The perfomance of groundbase mobile platform for C-Band Microwave Scatterrometer System
H.Aziz, N.N.Mahmood, A.Ali, H.Jamil, K.A.Mahmood, Z.Ahmad, N.Ibrahim
Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing,
No. 13, Jalan Tun Ismail, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel : 03-26966926 Fax : 03-26973360
Email: halim@macres.gov.my
P.V.Brevern, H.T.Chuah V.C.Koo, L.K.Sing
Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Multimedia University
Jalan Ayer Keroh Lama, 75450 Melaka, Malaysia
Tel : +606-252 3004 Fax : +606-231 6552
Email: pv.brevern@mmu.edu.my
Abstract The procurement of a mobile microwave scatterometer platform involved the consid-eration
to ensure a mobile platform and equipment selected full-filled technical requirement and
safety standard in Malaysia. Designing, and modification works involved engineering method-ology
in determining and selecting a suitable hydraulic telescopic boom that suit a selected
mobile platform available locally. The mobile platform is a delivery system for microwave re-mote
sensing microwave scatterometer and other accessories to any locations in Malaysia. Total
loading to be carried by the mobile platform is 4500 kg and its overall weight must be 16,000 kg
as recommended by hydraulic telescopic boom manufacturers. The telescopic boom will elevate
microwave scatterometer system including the antenna to a maximum height of 27 m, and can
also be rotated through 360 o . A mechanism is incorporated in the system to enable tracking or
monitoring angular movement of the hydraulic telescopic boom when positioned towards prede-termined
target.
Introduction
This is a joint venture project between Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES) and
Multimedia University (MMU) The project is an effort by MACRES to strengthen Malaysia’s
capability in fundamental microwave remote sensing. MMU with its excellent electronic per-sonnels
were given the task to build microwave scatterometer system while MACRES was
given an electromechanical task to design a mobile platform that will render ground base re-mote
sensing scatterometer system mobility.
MACRES team was also involved in the procurement contract besides designing mobile plat-form
and other mechanical system including mechanism for antenna mounting that will elevate
the scatterometer system 27 m above ground level. Understanding the material properties of
aluminium plates and brackets and tensile properties of mild steel fasteners material for bolt
and nuts were necessary in designing antenna mounting for the antenna. Optical encoder, to de-tect
antenna inclination angle was also incorporated into the system.
The scope of the work is to design and making mobile platform and equipment selection and
finally execute modification work to make it suitable to house work cabin, telescopic boom,
microwave remote sensing scatterometer system, diesel generator for the system power re-quirement.
Concealed type diesel power generator was selected for its low noise and low vibra-tion
factor. Telescopic boom selected must be able to deliver microwave system to a height determined by the researchers and can be positioned towards required direction by computer sig-nal
from the work cabin. Material for boom construction must be of the type that produce
minimum deflection and vibration under wind induced forced and under its own weight. Suit-able
room air-conditioning system to ensure equipment and system long life span and conducive
working environment.
