Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises aligning the reflector in azimuth and elevation with a first signal transmitted by a first satellite in the satellite configuration, and aligning the reflector in tilt with a second signal transmitted by a second satellite in the satellite configuration, wherein aligning the reflector in azimuth and elevation with the first signal and in tilt with the second signal aligns the reflector with at least a third signal transmitted from a third satellite.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and a method for improving spacecraft antenna pointing accuracy utilizing feedforward estimation. The present invention takes advantage of the fact that spacecraft antenna pointing error has periodic behavior with a period of 24 hours. Thus, unlike the prior art feedback systems which blindly correct antenna pointing error continuously reacting only to presently sensed error, the present invention takes an intelligent approach and learns the periodic behavior of spacecraft antenna pointing error. Then, an estimate of antenna pointing error at a particular time going forward is predicted based on the learned model of the periodic behavior of the antenna pointing error. The predicted estimate is then used to correct or cancel out the antenna pointing error at a particular time in the future. The result is more accurate correction of spacecraft antenna pointing error by more than a factor of two.

Abstract: A satellite system 10 includes an outdoor unit that has an LNB 24. The antenna of the outdoor unit is aligned using a microwave energy-absorbing cap. The microwave-absorbing cap has microwave-absorbing material therein or thereon. A signal strength meter is used to measure the signal strength with the cap on so that the signal strength meter is less likely to be saturated during the alignment process.

Abstract: A method for electronically scanning a predetermined geostationary orbital arc segment around the earth with an antenna system. The antenna system includes a planar array. A number of fixed electronic squints is selected. Lengths of the total plurality of fixed delay line lengths are generated for the planar array based on the number of fixed electronic squints. All of the antenna elements in the planar array for the mobile earth station are fitted with the generated lengths. The orbital arc segment is electronically scanned with a single linear scan with the planar array. This method is extendable to the case of multiple beams by adding additional phase shifters at each column and keeping the number of fixed line lengths the same, regardless of the number of additional beams.

Abstract: A system and method to provide a means of communication, command and control between a mobile antenna and a satellite receiver that allows the receiver to send tuning information to the antenna and the antenna to provide feedback to the receiver when a signal has been acquired. The antenna and the receiver can share the appropriate states and stats such as diagnostics, test, GPS coordinates, etc.

Abstract: A hybrid control algorithm for low profile phased-array antennas, consisting of a gyro control and electronic beam-forming, operates to track the satellite. The antenna arrangements form a spatial phased-array capable of being rotated mechanically both in azimuth and elevation planes by the aid of step motors. An RF detector monitors the received RF power and provides a feedback signal to the control algorithm. Based on the monitored signals, provided by RF detector and gyros, the processing unit operates, under suitable algorithms, to home on and track the desired satellite. The arrangements can be mounted on a vehicle to provide TV and broadband internet signal to the user on the move.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration.

Abstract: A point-to-multipoint communications system. The system uses an antenna to generate a single beam having independently steerable, narrow lobes. The phase array and amplitude array distributions used to form the lobes are controlled so that the lobes track and provide full duplex communication links with two or more RF terminals in two or more remote locations. In certain embodiments the dual lobe beam is generated from a fixed, ground-based location, and in other embodiments the single beam is generated from an airborne mobile platform, a mobile land vehicle, or a marine vessel. The various embodiments all enable one, two or more full duplex communication links to be established and maintained with a single beam.

