Patents by Inventor DOUGLAS J MERRELL
DOUGLAS J MERRELL has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240187045Abstract: A method for pointing an antenna can include positioning, by a positioner, a beam of an antenna mounted on a vehicle to an initial angular position towards a target satellite based on an initial pointing direction for the antenna, the initial pointing direction being defined in a fixed reference plane and communicating, from the antenna, a signal with the target satellite, wherein the positioner controls an orientation of a pedestal of the antenna. The method also includes, executing, by an antenna control unit (ACU), an offset compensation operation of the antenna. The offset correction operation can include adjusting a pointing direction of the antenna to a plurality of angular positions and selecting a scan offset angle based on measured signal metrics for the plurality of angular positions. The method can include calculating a yaw compensation of the antenna based on the initial pointing direction and on a yaw pointing direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2023Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Patent number: 11909468Abstract: A method for pointing an antenna can include positioning, by a positioner, a beam of an antenna mounted on a vehicle to an initial angular position towards a target satellite based on an initial pointing direction for the antenna, the initial pointing direction being defined in a fixed reference plane and communicating, from the antenna, a signal with the target satellite, wherein the positioner controls an orientation of a pedestal of the antenna. The method also includes, executing, by an antenna control unit (ACU), an offset compensation operation of the antenna. The offset correction operation can include adjusting a pointing direction of the antenna to a plurality of angular positions and selecting a scan offset angle based on measured signal metrics for the plurality of angular positions. The method can include calculating a yaw compensation of the antenna based on the initial pointing direction and on a yaw pointing direction.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2020Date of Patent: February 20, 2024Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Publication number: 20220416846Abstract: A method for pointing an antenna can include positioning, by a positioner, a beam of an antenna mounted on a vehicle to an initial angular position towards a target satellite based on an initial pointing direction for the antenna, the initial pointing direction being defined in a fixed reference plane and communicating, from the antenna, a signal with the target satellite, wherein the positioner controls an orientation of a pedestal of the antenna. The method also includes, executing, by an antenna control unit (ACU), an offset compensation operation of the antenna. The offset correction operation can include adjusting a pointing direction of the antenna to a plurality of angular positions and selecting a scan offset angle based on measured signal metrics for the plurality of angular positions. The method can include calculating a yaw compensation of the antenna based on the initial pointing direction and on a yaw pointing direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2020Publication date: December 29, 2022Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Patent number: 10812179Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing mispointing correction operations that can provide accurate pointing of an antenna towards a satellite, while also satisfying interference requirements with other satellites. As a result, the mispointing correction operations described herein can improve resource efficiency of communication systems using such antennas and help ensure compliance with interference requirements of other satellites.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventors: James E. Petranovich, Bradley H. Smith, Eric L. Cross, Douglas J. Merrell, Samuel C. Finney
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Patent number: 10756413Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting dynamic antenna platform offset calibration for an antenna system mounted to a mobile vehicle. In particular, dynamic antenna platform offset calibration can be performed while communicating user data associated with the mobile vehicle (e.g., based at least in part on alignment calibration procedures including measurements of user data signals), with an antenna platform offset being updated when alignment calibration procedures have been performed at suitably separated spatial conditions. Accordingly, antenna platform offset calibration may be performed throughout the operation of the mobile vehicle without requiring that the vehicle be proactively aligned in a particular orientation for a dedicated calibration routine prior to using the antenna for communicating user data during normal operation of the mobile vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: August 22, 2019Date of Patent: August 25, 2020Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Publication number: 20200052365Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting dynamic antenna platform offset calibration for an antenna system mounted to a mobile vehicle. In particular, dynamic antenna platform offset calibration can be performed while communicating user data associated with the mobile vehicle (e.g., based at least in part on alignment calibration procedures including measurements of user data signals), with an antenna platform offset being updated when alignment calibration procedures have been performed at suitably separated spatial conditions. Accordingly, antenna platform offset calibration may be performed throughout the operation of the mobile vehicle without requiring that the vehicle be proactively aligned in a particular orientation for a dedicated calibration routine prior to using the antenna for communicating user data during normal operation of the mobile vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2019Publication date: February 13, 2020Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Publication number: 20190349074Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing mispointing correction operations that can provide accurate pointing of an antenna towards a satellite, while also satisfying interference requirements with other satellites. As a result, the mispointing correction operations described herein can improve resource efficiency of communication systems using such antennas and help ensure compliance with interference requirements of other satellites.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2019Publication date: November 14, 2019Inventors: James E. Petranovich, Bradley H. Smith, Eric L. Cross, Douglas J. Merrell, Samuel C. Finney
