Real-time Implementation of PID Control Algorithm using Power Pmac Controller for Antenna Position Control System

Ground station antennas find their application in communication with satellites. An antenna communicates with the spacecraft by sending command signals and receiving the data from the spacecraft. Antenna dish rotates with respect to elevation axis and whole antenna structure rotates on circular track which is an azimuth axis [1]. System identification is an important task of modelling of a process. A model merely represents the actual process in much simpler format. Modelling is required to design and simulate new control technique before real time application. This paper discusses modeling of antenna control systems and implementation of PID algorithm into power Pmac controller. Simulation results have been evaluated for open loop as well as closed loop system. Controller has been applied to real-time antenna system and hardware results for step and ramp signals for azimuth position have been evaluated. Paper concludes with inferences drawn from the designed control algorithm.