Abstract: Antennas with steerable antenna patterns and techniques for using such antennas are described. In accordance with the invention, antenna patterns with one or more NULLs are used. Through the use of digital control signals the antenna pattern is steered so that a source of signal interference, e.g., a multipath signal, will be located in a NULL. In this manner the received signal's S/N ratio can be maximized thereby facilitating demodulation. The techniques of the invention can be applied to television, computer devices, mobile devices and a wide range of other systems. Digital commands to control an antenna may include multiple information fields, e.g., a direction field, a channel field, a gain field and a polarity field. Antennas incapable of supporting the specified fields disregard information in fields which are not supported. Information in each supported field is decoded and used to adjust the corresponding antenna characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for communication with an autonomous air vehicle are provided. The system comprises a steerable antenna array including a plurality of directional antenna elements each selectable to receive a video signal from the air vehicle. An antenna control unit is operatively coupled to the antenna elements and includes a magnetometer for determining an orientation for each of the antenna elements. A ground control station is in operative communication with the antenna array and comprises a ground data terminal in operative communication with the antenna control unit, and an operator control unit in operative communication with the data terminal and the antenna control unit. The operator control unit is configured to obtain positions of the air vehicle and the ground control station from the data terminal.

Abstract: Gimbal system angle compensation methods and systems are provided. A particular method includes pointing an antenna at a first target using an initial set of at least four gimbal angles and determining first bore sight pointing errors resulting from a pointing direction of the antenna relative to the first target. The method also includes estimating values of a plurality of independently observable error variables based on the first bore sight pointing errors. The method further includes determining a set of gimbal angle corrections based on the values of the plurality of independently observable error variables.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a distributed array of antenna elements for receiving a radio frequency signal on a satellite communications link, wherein the radio frequency signal includes a known preamble; a plurality of mixers for translating the radio frequency signal to a plurality of baseband signals having in-phase and quadrature components; a processor for applying weights to the baseband signals, wherein the weights are found adaptively in response to the preamble in combination with decision-directed feedback when the preamble is not present; and a receiver for processing the weighted baseband signals. A pre-processor can be used to create sub-arrays of the antenna elements using maximal-ratio weighting. A method performed by the apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: An antenna device includes: an antenna base portion; an antenna mount portion which is supported by the antenna base portion and rotated around an azimuth axis and which supports a main reflector with two struts; a frame structure group including a plurality of frame structures which are provided in the antenna base portion and the antenna mount portion, with six degrees of freedom restrained, respectively; a displacement gauge group which measures a displacement of the frame structure group; a metrology correction portion which calculates a pointing error of an antenna based on measured data of the displacement gage group and calculates a metrology correction amount by removing an error amount arising depending on an azimuth angle from the calculated pointing error; and a control circuit which controls a driving of the antenna by correcting a drive command value of the antenna with the metrology correction amount.

Abstract: An antenna system for transferring wireless communication signals between a wireless communication device and a base station is provided. The system includes a first linear polarization antenna associated with a first signal, and a second linear polarization antenna associated with a second signal and oriented perpendicularly to the first antenna. The first and second antennas are coupled to a phase shifter through first and second signal attenuators configured to selectively attenuate the first and second signals, respectively. The phase shifter is also coupled with the base station, and is configured to delay the phase of the first signal by ninety degrees. In addition, an attenuator controller coupled with the first and second attenuators is configured to control when the first and second signal attenuators attenuate the first and second signals.

Abstract: There is a provided a system for measuring an antenna radiation pattern in a Fresnel region, including: a fixed antenna and a movable antenna located in the Fresnel region to acquire a far-field radiation pattern; a moving unit for moving upward or downward to adjust a measuring angle of the movable antenna; a rotation unit to rotate a rotation shaft horizontally; a vector network analyzing unit for outputting an radio frequency (RF) signal to one of the fixed antenna and the movable antenna as a transmission antenna, receiving the RF signal received through the other one of the fixed antenna and the movable antenna as a receiving antenna, and detecting a complex value; a control and communication unit for controlling the vector network analyzing unit and a control unit, and performing a data communication; and the control unit for providing a vertical/horizontal rotation force to the moving unit and the rotation unit under a control of the control and communication unit.

