Microcomputer Based Dish Antenna Position Control System

Abstract

This paper presents a microcomputer-based control system to position a small dish antenna at a desired elevation and azimuth angle for maximum power reception from the satellite. Here satellite position is used as an input of the system. Two dc motors (one for azimuth position while the other for elevation position of the antenna) are used to position the dish antenna. Continuous pulses are sent to the motor control circuit through the parallel port of the computer to move the dish to the desired position. A prototype dish antenna is constructed and then positioned by using the developed control system. Results show a very good agreement between the desired position and the actual position of the dish antenna.