Abstract: An apparatus includes an azimuth adjuster coupled between a motor and a directional antenna. Motor rotation causes the azimuth adjuster to rotate the antenna about an azimuthal axis. The motor rotation also causes an elevation adjuster to rotate, which causes a screw mechanism to modify an elevation angle by pivoting the antenna about an elevational axis. To aim the directional antenna, a body-direction vector of a movable body with the antenna attached thereto is determined. Based on an elevational relationship between the body-direction vector and a satellite-direction vector, the elevation adjuster modifies the elevation angle of the antenna by rotating the motor to achieve full-turn amounts to pivot the antenna. The azimuth adjuster modifies an azimuth angle of the antenna based on an azimuthal relationship between the body-direction vector and the satellite-direction vector by rotating the motor to achieve partial-turn amounts of the antenna.

Abstract: A steerable antenna system for adjusting the elevation of an antenna for communication with a central facility via a satellite. The steerable antenna system includes a motor, a spindle drivingly engaged to the motor, and a chassis fixedly disposed on the spindle. The chassis has a stop disposed about its periphery. A first waveguide is fixedly disposed on the chassis and a second waveguide is disposed on an antenna. A ring cam is mounted on the chassis, and a grooved is formed in the ring cam. A first portion of a lever arm is pivotally mounted on the chassis and a second portion of the lever arm is disposed in the groove of the ring cam. An antenna is hingedly mounted on the chassis and to the lever arm. A solenoid, disposed on a base of the steerable antenna system, is configured to engage a portion of the ring cam. In use, when the solenoid is activated, power from the motor is used to adjust the elevation of the antenna.