Precision Machining & Inspection Procedure Established for Achieving a High Order Orthogonality for Elevation Module of a High Precision Tracking Antenna

The important parameter for precision tracking radar mount is the requirement of very high pointing accuracy. The overall mechanical pointing accuracy aimed is of 13 arc-seconds. The major subsystems of radar mount hardware are azimuth housing, elevation module, yoke arms & intermediate frame. Non orthogonality or the deviation in perpendicularity between the azimuth and Elevation axis is one of the major contributing factor for the pointing accuracy. The detailed machining process, inspection during machining, limiting factors and subsequent inspection of critical parameters of mount are worked out for various stages for achieving a high order orthogonality. The elevation module houses an azimuth slewing ring bearing (SRB) in the vertical axis and two elevation slewing ring bearings on the horizontal axis. The non orthogonality error is contributed by the concentricity and co planarity of the two elevation bearing axis with respect to the vertical bearing axis.