SOTM – Satcom On The Move

Project Summary

The SOTM (Satcom On The Move) system was developed for the Space Applications Centre. This advanced 3-axis motion emulator simulates dynamic movements—360° yaw, ±20° pitch, and ±20° roll*—to test and validate antenna systems in real-world mobile conditions. The system supports 50KG payload at 1m height, delivering precision of 0.01° accuracy (less than 40 arc seconds), ideal for satellite tracking, testing, and research.

Location

India

Sector

Space Applications Centre (ISRO affiliated)

Project Year

2024 – 2025

Platform

SCADA + Servo Motor & Drives + Motion Controller + Mechanical Structure

Challenges

  • Needed multiple operational modes for flexibility in testing and simulation.
  • High precision, load capacity, and software usability were essential.
  • Integration with SCADA and advanced diagnostics was a must for research environments.

Solutions

ICES Solutions delivered a complete motion simulation and control solution, combining robust servo motor systems with a flexible SCADA-based interface.
Four operational modes were included:

  • Manual Mode – Real-time axis movement control.
  • Designated Mode – Move to user-defined angles with acceleration control.
  • Profile Mode – Execute predefined motion cycles for repeatability testing.
  • Test Mode – Oscillate across ranges for stress and endurance simulations.

Hardware

  • Servo Motors & Drives (for Roll, Pitch & Yaw)
  • EtherCAT-based Motion Controller
  • 3-axis Custom Mechanical Structure
  • Encoder-based Feedback System
  • Load Capacity: 50KG @ 1m height

Software

  • SCADA (GUI with alarms, logs, diagnostics)
  • Mode Selection: Manual, Designated, Profile, Test
  • Secure Login, User Management, Alarm History, and Post-Evaluation Graphs
  • Soft Limits, Fault Diagnosis, and Real-Time Status Reporting

Results

  • High Accuracy: Consistently achieved 0.01° motion precision (less than 40 arc seconds), even while handling a 50KG load at 1-meter height.
  • Operational Flexibility: The system supports four motion modes—Manual, Designated, Profile, and Test—allowing for diverse testing and control scenarios.
  • Research-Ready: Integrated SCADA system, alarm history, and audit trail features make it highly suitable for controlled laboratory environments and experimental setups.
  • Versatile Usage: Ideal for motion simulation, actuator performance evaluation, mechanical system behavior study, and controlled environment testing.
  • Reliable Control: Designed for stable, real-time motion emulation across yaw, pitch, and roll axes, with comprehensive error diagnostics and safety interlocks.

3m-THz telescopic Antenna Control System

Project Summary

We will design and implement a comprehensive system that can adjust the antenna to meet user-defined requirements.

The system will support multiple modes of operation, each tailored to specific antenna positioning needs, using various methods to ensure flexibility and precision.

This system will allow the antenna to be moved to user-defined positions or utilize position data files for automatic adjustments.

It will achieve a high degree of accuracy, with positioning precision up to 0.01 degrees in both azimuth and elevation, ensuring reliable performance for satellite tracking or other applications requiring precise antenna alignment.

Location

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Sector

Space Applications Centre

Project Year

2023

Platform

SCADA System + HMI + Control Panel + Motion Controller

Challenges

Before implementing this system, faced challenges in ensuring the antenna maintained its precise position as required.

Tracking telescop signals was also challenging without this system.

Solutions

  • Create a complete system that can adjust the antenna according to requirements. We will develop various modes tailored to the antenna’s positioning using different modes.
  • The system will be capable of moving the antenna to user-defined positions or performing a zig-zag array scan based on a defined step size, achieving 0.01-degree accuracy in both azimuth and elevation.

Hardware

  • HMI
  • Servo Drive & Motor
  • Motion Controller
  • Mechanical Structure for Antena Movement
  • Control Panel

Software

  • Customized Scada System (Developed in NI Labview):The SCADA system software serves as a human interface.

Results

  • Based on the defined step size, the system will generate pulses for the user, allowing them to capture satellite data or signal values at that specific position.
  • Effortlessly adjust the antenna to their specified positions.
  • Easily define the current antenna position and control and monitor its movement from the control room.

Dome Control System

Project Summary

The system must rotate the dome in alignment with the telescope, achieving a 0.2-degree accuracy using an AC VFD drive and induction motor.

The telescope’s movement profile will be provided in an Excel sheet, and the system should use this position data to rotate the dome accordingly, ensuring real-time alignment with the telescope.

Location

Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Sector

Space Applications Centre

Project Year

2024

Platform

SCADA System + PLC + VFD + Control Panel

Challenges

This project is required to ensure precise real-time alignment between the rotating dome and the telescope, allowing accurate tracking of satellites or celestial objects.

Without this system, the dome’s position would not synchronize with the telescope, leading to obstructions in the field of view and potential data inaccuracies. The automated dome movement, based on the telescope’s position profile, enhances observation efficiency and ensures seamless operation.

