Development of an advanced nano-satellite VELOX-I ground station software : sun sensor calibration

• Main Author: Lwin, Zun Pwint.
• Other Authors: School of Computer Engineering
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering::Electrical and electronic engineering::Satellite telecommunication
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/52242
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Sun sensor Calibration Project is an improvement project of an existing situation. The Nano-Satellite VELOX-I operates on solar energy. Sun sensor detects and determines the position of the sun so that the solar panels of the satellite could be facing the sun and receives solar power to support the satellite. The sun light shines through a pin hole onto the sun sensor. The sun sensor interprets the light beam into 4 voltage outputs. In theory, using the output voltages, the angles of the direction of light beam can be calculated and the satellite will adjust itself to face the sun directly so that the solar panels receive energy at its best. However, it is not possible to achieve 100% accuracy in practical due to manufacturing errors. Even though sun sensors are built according to a standard specification, the slightest of discrepancy such as micro meters could make huge difference in determining the exact direction of the sun. Therefore, calibration is necessary. The existing calibration system gives a position detection error value of up to 1 - 1.5 degree within a field of view of 60degree. The purpose of this project is to decrease the degree of error, increase the field of view, and to make the calibration system simpler and easy for future modification as well.