THREE-AXIS PEDESTAL FOR A TRACKING ANTENNA

Antenna system comprising an antenna (33), a vertical support assembly (46), a cross-level frame assembly (47), an elevation frame assembly (49), an azimuth driver (51), a cross-level driver (53), an elevation driver (54), a motion platform assembly (56), and a control unit (67). The vertical support assembly, cross-level frame assembly, and elevation frame assembly are configured to movably support the antenna. The motion platform assembly is affixed to and movable with the elevation frame assembly. The motion platform assembly includes: a first angular rate sensor (60) configured to sense motion about a first axis, a second angular rate sensor (60') configured to sense motion about a second axis that is orthogonal to the first axis, a third angular rate sensor (60'') configured to sense motion about a third axis that is orthogonal to the first axis and the second axis, and one or more accelerometers (65,65'), wherein the one or more accelerometers are configured to determine a earth gravity vector. The control unit that is communicatively connected to the first angular rate sensor, the second angular rate sensor, the third angular rate sensor, and the one or more accelerometers, wherein the control unit is configured to determine a location relative to the earth gravity vector of at least one of the first axis, the second axis, and the third axis.