Solutions

  • We successfully implemented a system that ensures precise real-time alignment between the dome and the telescope.
  • Using an AC VFD drive and induction motor, the dome now rotates with 0.2-degree accuracy.
  • The movement profile of the telescope, provided in an Excel sheet, is used to control the dome’s rotation, ensuring it stays perfectly aligned with the telescope during operation.
  • This solution eliminates the risk of misalignment and ensures unobstructed, accurate satellite or celestial tracking.

Hardware

  • PLC
  • VFD
  • Encoder
  • Control Panel

Software

  • Customized Scada System (Developed in NI Labview):The SCADA system software serves as a human interface.

Results

  • The dome accurately followed the telescope’s movement profile, as outlined in the provided Excel data, ensuring precise tracking of celestial objects without any interruptions.
  • The solution demonstrated reliable performance and improved operational efficiency, meeting all project requirements for accuracy and synchronization.

Gas Monitoring System

Project Summary

We implemented a Gas Monitoring System (GMS) designed to monitor gas flow and trigger alarms based on predefined thresholds.

The system is capable of creating four types of alarms—HH (High-High), HL (High-Low), LH (Low-High), and LL (Low-Low)—whenever gas flow exceeds or drops below the set values.

The system is available in two versions, supporting 4-channel and 8-channel configurations for monitoring multiple gas flows simultaneously.

Location

Signify Innovations India Limited, Kural Village, Padara-Jambusar Road

Sector

Lighting Industries

Project Year

2022

Platform

HMI + Control Panel + Gas Flow Meter

Challenges

This project was essential to ensure safe and efficient monitoring of gas flow within industrial environments.

Accurate detection of gas flow fluctuations is critical for maintaining operational safety, preventing equipment damage, and avoiding hazardous conditions.

A reliable monitoring system was needed to automatically track gas flow, trigger alarms in case of deviations, and provide operators with immediate notifications to take corrective actions.

Solutions

  • The Gas Monitoring System (GMS) was developed to continuously monitor gas flow and trigger alarms when flow rates deviate from the set values.
  • Four alarm types—HH, HL, LH, and LL—were programmed to detect both high and low gas flow conditions.
  • The system is available in two configurations, offering either 4-channel or 8-channel monitoring to meet different operational needs.
  • Additionally, the system ensures accurate tracking and quick alarm responses to ensure the safety and efficiency of gas operations.

Hardware

  • HMI
  • Energy Meter
  • Control Panel
  • Hooter

Software

    Results

    • The GMS has enhanced gas flow monitoring and improved safety by providing real-time alerts for abnormal gas flow conditions.
    • The accurate detection and timely alarm system have minimized risks, improved operational control, and ensured adherence to safety standards, making gas management more reliable and secure.

    DRIVER PACKING SYSTEM

    Project Summary

    Prior to the implementation of the system, there was no traceability for testing drivers and no recorded data for packing products.

    This system is essential to address these shortcomings and establish a comprehensive solution for tracking testing driver performance and recording packing product data.

    Location

    Signify Innovations India Limited, Kural Village, Padara-Jambusar Road

    Sector

    Lighting Industries

    Project Year

    2022-2023

    Platform

    SCADA System + HMI + PLC + Control Panel + QR Code Scanner

    Challenges

    Our project revolutionizes testing by consolidating HI-Power testing and three other crucial tests into a unified SCADA system.

    This innovative solution ensures continuous data logging, automatically rejecting drivers that fail any test.

    The system’s dynamic dashboard provides real-time insights, while a robust report generation feature allows in-depth analysis.

    This comprehensive approach enhances efficiency and accuracy in testing processes.

    The integration of these functionalities empowers the project to streamline operations, ensuring not only rejection of faulty drivers but also providing a detailed overview through data visualization and reports.

    This project marks a significant advancement in testing technology, offering a holistic solution for seamless and effective testing procedures.

    Solutions

    • The system facilitates the generation of testing and packing detail reports for comprehensive documentation.
      Rejecting failed drivers before packing ensures a higher product quality in the market, enhancing overall product integrity.
    • A user-friendly interface for an efficient operational experience.

    Hardware

    • HMI eX707
    • PLC Siemens
    • QR Code Scanner
    • Pneumatic System

    Software

    • Customized Scada System (Developed in NI Labview):The SCADA system software serves as a human interface, KPI Dashboard facility, logging data into a MySQL server for future use and facilitating report generation.

    Results

    • Reduce Find-Faulty-Driver Time: The system’s QR code tracing expedites product failed test, minimizing the time needed to identify and address faulty drivers, enhancing efficiency.
    • Improved Efficiency and Quality: Rejecting failed drivers before packing ensures a higher product quality in the market.
    • Modernized User Experience: The user-friendly interface facilitated a shorter learning curve and minimized operational errors.