The tracking software developed with G8APZ from mathematics published in "Amateur Radio Software" - RSGB circa 1981.
The program allows for tracking of the Moon for EME, The Sun for Noise measurements and Celestial objects for Radio Astronomy. Provision has been made for adjustment of focus, to facilitate change of feed for different frequencies, and adjustment of polarisation. These features have yet to be added.
Output from the tracking software is via RS232 to the microcontroller at the antenna base. The microcontroller responds to commands such as Find Azimuth and Elevation expressed as counts corresponding to the encoder readings for the desired direction. The tracking program updates the direction every ten seconds and the microcontroller takes care of accelerating and decelerating the 24V DC motor drives, using Pulse Width Modulation, and of reading the encoders and limit switches.
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