Abstract: A method of computing an antenna pointing direction for an inertial navigation unit (INU) utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) signal during periods of GPS signal outage includes determining antenna pointing error of magnitude and phase information. The phase information is obtained by detecting the angle where a signal to noise ratio of the antenna passes through a minimum level, and wherein the magnitude information is obtained by calculating the difference between the maximum and minimum signal to noise ratio of the antenna measured over one conical cycle of rotation of the antenna about an axis that is not parallel to a vector pointing from an antenna center to a GPS signal transmitting satellite. During periods of GPS signal outage, the determined magnitude and phase information is used to cause a nominal antenna beam axis to move by an amount that depends on the determined magnitude information in a direction defined by the determined phase information.

Abstract: A device for user data transmission implemented in an aircraft for transmitting user data to a relay aircraft. The device includes a controllable directional antenna arrangement and an antenna steering module that is structured and arranged to control radiation properties and transmitting power of the antenna arrangement. Moreover, the device includes an antenna orientation module and a threat management system. Additionally, the device includes an optimization device. Furthermore, the threat management system and the optimization device are associated with the antenna steering module and the optimization device receives a desired radiation profile from the threat management system and a desired direction range of an antenna lobe from the antenna orientation module. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the identity of a first detected satellite and to determine a second scan position for a satellite of interest based in part on the identity of the first detected satellite is disclosed. In one example the identity of the first detected satellite may be determined based on a satellite beacon or identifier.

Abstract: An antenna steering system is provided that includes a plurality of gyro sensors fixedly located in close proximity to an antenna, for example a phased array antenna. The gyro sensors measure angular rotation of the antenna about an X-axis of the antenna, about a Y-axis of the antenna and about a Z-axis of the antenna. The gyro sensors communicate the angular rotation measurement data to a beam steering phase controller (BSPhC). The BSPhC utilizes the angular rotation measurements to determine a predicted amount of movement, i.e. a change in geolocation and/or orientation, of the antenna within a specified time period. Based on the predicted amount of antenna movement, the BSPhC adjusts a beam pointing angle of the antenna, i.e. steers the antenna, to compensate for the predicted amount of movement.

Abstract: A cellular base station telecommunication system includes a plurality of base station antenna sites, each site having one or more groups of base station antennas. A central controller is configured to control an electrical or mechanical parameter in one or more of the antennas in the groups of antennas.

Abstract: A radiocommunication apparatus includes a transmitting device and a receiving device. The transmitting device includes a first local oscillation section for selecting a frequency for a first local oscillation signal from a plurality of predetermined frequencies in order to output the first local oscillation signal, and a first frequency mixing section for mixing an input signal and the first local oscillation signal, thereby forming a transmission signal. The receiving device includes a second local oscillation section for selecting a frequency for a second local oscillation signal from the plurality of predetermined frequencies in order to output the second local oscillation signal, and a second frequency mixing section for mixing a received signal and the second local oscillation signal, thereby forming an output signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a short-range wireless mobile communication system with a first terminal and a mobile terminal that are each adapted for transmitting and receiving an information carrying signal wave, whereby at least the first terminal or the mobile terminal comprise a directional signal wave converter for transmitting and/or receiving the information carrying signal wave with a directional characteristic and a control means for controlling the directional characteristic according to a position of the mobile terminal relative to the first terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically positioning an antenna aperture on a mobile platform in a manner to avoid blockages created by other components/subsystems on the mobile platform between the line of sight of the antenna aperture and a satellite and to avoid interference with other systems that share the mobile platform. In one embodiment, one or more linear support elements are moved by one or more corresponding motors to allow the antenna aperture to be re-positioned between a plurality of different positions. Methods for creating and using a blockage database are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for antenna alignment includes defining a first link budget for wireless communication between first and second communication systems via respective first and second antennas in a normal operational mode in which a main lobe of the first antenna points toward the second antenna. The first antenna is aligned to point to the second antenna responsively to an alignment indication provided by communicating between the first and second communication systems in an alignment operational mode having a second link budget greater than the first link budget.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for satellite tracking by use of an antenna assembly having a master antenna for receiving and transmitting signals to and from a master antenna satellite in a first frequency band, and a slave antenna for receiving signals from a slave antenna satellite in a second satellite band, where the master and slave antennas have physical bore-sight axes which can be arranged at different directions in relation to each other. The method of the invention includes a master antenna search routine and a slave antenna search routine. The master antenna search routine comprises the steps of changing or switching a direction of reception of the master antenna, monitoring, during the changing or switching of direction of reception of the master antenna.

