libgs.hardware.GS232B.azel_to_antenna_angles

GS232B.azel_to_antenna_angles(pdat, cont_track_method=None)

From a table of az/el pointings, compute a new table that minimises the amount of movements while keeping the off-pointing within the antenna beamwidth

Note

This method does not interpolate, it just uses nearest neighbour so pdat must be at sufficient time resolution.

Also transform antenna pointing vectors in such a way that the antenna will track continously throughout the pass. We do this by checking if the antenna ever needs to enter both the NE and NW quarters, and if so, depending on the antenna rotator capabilities we can use one of 2 methods to achieve a continous (up to 3 quadrant) track:

flipover:We move the antenna in the 90 – 180 degree extended elevation range
extended_azimuth:
 We move the antenna in the 360 – 540 degree extended azimuth range

4 quadrant tracking is not currently supported. If the trajectory enters 4 quadrants, or if the antenna capabilities do not meet the requirements for flipover or extended_azimuth, then the antenna will be commanded in the “normal” 0-360 az and 0-90 el range and there may be discontinuities.

Parameters:
  • pdat (DataFrame) – must have at least an az and el column.
  • cont_track_method (str) – Try to force a continous tracking method. If omited a method will be chosen based on antenna capabilities.