High Precision Antenna Pointing

Skytech Research relies on VectorNav’s VN-200 GNSS-Aided Inertial Navigation System (GNSS/INS) for critical position and attitude data to minimize antenna pointing error for their Satcom On The Move (SOTM) terminals.

Uptime and bandwidth are the critical performance metrics for Satcom On The Move (SOTM) systems and relate to the ability of the system to efficiently transmit and receive large amounts of data. To ensure a high percentage of uptime, it is necessary that the SOTM terminal is pointed directly at the target satellite. To maximize bandwidth, the antenna pointing error must be less than +/-0.2 degrees in order to maximize transmission power and remain within regulatory requirements as stated in the FCC VehicleMounted Earth Station (VMES) rules. Maintaining accurate pointing for SOTM terminals is a significant challenge due to the need to measure and compensate for a wide range of platform dynamics, such as those experienced by land, marine, or aerial vehicles. Skytech Research required a small, durable, and reliable inertial navigation system that could be integrated into their full range of terminals in order to provide precise positioning and attitude data under all operating conditions.