Abstract: A system for receiving direct broadcast satellite signals in a mobile craft is disclosed. Generally, the system includes an orientation system for determining the first orientation of the mobile craft, a controller or processor for determining first position control data, and an electronically-pointable antenna adapted to receive first position control data from the controller, such that the antenna is pointable in accordance therewith, such that a first direct broadcast satellite signal is receivable from a first direct broadcast satellite, and a direct broadcast satellite receiver for processing a first radio frequency signal corresponding to the first direct broadcast satellite signal received by the electronically-pointable antenna.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for controlling the direction of an antenna beam includes a location identifier, an orientation sensor, and an antenna beam controller. The location identifier determines a transmit antenna location indicating the location of a transmit antenna, where the transmit antenna produces an antenna beam. The orientation sensor determines a transmit antenna orientation indicating the orientation of the transmit antenna.

Abstract: A method of configuring a phased array antenna having a plurality of radiators, each said radiator elements capable of radiating or receiving signals in one of two orthogonal polarizations determined to achieve a pseudo-random mix of horizontally and vertically polarized radiators. Upon switching of each of the radiator elements to a calculated one of said two polarizations, a desired slant angle for the antenna is achieved.

Abstract: A system for correcting angular velocity measurements from a gyroscope and using the corrected angular velocity measurements to position an antenna used with a vehicle. The system determines an approximate null point voltage of a gyroscope of the type that produces a voltage related to an angular velocity to be measured by the gyroscope. The approximate null point is determined by sampling the output voltage to obtain a plurality of sampled voltages and choosing an approximate mode of the plurality of sampled voltages as the approximate null point voltage.

Abstract: A direction detection apparatus transmits radar waves, with resultant reflected waves being received as incident waves by elements of an array antenna. Normally the direction of a target object is calculated based on analyzing respective received signals from the antenna elements, in calculations utilizing an estimated total number of incident wave directions. In an antenna direction adjustment mode, an actual number of target objects, and hence actual number of incident wave directions, is utilized in place of the estimated value, thereby enabling direction detection information to be obtained which does not fluctuate with time, thus facilitating the adjustment.

Abstract: A method of configuring a phased array antenna having a plurality of radiators, each said radiator elements capable of radiating or receiving signals in one of two orthogonal polarizations determined to achieve a pseudo-random mix of horizontally and vertically polarized radiators. Upon switching of each of the radiator elements to a calculated one of said two polarizations, a desired slant angle for the antenna is achieved.

Abstract: System for obtaining information about a vehicle or a component therein includes sensors arranged to generate and transmit a signal upon receipt and detection of a radio frequency (RF) signal and a multi-element, switchable directional antenna array. Each antenna element is directed toward a respective sensor and transmitter RF signals toward that sensor and receive return signals therefrom. A control mechanism controls transmission of the RF signals from the antenna elements, e.g., causes the antenna elements to be alternately switched on in order to sequentially transmit the RF signals and receive the return signals from the sensors or cause the antenna elements to transmit the RF signals simultaneously and space the return signals from the sensors via a delay line in circuitry from each antenna element such that each return signal is spaced in time in a known manner without requiring switching of the antenna elements.

