Abstract: A satellite antenna system (30) that employs a small phased antenna array (46) acting as a redundant antenna. Because the phased array (46) is steerable, it can be selectively directed to any of the cells (16) on the Earth (12) in the event that the LNA in an antenna channel (32) fails. The phased array (46) is switched into each antenna channel (32) after the channel front end (40) where a switch (56) used to switch in the phased array (46) is after the amplification in the channel (32). Therefore, the switch (56) does not significantly affect the noise figure of the channel front end (32).

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for reducing pointing errors &zgr; of satellite antennas and for generating broad field-of-view satellite attitude acquisition patterns. In one method embodiment, satellite transmit beams have estimated pointing attitudes &bgr; and are transmitted to overlap on a ground-based receiving terminal which has a known terminal location &lgr; and which measures received signal strengths &agr;. Pointing errors &zgr; of the transmit beams are then determined from the estimated pointing attitudes &bgr;, the terminal location &lgr; and the signal strengths &agr; and the pointing errors &zgr; are subsequently reduced by revising the pointing attitudes &bgr;. Other method embodiments utilize known signal-strength functions and antenna signals with known signal parameters such as frequencies and/or modulations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting data downhole in a well bore, even during drilling operations, are disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises an antenna and some associated electronic circuitry. The antenna includes a plurality of arrayed transceiver elements and the electronic circuitry steers transmission or reception through the antenna by controlling the application of power to the array elements. In operation, a transceiver unit containing such an antenna is positioned proximate a remote sensor placed into a formation. An electromagnetic signal is then steered to communicate with the remote sensor over a wireless link.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method provide wireless communications to a geographical area. The system includes at least one atmospheric platform serving as a central relay or node using a star network topology for the geographic area. The atmospheric platform carries a payload that comprises communications equipment. The system further includes a plurality of user equipment units located within the geographic area and at least one ground station or gateway for providing an information pathway between the user equipment units. The gateway has network processing and switching equipment for routing the information between the users. A wireless trunkline carries signals between the gateway and the atmospheric platform. The apparatus and method comprise gateway and payload uplink portions and downlink portions. The downlink portions aggregates and de-aggregates user generated information from the platform to the gateway.

Abstract: A method, apparatus for reducing errors in a plurality of beacon beams is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of computing quantized channel weights {tilde over (W)}c from channel weights Wc for at least some of the channels; estimating the quantization error &Dgr;Ba for each of the beacon beams from a difference between the channel weights Wc and the computed quantized channel weights {tilde over (W)}c; and adding the estimated quantization error &Dgr;Ba to the beacon beams. Similarly, a beacon biases equivalent to the beacon asymmetry error can be computed by the ground beacon beam forming software and uploaded to the on-board software for error compensation. The apparatus comprises one or more means, such as a processor communicatively coupled to a memory storing instructions for performing these operations.

Abstract: A cross-link antenna system including a plurality of spacecraft in a constellation is provided. Each of the spacecraft includes an antenna. One or more of the antennas has a number of antenna elements that can be controllably energized. Determined or selected phases and amplitudes can be individually applied through phase shifters and amplifiers to the antenna elements. In determining phase values for energizing the antenna elements to provide the receive beam in the direction of the current transmit antenna of one of the spacecraft in the constellation, location information is obtained for the transmit spacecraft and each of the beam receiving spacecraft. Additionally, attitude information for each receive spacecraft is found and location information associated with each of the antenna elements for each receive antenna is obtained.

Abstract: A communication system including a first transceiver located on a first platform at a predetermined altitude. A first antenna is located on the first platform and connected to the first transceiver. A second antenna is connected to the other end of the first transceiver. A second transceiver is located on a ground hub physically and independent of the first platform. A third antenna is located on the ground hub and connected to the second transceiver. The third antenna is adapted to communicate with the second antenna. The first platform is maintained in a stratospheric orbit. A beamforming system is connected to the second transceiver and mounted on the ground hub. The beamforming system provides a beamformed signal from the second transceiver to the first transceiver effective to drive the first array antenna to radiate multiple beams to a surface, whereby the multiple beams create time varying and dissimilar footprints thereon.

Abstract: A method of tracking a signal from a moving signal source including commanding angular offsets to control an antenna to track a signal from a moving signal source taking into consideration directional changes of the signal and comparisons between actual and estimated trajectories of the moving signal source.

