Changing the economics of space

Antenna Pointing Mechanism (APM)

Sales Brochure
Ref: ST#0159689-005, March 2013
 Introduction
18dBi (left) &
• The APM is low-cost mechanism designed to 15dBi (right)
complete the payload downlink chain. Currently X-APMs
the downlink chain utilises X-band.
• The X-APM currently employs a narrow-angle
horn antenna to focus the X-band RF energy into
a high-gain spot-beam.
• The 2-axis mechanism steers the horn antenna
to track the position of the Ground Station during
a pass to relay satellite payload data to the
ground.
• The agile mechanism is able to track the Ground
Station even if the satellite performs high-slew
rate manoeuvres.
• Two X-APM variants are currently available:
18dBi (Carbon Fibre horn) and 15dBi (Aluminium
horn).
• Two 15dBi X-APMs are used on NigeriaSat2
(SSTL-300, 2.5m resolution imager), launched in
August 2011, and operating perfectly.
• The 15dBi X-APM is baseline on 3 other SSTL
current projects: KAZ-MRES (SSTL-150),
NovaSAR, and the DMC-3 constellation (SSTL-
300-S1).
• The 18dBi X-APM is flying for the first time on
TechDemoSat-1 (TDS-1, SSTL-150 structure),
expected to launch in 2013 TDS-1 with
Commercial in Confidence 2 APM
18dBi
 Space Downlink Solution and Features
The APM enables low
transmitter power consumption
and reduced ground-station
dish size for comparable data
rates as conventional antenna

X-APM Features: X-Band Transmitter

– Cost effective and versatile (XTX) and X-APM

– Low mass and small volume

– Flight heritage (NigeriaSat-2
launched Aug ‘2011)
– ITAR-free design
– CAN or RS422 interface
– Detailed feedback, including
position, temperature, current
Commercial in Confidence 3
 System Benefits
• The use of SSTL's +18dBi APM is expected to yield an
improvement to the downlink Effective Isotropic
Radiated Power (EIRP) in the order of 13 to 17 dB,
compared to a common Isoflux antenna configuration.
• These figures take the APM's insertion losses into
account and assume a nadir pointing spacecraft.
• The exact improvement will depend on the required off-
nadir angle relative to the Ground Station during
operation.
• The increase in EIRP can be traded off against other
link budget parameters such as data rate, RF output
power, ground-station performance and link margin.

Commercial in Confidence 4
 Architecture
• The APM is modular, which
provides a highly versatile design
baseline
• The APM comprises the following
elements:
– X-Band antenna & RF Harness
– Elevation drive module
– Azimuth drive module
– Electronics module
– Associated brackets
joining the modules together
• The APM has 2 electrical interfaces:
– 50 Ohm RF SMA connector
– 15 way D-Type harness connector
Commercial in Confidence 5
 Architecture (cont)
• Each axis of rotation is an
independent module, each of Elevation
Axis
which comprises:
– Hybrid stepper motor with integral
planetary gearbox (actuator)
– Spur gear transmission (with anti-
backlash pinion)
– Precision angular contact bearings
– Magnetic encoder (datum and pulse)

• Mechanical and electrical end

stops are present

• A spiral wrap DC harness passes Azimuth

motor and telemetry channels Axis
through the Azimuth axis to the
Elevation axis Commercial in Confidence 6
 Architecture (cont)
• The RF connection is completed from the
mechanism interface to the X-band
antenna, through 2 axes of rotation, via
non-contact RF rotary joints
• The X-band horn antenna is mounted on a
Septum which sets the circular polarisation
of the RF signal (RH or LH), prior to the
horn focussing the energy
• S/C interface can be altered easily by using
a different interface plate between
mechanism and S/C
• S/C mounting plane
• The APM design includes novel geometrical
placement and the use of counterweights to
balance it about both axis. There is no
resultant out of balance force, and hence no
launch locks are needed, and the APM
does not move during launch: improving
cost and reliability. This means that the
APM can be mounted off-axis too
Commercial in Confidence 7
 The SSTL Approach and the X-APM
• Invest in a focussed design phase,
designing with large margins, whilst still
being mass-economical
• Some analysis is used to verify design
before committing to manufacture
• Rapid design cycle allows Engineering Finite element structural analysis
Models (EM) and thereafter Qualification
Models (QM) to be manufactured and
committed to thorough test campaigns
early, with rapid response to lessons
learnt
• Focus is placed on product flexibility and
adapting to future uses within the market
place. As a result the APM is modular,
and has large margins on structural
brackets, bearings and actuation torque EM APMs
• Modularity is demonstrated by the lower
axis of the EM APM being altered into a
low-power (300W) SADM, completing a
60,000 cycle life test
• ECSS directives are used as guidelines
through design rather than exclusively,
however, many aspects meet ECSS
specification through SSTL’s approach
Commercial in Confidence 8
QM APM SADM
 The SSTL Approach and the X-APM
• SSTL remains a pioneer in affordable small-satellite technologies, and one way this
is achieved is through employing Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) components
where applicable, whilst also offering high performance
• COTS suitability is assessed, to ensure high-reliability is retained
• Where COTS components are not directly suitable, SSTL works with suppliers or
performs in-house modifications to COTS components to achieve space-suitability,
whilst retaining cost-effectiveness
• APM examples of COTS technologies:

