Design and Construction of a Two-Axis Angle Control Testbed with a Hardware-in-the-Loop Approach

Precise calibration of attitude determination sensors prior to deployment necessitates advanced platforms with two or three degrees of freedom that ensure high accuracy and real-time monitoring capabilities. In response to this requirement, a two-degree-of-freedom testbed has been designed and implemented to enable thorough functional evaluation of sensors and systems before their deployment phase and to offer real-time tracking of platform dynamics and sensor responses. The system is composed of two primary subsystems: a mechanical framework and an electronics subsystem. The mechanical framework is engineered with high precision to mitigate misalignments and ensure accurate component placement, including a reaction wheel that enhances control system efficiency. The electronics subsystem incorporates key elements such as batteries, actuators, communication interfaces, and control boards, enabling seamless and efficient operation. A PID controller has been employed to achieve precise and stable control of the platform. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that the system achieves angular accuracy of 0.11° in the pitch axis and 0.20° in the yaw axis. These findings underscore the platform’s efficacy as a reliable tool for pre-deployment calibration and performance testing of attitude determination sensors and establish its foundation as a versatile hardware-in-the-loop platform for detailed sensor performance evaluations.