Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope

Simple item page
dc.contributor.advisorBoje, Edward
dc.contributor.authorDodia, Irshaad Abdul
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-10T08:27:38Z
dc.date.available2025-11-10T08:27:38Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-11-10T08:16:34Z
dc.description.abstractMeerKAT is South Africa's cutting edge radio telescope, designed, deployed and now operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). The telescope consists of an array of 64 individual 13.5 m diameter fully steerable antennas. This project presents a comprehensive approach to the modelling and design of a feedback control system for a MeerKAT antenna. The project first focuses on modelling of the antenna's mechanical dynamics in its two axes of motion: azimuth and elevation. The modelling approach derives a linear lumped model analytical representation of the antenna dynamics, capturing the effects of coupling compliance which results in (anti-) resonance modes, and the reflection of inertia and friction through the drivetrain gearboxes. Thereafter, using a frequency domain system identification analysis approach, experimental data is used to verify quoted parameters from MeerKAT's design documentation against the analytical model. This leads to a system model defined with parametric uncertainty. Wind disturbance plays a significant role in the pointing performance of the antenna. Therefore, focus is then placed on developing an appropriate wind model to represent the on-site wind characteristics and the relationship to the drive-axis disturbances. Finally, the user requirements are distilled into a set of performance requirements, and using the derived system model and understanding of the disturbance behaviour, a systematic approach to a controller design using the QFT methodology is followed. The designed controllers are evaluated against the actual system performance in simulation, indicating that the telescope's stringent pointing and tracking requirements can be satisfactorily achieved. This project provides a well-documented, systematic control system design that is owned by SARAO and can be implemented to improve the pointing performance of the MeerKAT telescope.
dc.identifier.apacitationDodia, I. A. (2025). <i>Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42162en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationDodia, Irshaad Abdul. <i>"Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42162en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationDodia, I.A. 2025. Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42162en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Dodia, Irshaad Abdul AB - MeerKAT is South Africa's cutting edge radio telescope, designed, deployed and now operated by the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO). The telescope consists of an array of 64 individual 13.5 m diameter fully steerable antennas. This project presents a comprehensive approach to the modelling and design of a feedback control system for a MeerKAT antenna. The project first focuses on modelling of the antenna's mechanical dynamics in its two axes of motion: azimuth and elevation. The modelling approach derives a linear lumped model analytical representation of the antenna dynamics, capturing the effects of coupling compliance which results in (anti-) resonance modes, and the reflection of inertia and friction through the drivetrain gearboxes. Thereafter, using a frequency domain system identification analysis approach, experimental data is used to verify quoted parameters from MeerKAT's design documentation against the analytical model. This leads to a system model defined with parametric uncertainty. Wind disturbance plays a significant role in the pointing performance of the antenna. Therefore, focus is then placed on developing an appropriate wind model to represent the on-site wind characteristics and the relationship to the drive-axis disturbances. Finally, the user requirements are distilled into a set of performance requirements, and using the derived system model and understanding of the disturbance behaviour, a systematic approach to a controller design using the QFT methodology is followed. The designed controllers are evaluated against the actual system performance in simulation, indicating that the telescope's stringent pointing and tracking requirements can be satisfactorily achieved. This project provides a well-documented, systematic control system design that is owned by SARAO and can be implemented to improve the pointing performance of the MeerKAT telescope. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - MeerKAT Radio Telescope KW - Antenna Positioner LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope TI - Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42162 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42162
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationDodia IA. Development of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment ,Department of Electrical Engineering, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42162en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Electrical Engineering
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Engineering and the Built Environment
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectMeerKAT Radio Telescope
dc.subjectAntenna Positioner
dc.titleDevelopment of a feedback controller for the Antenna Positioner on the MeerKAT Radio Telescope
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
Files
Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
thesis_ebe_2025_dodia irshaad abdul.pdf
Size:
19.42 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.72 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download
Collections
Masters