Observatory Automation

Observatory Automation

Project Status Report

Project Dec01-05

December 19, 2001

Client:ISU Physics Department

Advisor:Dr. J. Basart

Team Members:

Justin Doyle

Derek Halverson

John Kurniawan

Chris PeBenito

Nate Pierce

Rob Walstrom

Tai Ward

Jason Warschauer

Table of Contents

Executive Summary...... 1

Acknowledgements...... 1

Definition of Terms...... 2

Introduction...... 2

Design Requirements...... 5

End-Product Description...... 8

Project Status...... 8

Approach and Design...... 10

Financial Budget...... 13

Personnel Effort Budget...... 14

Project Schedule...... 15

Evaluation of Project Success...... 17

Lessons Learned...... 19

Project Team Information...... 21

Summary...... 22

Figures

Networking Device Map...... 10

Gantt chart………………………………………16

Tables

Financial Budget...... 13

Personnel Effort Budget...... 14

Executive Summary

The primary goal for this project is the automation of the Fick Observatory in Boone, Iowa, allowing for remote operation of the facilities. Problems to be dealt with include controlling the telescope, operating the CCD camera and a minimum of three NTSC video feeds, installing a weather station, and operating the retractable roof. As many of these as possible will be handled by one or more networked computers that will be accessible from Ames via the Internet. The end result will be a fully automated system in which the user is granted complete control either locally or remotely, of all of the observatory’s systems.

To date research regarding roof control, telescope control, telescope operation, networking, and the weather station have been completed. In each of these areas there has been progress in the actual implementation; however no functional systems have been produced. Before these systems can be fully implemented, equipment will need to be purchased. Implementation of video control, which is critical for remote use, has been halted until proper hardware can be purchased or designed. Currently, it has reached the point where hardware for a video switchbox needs to be chosen before this can progress further. A computer has been obtained and is currently running server software, so the networking side of the project has progressed nicely. Extensive documentation on telescope operation that will aid new team members in future work and in training new users of the fully-automated system is nearing completion. Overall, a solid base has been built for development of functional automation systems.

In the future, work will be done to take the research, plans, designs, prototype code, and prototype hardware that exist and develop them into fully functional systems. Also, many key decisions need to be made. The switchbox system for the video system needs to be chosen and purchased. It is also necessary to decide if the computers currently at the observatory will be upgraded. Eventually, the installation of actuators onto the roof controls will need to go forward, so that the roof may open by remote control via the computer. Rough code has been developed for a state machine to control the roof’s hydraulics, which may be completed before the installation of actuators. New items such as the weather station, video capture card for the computer, and a network hub will need to be purchased in order to begin implementation.

Acknowledgements

The team would like to thank Joe Eitter for his assistance in familiarizing the team with the current operations of the telescope facility. The team would also like to thank the ISU Physics department for offering to provide the needed funding and equipment. Last but not least, the team appreciates the enthusiastic and encouraging efforts of faculty advisor Dr. J. Basart.

Definition of Terms

CCD (camera)Charge coupled device. The technology on which the digitizing camera is based.

HVACHeating ventilation and air conditioning

NTSCNational television standards committee. A popular video format standard.

Introduction

General Background

The Fick Observatory in Boone, Iowa is operated by the IowaStateUniversity’s Department of Physics & Astronomy. The driving distance from Ames is nearly 30 miles, which limits usability of the telescope. The automation of the observatory will make it possible for a remote user on campus to control the equipment via the Internet. This requires computer systems to control each of the individual components related to the overall operation, such as positioning and focusing the telescope, operating the retractable roof, capturing images, and gathering current weather data. Additional computers will be accessible via the main computer, to allow the operation of the entire observatory from one station, either locally or remotely.

Technical Problem

Problems include networking computers running different operating systems, developing software to control the telescope and other hardware, and designing hardware to operate mechanical systems from the main computer. The methods of communication for each of the devices must be examined, and re-implemented in a common platform for assimilation into the new system. The master computer will be able to control all of the subsystems directly or through a second computer, and can be operated at the observatory or from Ames via the Internet. The main controller computer will run Red Hat Linux and the second computer will likely run Windows. Some of the hardware to be developed includes a parallel port-based switch to control the three NTSC video feeds and the installation of actuators to interface the existing controls with the computer.

