Dynamic Modelling of Ground Antennas – Galileo European GPS

The research group works on accurate and optimised static and dynamic models of large satellite ground antennas including the closed loop full motion control by integrating modern computation tools like INVENTOR, ANSYS, ADAMS and MATLAB/SIMULINK.

Jean-Regis Hadj-Minaglou

Dynamic modelling of mechatronic systems

Whenever complex mechanical systems are controlled or activated by electric or hydraulic devices, the interaction has to be described and modelled with sufficient precision, especially in high speed or high precision applications. The mechanical and the electrical part cannot be considered independently. Linearisation has to be applied carefully, although subparts can often be described by linear models.

Two research projects have been carried out at the University of Luxembourg during the last years, which illustrate this domain. An injection molding machine of HUSKY was modelled (PhD-thesis of Claude Hostert) with hydraulics, controls and a complex mechanic model to optimise its dynamic behaviour. Large finite element models were reduced and integrated as flexible bodies into a multiple body simulation. Secondly, a large ground antenna for the Gallileo-system of company HITEC (PhD-thesis of Laurent Breyer) was described with finite elements, reduced with Craig-Bampton method and integrated as flexible body into a MATLAB-simulation of the whole system, in order to guarantee an extreme tracking position of the antenna even in case of a heavy storm.

Stefan Maas