Communications-On-The-Move (COTM) Antenna Pointing and Stabilization System

Ross-Hime Designs, Inc. Minneapolis, Minnesota and BAE Systems Wayne, New Jersey are pleased to respond to the DOD''s request for development of a robust, high performance Comunications-On-the-Move (COTM) system. The Ross-Hime Designs/ BAE team will deliver an operable, servo controlled pedestal with control electronics, user controllable from a Host computer. They will be developing and characterizing a stable closed-loop servo, capable of processing platform GPS/INS attitude and location data, and target geodetic location, to both point and stabilize the antenna payload’s line-of-sight. The development effort will culminate in measurement of gimbal mechanism static accuracy as a function of azimuth and elevation angle, and measurement of servo dynamic tracking accuracy when driving the system with actual pre-recorded GPS/INS attitude data measured on the Churchville B Proving Ground course.Ross-Hime Designs proposes the development of the Omni-Wrist IV antenna gimbal which mounts on the roof of any vehicle. This revolutionary pedestal eliminates cable wrap and has full 180 degrees horizon-to-horizon singularity-free range of motion. State-of-the-art software and controls will be further developed by BAE Systems and implemented in a full-up tested system. BENEFIT: Commercial applications and anticipated benefits include antenna/sensor pointing on a wide-range of mobile platforms including recreational vehicles and ships. Robotic application includes machine tools, spray-finishing robots and welding robots.