Control of the Soft X-ray Polychromator on the Solar Maximum Mission Satellite
Abstract
The Soft X-ray Polychromator on the Solar Maximum Mission Satellite consists of two largely independent instruments: the Flat Crystal Spectrometer, a highly collimated scanning spectrometer mounted on a raster platform, and the Bent Crystal Spectrometer, a broadly collimated spectrometer providing high time-resolution (128 ms) spectra for the study of rapidly evolving phenomena. Each instrument is controlled by a microcomputer system built around an RCA 1802 microprocessor. This paper presents a discussion of the motivation for using a microprocessor in this application, and the design concepts that were implemented. The effectiveness of the approach as seen after several months of operation will also be discussed.
- Publication:
-
AIAA, Aerospace Sciences Meeting
- Pub Date:
- January 1981
- Bibcode:
- 1981aiaa.meetZ....S
- Keywords:
-
- Microprocessors;
- Numerical Control;
- Satellite-Borne Instruments;
- Solar Maximum Mission;
- Spectrometers;
- X Ray Spectroscopy;
- Computer Systems Programs;
- Microcomputers;
- Scanners;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation