Project Readiness Package
Rev 6/30/2014
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION:

Project Name (tentative):

Project Number, if known:

Preferred Start/End Quarter in Senior Design:
Fall/Spring
Spring/Fall

Faculty Champion: (technical mentor: supports proposal development, anticipated technical mentor during project
Sun Tracker
P15571
execution; may also be Sponsor)
Name
James Stefano
Dept.
EME
Email
Phone
jvseee@rit.edu
475-2768
For assistance identifying a Champion: B. Debartolo (ME), G. Slack (EE), J. Kaemmerlen (ISE), R. Melton (CE)

Other Support, if known: (faculty or others willing to provide expertise in areas outside the domain of the Faculty
Champion)
Name
Martin J. Pepe

Dept.
--
Email
Mjpastro@gmail.com and/or
pepe_martin@roberts.edu
Phone
cellphone 585-298-0246
Project “Guide” if known: (project mentor: guides team through Senior Design process and grades students; may
also be Faculty Champion)
o TBD

Primary Customer, if known (name, phone, email): (actual or representative user of project output; articulates
needs/requirements)
o Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS) - Martin J. Pepe. See
above.

Sponsor(s): (provider(s) of financial support)
Name/Organization
Mark Smith
Contact Info.
mwspd21@rit.edu7
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Type & Amount of Support
Committed
KGCOE
Project Readiness Package
Rev 6/30/2014
PROJECT OVERVIEW: 2-3 paragraphs that provide a general description of the project – background, motivation,
customers, problem you’re trying to solve, project objectives.
BACKGROUND:
The Callisto Solar Telescope consists of a 7 foot ‘C’ band satellite dish, modified Digital TV tuner
running under PC control (Win XP) to study RF emissions from the Sun. Sunspots, Flares and Coronal
Mass Ejections (CMEs) emit radio waves. Location in Rochester, NY (Ionia) fills a large ‘blind’ spot as
there are no receivers in the Eastern USA or Canada. RF data files will be uploaded via (FTP) on the
internet to a central server in Zurich, Switzerland, as part of a global (eCallisto) network. Tracking the
Sun enables the system to have daylight sunrise to sunset operation. This work is sponsored by the
Astronomy Section of the Rochester Academy of Science (ASRAS), (Martin Pepe, Radio AstronomyBoard of Directors).
PROJECT:
This project will control the aiming of the 7’ dish system toward the sun. This is accomplished through
two existing linear actuators. One, for sunrise to sunset called Right Ascension (RA), and the second for
seasonal elevation change called Declination (DEC). The need is to accurately control these actuators to
track the Sun’s movement across the sky.
Note: Investigating need for a wide-band antenna (45 MHz to sub 1 GHz). Or, purchase an off-the-shelf
antenna. – Jim Stafano. If there is a need for antenna design, then this will add one or two EEs with
antenna design experience.
Note: For further details, slides & DVD video are available from Martin Pepe.
DETAILED PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The goal of this section is provide enough detail for faculty to assess whether the proposed project scope and required skills
are appropriate for 5th year engineering students working over two quarters. The sequence of the steps listed below may
depend on your project, and the process is usually iterative, so feel free to customize. Emphasis is on the “whats” (qualitative
and quantitative), not the “hows” (solutions), except for the section on “potential concepts,” which is necessary to assess the
appropriateness of required skills and project scope. Not all of the information in this section may be shared with students.
(Attach extra documentation as needed).

Customer Needs and Objectives: Comprehensive list of what the customer/user wants or needs to be able to do in
the “voice of the customer,” not in terms of how it might be done; desired attributes of the solution.
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Autonomously track Sun’s movement
Real Time Clock (RTC)
Power Supplies
Dish tracking controls
Integrate an existing PC application to translate RA and DEC to linear actuator positions
Ensure positional accuracy (i.e. home positions and encoders) for both RA and DEC
 Locate home position on a daily bases or if control is lost
Receiver enable signal (enable rf receiver when actuators are quiescent)
Manual control for setup and reset operations
Weather proof electronics
Adjustable antenna to dish alignment
On the current dish, Right Ascension (RA) movement which controls the east / west rotation and
Declination (DEC) controls the seasonal elevation axis. RA and DEC tracking using linear actuators on
the current dish has proved to be reliable but Team needs to consider, weigh and evaluate other designs.
The current design is accomplished via a pair of these DC type Linear Actuators. Design and build two
Linear Actuator mechanisms (LA, DEC) for movement and tracking of the existing 7’ dish. A 3’ LA is
Page 2 of 5
Project Readiness Package
Rev 6/30/2014
used for the (RA) Right Ascension (east / west rotation) with a movement of +/- 55 and a 2’ LA is for
(DEC) Declination (elevation) axis. Potential for adding a third axis (as yet undefined) is to be evaluated.
This design includes feedback from the actuator(s) internal, (existing) pulse encoder, and movement limit
switches already integrated into the LA assembly. Design must be both open and short circuit proof, in
case of mechanical binding or obstruction. A resettable mechanical ‘Center Home’ position is required, as
well as a certain number of fixed memory positions. As an example, east/ west rise/set positions on ‘local’
horizon & zenith. See Radio Eyes sky simulation application. Think a Keystone shape axis changes for
winter & summer rise/set times & positions.



