Fully remote controlled telemetry tracking antenna system

The authors describe a high-performance telemetry receiving antenna tracking system which utilizes unique software to allow full remote control of the tracking antenna, two telemetry receivers, and a diversity combiner. Features include a modular pedestal design, electronically scanned tracking feed (ESCAN), mouse-driven software which uses full-screen representations of selected components, and a joystick linked through a serial interface to the control computer to allow slewing of the antenna axes. This state-of-the-art system allows operation from the front panel of the controlled devices and over an extended distance via fiber-optic bus extenders.