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The largest radio telescope array in the world is under construction on a
5000 mt. high plateau in the Atacama desert, in Chile, within a cooperation
between NSRAO (for the U.S.) and ESO for (Europe). The ALMA radio antenna array will consist of 64
radio telescope to be operated synchronously as a single giant radio
telescope. The instrument sensitivity is enchanced by the ability to jump
rapidly between different points in the sky to discriminate between weak
sources and the background radiation.
Phase Motion Control designed and manufactured the motion system for the the
European antenna prototype, currently installed in New Mexico. All drives
act directly on the antenna; the structure is girdled by a 4 m diameter
direct drive PM servo motor rated 200,000 Nm, to provide Azimuth motion and
pointing. the Elevation control is ensured by an arc shaped, 3 mt radius
linear motor on the rear of the antenna, capable of 140,000 Nm and designed
to withstand extreme atmospheric conditions. This latter motor is the first
such high accuracy unit to be realized in IP 68 protection to allow
unattended and unprotected operation on the outside of the structure.
The level of dynamic performance endowed by large direct drives on such
giant structures is so far unique. |
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The Atacama Large Millimeter Array (ALMA) at ESO Web
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