Modeling and design of a novel precision tilt positioning mechanism for inter-satellite optical communication

The compact precise tilt positioning mechanism (PTPM) determines the performance of inter-satellite optical communication systems. This paper presents a novel structural design of a PTPM in which the tilt movement is implemented by the elastic deformation of a flexure ring. The flexure ring promises zero friction and zero clearance. The stiffness model of the flexible ring was built based on an analysis of the structural mechanics. Then a dynamic model is presented based on the Lagrange equation. A modal analysis and an experimental investigation were performed. The error between the three methods is less than 10%