Development of a motion platform for the G1X radar

Sammanfattning: The Giraffe 1X is a mobile short range 3D radar from Saab used for example to detect threats and create protection in a ground based air defence system. It can also be used on naval platforms for air and surface surveillance. During the development of the radar, the system needs to be tested for both sea and mobile land applications. The most convenient place for testing is on the roof of Saab’s facility in Gothenburg. There elevators can raise the radar to the roof giving an excellent view of for example Landvetter airport and the sea. To aid future verification experiments of the radar system, this project was started in order to develop and construct a motion platform used to simulate sea- and vehicle motions. During a six month period at Saab, the work of the project was started with a thorough research of motions platforms to conduct preliminary concept studies. Furthermore the concepts were drawn as 3D-CAD models in Creo Parametric in order to visualise the different solutions and present them for suppliers. The report also covers the assembly of the produced parts, together with the development of a user interface to control the motion platform. Lastly, the result of product development is a two-degree of freedom (DOF) motion platform influenced by the gyroscopic gimbal concept. The G1X radar is mounted on a gimbal platform which is made out of two aluminium frames, whereas the outer frame rotates around an horizontal axis while the inner frame rotates around a transversely mounted horizontal axis mounted on the outer frame. Each aluminium frame is attached to a link arm which is mounted on a motor that is used to tilt the frame. The platform can be tilted _ 22 o in pitch and _ 22 o in roll. The gimbal is supported by a steel structure to allow ground clearance and to raise the radar to a comfortable working height.