Finite element analysis of GPS based vehicle tracking system with enclosure for dynamic assessment

This paper introduces vibration effects on the GPS based Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) to be used in stringent environment like ground based wheeled vehicles in Military applications. This paper also gives a brief idea of failures due to vibration and benefits of the vibration test method. The geometrical model for HE-30 Enclosure with GPS VTS board has been prepared using CATIA software and simulated for stress level analysis using ANSYS Software. ANSYS uses the Finite Element Analysis tool to simulate the natural frequencies and the stress level. The results were obtained through simulation of HE-30 Enclosure with and without shock mounts. These stress levels were compared with the Ultimate Tensile Strength to find out, whether this Enclosure would sustain the applied vibrations. The simulation results have indicated that the maximum stress level of 30.8 MPa for Enclosure without shock mounts has been reduced to 50 KPa for Enclosure with shock mounts. Also, the maximum stress level observed for HE-30 Enclosure, with and without shock mounts is much below the Ultimate Tensile Strength of 310 MPa. HE-30 Enclosure meets the compatibility requirements with JSS-55555 / MIL 810 E standards. The actual vibration test was conducted on GPS VTS board with HE-30 Enclosure. Functional test results were found to be satisfactory and no mechanical damage was observed in the system.