Positioning Systems

ARA’s positioning systems are based on a digital motion control architecture capable of achieving the most demanding system requirements. This architecture is flexible enough to be used in applications as diverse as Communication, EW, SIGINT and both Military and Commercial Radar systems. Recognizing the control system will never achieve its full potential without an equally precise mechanical system extreme importance is placed on every aspect of the mechanical design of ARA positioning systems.

The flexibility of the Motion Architecture is the result of careful engineering that intentionally set out to develop a completely digital, motion control architecture that would be suitable for the most demanding applications. The system is based around a Motorola microprocessor board that processes all User and Remote Commands running only C and C++ code, there is no Operating System, such as Windows or Linux to interfere with processing commands or data output streams.

 

The processed motion commands are sent to factory modified, COTS, digital motion control board and servo amplifiers that take advantage of the ever increasing capabilities of the industrial automation field. ARA has many years experience working with industry leading vendors in the servo motor and gear reduction fields. Depending on the application, our motion control architecture can utilize any type of motor, actuator and feedback device. For the most severe environments, ARA has developed a four axis Resolver to Digital interface that enables using rugged resolvers for both motor commutation and absolute position measurement. 

As stated the precision and ruggedness of the mechanical design is crucial in achieving system requirements and at ARA all mechanical design is performed by highly experienced engineers utilizing modern solid modeling and finite element analysis tools. ARA has extensive experience utilizing all types of servo motors, feedback devices and mechanical components. Component selection is based on sound engineering selecting the right high quality precision mechanical components for the application.  

Browsing through the individual products pages will provide details about ARA’s positioning systems and if more information is desired, please contact our Sales department.

The ARA, Inc. positioner product line is subdivided into the following categories:

Single Axis Antenna Positioners ► Azimuth Antenna Positioners ► Polarization Rotators
Two Axis Antenna Positioners ► Elevation over Azimuth Positioners (EAP and EAR series) ► Azimuth over Elevation (AEP series)
Antenna Positioners for Mast ► Azimuth Antenna Positioners (ARP Series)  ► Elevation over Azimuth Antenna Positioners (AEC Series)
Antenna Positioners Controllers ► General Motion Controllers ► Polarization Switch Controllers
Antenna Positioners Systems ► Reflector on EL/AZ Positioner ► Log Periodic or Horn on AZ Positioner