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Patent number: 10446906Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting dynamic antenna platform offset calibration for an antenna system mounted to a mobile vehicle. In particular, dynamic antenna platform offset calibration can be performed while communicating user data associated with the mobile vehicle (e.g., based at least in part on alignment calibration procedures including measurements of user data signals), with an antenna platform offset being updated when alignment calibration procedures have been performed at suitably separated spatial conditions. Accordingly, antenna platform offset calibration may be performed throughout the operation of the mobile vehicle without requiring that the vehicle be proactively aligned in a particular orientation for a dedicated calibration routine prior to using the antenna for communicating user data during normal operation of the mobile vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2018Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Methods and systems for performing antenna pointing to overcome effects of atmospheric scintillation
Patent number: 10418702Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing mispointing correction operations that can provide very accurate pointing of an antenna towards a satellite. In particular, mispointing correction operations described herein can reduce or avoid pointing errors due to atmospheric scintillation effects. As a result, the mispointing correction operations described herein can improve resource efficiency of communication systems using such antennas and help ensure compliance with interference requirements of other satellites.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 17, 2019Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventor: Douglas J Merrell -
Patent number: 10305581Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing mispointing correction operations that can provide accurate pointing of an antenna towards a satellite, while also satisfying interference requirements with other satellites. As a result, the mispointing correction operations described herein can improve resource efficiency of communication systems using such antennas and help ensure compliance with interference requirements of other satellites.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventors: James E Petranovich, Bradley H Smith, Eric L Cross, Douglas J Merrell, Samuel C Finney
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Publication number: 20190123420Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting dynamic antenna platform offset calibration for an antenna system mounted to a mobile vehicle. In particular, dynamic antenna platform offset calibration can be performed while communicating user data associated with the mobile vehicle (e.g., based at least in part on alignment calibration procedures including measurements of user data signals), with an antenna platform offset being updated when alignment calibration procedures have been performed at suitably separated spatial conditions. Accordingly, antenna platform offset calibration may be performed throughout the operation of the mobile vehicle without requiring that the vehicle be proactively aligned in a particular orientation for a dedicated calibration routine prior to using the antenna for communicating user data during normal operation of the mobile vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Patent number: 10211508Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting dynamic antenna platform offset calibration for an antenna system mounted to a mobile vehicle. In particular, dynamic antenna platform offset calibration can be performed while communicating user data associated with the mobile vehicle (e.g., based at least in part on alignment calibration procedures including measurements of user data signals), with an antenna platform offset being updated when alignment calibration procedures have been performed at suitably separated spatial conditions. Accordingly, antenna platform offset calibration may be performed throughout the operation of the mobile vehicle without requiring that the vehicle be proactively aligned in a particular orientation for a dedicated calibration routine prior to using the antenna for communicating user data during normal operation of the mobile vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2017Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Viasat, Inc.Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Publication number: 20190013566Abstract: Systems and methods are described for supporting dynamic antenna platform offset calibration for an antenna system mounted to a mobile vehicle. In particular, dynamic antenna platform offset calibration can be performed while communicating user data associated with the mobile vehicle (e.g., based at least in part on alignment calibration procedures including measurements of user data signals), with an antenna platform offset being updated when alignment calibration procedures have been performed at suitably separated spatial conditions. Accordingly, antenna platform offset calibration may be performed throughout the operation of the mobile vehicle without requiring that the vehicle be proactively aligned in a particular orientation for a dedicated calibration routine prior to using the antenna for communicating user data during normal operation of the mobile vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 6, 2017Publication date: January 10, 2019Inventor: Douglas J. Merrell
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Publication number: 20180145744Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing mispointing correction operations that can provide accurate pointing of an antenna towards a satellite, while also satisfying interference requirements with other satellites. As a result, the mispointing correction operations described herein can improve resource efficiency of communication systems using such antennas and help ensure compliance with interference requirements of other satellites.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: VIASAT, INC.Inventors: JAMES E PETRANOVICH, BRADLEY H SMITH, ERIC L CROSS, DOUGLAS J MERRELL, SAMUEL C FINNEY
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METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING ANTENNA POINTING TO OVERCOME EFFECTS OF ATMOSPHERIC SCINTILLATION
Publication number: 20180076517Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for performing mispointing correction operations that can provide very accurate pointing of an antenna towards a satellite. In particular, mispointing correction operations described herein can reduce or avoid pointing errors due to atmospheric scintillation effects. As a result, the mispointing correction operations described herein can improve resource efficiency of communication systems using such antennas and help ensure compliance with interference requirements of other satellites.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2016Publication date: March 15, 2018Applicant: VIASAT, INC.Inventor: DOUGLAS J MERRELL