Gimbal Angle Compensation for Antenna Pointing Accuracy
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Gimbal systems used for antenna pointing face challenges in calibration and accuracy due to intrinsic errors from components that are not readily measurable, especially when the antenna needs to cover a large field of view or is mounted on a moving platform, such as a satellite or ship, and these errors are exacerbated by multiple gimbals.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a host vehicle interface coupled to a gimbal system with multiple gimbals, where gimbal angle corrections are determined based on bore sight measurements and independently observable error variables, allowing for precise adjustment of gimbal angles to compensate for pointing errors, enabling accurate antenna pointing even on moving platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If antenna mapping calibration is performed, then pointing direction is established, but pointing performance remains sensitive to gimbal angles especially for large field of view coverage
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes parameters by introducing correction values for gimbal angles based on bore sight measurements. The calibration process determines correction values that adjust the nominal gimbal angles to compensated gimbal angles, allowing the system to maintain pointing accuracy across large field of view coverage by dynamically adjusting angular parameters
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple gimbals are used, then pointing flexibility is improved, but intrinsic errors from components that are not readily measurable increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by measuring bore sight errors and using these measurements to determine correction values for gimbal angles. The bore sight measurements provide feedback on actual pointing accuracy, which is then used to adjust and compensate for intrinsic errors in the multiple gimbal system, improving reliability while maintaining flexibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces direct mechanical precision requirements with a measurement and correction approach. Instead of relying solely on precise mechanical manufacturing of multiple gimbals, the system uses bore sight measurements and computational correction values to compensate for mechanical errors, substituting mechanical precision requirements with measurement and calculation processes
3Adaptability or versatility
If gimbal systems are mounted on moving platforms, then mobility is improved, but pointing control and accuracy become more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by adapting the calibration and correction process for moving platforms. The bore sight measurements and correction value determination account for the dynamic environment of moving platforms, allowing the system to maintain pointing accuracy despite platform motion by dynamically adjusting gimbal angle corrections
Data Source
AI summary
Gimbal system angle compensation methods and systems are provided. A particular method includes pointing an antenna at a first target using an initial set of at least four gimbal angles and determining first bore sight pointing errors resulting from a pointing direction of the antenna relative to the first target. The method also includes estimating values of a plurality of independently observable error variables based on the first bore sight pointing errors. The method further includes determining a set of gimbal angle corrections based on the values of the plurality of independently observable error variables.