A high precision tracking system based on a hybrid strategy designed for concentrated sunlight transmission via fibers

This paper investigates a high precision tracking system that adopts the coordinate calculation algorithm and a photosensitive sensor. This system is designed to satisfy the precision requirement in sun tracking for a concentrated sunlight transmitting system via optical fibers. This system is based on a two-stage tracking process, which consists of a coarse adjustment based on the coordinate calculation algorithm and a fine adjustment using a specially designed photosensitive sensor. The core of the photosensitive sensor is a photodiode matrix that could exactly detect the position of the sunlight focal spot via lens focusing. A predictive control process based on the running trend of sun traces will begin once the fine adjustment is completed. The tracking process is steady and accurate because of the predictability of sun traces based on the coordinate calculation algorithm and the acuteness of the photodiode matrix. The highest tracking precision depends on the compactness of the photodiode matrix and has no limits in the accuracy of the coordinate calculation algorithm. The proposed system can track the sun's focal spot with a position precision of less than 0.3 mm, which is the space between the adjacent photodiodes. The tracking angle precision is determined by the ratio of the position resolution of the photodiode matrix to the focal length, and reaches 0.1°.

► Smooth tracking is realized based on predictive control strategy.
► The initial alignment error could be compensated automatically.
► A high precision is achieved by adopting hybrid control strategy.
► Suit for high solar concentrating system such as daylighting via fibers.