SATCOM on-the-Move Antenna Tracking Survey

Abstract

This paper reviews recent approaches of satellite communication (SATCOM) antenna tracking from a mobile object. Precise tracking of a SATCOM antenna is a key factor to establish efficient communication link between satellite and ground with minimum amount of data loss due to misalignment. To meet this need, antenna positioning system (APS) with high accuracy is required to provide inertially stabilized platform (ISP) for efficient antenna pointing. Some important factors need to be taken into account, such as location of satellite with respect to receiving antenna fixed on ground object, dynamics of the ground object, and weather condition effect with respect to used frequencies.Here, main antenna positioning system (APS) components, satellite tracking methodology and recent tracking techniques are reviewed.