OPTICAL SENSOR FOR SURFACE PROFILE MONITORING OF PARABOLIC ANTENNA FOR MILLIMETER AND SUBMILLIMETER ASTRONOMY

Abstract

Purpose: developing the sensor for non-contact measurement and profiling parabolic surfaces of antenna systems in the millimeter and submillimeter range with an aperture diameter up to 2 m. Design/methodology/approach: Using a high-speed CCD and photoelectric displacement transducer for determining position of light spot on the antenna surface. Findings: The experimental data show that the designed sensor provides RMS estimation accuracy for the antenna surface better than 15 microns. Conclusions: Used is the optical sensor for antenna surface measurements avoids surface damage and need to control contact sensor pressure on the measured surface.

Keywords

• optical sensor
• profile measurement
• parabolic antenna
• submillimeter antenna