南极光学天文望远镜控制软件关键技术

Critical control software technologies for Antarctic optical astronomical telescopes

南极天文望远镜控制软件是望远镜软件系统的重要组成部分,是控制计算机在望远镜用户层和设备层之间运行的关键技术。对于用户层,控制软件需具备全自动观测的交互接口、卫星通信条件下的远程访问和故障诊断等功能;对于设备层,控制软件不但要完成对天体目标的精确指向和精密跟踪、计算并补偿系统误差和控制关键部件以达到目标像质,而且需实现对电源分配系统、除霜及加热系统的控制、设备及环境信息的采集和监测等。相比于普通台址,在南极大陆运行的光学天文望远镜有其独特的特点,控制软件需进行特殊设计。本文重点从操作系统选择、远程建立望远镜指向误差修正模型方法、全自动观测软件接口、卫星通信及远程运维、望远镜实时状态监测和故障诊断等方面探讨了南极天文光学望远镜控制软件的关键技术和设计原则,并展望未来技术的发展,为南极天文望远镜的研制和控制系统研发提供技术储备。

The control software of astronomical telescopes,running on their control computer,is an essential part of a telescope’s operational chain and the critical technological interface between users and telescopes.For users,the control software is an interactive interface that allows them to automate observations,control telescopes remotely via satellite communications,and conduct regular system fault diagnosis.For telescopes,the control software commands the pointing and precise tracking of celestial objects,calculates and com-pensates system errors,and optimizes operations to maximize image quality.Compared with their mid-latitude counterparts,optical telescopes operating in Antarctica face specific challenges requiring a specially designed control software.In this article,critical technologies and design principles specific to the Antarctic optical telescope control software are described:operating system,remote transfer of the telescope pointing error correction model,automatic observation interface,remote satellite communication,remote operation and maintenance,and on-site telescope status monitoring and fault diagnosis.Future development of relevant technologies is also discussed.This article aims to provide a technical reference for future de-velopment of Antarctic astronomical telescopes and control systems.