Upgrading the MMT primary mirror actuator test stand: a unique vehicle for evaluating EtherCAT as a future I/O standard for systems

Dusty Clark; Skip Schaller

doi:10.1117/12.925452

27 September 2012 Upgrading the MMT primary mirror actuator test stand: a unique vehicle for evaluating EtherCAT as a future I/O standard for systems

Dusty Clark, Skip Schaller

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV; 84445P (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925452
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2012, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

The MMT Observatory (MMTO) uses a complex system of pneumatic actuators to support the telescope's 6.5m primary mirror. For operational checkout after repair and to collect calibration data for use in the primary mirror support control software, the Steward Observatory Mirror Lab (SOML) built a test stand that accurately measures the output forces and moments from the actuator using a 6-DOF (degree of freedom) work plate. The electronics and software provided by SOML are outdated and needed replacing. In this report, we discuss the selection of EtherCAT as the data-acquisition hardware, the software development required, and the some aspects of using the test stand in the lab.

Citation Download Citation

Dusty Clark and Skip Schaller "Upgrading the MMT primary mirror actuator test stand: a unique vehicle for evaluating EtherCAT as a future I/O standard for systems", Proc. SPIE 8444, Ground-based and Airborne Telescopes IV, 84445P (27 September 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.925452

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