Automatic aiming and tracking of the solar disc using photosensitive charge coupled devices (CCD)

Abstract

A system able to search, aim and track automatically the solar disc is presented. It is a closed loop system and is able to work correctly even when the sun is not shining. Its accuracy has been measured: being better than 1 mrad, allows it to be used in cases where high concentration is needed. The use of photosensitive CCDs as sensors has been made possible thanks to a careful opto-electronic design.