessories; Circuits; Electronic mail; Gears; Laboratories; Loaded antennas; NASA; Propulsion; Space technology; Torque control;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Antennas and Propagation Magazine, IEEE

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

1045-9243

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/74.894180

Filename

894180