Abstract: High-output transmitters are applied to a power generation satellite and a transmission antenna apparatus and a transmission antenna having an array antenna with a small number of element antennas and a reflecting mirror antenna is applied, thereby providing a power generation satellite and a transmission antenna apparatus in a space photovoltaic generation system comprising transmission antennas each having performance equivalent to that of a phased array antenna with a smaller number of transmitters and a smaller number of element antennas than those of a transmission antenna implemented as a phased array antenna.

Abstract: A communications system (10) and method of operating the communications system includes a high altitude communication device (12) that communicates with a plurality of user terminals and a gateway station (30). The gateway station (30) couples the users to terrestrial networks (32) and other users. The high altitude communication device (16) has a controller that generates a second beam having the first frequency to a service (26). The stratospheric platform (12) does not generate the second beam within a blocking area. User terminals within the service area outside the blocking area are configured to receive the first beam and the second beam.

Abstract: A power generation satellite has a photoelectric conversion unit for converting sunlight into electric energy, a transmission frequency conversion unit for performing frequency conversion of the electric energy to a microwave, a microwave control unit for controlling the amplitude, the phase, or the amplitude and the phase of the microwave, and a transmitting antenna for radiating the microwave. A plurality of the power generation satellites are placed in space to form a power generation satellite group and an array antenna having the transmitting antennas of the power generation satellites in the power generation satellite group as element antennas is formed.

Abstract: A thermal distortion estimation system for delivering thermal time varying distortion of various spacecraft antenna is provided which includes a measurement signal outage indicator and a storage device containing time varying distortion data. A signal is generated indicating an outage for the system received by the spacecraft and then a generated time varying distortion of the system from a previous measurement history to predict the error resulting from the thermal distortion is employed to estimate the error.

Abstract: The beam pattern associated with a multi-beam antenna array is adjusted if a first beam of the beam pattern is overloaded. A lobe of a second beam of the beam pattern can be steered away from a main lobe of the first beam. Also, if a user is located in an area covered by a second beam which is adjacent to the first beam, a third beam of the beam pattern can be selected for effectuating communication with the user. If a user is located in an area covered by the first beam, another beam of the beam pattern can be selected for effectuating communication with the user.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam forming network of an active antenna with deployable sub-arrays. According to the invention, the network receives information on deformation of the relative position of two panels. Establishing the coherence of the signals takes account of this information to restore the received signals. The invention also provides a spacecraft including the above kind of network and further provides a beam forming method. The invention also provides a system including a craft of the above kind and at least one beacon transmitter station.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided that enhance the accuracy of the service attitude of an inclined-orbit spacecraft and, thereby, facilitate reduction of service error between a communication service area and the spacecraft's payload beam. The enhancement is realized by configuring a beacon-receiving antenna to have a beacon-receiving field-of-view that substantially matches a beacon-station window. Preferably, the beacon-receiving field-of-view is elongated and tilted to enhance its match with the beacon-station window in both size and orientation. The goals are also realized by configuring the beacon-receiving antenna to have a beacon-receiving field-of-view that is substantially smaller than the beacon-station window and successively steering a beacon-receiving boresight to successive beacon-receiving attitudes that maintain the beacon station within the beacon-receiving field-of-view over each solar day.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided that enhance the accuracy of the service attitude of an inclined-orbit spacecraft and, thereby, facilitate reduction of service error between a communication service area and the spacecraft's payload beam. The enhancement is realized by configuring a beacon-receiving antenna to have a beacon-receiving field-of-view that substantially matches a beacon-station window. Preferably, the beacon-receiving field-of-view is elongated and tilted to enhance its match with the beacon-station window in both size and orientation. The goals are also realized by configuring the beacon-receiving antenna to have a beacon-receiving field-of-view that is substantially smaller than the beacon-station window and successively steering a beacon-receiving boresight to successive beacon-receiving attitudes that maintain the beacon station within the beacon-receiving field-of-view over each solar day.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of repainting a reflector array antenna comprising a plurality of radiating elements and being of the type that forms beams by computation, in which method each signal received by said antenna is sampled. The method comprises the following operations: estimating the depointing of the radiation pattern of the antenna to obtain a phase shift matrix, computing the discrete inverse Fourier transform of the signal samples supplied by the radiating elements, multiplying the phase shift matrix by the inverse Fourier transform of the sampled signal, and computing the discrete direct Fourier transform of the product of the phase shift matrix and the inverse Fourier transform of the sampled signal.

