Design of an Auto-pointing System for a Geostationary Earth Orbit Application
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Product development (MPPDE), MSc
Publicerad
2023
Författare
Jarnestål, Eric
Staf, Staffan
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
This report documents a masters thesis in which a systematic product development
process was applied to create an auto-pointing subsystem for a satellite internet
user terminal. The current product of Satcube AB is a manually operated termi nal, hence the need for an automated alternative. The aim of the project was to
explore the undiscovered solution space of minimally actuated, automated antenna
pointers. The sub-system should only utilise two actuators for the antenna’s three
axes of rotation requiring a state-of-the art design. Furthermore, to be inline with
Satcubes product portfolio and the market trend, the product should be compact
and light weight to ensure high portability.
From conceptualisation to detailed design, an agile prototyping approach was imple mented with additions of rapid prototyping, mainly with 3D-printers, which proved
to be important. The design process progressed in iterative cycles which provided
rapidly produced prototypes at the end of each cycle, this made sure the project
moved in the right direction. Since the surfaced challenges largely were related to
complex mechanisms with several constituent parts, iterative development of the in dividual components provided results at a smaller scale, from which improvements
could be made to the product as a whole. With the inclusion of rapid prototyping
during the final design phase, quick design choices could be made and this ensured
the best possible outcome.
The thesis presents a detailed account of the process, which includes the challenges
faced and solutions adopted. The resulting auto-pointer prototype confirms the hy pothesis and demonstrates the feasibility of the two actuator concept. The final
prototype is able to rotate the azimuth, polarisation and elevation with only two
actuators. It does this by utilising a clutch mechanism between azimuth and polar isation which disengages after the antenna has been elevated enabling the azimuth
to be rotated individually. However, it is important to notice that since the purpose
of the prototype was to prove the clutch as a concept, further development of the
auto-pointer is needed for a final product to emerge. However, the prototype pro vides a reliable foundation for future work in this area. Overall, the thesis highlights
the importance of a systematic product development approach in tackling complex
engineering problems.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
auto-pointer, GEO satellites, antenna alignment, product development, agile prototyping, rapid prototyping