Abstract: A precision antenna pointing system and methods are disclosed. Antenna pointing error is determined by detecting RF signal phases at locations along the edge of an antenna reflector. A set of signal phase reference harnesses are used to compensate for harness induced errors. Furthermore, multiplexing is used to minimize electronics induced phase errors.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a method of accurately determining the spatial location of an RFID tag in two-dimensions or three-dimensions. The method utilizes a plurality of RFID readers to make a plurality of distance, direction, and or time-of-flight determinations. Such determinations are made by sending a request signal from one of the plurality of RFID readers and listening for a response signal from an RFID tag received at each of the plurality of RFID readers. Correction factors are then determined and the time-of-flight factors adjusted. The adjusted time-of-flight factors are then used to determine more accurately the distances between the RFID tag and each of the plurality of RFID readers. These more accurate distance measurements are then used to determine the spatial location of the RFID tag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering a beam from a phased array antenna mounted on a mobile platform. Rate sensors mounted on the phased array antenna are used to update lower bandwidth data from the mobile platform, resulting in improved pointing performance.

Abstract: There is described a method for the alignment of an earth station antenna with a satellite antenna, wherein a reference signal, emitted by the earth station antenna is analyzed in a monitoring station, wherein the reference signal is used as a carrier for authentication information about the earth station.

Abstract: A method for positioning a dielectric dome covered satellite dish adapted to be connected to a satellite receiver, by inputting an elevation command into a control console corresponding to a geographic location of the satellite dish and then depressing a single key on the control console to activate an azimuth drive system on the satellite dish. The operator depresses any key on the console to stop azimuth rotation of the satellite dish upon viewing a satellite signal. The satellite signal is fine tuned by appropriately depressing the right arrow key, a left arrow key, an up arrow key, or a down arrow key to effect pointing of the satellite dish.

Abstract: A radio system can be configured as a beyond line-of-sight system and includes a number of antennas, a number of phase adjusters and a transmitter/receiver unit. Each of the phase adjusters can be associated with a respective antenna of the antennas. The antennas can be disposed on separate platforms. The transmitter/receiver unit communicates with the phase adjusters. The communicating allows the beyond-line-of-sight system to use the antennas as a larger virtual antenna.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a segmented antenna system. The method includes determining an orientation of a first antenna, the first antenna including a plurality of segments for transmitting and receiving signals, determining a direction from the first antenna to a second antenna capable or at least one of transmitting and receiving signals, and selecting at least one of the plurality of segments of the first antenna using the determined orientation of the first antenna and the determined direction.

Abstract: A low profile mobile in-motion antenna and transmit/receive terminal system for two-way “VSAT” type satellite communication using FSS service, preferably in Ku band, supporting at the same time TV signal reception from the same satellite or a separate DBS satellite located at the same or nearby geo-stationary orbital position.

Abstract: A method for tracking a moving platform (MP) wherein the MP uses an on-board navigation system (NS). Data provided by the navigation system on board the moving platform (MP) is merged with data obtained using a tracking system that tracks the MP from another location. A typical navigation system on board the moving platforms is an inertial navigation system (INS). State data of one or more MP is sent to a processing facility and state data of one or more electromagnetic tracking (EMT) is collected by one or more processing facility. The collected states data from the sources are processed, using the one or more processing facilities for calculating tracking data are used to direct one or more antennas for MP tracking. The state data from one or more MP's are sent using a communications channel.

Abstract: A communication system 10 includes a satellite 18 that broadcasts communication signals to a first antenna 28A and a second antenna 28B. The antenna forms a first signal and a second signal and is provided to a combiner 102. The combiner 102 is coupled to the antennas 28A and 28B and combines the first portion of the first signal and a second portion of the second signal to form an output signal 152. The output signal is received by the receiving unit 28A-28n and utilized by the receiving unit to display or otherwise use the output signal.

