Session 1J: Designing an Affordable Mobile Tracking System for Communication with a Medium Earth Orbit Satellite

Session Number

Session 1J: 4th Presentation

Advisor(s)

Peter Dong, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy

Location

Room B108

Start Date

28-4-2017 8:30 AM

End Date

28-4-2017 9:45 AM

Abstract

We designed a tracking system to be used in maritime mobile satellite communications. Position is updated each second using a GPS antenna, and the initial design used a magnetometer for heading determination. However, when the mobile apparatus with the sensors was tested on a track, it was found that disturbances in the magnetic field caused inaccuracies of more than 30 degrees. The final design determines heading using movement detected by a GPS receiver and angular velocity from a gyroscope, and uses signal strength of the satellite received by the antenna to correct any errors from the sensors. Combined with telemetry data, the antenna can be realigned every second to ensure a stable connection. This system was then tested at the USEI Teleport in Brewster, WA to evaluate its performance in a simulated scenario.

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Apr 28th, 8:30 AM Apr 28th, 9:45 AM

Session 1J: Designing an Affordable Mobile Tracking System for Communication with a Medium Earth Orbit Satellite

Room B108

We designed a tracking system to be used in maritime mobile satellite communications. Position is updated each second using a GPS antenna, and the initial design used a magnetometer for heading determination. However, when the mobile apparatus with the sensors was tested on a track, it was found that disturbances in the magnetic field caused inaccuracies of more than 30 degrees. The final design determines heading using movement detected by a GPS receiver and angular velocity from a gyroscope, and uses signal strength of the satellite received by the antenna to correct any errors from the sensors. Combined with telemetry data, the antenna can be realigned every second to ensure a stable connection. This system was then tested at the USEI Teleport in Brewster, WA to evaluate its performance in a simulated scenario.