Mathematical modeling and dynamic characteristic analysis of a novel parallel tracking mechanism for inter-satellite link antenna

Abstract Inter-satellite link antenna tracking mechanism is an important enabling component of relay satellite for continuous real-time tracking of medium and low orbit target spacecraft. Facing the major demand of advanced technology development in aerospace engineering, this paper mainly tackles the problem on the rigid-flexible coupling dynamic modeling and dynamic characteristics analysis of a novel parallel tracking mechanism. Firstly, adopting a novel shape function of three-dimensional isoparametric beam element with curvature, the elasto-dynamic model is derived with floating coordinate method and Lagrangian equation. Then the natural frequencies of the system are investigated and ANSYS software is utilized to verify the model. An efficient numerical solution strategy consisting of the implicit integration algorithm and Baumgarte stabilization technology is employed to precisely evaluate the dynamic response of the system. Meanwhile, trajectory planning is carried out for high tracking precision. Furthermore, the validity of the numerical results of dynamic response is illustrated by simulations with the ADAMS software. Finally, the natural frequency sensitivity analysis is implemented by direct differential method with a novel sensitivity index to identify the structure weakness of the mechanism. A novel design idea for the cross-sectional parameters of each flexible beam is proposed with the sensitivity index. Above mentioned research results enrich the basic theoretical researches of parallel mechanism and lay a theoretical foundation for the practical application of tracking mechanism.