Abstract: A position calculation method that calculates the correct position of a terminal even when errors are not distributed symmetrically for positive and negative values, by calculating the position of a terminal using the delay time of received signals. The method calculates a first range that is a difference between a range from the terminal to each of antenna and a range from the terminal to a base antenna, the range being calculated from a wireless signal delay time; calculates a second range that is a difference between a range from an assumed terminal position for calculation to each antenna and a range from the assumed terminal position for calculation to the base antenna; calculates a likelihood of the position of the terminal, repeats these procedures to obtain a point where the likelihood is maximized, and determines an obtained most likely solution as the position of the terminal.

Abstract: The beam pattern associated with a multi-beam antenna array is adjusted if a first beam of the beam pattern is overloaded. A lobe of a second beam of the beam pattern can be steered away from a main lobe of the first beam. Also, if a user is located in an area covered by a second beam which is adjacent to the first beam, a third beam of the beam pattern can be selected for effectuating communication with the user. If a user is located in an area covered by the first beam, another beam of the beam pattern can be selected for effectuating communication with the user.

Abstract: A method and computer program to configure feeds on a satellite (300, 310, 320) to provide for redundant coverage when a satellite (300, 310, 320) fails. Further, this method and computer program can enable the switching of feeds from commands from a ground station (30) to activate certain feeds and deactivate other feeds when demand for service changes. In addition, this method and computer program allow for repositioning of satellites so that when one satellite fails another satellite may take over its area of coverage by switching active feeds without the need for placing another satellite in orbit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a receive (or send) antenna for a geosynchronous satellite of a telecommunications system intended to cover a territory divided into areas, the beam intended for each area being defined by a plurality of radiating elements, or sources, disposed in the vicinity of the focal plane of a reflector. The antenna includes at least one first matrix each input of which is connected to a radiating element and each output (or input) of which is connected to a corresponding input of an inverse Butler matrix by an amplifier and a phase-shifter. The phase-shifters move the areas or correct pointing errors.

Abstract: A means and method to increase the beam traffic capacity, especially in high user density regions, of a multi-beam antenna communication system with multiple signals at any frequency transmitted (received) when in a transmit (receive) mode by canceling interference with neighboring signals. An interference cancellation network is provided for canceling the interference caused by the sidelobe(s) of at least one signal with one or more of the other signals in the network. Each power divider divides its input signal into one reference fractional signal and at least one non-reference fractional signal. Phase shifters/attenuators shift the phase and attenuate the amplitude of at least one of the non-reference fractional signals. Each power combiner combines its input reference fractional signal with at least one non-reference fractional signal into a composite signal emerging from the combiner. The phase/attenuation settings are selected to optimize the signal to interference ratio for each communications link.

Abstract: A cross-link antenna system including a plurality of spacecraft in a constellation is provided. Each of the spacecraft includes an antenna. One or more of the antennas has a number of antenna elements that can be controllably energized. Determined or selected phases and amplitudes can be individually applied through phase shifters and amplifiers to the antenna elements. In determining phase values for energizing the antenna elements to provide the receive beam in the direction of the current transmit antenna of one of the spacecraft in the constellation, location information is obtained for the transmit spacecraft and each of the beam receiving spacecraft. Additionally, attitude information for each receive spacecraft is found and location information associated with each of the antenna elements for each receive antenna is obtained.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a movable appendage on an aerospace vehicle independent from the position of the aerospace vehicle. First and second beacons containing actual position information for the movable appendage are tracked and acquired by first and second beacon tracking sites. The beacon tracking sites report the azimuth and elevation data relating to the position of the movable appendage to a processor where a correction command is determined based on an error calculated from the position data and a desired position. The correction command is communicated to the movable appendage so that appropriate correction to the desired position can be made.

Abstract: A dual-band multiple beam antenna system for a communications satellite sharing a set of reflector antennas for the transmit and receive frequencies. One set of reflectors is common to both the downlink and uplink frequencies. The feed horns are diplexed and exhibit frequency-dependent radiation patterns that separate the phase centers over the downlink and uplink frequency bands to obtain dual-band performance. The focal point of the reflector is in close proximity to the phase center corresponding to the downlink frequency band. The phase center for the uplink frequency band is spaced a predetermined distance from the phase center of the downlink frequency band. According to the present invention, the uplink frequencies are defocused and the downlink frequencies are focused thereby creating identical radiation patterns at both frequency bands and over the coverage region of the communications satellite.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing contiguous spot beam communications coverage on the Earth's surface are disclosed. The apparatus comprises two contiguous beam patterns. The first contiguous beam pattern comprises a first set of cells and has a first set of frequencies. The second contiguous beam pattern comprises a second set of cells and has a second set of frequencies. The second contiguous beam pattern is spatially offset from the first contiguous beam pattern such that an edge of the first set of cells is offset from an edge of the second set of cells. Multiple two grid systems can maintain isolation performance of single grid system.

