LabVIEW-based position control system with synchro [radio telescope control application]

A closed-loop DC motor position control system is investigated that allows a radio telescope to be accessed and controlled via the Internet. The project involves the use of LabVIEW to provide a low-cost solution. In addition, it employs a data acquisition board (DAQ) and data acquisition accessory board which is a multifunction I/O device having two 8 bit digital I/O lines, 16/spl times/12 bit single ended analog inputs and two 12 bit analog output lines. The motor position information is obtained from a synchro mounted on the shaft of the motor. The synchro output is measured, interpreted and appropriate control signals are generated by the LabVIEW program. The data transfer to and from the computer is conducted via the DAQ's input and output ports respectively. The system is tested in the laboratory set-up for different angular displacements and initial positions of the motor. Initial results are found to be satisfactory.