Motion Simulation Testing Concept
A motion platform simulator is a mechanism that creates the feelings of being in a real motion environment. In a simulator, the movement is synchronized with a visual display of the outside world scene.
An important feature of a motion platform simulator consists of its degrees of freedom (DOF), the number and types of moves that an object can make inside a given space. What helps to define the DOF of a given tool are its translation and rotation parameters. More precisely, a body is free to translate in 3 degrees of freedom when it moves along the X, Y, and Z axes. These are known as heave, surge, and sway.
6 degree of freedom
However, a body can also rotate with 3 degrees of freedom when it turns in order to face a different axis and these are pitch, yaw, and roll.
Most commonly known cases in real-life are those of objects with 6DOF. The Six-Degree-Of-Freedom motion systems provide simultaneous multiaxial measurements. Cross coupling compensation minimizes possible errors caused by off axis loading.
Among these, the easiest to understand ones are of an airplane, a bird or a naval ship.
6DOF - Vessel/Navel Ship
Cars also experience pitch, roll, and yaw, but the amounts are relatively small and are usually the result of the suspension reacting to turns, accelerations, and road conditions.
Test methods
Rate Table & Motion Simulator
The motion systems support the development, evaluation and testing of inertial navigation devices and guidance systems for both commercial and defence industries.
The motion simulation rate tables are used to simulate the roll, pitch and yaw motion in the laboratory. This helps in accelerating the time to market for new products and lower overall research and development costs. They are also used to calibrate and test inertial systems and packages that are sensitive to motion in multiple axis.
Rate Table with Testing Chambers
The rate tables can also be combined with environmental testing chambers, cooled and heated by supplied air flow, or by mechanical refrigeration. Being equipped with a climatic test chamber, the unit under test can be exposed to high or low temperature extremes. Cooling is accomplished by either mechanical or LN2 refrigeration and heating is provided by resistive heating elements.
Missile avionics testing via Motion Simulation
The use of HardWare-In-The-Loop (HWIL) simulators during development of missiles can help reduce time and cost, by minimizing the number of field trials required. These simulators can be also used to test Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Attitude Heading Reference Systems (AHRS), flight control systems, Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) and platform stabilization devices.
What is HardWare-In-the-loop testing (HWL)
It is used in the development and /or production of missiles and smart munitions. The control loop of the simulation comprises a missile and the flight motion simulator moving the missile as well a target combined with a target motion system.
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