Abstract: Attitude determination and control systems are provided that combine attitude measurements from all spacecraft payloads to determine a master attitude estimate for a master payload and relative slave attitude estimates for the remaining slave payloads. These estimates are then used to control the attitudes of spacecraft elements that correct the absolute and relative attitude errors. These systems significantly enhance attitude accuracy when compared to systems that realize independent payload estimates, determine payload attitudes. These systems also provide significant processing advantages (e.g., simpler algorithms, reduced data throughput and slower processing rate).

Abstract: In a communication satellite constellation which uses CDMA and multiple spot beams for point-to-point communication, a system is provided for broadcasting regionally related information within a spot beam by establishing a Frequency/Walsh Code Tiling over the Earth's surface, and enabling a user terminal at a given position to tune to an appropriate frequency and Walsh Code to receive the information broadcast from a satellite over a forward beam downlink. The information, e.g. regional messages such as local weather or traffic, is transmitted to the satellite from a ground station or gateway that receives the information from a Broadcast Processing Center. In a preferred embodiment a dedicated Frequency Division Multiplex (FDM) channel within each spot beam transmits the regional broadcast messages at the Tiles in accordance with the Walsh Code designations of the Tiles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for enhancing diversity gain without reducing data rate by increasing the number of antenna elements and configuring the antenna elements for improving signal-to-noise ratio at a receiver. The antenna array comprise a first antenna group with at least two antenna elements and a second antenna group with at least one antenna element. The first and second antenna groups are spaced approximately ten carrier wavelengths or more apart from each other, and the antenna elements belonging to the first antenna group are spaced approximately a half carrier wavelength or less apart from each other. A plurality of data streams is generated from a signal and used to produce a first and second plurality of representative data streams. Each of the first plurality of representative data streams is phase-shifted and encoded using different orthogonal codes.

Abstract: A system and method for RF autotracking multiple antennas (preferably located on a spacecraft) to compensate for disturbances experienced by the antennas. The system and method estimate high frequency errors associated with all of the antennas. The high frequency errors may be estimated using a currently selected antenna and a high-pass filter. The high frequency errors may be estimated using a sensor mounted on the spacecraft, such as a gyro or star tracker, or may be estimated using information, such as planned thruster firings, for example, from a spacecraft attitude control system. Alternatively, the high frequency information may be estimated using any combination of data from these sources. Low frequency errors are estimated using measurements from each selected antenna. The algorithm implemented in the present invention explicitly accounts for the frequency content of each disturbance source.

Abstract: A synthesized reflector surface (12) for directing communication signals (27) in a communication system (10) that operates in a plurality of orbital slots and to a plurality of regions (28) within a first coverage area (30) is provided. The synthesized reflector surface (12) includes a plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) that form the reflector surface (12). Each of the plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) alters the phase-of the communication signals (27) to provide a first gain for a first satellite orbit location (32) and a second gain for a second satellite orbit location (34). The plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) directs the signals from the location (32) in a first orientation to the first coverage area (30) or from the location (34) in a second orientation to the first coverage area (30). A method is provided for synthesizing the reflector surface (12).

Abstract: The beam pattern associated with a multi-beam antenna array is adjusted if a first beam of the beam pattern is overloaded. A lobe of a second beam of the beam pattern can be steered away from a main lobe of the first beam. Also, if a user is located in an area covered by a second beam which is adjacent to the first beam, a third beam of the beam pattern can be selected for effectuating communication with the user. If a user is located in an area covered by the first beam, another beam of the beam pattern can be selected for effectuating communication with the user.

Abstract: A method and computer program to configure feeds on a satellite (300, 310, 320) to provide for redundant coverage when a satellite (300, 310, 320) fails. Further, this method and computer program can enable the switching of feeds from commands from a ground station (30) to activate certain feeds and deactivate other feeds when demand for service changes. In addition, this method and computer program allow for repositioning of satellites so that when one satellite fails another satellite may take over its area of coverage by switching active feeds without the need for placing another satellite in orbit.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for electronically steering a phased array antenna mounted on a spacecraft to reduce or eliminate pointing error by modifying the phased array steering commands in a way that compensates for the offset, even on yaw steered spacecraft whose antenna beams must be de-yawed to minimize the movement of spot beams pointed to the surface of the Earth. Electronic offset pointing on de-yawed phased array antennas is achieved by computing a set of pointing control parameters on the ground, and uplinking the parameters for final processing on-board the spacecraft. The control parameters are derived so that only minimal changes to the on-board processing capabilities are required relative to a de-yawing control arrangement alone.

