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KVH
Extreme Testing - KVH Satellite Antennas Take a Wild Ride.
Mikrolar Designs 12-Axis Satellite Antenna Testing Platform for KVH
KVH Industries produces mobile satellite antennas for land, sea, and air applications. From cargo ships in the North Sea, to storm chaser vehicles off-roading inland - the antennas must survive the ride, whatever it may be.
RP2000 in the Lab.
KVH has a dedicated testing facility in Middletown, Rhode Island, USA that is equipped with a Mikrolar RP2000 Hexapod. This custom 12-axis system combines elements from both our P and R-series. The six actuators provide the working volume of a Hexapod, while attaching them to a Nexen Ring gains the rotational capabilities of a Rotopod. This ensures that the antennas receive rigorous testing approximating realistic extreme conditions. Any satellite antenna mounted on top of the Hexapod is moved (quite violently) through all six degrees of freedom. KVH's fielded antennas must be capable of maintaining a lock on the satellite without any malfunctions due to vigorous or unexpected movement.
"The motion table simulates realistic sea motions like those experienced on yachts and commercial vessels during really bad weather," explains Brian Arthur, KVH's VP - Product Development. "It enables us to test our products at 30 degrees tilt and pitch and roll, at velocities up to 45 degrees/second, and at accelerations up to 120 degrees/second^2 at a 2-second period."
For TracPhone and TracVision antennas, a ride on the Hexapod in the KVH lab is a standard procedure during development - an important step in the process of ensuring maximum performance of the satellite antenna systems. If it is a KVH satellite antenna, it has survived this wild ride, ensuring great tracking for users at sea, on land, and in the air.
Brian Arthur - VP Product Development.
RP2000 Hexapod Motion Test.
RP2000 Hexapod Receiving Satellite TV.