MMA Memo #263

A Hexapod 12 m Antenna Design Concept for the MMA

J.S. Kingsley [1], R.N. Martin (Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy andAstrophysics, Taipei, Taiwan), V.L. Gasho [1]

May 7, 1999

Keywords: 12 m, antennas, hexapod, submillimeter, radio telescopes

We present an innovative antenna design concept for the MMA utilizing a hexapod mount. This design addresses several key limitations of conventional designs in meeting the demanding specifications of the MMA. The benefits of a hexapod design include accurate pointing under specified MMA load conditions, excellent dynamics performance, and low overall instrument cost. The hexapod design is lightweight and meets the key MMA specifications. A metrology system is directly integrated into the drive system of the antenna, in place of a conventional encoder scheme.

[1] NRAO-TUC

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Last modified: 09 December, 1999