Vehicle having antenna positioner adjusted for timing latency and associated methods

An antenna positioning system for a vehicle comprising a vehicle platform, an antenna positioner configured to position an antenna relative to the vehicle platform, and an inertial navigation system (INS) associated with the vehicle platform and configured to generate INS output data;

• the antenna positioning system comprising:
• an inertial measurement unit (IMU) associated with the antenna positioner and configured to generate IMU output data having a timing latency difference relative to the INS output data;
• and
• a controller configured to control the antenna positioner based upon the INS output data and the IMU output data adjusted for the timing latency therebetween.

A laser pointing system for a vehicle platform comprising a pointing device configured to point a laser relative to the vehicle platform, and an inertial navigation system (INS) associated with the vehicle platform and configured to generate INS output data;

• the laser positioning system comprising:
• an inertial measurement unit (IMU) associated with the pointing device and configured to generate IMU output data having a timing latency difference relative to the INS output data;
• and
• a controller configured to control the pointing device based upon the INS output data and the IMU output data adjusted for the timing latency therebetween.

A method for positioning an antenna for a vehicle comprising a vehicle platform, an antenna positioner configured to position the antenna relative to the vehicle platform, and an inertial navigation system (INS) associated with the vehicle platform and configured to generate INS output data;

• the method comprising:
• operating an inertial measurement unit (IMU) associated with the antenna positioner to generate IMU output data having a timing latency difference relative to the INS output data;
• and
• operating a controller to control the antenna positioner based upon the INS output data and the IMU output data adjusted for the timing latency therebetween.