In satellite communications, radio signals typically transmitted by a ground antenna pointed at space are relayed by satellites orbiting high above our atmosphere and received in locations across the globe back on earth. A rise in applications taking advantage of the low cost and high signal bandwidth availability of LEO satellite constellations are shaping the demands of antenna pointing systems.
Satcom-at-sea devices, automated APSs (Antenna Pointing Systems), are compact and lightweight pointing systems mounted into VSATs (Very Small Aperture Terminals) aboard maritime vessels. When placed in wet environments, such systems are susceptible to motion induced antenna pointing errors, and require stabilized control of servo driven azimuth and elevation axes.