Computer control system

Tender description

The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply of a quantum stabilisation platform for the motion control of quantum gravimeter systems. The stabilisation platform workstation will form part of a physical demonstrator, i.e. facilities created as part of the Quantum Technologies Hub – the EPSRC funded project. This will be used to ensure vertical alignment of an atom interferometer quantum sensor during mobile operation and provide vibration isolation so that the sensor doesn’t exceed its dynamic range. The equipment is an essential integral part of the sensor suite to be used in the real-world map-matching activity. The requested equipment will be integrated into the field-capable gravity gradiometer. This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or: — European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF); or — Research Councils UK (RCUK), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils. The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply and installation of a vibration Isolation platform. This will be used in conjunction with other components to create a field capable gravity gradiometer. The platform will be used to ensure vertical alignment of an Atom interferometer quantum sensor during mobile operation and provide vibration isolation so that the sensor doesn’t exceed its dynamic range. General characteristics A platform that can be used to minimise effects of uncontrolled platform motion on atom interferometry-based gravity measurements in real-world trials in rail and maritime Environments, and in simulated motion lab-based experiments. The vendor will provide support over a 3 year period and no maintenance is required. The system will be delivered within 11 months after an order is placed and site acceptance tests Arranged shortly after delivery. Due to the complexity and development work required in aiming to produce a stability system capable of handling a Gravimeter and achieving useful readings, we required a two stage approach. The first stage will be to create a smaller ‘model’ type positioning platform from which further development corrections can be learnt in order to help scale up to the full mass capable system. Given the nature of the Gravimeter systems this project has some challenges to overcome in order to take measurements within any unstable environment. With suitable corrections (such as local sea level, lunar position), a stable Gravimeter system may achieve gravity readings with a possible resolution of 100 nm/s-2. To achieve this level of resolution we require the offers to provide information on the following: Transducer Analysis: looking closely into operation of the Gravimeter system itself to fully understand current operation limits and susceptibility to external conditions Transducer comms: understanding what can be learnt from the transducer to improve measurements, ie: synchronised stabilisation. Actuator design feedback correction methods, use of IMU’s, load cells, frequency of sampling, frequency of system response in order to achieve best results. The offers should demonstrate extensive knowledge of work in producing accurate acquisition and control systems. Particular areas of high-speed computational control systems should be covered during the design and development stages involved to meet optimum conditions required for the measurement system.