Kipp&Zonen 2AP Sun Tracker - Manual (Page 69)

OPERATION
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5.2 SUN SENSOR OBSERVATIONS
This section contains additional information on the operation of the optional Sun Sensor.
As the 2AP runs it uses the optional sun sensor to observe the intensity and the direction of the sun.
Based on the observations, it records sun observations to a circular queue. The user can set two
parameters that control the process of taking observations. The provides a lower
limit, below which is assumed that the sun is obscured. An observation is added to the circular
queue each time the sun has been continuously unobscured for seconds.
Each observation contains the following fields:
• intensity: average over the period, normally in W/m2.
• error magnitude: perceived direction minus predicted direction in degrees.
• error direction: in degrees using the conventions of Cartesian geometry. For
example, 90° is interpreted as being toward smaller zenith angle.
• observation direction: the azimuth and zenith co-ordinates of the direction in which the
Sun Sensor was pointing for the observation.
• instrument alignment: the latitude, longitude, azimuth and zenith alignments of the
instrument.
• time: The Greenwich Mean Time (universal time) at which the
observation ended.
The two items in the Observations menu capture the log of sun observations to a file. Each record
has the format
year> .
5.3 RUN
POSITIONER
After the Positioner Setup Procedure the 2AP main window can be run by pressing the Run
Positioner button in the Main Menu. The information in this particular section describes how to use
the Win2AP software for the various aspects of Positioning purposes. The Positioner software is
designated to facilitate the pointing of attached instruments at designated targets. Each target is
configured for its type, location, duration at target and sequence relative to other targets. Up to
forty-eight targets can be defined and can be edited at any time. In addition, a manual override
feature provides for instant position changes for target verification or temporary targets.
5.3.1 Positioner Main Window
The main window shows all the 2AP operational parameters, see figure 5.2. The pull-down menus
are used to view or download the 2AP’s logs or to go back to the Main Menu. Table 8 below
outlines the various aspects of this window.