The RCP8™ radar and antenna control processor
Connecting a weather radar to the outside world
Sigmet has been providing radar/antenna control processors
for weather radar applications for over 18 years. The purpose of a controller is
to provide a simple interface between high-level user applications to the
various electrical signals that are required to control and monitor a radar and
antenna system. The RCP8™, our new PCI/Linux based controller, provides the
flexibility to connect to radar systems from a variety of manufacturers. With
comprehensive BITE monitoring, wide range inputs and programmable control
logics, the RCP8™ offers outstanding versatility in the field. Sigmet provides a
fully documented API so that sophisticated users can develop their own
application software. Specify the RCP8™ for weather radar upgrades or for new
weather radar systems. Of course the RCP8™ is 100% compatible with the Sigmet
IRIS software for UNIX workstations.
Flexible algorithms for ground-based and stabilized moving platform
applications
The RCP8™ implements digital position and velocity servos
that are more flexible than traditional analog servos-there are no pots to tweak
to tune the servos. Because of the digital approach, the servo feedback can be
easily adjusted to stabilize virtually any weather radar antenna system. The
RCP8™ is so flexible that it is the favorite controller for shipboard weather
radar applications since it can connect to an inertial navigation unit and
compensate for ship motion to 0.1 degree.
Comprehensive over voltage protection for I/O
lines
The Sigmet I/O-62 PCI card serves as the gateway for signals
in and out of the RCP8™. Each I/O line is configured with a fast switching diode
to protect it against transient high-voltage spikes from lightning or other
sources. This is important since radar systems are often sited in locations that
are prone to lightning strikes.
Fail-safe protection for your investment
A radar antenna is a costly item. To protect this investment,
the RCP8™ provides the most comprehensive fail-safe features in the industry.
For example, a watchdog program constantly checks for consistency between the
tachometer vs position angles, for velocity
over-speed, unresponsive antenna and out of tolerance elevation angles. Aside
from these built-in safety checks, the RCP8's™ programmable control logics allow
users to create their own custom monitoring/response actions (e.g., alarm bells,
warning lights, transmitter shutdown, etc.)