Improved step tracking algorithm based on gradient method

The basic principle of the satcom on the move antenna is to detect the error angle between the antenna beam pointing and the satellite direction according to the received satellite signal, and convert it into the corresponding error electrical signal. The controller uses the error electrical signal to control the antenna to make the antenna move in the direction where the error signal decreases. The tracking accuracy of traditional step tracking is not high, and the response speed is very slow, and the signal amplitude fluctuation affects the tracking accuracy. Since the gain graph of the antenna can be regarded as a non-linear stepped objective function, an improved step tracking algorithm based on the gradient method is proposed, which combines the step tracking with the optimization algorithm to achieve precise tracking. The algorithm optimizes the antenna gain pattern as the objective function to find the azimuth and elevation coordinates corresponding to the maximum point of the antenna gain function. The gain function maximization is transformed into the objective function minimization problem, and the minimum value of the objective function is found through the optimization algorithm, which corresponds to the direction of the antenna when the satellite is accurately aligned. The gradient method is selected for optimization, which is stable as a whole and simple iterative process. Theoretical analysis and simulation results show that the algorithm can obtain higher tracking accuracy while maintaining a lower program complexity.