Keo SkyScan Mark II

A dual first-surface articulated mirror assembly, this miniaturized sky-scanner — a major upgrade over our earlier belt-driven model — is suitable for use with space weather, aeronomical, and surveillance instrumentation such as photometers, narrow-field imagers and Fabry-Pérot Interferometers (FPIs), or as a heliostat.

360-degree azimuth and elevation scanning of the sky is achieved via high-reflectance, first-surface quality mirrors and an optional high-transmittance entrance window. Fast, repeatable, high-precision pointing or continuous scanning is obtained by means of modern direct-drive, servo-motor technology. Gear ratios are chosen such that they provide the optimal load-to-motor inertia ratio. An optimal gear ratio was chosen for each axis by analyzing the SkyScan's inertial properties and reflecting the loads back to the servo-motors. Inertia matching was done to minimize the load-to-motor inertia ratio for each axis of the SkyScan. When combined with proper tuning of the integrated PID controller, this ensures that the response of the SkyScan is smooth, quick and stable, with no overshoot or residual position error.

Controllable from any computer or netbook via USB2, Bluetooth or RS-232. Windows and Linux control software and libraries included.

[ Larger photo | User Manual ]

General Features
- Aperture: 3.5 to 10 inches available
- 360 degree continuous rotation about each axis
- Wireless communication (no caught wires)

Azimuth
- Gear ratio: 119:1 (28:1 gearbox + 4.25:1 gears)
- Resolution: 0.00076 degrees
- Accuracy: +/- 0.05 degrees
- Repeatability: Better than +/- 0.05 degrees
- Max angular speed: 9 deg/sec

Zenith
- Gear ratio: 42.5:1 (10:1 gearbox + 4.25:1 gears)
- Resolution: .00212 degrees
- Accuracy: +/- 0.05 degrees
- Repeatability: Better than +/- 0.05 degrees
- Max angular speed: 27 deg/sec

Bluetooth Communication
- v1.2 Stack with Adaptive Frequency Hopping
- Software-free configuration (ext. dip-switches)
- Bluetooth range: 30 m (optionally 100 m)

Slip Rings
- Triple redundant brushes for robustness
- Lifetime guarantee on brushes

Price
- Prices start at US$16,000.00