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.
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.
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.