Abstract: A synthesized reflector surface (12) for directing communication signals (27) in a communication system (10) that operates in a plurality of orbital slots and to a plurality of regions (28) within a first coverage area (30) is provided. The synthesized reflector surface (12) includes a plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) that form the reflector surface (12). Each of the plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) alters the phase of the communication signals (27) to provide a first gain for a first satellite orbit location (32) and a second gain for a second satellite orbit location (34). The plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) directs the signals from the location (32) in a first orientation to the first coverage area (30) or from the location (34) in a second orientation to the first coverage area (30). A method is provided for synthesizing the reflector surface (12).

Abstract: The present invention relates to radio communication antennas and in particular relates to multi-user detection for CDMA antenna array receivers. A reverse link (mobile to base) of a cellular direct sequence code division multiple access system is provided which increases system capacity whilst avoiding system complexity. The invention provides a method of signal detection which is based on the partitioning of users into equivalence classes by beam-forming with subsequent standard multi-user detection techniques applied within each class. Computation techniques are simplified and processing time can be considerably reduced. Furthermore, the capacity of a conventional receiver may be improved by employing multi-user detection techniques. These techniques are particularly useful for systems which involve large numbers of users. A method of operation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A satellite provides a time signal that is adjusted for position of a receiver on the surface of the Earth. A receiver determines appropriate local time from the time signal, and can adjust a local clock accordingly, the satellite time signal in the form of a rotating beam containing angular information to determine the position of the satellite transmitter for proper synchronization. A fixed receiver can also measure the radiation angle of the transmitted beam.

Abstract: A satellite communication system includes a constellation of non-geostationary orbiting satellites following a fixed ground track on the earth, and ground terminals having substantially continuous visibility to at least one of the satellites in a single ground track. Each of the satellites in the constellation follows a single substantially linear track across the sky when observed from the earth. In a preferred embodiment, the system can also include ground terminals which have an antenna with a single axis of scanning motion. In this embodiment, satellites have repeating ground tracks wherein a satellite completes n orbital revolutions each time the earth rotates through 360 degrees, wherein n is an integer between 2 and 15, inclusive.

Abstract: A method for determining the position of a mobile radio telephone in a satellite communication system is disclosed. First, a mobile radio telephone scans a plurality of paging channels and measures the signal strength of the paging channels. The mobile radio telephone then selects the paging channel with the strongest signal strength and decodes the information broadcasted on the selected channel. The information contained in the paging channel can include frequencies or timeslots of paging channels in surrounding spot beams. The mobile station then measures the signal strength of paging channels in surrounding spot beams and quantizes the measurements to determine a coarse position of the mobile radio telephone.

Abstract: A scalable switch matrix and demodulator bank architecture for a satellite payload processor wherein the demodulators are connected to the output ports of the switches as the data load on the uplink beams varies. The switch matrix includes a first switch layer for receiving the uplink transmission beams and a plurality of demodulators connected to the output parts of the first switch layer. The number of demodulators is limited by the number of active uplink sub-bands which is generally less than the number of sub-bands per beam times the number of transmission beams. Thus, only a relatively few number of demodulators are distributed among the uplink transmission beams as required. This results in a readily scalable architecture having higher demodulation utilization rates than dedicated demodulation architectures.

