Microcomputer Based Dish Antenna Position Control System with Autocalibration Option

Abstract

This paper presents a microcomputer-based control system to position a small dish antenna at a desired azimuth and elevation angle. The desired angle of rotation is the input data of the system. Two dc motors (one for azimuth position while the other for elevation position of the antenna) are used to position the dish antenna. Signals are sent to the motor control circuit through the parallel port of the computer. Due to aging, the component behavior of the motor control circuit may change, and as no feedback system is included auto-calibration system has been incorporated with the system so that the system can be freshly calibrated at any time. A prototype dish antenna is constructed and then positioned by using the developed control system. Results show a very good agreement between the desired position and the actual position.