Operating Environment

Most of the updated system shall be designed to function in the environment in which the existing system currently operates. Additions to the system will include components mounted externally to the structure, which must endure temperature extremes and harsh weather conditions. The weather station used to check current weather conditions must be reliable in all sorts of conditions in order to prevent damage to the telescope.

Intended Users and Uses

The user base will remain unchanged from the current one, as remote operation of the observatory will require knowledge of the existing equipment. Currently, the observatory is only accessible to authorized users. These users will also be the only ones granted access to the system remotely. Existing features will be enhanced by the automated interface, slightly expanding uses and usability of the entire system.

Assumptions

The system will be designed to take advantage of a high-speed Internet connection. Currently, the Physics department is considering a DSL or wireless broadband connection.

It is assumed that only a single user will be able to access the system at a time. Safeguards will be implemented to prevent multiple users from attempting to control the system simultaneously.

It is assumed that alimited budget exists.

The end product must be secure from attacks via the Internet.

It is assumed that the necessary system components will be powered up and ready for use prior to being accessed remotely.

Limitations

The speed of the Internet access determines how usable the remote access to the observatory will be. Controlling the roof and moving the telescope remotely are examples of operations that are in critical need of accurate visual feedback with minimal delay to be used safely.

The number of cameras that may be controlled by the main computer is dependent upon the number of parallel and serial ports that are available.

The telescope may only be operated on nights with favorable weather conditions and a clear sky.

The roof is currently operated by a manual hydraulic system.

There are two speeds at which the roof may be opened or closed.

The team may only access the observatory when accompanied by an authorized observatory user.

Design Requirements

Design Objectives

Set up a central computer within the observatory. This main computer will control the secondary computers and provide Internet access to any other local computer systems.

Update and consolidate existing components controlling hardware and software. The current computers will be updated so that each computer will be able to control more devices. This will reduce the number of computers in the control center, and increase the effectiveness of each computer.

Configure the network to be accessed securely via the Internet. Setting up a network in the observatory will allow the computers and facilities to be utilized remotely, eliminating the need to travel to Boone to use the telescope.

Design the system for expandability. The system will need to be flexible in order to easily integrate new devices or software. This includes the addition of more computers onto the network, operating system and application software upgrades, and new components added to the observatory.

Install a weather station to monitor weather conditions. The weather system will provide an instantaneous summary of weather conditions at the observatory. This information will be used by the control system to tell the user whether current conditions will allow the operation of the telescope. Critical conditions to be checked include the current temperature, precipitation activity, and wind speed.

Set up system to monitor and adjust HVAC system to maintain a stable internal environment. This system will regulate the environment in which the sensitive components of the observatory are located. The HVAC system is currently manually adjusted. Temperature sensors shall be added, and the controls automated, so that the control room temperature remains within a range of 50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Install sensors to monitor the position of the roof. Such devices will assist the controlling computers in opening and closing the retractable roof and also prevent repositioning of the telescope when the roof is closed or only partially open.

Functional Requirements

Gather current weather conditions. The system should prevent the telescope from operating in weather conditions that could be potentially damaging. For example, the telescope should not be moved if the roof is not fully retracted, and the roof should not be retracted if unfavorable weather conditions, such as snow and rain, are present.

Monitor control room temperatures. The system must monitor and control the temperature of the control room to avoid thermal damage to the sensitive system components. If temperature exceeds 90 degrees Fahrenheit or below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, the HVAC system will be automatically adjusted to compensate.

Operate retractable roof controls. The system shall roll back the roof when the telescope is to be operated.

Operate CCD camera. The system shall control the telescope-mounted camera, digitizing images seen by the telescope and passing them to the computer.

Control video camera feeds. The system shall manage the video feeds from each of the NTSC cameras, allowing a specific digitized video image to be displayed either locally or remotely.

Ensure stability of computers. The system shall monitor each computer and recover quickly in the event of a software crash.

Operate the telescope by computer. The system will maneuver the telescope using a serial connection.

Operate the system remotely. The system shall perform all of the functions through a secure Internet connection.

Design Constraints

Inaccurate budget. As with any ongoing project, the cost for completion of the project is initially estimated. As the project progresses, the budget will need to be reassessed and possibly revised for a more accurate cost estimate.