Abstract: A means and method to increase the beam traffic capacity, especially in high user density regions, of a multi-beam antenna communication system with multiple signals at any frequency transmitted (received) when in a transmit (receive) mode by canceling interference with neighboring signals. An interference cancellation network is provided for canceling the interference caused by the sidelobe(s) of at least one signal with one or more of the other signals in the network. Each power divider divides its input signal into one reference fractional signal and at least one non-reference fractional signal. Phase shifters/attenuators shift the phase and attenuate the amplitude of at least one of the non-reference fractional signals. Each power combiner combines its input reference fractional signal with at least one non-reference fractional signal into a composite signal emerging from the combiner. The phase/attenuation settings are selected to optimize the signal to interference ratio for each communications link.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for steering beams modulated from a mobile platform in a manner that reduces overall platform payload processing, and therefore payload weight and power requirements. According to the present invention, a beam steering data calculator (64) generates a table of beam steering data sets (60a, 60b), with each data set corresponding to a specific beam-pointing angle mapped to a corresponding cell on the surface of the earth. A data set that corresponds to a received downlink cell address (22a-22e) is read out from the table and mapped to the downlink address, and an output angle of a modulated vehicle beam (16a-16e) that transmits a data packet to the cell address is corrected to correspond to the beam-pointing angle of the read-out data set.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beam forming network of an active antenna with deployable sub-arrays. According to the invention, the network receives information on deformation of the relative position of two panels. Establishing the coherence of the signals takes account of this information to restore the received signals. The invention also provides a spacecraft including the above kind of network and further provides a beam forming method. The invention also provides a system including a craft of the above kind and at least one beacon transmitter station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for supporting the transmission of communications data in a satellite communications network 10 between user terminals 15-18 and a ground station 14 via a satellite 12. At least one carrier signal is generated in a beam spot and conveys communications data over at least one downlink 22-25 to the user terminals 15-18. The carrier signal is modulated simultaneously with independent communications data streams EDP15 and EDP 18 over modulation channels 802 and 804, respectively, of a multi-dimensional modulator 400. By passing independent data streams over each dimension of an n-dimension modulation technique, different encoding schemes may be assigned to user terminals 15-18 based upon the strength of the signal received by the user terminal 15-18.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a movable appendage on an aerospace vehicle independent from the position of the aerospace vehicle. First and second beacons containing actual position information for the movable appendage are tracked and acquired by first and second beacon tracking sites. The beacon tracking sites report the azimuth and elevation data relating to the position of the movable appendage to a processor where a correction command is determined based on an error calculated from the position data and a desired position. The correction command is communicated to the movable appendage so that appropriate correction to the desired position can be made.

Abstract: A pointing system and method for directing a first satellite system instrument to a first target is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of computing the orientation of a first satellite system instrument; computing a position of the satellite using measured orbital data; computing a target line of sight (LOS) vector direction from the satellite to the target using the computed orientation and the computed satellite position, and directing the first instrument to the first target according to the computed target LOS vector. The apparatus comprises at least one attitude sensor for the first instrument and a communicatively coupled satellite navigation system. The satellite navigation system determines the satellite position using measured satellite orbital data. The satellite navigation system computes the orientation of the first instrument using the attitude measurements, and computes the satellite position using measured satellite orbital data.

Abstract: A method of and a system for receiving microwave beams from a plurality of power satellites (1) in space by way of a receiving antenna (3). By controlling the directions of a plurality of microwave beams to be transmitted from the plurality of power satellites, the plurality of power satellites (1) direct the plurality of microwave beams into an aperture surface of the receiving antenna (3), respectively, so that the plurality of microwave beams can be dispersively received at a number of different positions on the aperture surface of the receiving antenna (3), so as to level the energy distribution of the microwaves received on the aperture surface of the receiving antenna (3).

Abstract: A satellite communications system (10) provides for snap to grid variable beam size digital beamforming. The communications system (10) has an antenna configuration (20) for maintaining communications links with satellite networking equipment, and a signal processing system (30) for processing signals resulting from the communications links. The beamforming subsystem (40) forms beams based on the processed signals wherein the beams match predetermined grid information. The beamforming subsystem (40) includes a grid database (50) containing predetermined grid information. A beamforming processor (60) converts the predetermined grid information contained in the grid database (50) antenna coefficients. An antenna management system forms beams based on the antenna coefficients.

Abstract: A domed divergent microwave lens includes a plurality of waveguides with various lengths, the greatest length being that on the axis of the lens and the length being shorter for waveguides far from the axis. The axes of the waveguides are all parallel to each other and parallel to the axis of the lens, for example.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method providing beam forming and selection to provide desired signals to/from signal processing devices such as cell site modems. Systems of the present invention are operable with multi-beam antenna arrays to utilize antenna beams provided by the multi-beam antenna array and to form antenna beams which supplement the antenna beams formed by the multi-beam antenna array. Additionally, systems of the present invention are operable with adaptive array antennas to form antenna beams having desired characteristics. Preferably, predefined sets of beam forming weighting characteristics are utilized to provide a hybrid adaptive beam forming technique wherein antenna beams having predetermined characteristics may be rapidly selected and formed. Additionally, dynamically determined sets of beam forming weighting characteristics may be utilized to provide additional antenna beams having other desired characteristics.