US 11,722,211 B1
AOCS system to maintain planarity for space digital beam forming using carrier phase differential GPS, IMU and magnet torques on large space structures
Darren J. Zanon, Falls Church, VA (US); and Raymond J. Sedwick, University Park, MD (US)
Assigned to AST & Science, LLC, Midland, TX (US)
Filed by AST & Science, LLC, Miami, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/175,262.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/976,143, filed on Feb. 13, 2020.
Int. Cl. H04B 7/185 (2006.01); H04B 7/024 (2017.01); H01Q 3/30 (2006.01); H01Q 1/28 (2006.01); H04W 84/06 (2009.01)
CPC H04B 7/18513 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/288 (2013.01); H01Q 3/30 (2013.01); H04B 7/024 (2013.01); H04B 7/18534 (2013.01); H04W 84/06 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system comprising:
a plurality of structures each having a planar surface, the plurality of structures connected to form a structural array with a planar array surface;
a sensor coupled to one or more structures of the plurality of structures and configured to detect a position of the one or more structures of the plurality of structures;
a processing device configured to monitor structural displacement modes of the plurality of structures or the structural array and determine a correction; and
an actuator configured to receive the correction from the processing device and apply the correction to the plurality of structures or the structural array,
wherein the actuator is a magnetic torque rod configured to generate a local magnetic field against an Earth magnetic field and to apply torque to the plurality of structures or the structural array, and
wherein data corresponding to the applied torque is to be transmitted back to the processing device.