Remote Sensing Autotracking Antenna System: Ushering in a New Era of Wireless Signal Tracking
The purpose of the remote sensing autotracking antenna system is to track and receive remote sensing signals transmitted by flight targets within line-of-sight range, and to output left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized RF signals to the remote sensing receiver, enabling the demodulation and reception of remote sensing data.
The system is composed of eight subsystems: the Antenna Subsystem, Channel Subsystem, Tracking Subsystem, Servo Control Subsystem, Power Supply Subsystem, Structure Subsystem, Supporting Subsystem, and Antenna Control Subsystem. Its block diagram is as follows:
Antenna Composition
• Antenna Subsystem
The antenna subsystem consists of the antenna reflector, sum-and-difference network, and autotracking components. Its primary function is to receive wireless remote sensing signals and output left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized RF signals.
• Channel Subsystem
The channel subsystem is composed of LNAs, cavity filters, AGCAs, and power dividers. It amplifies the received RF signals and distributes the power to both the autotracking receiver and the remote sensing receiver. The use of AGCA is designed to improve the system’s dynamic range.
• Tracking Subsystem
This subsystem includes the tracking receiver and the integrated navigation system. The tracking receiver calculates azimuth and elevation error voltages, providing them to the servo controller for automatic signal tracking. The integrated navigation unit provides real-time antenna position and attitude data to the servo controller, offering a stable platform for antenna autotracking and GNSS-guided tracking.
• Servo Control Subsystem
The servo control subsystem consists of the servo controller, servo motors, drivers, photoelectric encoders, and electrical limit switches. The servo controller connects to the upper computer via a network to receive remote control commands; simultaneously, it receives data from the tracking receiver and integrated navigation unit through serial ports, enabling precise control of antenna azimuth and elevation movements, and ensuring accurate antenna pointing and tracking.
Core Subsystem
• Power Supply Subsystem
This subsystem includes fuses, a 220VAC power filter module, and power modules. It converts 220VAC input into 48VDC and 12VDC outputs. The 48VDC supplies the servo DC motors, while the 12VDC powers the rest of the system. The power filter module ensures EMC compliance under complex power environments.
• Structure Subsystem
The structure subsystem includes the A/E mount chassis, azimuth turntable, and high-frequency slip ring. The mount adopts a two-axis design (azimuth and elevation) and utilizes an RF slip ring to enable unlimited 360° azimuth rotation.
• Supporting Subsystem
The supporting subsystem provides essential accessories and auxiliary functions:
Monitoring cameras for close-range observation of tracking targets and effects;
Antenna bases and mounts for portable installation;
Heaters and temperature sensors for maintaining proper cabinet temperature;
Packaging boxes, cables, and tools to ensure reliable operation.
• Antenna Control Subsystem
This subsystem consists of a network switch and human–machine interface (HMI) components. The HMI, installed on an external computer, manages internal and external data exchange, enabling network-based remote control and antenna status monitoring.
Supporting control software allows operators to configure frequency parameters, motion parameters, and tracking modes, while monitoring system status.
System Workflow
The Remote Sensing autotracking antenna system operates as follows:
Remote Sensing Autotracking Antenna Workflow
The antenna reflector receives remote sensing signals, which the sum-and-difference network converts into ∑, azimuth-difference, and elevation-difference signals. The autotracking component transforms these into single-channel monopulse left-hand and right-hand circularly polarized signals.
The RF channel filters and amplifies these signals, distributing power to both the autotracking receiver and the remote sensing receiver. The servo controller receives error voltages from the autotracking receiver to drive servo motors for autotracking. It can also receive commands from the control computer to execute guided tracking.
The structural design is divided into three parts: the antenna reflector, rotating chassis, and fixed chassis.
The antenna reflector is connected to the rotating chassis via an elevation motor (range: –3° to +90°).
RF cables pass through a hollow shaft with support bearings.
The rotating chassis connects to the fixed chassis via an azimuth motor, with unlimited 0°–360° rotation enabled by a high-frequency slip ring and collector ring.
The remote sensing receiver can be integrated into the antenna’s chassis, providing a network interface for direct connection with external devices. The system can output left-hand and right-hand signals to an external Remote Sensing receiver if required.
Antenna Output Signal
Key Features
Servo Drive: Capable of accurately steering the antenna toward flight targets using servo mechanisms.
Multiple Tracking Modes: Supports automatic tracking, GPS/BeiDou guided tracking, programmed tracking, manual tracking, manual positioning, auto search, and memory tracking.
Automatic Tracking: Based on azimuth and elevation error data from the tracking receiver.
GPS/BeiDou Guided Tracking: Uses positioning data (longitude, latitude, altitude) of the target, combined with antenna position and heading data, for pointing calculation and control.
Programmed Tracking: Executes antenna motion according to preset trajectory data.
Manual Tracking: Controlled via mouse or joystick; operators can manually adjust pointing and tracking speed.
Manual Positioning: Positions the antenna precisely using stored or input pointing data.
Automatic Search: Conducts sector scan searches within preset ranges and step sizes, automatically capturing signals within 30 seconds.
Memory Tracking: If the target signal is lost, the antenna continues tracking for 10 seconds based on prior trajectory. Two modes are available: inertial tracking and fixed pointing.
Integrated Navigation: Dual-antenna GPS/BeiDou MEMS system for autonomous positioning, orientation, and attitude measurement, suitable for mobile platforms.
Standby Mode: Remote-controlled standby mode, with the antenna pointing upward by default after power-on.
Remote Control: Equipped with an RJ45 gigabit interface, allowing parameter setting, control, and monitoring via antenna control software.
Logging: Supports automatic recording of tracking trajectories and operational logs, including real-time azimuth and elevation angle output.
Ease of Use: Simple installation, maintenance, and operation with user-friendly interfaces.
Accessory Kit: Includes RF cables, control network cables, power cables, antenna mount, and base.
Conclusion
This article introduced the core composition, workflow, and key features of the Remote Sensing autotracking antenna system. With its versatile tracking modes—such as automatic tracking, GPS/BeiDou guided tracking, and memory tracking—the system offers excellent adaptability and reliability in complex, dynamic environments.
As a critical component of remote sensing technology, the system can also be applied in other wireless communication tracking scenarios, providing robust technical support for Remote Sensing missions of satellites.
