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Paper: The Green Bank Telescope Laser Metrology Computer Control System
Volume: 172, Astronomical Data Analysis Software and Systems VIII
Page: 91
Authors: Creager, Ramón E.
Abstract: To use the 100-meter Green Bank Telescope at millimeter wavelengths, the antenna surface must be continuously adjusted to compensate for environmental effects. The metrology system, comprising a network of infrared laser rangers, has been developed to measure the position of the surface to an accuracy of 50 microns. The metrology computer control system is described here. The embedded systems which point the 18 lasers and take range measurements are based on Intel x86 computers. The central control of these computers is done using a Pentium PC running Windows NT. Engineering displays of the data are produced by piping the data in real-time to Microsoft Excel.
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