PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
The HITEC Antenna Control Unit (ACU) project aims at developing a Step Track and a Monopulse capable ACU version, based on HITEC’s existing Program Track ACU.
The ACU provides the user interface in a Ground Station antenna by communicating with the antenna control system and calculating the correct aiming of the antenna, based on different types of information (e.g. TLE, signal strength).
The main benefits of the ACU developed by HITEC are the software based and modular design, able to run on COTS hardware platforms. This means a more future-proof solution for:
- Easier installation,
- Better fine-tuning,
- More efficient use, also as a refurbishment system,
- Easier maintenance, and
- Better scalability.
as compared to ACUs based on specific hardware with build-in software.
The ACU provides the user interface in a Ground Station antenna by communicating with the antenna control system and calculating the correct aiming of the antenna, based on different types of information (e.g. TLE, signal strength).
The project is based on a phased approach:
- Phase I: Program Track (i.e. pointing to given coordinates). This phase has already been completed outside the ARTES 3-4 project and is the starting point of the product development.
- Phase II, Step Track (i.e. searching for the signal maximum around the supposed target position).
- Phase III, Monopulse (i.e. performing a simultaneous comparison of received signal lobes to determine the angular location of a source of radiation).
Development Phases
Challenges
Key issues addressed in this project:
- Development of a state of the art Scan, Step Track and Monopulse algorithm,
- Development of advanced adaptive tracking algorithms,
- Development of extensive error correction capabilities,
- Implementation of a software-based approach making the system independent of specific hardware,
- Design for flexibility, modularity and user-friendliness.
Plan
The development of the Step Track and Monopulse capable versions of the ACU is based on the heritage of a successfully completed first Program Track capable ACU version implemented in an antenna for the Galileo project.
The first step of the project includes a requirement analysis based on a detailed product benchmarking and interviews with the customer community.
The second step aims at developing the preliminary design for both, Step Track and Monopulse ACU versions.
Subsequently, HITEC takes a staged development approach to reduce time-to-market and to maximise synergies in the development of both ACU versions:
- Based on the preliminary design, the Step Track version is designed, implemented and validated. Market introduction is scheduled for August 2011.
- At finalisation of the Step track detailed design, the Monopulse version is designed, implemented and validated. Market introduction is scheduled for November 2011.
Current Status
WP2000: Product requirement analysis is complete and the results have been integrated in the Business Plan and provided input to the Technical Specifications.
WP3100: Technical Specifications are complete and all the specifications are frozen.
WP3200: Preliminary Design of the Step Track as well as the Monopulse version is completed.
WP4100: Detailed Design of the Step Track algorithm as well as detailed design of the ACU client and simulator applications is completed and Test Plan and Procedures have been written.
WP4200: Implementation of the Step Track software algorithm is in progress.
WP5100: Detailed design of the Monopulse algorithm is completed and Test Plan and Procedures have been written.
All hardware for Step track and Monopulse validation have been ordered and the hardware configuration for testing has been confirmed.