Variable Drive speed is to be investigated in order to achieve a 15 degree/ hour operation, required to
account for Earth’s natural rotation speed (i.e.de-rotation).
Small form factor PC or similar. This assembly is to receive ‘go to’ tracking & position data from the
‘Radio Eyes’ Sky program via ASCOM interface (running on a std. Win XP- PC), and a manual
joystick (or switches) to manually position the dish for servicing the dish and initial setup, power
management
AC power management system to enable automatic recovery in case of intermittent power
interruption(s), without any damage or loss of operation, after power returns (automatic Power
Off/Power On).
Links and references;
Main Callisto website
http://www.exp-astro.phys.ethz.ch/astro1/Users/cmonstei/instrument/callisto/index.htm
eCallisto documentation
http://www.expastro.phys.ethz.ch/astro1/Users/cmonstei/instrument/callisto/ecallisto/applidocs.htm
Typical Data (from existing EU sites)
http://soleil.i4ds.ch/solarradio/
ASRAS - Radio Telescope section
http://www.rochesterastronomy.org/Activities/RadioAstronomy.aspx

Constraints: External factors that, in some way, limit the selection of solution alternatives. They are
usually imposed on the design and are not directly related to the functional objectives of the system
but apply across the system (eg. cost and schedule constraints). Constraints are often included in the
specifications list but they often violate the abstractness property by specifying “how”.
Dish is located in Ionia, New York and the dish-antenna system is mounted in concrete. Therefore,
this Team will not be able to physically install on the 7’ dish at RIT for build and testing. Team will
need to periodically perform on-site tryouts during the build and debug phases for proper fit and
function. Team may need to define a “test bench” approach around this problem.
It is advised that the team perform an on-site visit at start of project. Perhaps come back with
photographs and various physical measurements.
Determine if motors interfere with RF measurements. If yes, then RF measurements need to be halted
during dish movement but not long enough to loss RF data.
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Project Readiness Package

Project Deliverables: Expected output, what will be “delivered” – be as specific and thorough as possible.
o
o
o
o

Working system.
Wiki for the project
Operation Manual
Software Manual for Software Libraries developed.
Budget Estimate: Major cost items anticipated.


Rev 6/30/2014
$500.
Intellectual Property (IP) considerations: Describe any IP concerns or limitations associated with the project. Is
there patent potential? Will confidentiality of any data or information be required?


None.
Other Information: Describe potential benefits and liabilities, known project risks, etc.
Benchmark existing system. Field visit to location.

Continuation Project Information, if appropriate: Include prior project(s) information, and how prior project(s)
relate to the proposed project.
STUDENT STAFFING:

Skills Checklist: Complete the “PRPChecklist” document and include with your submission.
o ATTACHED

Anticipated Staffing Levels by Discipline:
Discipline
EE
How
Many?
3 (4) *
2
ME
CE
ISE
1 (0)
Anticipated Skills Needed (concise descriptions)
Design of control systems, sensor interface, power. Manual and auto
modes.
Linear Actuator to dish angular translation, movement and mounting of
LA, antenna mount, unattended reliability, weather proof design, internal
mounting of components in enclosure, preliminary site research, testing,.
Computational units and interfaces, Software libraries. Integrate existing
Application Software.
0
Other
* = TBD: This does not include Antenna design. This is being evaluated.
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Project Readiness Package
Rev 6/30/2014
OTHER RESOURCES ANTICIPATED:
Describe resources needed to support successful development, implementation, and utilization of the project. This could
include specific faculty expertise, laboratory space and equipment, outside services, customer facilities, etc. Indicate if
resources are available, to your knowledge.
Category
Faculty
Resource
Available?
Description
James Stefano
George Slack
Environment
09-3000 Senior Design Lab
Multidisciplinary Senior Design Laboratory
Equipment
Materials
Prepared by:
Martin Pepe, Jim Stefano, George Slack
Page 5 of 5
Date:
7/2/2014