Abstract: Tracking of collocated satellites is accomplished by providing a single tracking antenna having a tracking feed and combiner which receives a first satellite signal. A first pointing error signal is extracted from the tracking feed based on the first satellite signal and the antenna is steered to a pointing angle to minimize the first pointing error signal. A second satellite signal is received and a second pointing error signal is extracted from the tracking feed based on the second satellite signal. An offset angle for the second satellite is then calculated from the second pointing error signal relative to the pointing angle of the antenna. Orbit estimation and can then be accomplished for the second satellite based on the offset angle directly or by conversion to an absolute angle.

Abstract: A controlling device for a satellite antenna is provided. The controlling device includes a first signal generating device generating an inertial compensating signal having a compensating direction; a second signal generating device assembling a received signal from a satellite and generating an orientation with a strongest satellite signal in responding to a signal received from a satellite; a first driving device receiving the inertial compensating signal and driving the satellite antenna toward the compensating direction in a first speed; and a second driving device electrically connected to the second signal generating device and driving the satellite antenna toward the orientation in a second speed.

Abstract: A multitransmitter RF rotary joint free weather radar system is used to transmit two transmitted waves toward an object and to receive two reflected waves from the object. The system incorporates an antenna pedestal having a platform support and a platform. The platform support is attached to a base. The platform is rotatably coupled to the platform support. A reflector is in electromagnetic communication with a coherent transmitter subsystem, a first channel subsystem, a second channel subsystem, and an analyzer subsystem. The subsystems rotate with the platform and reflector. RF rotary joints are not utilized. The coherent transmitter subsystem generates radio signals that are modulated by the two subsystems to create the two transmitted waves. Two receivers process the reflected waves. The analyzer subsystem is in wireless communication with a remote computer.

Abstract: A low cost and low profile antenna for commercial use, either in a fixed or mobile condition is disclosed. The antenna has a generally flat circular plate that rotates to seam the azimuth direction. A plurality of radiation elements are positioned on the surface of the circular plate. The received signals are multiplexed, digitally converted, digitally beamformed, and then transferred to a digital receiver.

Abstract: A controlling device for a satellite antenna is provided. The controlling device includes a first signal generating device generating an inertial compensating signal having a compensating direction; a second signal generating device assembling a received signal from a satellite and generating an orientation with a strongest satellite signal in responding to a signal received from a satellite; a first driving device receiving the inertial compensating signal and driving the satellite antenna toward the compensating direction in a first speed; and a second driving device electrically connected to the second signal generating device and driving the satellite antenna toward the orientation in a second speed.

Abstract: A system and methods for aligning an elliptical beam of an antenna to a line-of-sight from the antenna to a remote receiver are disclosed. The methods offset the antenna from an initial pointing direction in an antenna pointing coordinate system. Coordinates of the pointing offsets are determined in the E-plane and H-plane of an antenna beam coordinate system. The method then converts the coordinates of the pointing offsets from the antenna beam coordinate system into coordinates of offset points each located in the antenna pointing coordinate system according to the polarization angle of the E-plane and the H-plane, and performs a tracking algorithm using relative signal strength measurement data at the initial pointing directions and at the coordinates of the offset points. The true location of the center/peak of the elliptical beam is calculated in azimuth/elevation planes of the antenna pointing coordinate system.

Abstract: Communications apparatus has a plurality of nodes each of which is capable of communicating with plural other nodes via point-to-point wireless transmission links between the nodes. At least one of the nodes has at least one antenna that is steerable in azimuth. The antenna is arranged to transmit an electromagnetic beam that has a beam width that is narrower in azimuth than in elevation. The beam width in azimuth is less than 9° and the beam width in elevation is less than about 15°.

Abstract: An airborne radio frequency (RF) antenna terminal system includes a two-axis gimbals control system and a phased array antenna. The phased array antenna electronically steers the receive and transmit beams using phase shifters. The electronically steered beams provide a virtual third-axis for the two-axis gimbals control system. The combination of the electronically steered beams and the two-axis gimbaled system provides accurate beam steering for the keyhole region of the two-axis gimbals control system so that the RF communication link is prevented from being lost in the keyhole region.