Upgrading the telescope control system of the Nobeyama Radio Observatory

Abstract

The control system for the 45 m radio telescope and the millimetre array at the Nobeyama Radio Observatory, which has been used since 1982, has a centralized structure based on an IBM compatible mainframe. To allow more flexible operation and to enable easy installation of new devices, the control system should be upgraded within a few years. Key point of this upgrading is to replace the mainframe with several UNIX workstations and UNIX compatible systems with real-time performance. Some local controllers should be also replaced. A prototype system, which consists of a new local controller and a real-time UNIX system has been developed for the antenna reflector drive. We are now evaluating the performance of these components for the design of the upgraded control system. © 1994.