STARTRACKER, CCD
Last update: February 1998
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Star Tracker Systems -- Power connections to check
- Star Tracking computer.
- CCD electronics.
- Piezo Transmitter box.
- Piezo Receiver/amplifier boxes (2).
If operating chilled you also need power at:
- TE cooler Power Supply.
- Circulating pump.
- Chiller.
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Star Tracker Systems --Signal connections to check
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Computer to CCD controller (50 pin to 2 DB 25's).
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CCD controller to CCD dewar (2 DB 25's).
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Thermo electric cooler to CCD(molex to DB25).
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Computer to Piezo Transmitter box (50 pin to 50 pin).
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Piezo transmitter to Piezo receiver/amplifier (in shelter) (DIN 7 pin).
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Piezo high voltage supply to Piezo mirror (2 BNC's).
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Star Tracker Systems -- Startup
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Start Program (double click icon).
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Turn on Piezo Transmitter Box (this box should be off whenever the computer
is off because it drives current through the computer board).
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Turn on Piezo Receiver/amplifier supply.
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Turn off room lights.
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Turn on CCD Electronics - the "no data" icon should vanish.
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Turn on chilled water circulation pump (power strip), and check for air
in line indicating leak.
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Turn on Chiller (switch on front of unit). Chiller is indoor unit and compressor
should not be operated if the ambient temperature is below 55 degrees Farenheit.
Mixture in circulation system contains some Ethylene Glycol but freezing
point is uncertain. Unit usually operates at about 10 C. Dark noise is
not evident at this level with TE cooler.
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Turn on TE cooler.
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Star Tracker -- Program Operation
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Check the frequency of operation (100 Hz)
and the centroiding area ((2-5, 2-4) is coarse, (2-5, 2-5) is fine).
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After a short while (10 minutes) take a dark field and turn on dark field
subtraction. Repeat after about a half hour and any time that a sky field
does not have that lightly peppered appearance. You need to obtain a new
dark field whenever the operating frequency is changed since that changes
the background. Check the threshold level and that communications have
been established.
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You can look at the
configuration files
for the Startracker
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Nominal count rates
(quick-look table, Sam Ragland, Nov. 2003)
You should be ready to track on stars.
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