Commercial magnetic Commercial vacuum Commercial bearings Commercial electronic

sensors as position stepper motors (with lubricated in-house components on
encoders, and gears vibration modification) printed circuit boards
as transmission

• However, SSTL does also have experience with full ECSS-specification

developments and relationships with suitable suppliers, if there is requirement

Commercial in Confidence 9
X-APM Qualification Model Testing History
Functional & RF testing (pre-EVT)
Vibration test
(mission-
specific levels,
15grms X and
Thermal Y, 16.5grms Z,
vacuum see appendix)
life test:
28,500
cycles Functional & RF testing (post-EVT)

Extended life-test in
vacuum: additional
Vibration test 280,000cycles (no failure)
to higher
generic levels
(21grms for Ambient life test 74,000
15dBi, cycles to date (18dBi)
20grms for
18dBi, see Further vibration & life
appendix) Commercial in Confidence test activities planned…
10
 Qualification Specification
Parameter Achieved / Qualification Notes
Pointing accuracy <0.25 ° Measured during test.
Step size / resolution ≤0.024 ° (+/-110°Elevation range possible
for 18dBi axis depending upon S/C
Slew range Azimuth: ±270 °
accommodation)
Elevation: ±110 °
Slew rate ≤ 20.0 °/s SSTL missions typically drive at
1-2°/s, & 8°/s in extreme scenarios
Acceleration <5 °/s 2 Both axes
First Modal Freq >140 Hz To avoid S/C mode coupling
Random Vibration 21.2grms 15dBi X-APM See ICD for exact profiles
20.0grms 18dBi X-APM
Radiation The TID requirement at the Control electronics shielded by
PCA is <5krads(Si) mechanism and S/C panel. 3mm of
shielding provided by the
mechanism typically assumed
1mm from panel.
Encoder sensors above S/C
mounting plane qualified separately
– no degradation below 12.5krads
Commercial in Confidence 11
 Qualification Specification (cont)
Parameter Achieved / Qualification Notes
Life 7.5 years Electrical life
No. Qual Cycles >28,500 cycles (TVAC) + Large margin on SSTL mission
further >280,000 cycles requirements (typical SSTL in-orbit
(VAC only) usage equates to 16,000 cycles)
Survival -50°to +70°C Mechanics Proven via thermal vacuum life test
Temperature -30°to +60°C Electronics on QM APM

Operational -40 °to +60 °C Mechanics

Temperature -20 °to +50 °C Electronics
Micro-vibration Minimised – see following Through micro-stepping of stepper
slides motor driver and low speeds
Total mass 3.0 kg +/-5% for 15dBi. 3.25kg +/-5% for 18dBi
Power 3.9 W dynamic operation 1.3W static operation (5V powered
(28V and 5V powered) only), operating voltage 28+/-7V,
5+/-0.25V.

