Azimuth and Elevation pattern

[SureG]

Hello, 

I have an encoder to control the panoramica. I want to design a labview software to read the encoder in order to measure the Azimuth and Elevation pattern at each degree but I don't have suitable drivers for that. Can anyone let me know how I can do that?

The encoder is a rotary motion encoder with an absolute interface and in the PCB circuit board of encoder the IC controller is "PIC17C44-16 I/P L715 9848 SAN" and in panoramica "PIC17C44-16 I/P 0813 WRB" from MicroChip is connected.

Thank you.

[GerdW]

Hi G,

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@SureG wrote:

The encoder is a rotary motion encoder with an absolute interface and in the PCB circuit board of encoder the IC controller is "PIC17C44-16 I/P L715 9848 SAN" and in panoramica "PIC17C44-16 I/P 0813 WRB" from MicroChip is connected.

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The (type of) µC on that encoder PCB is irrelevant, the "absolute interface" is important!

Which kind of signals does the encoder provide? How do you want to measure/read those signals?

[SureG]

I am giving analog signal to control the motion of panoramica. 

To read the signal, I will attach my antenna to panoramica in order to measure the elevation and azimuth patterns at every angle from 0 to 360 degrees by using the CMT's VNA. So I want to design a Labview software to measure the same. 

Let me know if I can provide you more information. 

Thank you.

[GerdW]

Hi G,

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@SureG wrote:

Let me know if I can provide you more information. 

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What is a "CMT"?

What is a "panoramica"?

Which encoder do you want to use?

Where are links to manuals of all those devices?

[SureG]

Hello, 

CMT is the Copper Mountain Technologies, they develop solutions for RF measurement instruments.So I am using Copper mountain's network analyzer (S2 5048VNA). 

https://coppermountaintech.com/discontinued-s5048-2-port-4-8-ghz-analyzer/

Panoramica (Panoramic head), is a device on which I attach my antenna and then it will rotate the antenna with the step degree which I will give through the labview. I developed this device so there is no manual available for this. To develop this I use two motors, one for rotating the head of the panoramic in horizontal direction (complete 360 degree rotation) and another motor to rotate the head in vertical direction from -20 to 20 degree.

The encoder is also developed by my team.

Now I want to control the panoramic head with labview, is this possible?

Thank you.

Reagrds,

SureG

[Bob_Schor]

How much experience do you have with the mathematics of rotations?  Rotation matrices do not commute!  Specifically, when you rotate "in the horizontal direction", I presume this means that the axis of rotation is always earth-vertical, and moves the axis of rotation about the vertical direction, i.e. the "axis of elevation" itself rotates.

What sort of "actuators" do you use to do these rotations?  Are they "steppers", where once you know a "base position", you can get to another position by simply "moving 10 steps per degree of rotation", and don't need continuous feedback to get good position control?  How do you measure position, through analog methods or digitally (this would be the "encoder developed by my team")?  What sorts of motions are you envisioning in terms of velocities and accelerations?

What experience do you have with Data Acquisition and Control using LabVIEW?  Have you used LabVIEW DAC hardware (either the USB family of devices, devices from the PXI/PCI families, or cDAC/cRIO devices)?  Have you considered hiring a LabVIEW consultant?

Bob Schor

[RIObotics]

Hi guys,

Adding to the conversation here.  SureG, it would help if you tell us what your "panoramica" hardware looks like.  (I'm guessing you might be Italian.)  Is it similar to a 2-axis gimbal mechanism, like this picture?  This would give you 2 degrees of freedom, azimuth and elevation.

If you are using stepper motors, my company has a motion controller solution specifically for LabVIEW users.  You can check my signature for more info.

BR

John

Add motion to LabVIEW in 30min or less - TENET EMotion
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[SureG]

Hello Bob_Schor,

Sorry, maybe I was not able to explain the rotational situation very well. Horizontal rotation means circular motion of the panoramic head and vertical means the center of the system is fixed but the arms are moving from -20 to 20 degrees with the help of hydraulic actuator while the center is fixed.

With the DAQ and controls, I have a theoretical base. I use only instrument drivers in order to control the VNA.

I am open to all the suggestions for my work, if you have any please do let me know.

Thank you.

[SureG]

Hello RIObotics,

In attachment, please have a look to the panoramica.

Thank you.

 

[RIObotics]

Ah, I see!  What kind of motor are you using for the rotational base?