A new method for determining coordinates of the space TT&C radar rotation center based on GNSS

Abstract

The coordinate determination of the rotation center of a space TT&C (Telemetry, Tracking and Command) radar is an important task of radar-calibration. The conventional method mostly using total stations is expensive, inefficient, and faces technological limitations. This paper presents a new method of measuring the rotation center coordinates of TT&C radar equipment using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) high precision positioning technology, providing the principle, mathematical model, and data processing algorithm of the new method. According to the exclusively-designed scheme, the new method has been fully tested and validated from both simulation & real-scene radar test. The test result and comparison show that the new method requires fewer equipment, fewer participants, and shorter working hours, with 60% efficiency improvement, compared to the traditional method. The accuracy of the new method could reach millimeter level, with 45% accuracy improvement over the traditional method. In summary, the results show that the new method not only offers higher efficiency and lower cost, but also expands the application method and scene of high-precise GNSS positioning in signal-challenging environment.