Commercial in Confidence 12
 Qualification Specification (cont)
Parameter Achieved / Qualification Notes
RF Frequency 8.0 – 8.5 GHz
RF Antenna Gain and >15dBiC bore-sight (3dB Measured at 8.2GHz
Beam-width beam-width 26°full cone)
>18dBiC bore-sight (3dB
beam-width 18°full cone)
Antenna Axial Ratio <3dB At bore-sight
RF Path Return Loss <-12dB Measured from S/C interface to
RF Path Insertion <-2dB horn antenna interface
Loss

• The 15dBi X-APM combined with the 6W XTX typically delivers

up to 160Mbps
• The 18dBi X-APM combined with the 12W XTX typically delivers
up to 400Mbps
• Enables ground station dish sizes to remain small and cost-effective
• Agile enough to enable near-real time imaging and downlink (i.e.
payload operation and downlink simultaneously)
Commercial in Confidence 13
 15dBi and 18dBi X-APM Micro-Vibration
• Typical measurements, hard-mounted, both axes rotating at 1°/s
• Key: Red: 18dBi APM Green: 15dBi APM
• APMs operating on NigeriaSat2 (2.5m resolution imager) show no
degradation to images (even at full speed)
• Micro-vibration from the APM is not expected to be a problem on sub 1
metre resolution imager spacecraft either (testing will prove this)

Forces in X, Y, Z Moments in X, Y, Z
Commercial in Confidence 14
15dBi X-APM Interface Control Drawing

Commercial in Confidence 15
X-APM Batch Build and Test (11 off)

Commercial in Confidence 16
 Motor nominal voltage 28V DC

APM Options Motor nominal phase

current
0.15A

Motor phase resistance 48Ω

• If required, SSTL will consider offering
Motor phase inductance 24mH
the APM in a variety of configurations:
– Different antenna Motor step resolution 200 steps/rev
(1.8°)
– Separate control Az gear ratio (motor 94.12 : 1
electronics module box shaft to output shaft)
– Without control El gear ratio (from motor 75.29 : 1
electronics to output shaft)
– Internal PCA Electronic Micro- 16 micro-steps /
stepping full step
redundancy (dual-
wound motors, Encoder channels 2 pulse
channels 90°
redundant encoders, out of phase, 1
electronics etc) datum channel
– Single axis solutions Encoder power supply / 5V DC
output
– Antenna only (without mechanism)
Encoder nominal current 20mA
– Alternative bi-axis alignment (not 90°)
Az Bearing Static Load 13.4kN
– Different feed and payload (e.g. Capacity
optical, C-band, S-band or L-band) El Bearing Static Load 4.55kN
– Inter-satellite links Capacity
Commercial in Confidence 17
Interface Data for current X-APM
Other Developments: Ka-Band
• SSTL is currently evolving its LEO X-APM into a LEO
Ka-band APM, to exploit the wider bandwidth for a
further increase in data throughput of up to 500Mbps
or even 1Gbps
• Ka-band transmitter development underway
• The Ka-APM product is likely to incorporate a low-
loss high-power capacity waveguide feed (instead of
coaxial)
• Rotary joint design and arrangement is currently
being reviewed
• It is likely that a Cassegrain reflector designed in-
house will be used to achieve the gain necessary
• The larger antenna and altered RF feed can be easily
incorporated into the existing mechanism, with minor
modification RF Frequency Band 25.5 – 27GHz
• The proven fundamental mechanism
components remain identical to the first- RF Antenna Gain >30dBi
generation X-APM, which is possible RF Power Handling <110W
through the design’s modular layout and Channels Single
generous design-margins Insertion Loss <1.8dB
• The Ka-APM development has potential Return Loss <-18dB
for use as an inter-satellite link (uplink and
downlink) in addition to pure data downlink Mass <5kg
Commercial in Confidence 18
 Other Developments
• GEO APM development also underway… watch this space!
– Targeting the low mass, compact and low cost sector

• Second batch of APMs (6 off) to be manufactured during 2013,

some for stock
– Perfect for small and agile satellites
– Indicative selling price for 15dBiC or 18dBiC X-APM: £165,000 per unit
(includes build, module test, thermal test (ambient pressure) and
vibration test)

SSTL-100 SSTL-150
Commercial in Confidence SSTL-300 19
 Changing the economics of space

Thank You

For further information,

please contact SSTL

© Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.

Tycho House, 20 Stephenson Road, Surrey Research Park, Guildford, Surrey, GU27YE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44(0)1483803803 | Fax:+44(0)1483803804 | Email: info@sstl.co.uk | Web:www.sstl.co.uk
 Appendix
• Mission-Specific Vibration Levels (15dBi)

– X and Y Axes:
14.97grms

– Z-Axis:
16.48grms

Commercial in Confidence 21
 Appendix
• 15dBi Generic Vibration Levels
– 21.2grms all axes

• 18dBi Generic Vibration Levels

– 20.0grms all axes

Commercial in Confidence 22