Patent ID: 6513758
Filing Date: 2003-02-04
Classification: B64G,G05D,H01Q,H04B

Abstract:
A method of controlling a position of a movable appendage for an aerospace vehicle having beam forming capability, said method comprising the steps of:generating a first downlink beacon with said beam forming capability; sending said first downlink beacon from said movable appendage to a first beacon tracking site on the ground; generating a second downlink beacon with said beam forming capability; sending said second downlink beacon from said movable appendage to a second beacon tracking site on the ground, said second beacon tracking site being spaced a predetermined distance from said first beacon tracking site; extracting actual position information of said movable appendage from said first and second downlink beacons; sending said actual position information to a processor; calculating an error between said actual position of said movable appendage and a desired position of said movable appendage; determining a command necessary to null said error; and sending said command to said movable appendage to move said actual position of said movable appendage to said desired position.