Time. Proper scheduling is essential to the success of the project. Also, interaction time between the team and the observatory equipment is limited. Although this is an ongoing project, each team member is limited to two semesters. When new team members are added, time is required to educate the new members on the project and its objectives.

Lack of machining support. Some parts of the components will need to be machined in order to function in their specific applications. This service was previously by the Physics Department, but is no longer available due to budget cuts. Therefore, it is necessary to find a different source that will be able to provide this service.

Lack of space. Limited control room space is available for setting up additional equipment. More space might be needed as the project continues to expand to allow the integration of newer and more technologically advanced components.

External weather conditions. Weather conditions will always be one of the most important factors in determining the operation of the telescope. Adverse weather conditions will limit the ability to test the system.

Interfacing difficulties with current equipment. Much of the existing equipment needs to be upgraded or modified before it can be incorporated into the remotely controlled system. The hydraulically controlled roof will need to be fitted with electronic actuators before it can be operable by any type of computer system. The team is restricted to using this existing equipment, as replacing it would be cost prohibitive.

Measurable Milestones

Network. An Ethernet network and controlling computer will connect all other systems and allow them to be accessed via the Internet. 100% of all computers that need to use the network will be provided with network connectivity.

Roof control. The hydraulic roof control system will be upgraded to allow it to be controlled remotely. The system should be able to close the roof within 1 inch of the current manual stopping point.

Telescope control. Software will be written to control telescope from the main computer. Although it will be necessary to rewrite most of the existing software, 100% of current functionality should be maintained in the new system.

Weather station. A local weather station will be installed to instantaneously summarize weather conditions, allowing a remote user to determine whether or not the system should be operated. For adverse conditions, such as rain or snow, the system will not allow itself to be operated remotely. This is crucial, as certain system components should not be subjected to harsh weather conditions. Therefore, the system must be reliable 100% of the time to prevent damage to the telescope.

Video feeds. This system will allow images from several video cameras to be digitized and accessed by a remote user. These real-time images will allow the remote user to visually inspect equipment and assess weather conditions. The system will use images of 320x240 resolutions that update at least once per second.

End Product Description

The goal of this project is to provide complete remote control over all equipment necessary to operate the observatory telescope while not sacrificing the usability of any on-site controls. The desirable outcome of the project will be the ability to access and operate the telescope and its components via the Internet, thus eliminating need to travel to the observatory site and dramatically increasing the usability of the observatory.

Project Status

Previous Accomplishments

The first semester of this project was spent with initial planning and theories on approaching some of the larger problems of the project. Thought was given to how the roof will be controlled via computer. A proposed hardware decoder was designed to decode signals coming from a computer and issue proper instructions to the hardware controls. Initial design of a state machine was completed and it was decided that it would be implemented in the C/C++ programming language.

Present Work

Current efforts are directed at actually implementing and completing the required sub-projects. Rough code was completed for the roof state machine. Although the code has yet to be compiled, the foundation has been laid for future work. Red Hat Linux 7.2 was successfully installed and configured onto the computer obtained earlier this semester. Research was done for choosing a computer-monitored weather station and a proposal for purchasing this was submitted to the ISU Physics Dept. Documentation on telescope operation and various components found at the observatory was started and is near completion. This was done so that the team could learn how the telescope was used, and produced as a document so future teams will be able to pick up the concepts and ideas fairly quickly.

These include documenting telescope operation, components, and future projects, writing the back end software to operate the telescope from the main computer, acquiring high speed Internet access and setting up an internal network to provide access for the facility, installing the video cameras, purchasing and installing the weather station, and completing the roof control hardware and software. See Figure 1 on page 16 for a detailed schedule for this semester.

Future Work

Next semester, work will be focused on the roof and telescope operation. The state machine code for the roof control may be completed next semester, as well as the hardware decoder. A test bench for the roof control software is planned to be coded so that the state machine can be tested and verified. Documentation on telescope operation and observatory components will be completed. Code that is to control the telescope is expected to be started next semester as well. Proposals for the video feed switch, video capture card, and a hub/router for the internal network at the observatory will be written and submitted to the ISU Physics department.