Precise positioning using laser rangefinder in radio telescopes for changing feed horn

The project aimed to improve an automatic system for changing feed horn. We developed a precisely positioning unit for the system in the place of manual feed which might cause seriously decreasing of accuracy because of aging equipments, thus to raise accuracy of feedback. The traditional length gauge sensor used for positioning can generally reach a precision of 1mm, but with a serious drift of temperature, which affects precisely positioning of objects. Instead, a laser range finder can be achieved less than 0.1mm, and as a non-contact measuring instrument, it is easy to install, as well as high precision and low temperature drift.