Nano-Sextant Tracking Mount

Nano-Sextant Tracking Mount

	Contact Nano-Sextant sales representative Visit the Photo-Sonics Video to view Nano-Sextant videos.

The Nano-Sextant tracking mount is optimized for close-in tracking of high-dynamic airborne targets near the launch or termination stage of an event. Its compact design is ideally suited for small, lightweight sensors and optics best suited for capture of high-resolution images for Engineering Sequential Data (ESD) missions. Yet the Nano-Sextant has the necessary accuracy, payload capacity and dynamic performance to be member of a larger Optical Tracking network, gathering high-accuracy Time-Space-Position-Information (TSPI) data.

Maximum portability and verstility is supported with trailer-mounted,
fixed-site and tripod-mounted configurations.



			Nano-Sextant attached to a riser pedestal and mounted on a trailer. The containers on the trailer house recording devices and equipment that establishes a microwave or fiber optic link to the control console.

Configuration - The Nano-Sextant was designed for use under various deployment scenarios. The baseline configuration can be ordered with a ruggedized tripod, yet is small enough to be placed on an elevated tower to provide a better view of the event, avoiding the atmospheric effects near the ground including scintillation, heat shimmer, smoke and dust. For maximum portability, the Nano-Sextant can be installed on a 7-foot trailer for rapid deployment at semi-developed locations.

Payload Flexibility - Depending upon your mission needs, a fully-integrated Nano-Sextant can be configured with a combination of long-range / short-range optics or laser range finders. Payload can be mounted on either of the two vertical side plates of the elevation axis, or on horizontal platforms providing up to four sensor stations. While the recommended maximum total payload is 225 pounds, additional payload may be supported with reduced dynamics and accuracies.

Robust Pedestal Construction - Photo-Sonics utilizes Almag‑35, an aluminum-magnesium alloy, which provides excellent corrosion resistance to support long life with minimal maintenance in the harshest environments. We use only full-size bearings to provide the highest stability and accuracies, as opposed to narrow-diameter bearings found in lesser systems. Powerful, low-maintenance DC torque motors are provided in both the azimuth and elevation axis, and are coupled to the 23‑bit absolute-position Inductosyn® encoders.

Pedestal Support Electronics - The electronics support several installation scenarios. A single enclosure, containing the Digital Servo Amplifier (DSA) and the main I/O panel are packaged in single enclosure at the pedestal site. The remaining electronics such as the Base Computer Unit (BCU), Video Switches, Video Trackers, Recorders, etc. are installed in the Operator’s Console which can be located in a mobile Operations Van or at the user’s Mission Operation Center.

    Control Software - The ARGUS control software provides
    all the functionality the user would expect of an advanced TSPI
    tracking system. It provides a single interface for the tracking
    pedestal, sensors, auto-tracking, ranging devices, calibration,
    target simulation and diagnostics of the complete tracking
    system. Control of the system is simplified via an intuitive touch
    screen GUI. The standard ARGUS application can control up
    to 10 sensor stations, in addition to ranging devices, allowing
    a single operator complete control of all aspects of a complex
    and highly capable system from a remote location. It also
    provides the control of single and dual-gate auto trackers and
    fixed focal length and zoom lenses and focus tables. Automated
    Star Calibration and Turn-and-Dump Calibration are incorporated
    to yield the highest TSPI accuracy of any optical tracking system
    manufactured today.

Visit the ARGUS software page.

Operator Console - Photo-Sonics offers a variety of console configurations, from our full-size console (for location in mission control center) to a smaller, compact console suitable for mobile command vehicles or multiple packing cases for easier transportability. The default connection between the pedestal and the remote console
is via a single-strand, single-mode 'dark' fiber optic cable, which allows for up to 20-40 km separation. Alternative Interfaces, including shared fiber optics and microwave, are also supported.

A standard console consists of the following items:

· 19" Touch-Screen Monitor
for the main GUI interface

· Video Monitors
(2, 3, or 4 screens available)

· Operator Control Panel

· Mini Keyboard with Control
Stick and Operator Controls

· Console Computer

· I/O Panel (Fiber optics,
Ethernet switches)

· Optional UPS

Installation Options:

The compact, light-weight design of the
Nano-Sextant easily supports several
installation options:

· Fixed site

· Ruggedized Tripod

· Customized Trailer

· Tower mounting

Nano-Sextant System Specifications*
System Accuracy, Fixed Mount	±20 arc-seconds (100 micro-radians), 2σ
Bearings	14.75” diameter azimuth thrust bearing 7.5” diameter elevation ball bearing
Drive System	Direct drive DC torque motors (brush type )
Torque	Azimuth : 40 foot pounds Elevation : 40 foot pounds
Velocity (nominal payload )	Azimuth : 120°/second Elevation : 120°/second
Acceleration (nominal payload )	Azimuth : 120° sec² Elevation : 120° sec²
Closed Loop Servo Bandwidth	Azimuth : 18 Hertz Elevation : 25 Hertz
Nominal Payload	225 pounds total (at rated payload moment of inertia design specification)
Non-Orthogonality	± 10 arc seconds
Encoders	Azimuth and Elevation, 23-bit Inductosyn®
Elevation Travel	-30° to +210°
Azimuth Travel	±270° (cable wrap configuration)
Transit Locks	Locking stow pins in AZ and EL every 90°
Weight (with no payload )	140 pounds (base unit)
Height	20” (bottom of azimuth axis)
Power	Single-phase European or US AC power

*specifications subject to change

Photo-Sonics, Inc.
818-842-2141 (ph - switchboard paging)
818-842-2610 (fax)
[email protected]

� 2019 Photo-Sonics, Inc