Linearized Model of an Actively Controlled Cable for a Carlina Diluted Telescope

Abstract. The Carlina thinned pupil telescope has a focal unit (“gondola”) suspended by cables over the primary mirror. To predict the structural behavior of the gondola system, a simulation building block of a single cable is needed. A preloaded cable is a strongly non-linear system and can be modeled either with partial differential equations or non-linear finite elements. Using the latter, we set up an iteration procedure for determination of the static cable form and we formulate the necessary second-order differential equations for such a model. We convert them to a set of first-order differential equations (an “ABCD”-model). Symmetrical in-plane eigenmodes and “axial” eigenmodes are the only eigenmodes that play a role in practice for a taut cable. Using the model and a generic suspension, a parameter study is made to find the influence of various design parameters. We conclude that the cable should be as stiff and thick as practically possible with a fairly high preload. Steel or Aramid are suitable materials. Further, placing the cable winches on the gondola and not on the ground does not provide significant advantages. Finally, it seems that use of reaction-wheels and/or reactionmasses will make the way for more accurate control of the gondola position under wind load. An adaptive stage with tip/tilt/piston correction for subapertures together with a focus and guiding system for freezing the fringes must also be studied.