Including Antenna Orientation Patents (Class 342/359)
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Patent number: 7324046Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Yeong-wei Andy Wu
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Patent number: 7324784Abstract: Changes in instructions for increasing/decreasing transmission power that have been decoded from TPC bits are monitored, and when the increase/decrease instructions in a prescribed time interval are biased toward instructions for increasing the transmission power, the peak direction or main lobe width of the transmission beam is changed by regulating the transmission power or transmission antenna weights that correspond to each of a plurality of antenna devices. These processes are repeated until the bias toward instructions for increasing the transmission power in the instructions for increasing/decreasing transmission power is eliminated or until the number of changes of the transmission beam reaches a maximum value that has been set in advance.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: NEC CorporationInventor: Hironori Mizuguchi
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Patent number: 7298325Abstract: A radar antenna has a reflector and maximum gain along its boresight. The reflector has a periphery, typically circular, rectangular or elliptical. A plurality of Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite signal receiving antennas are rigidly, mechanically attached to the reflector near its periphery. The plurality of GPS satellite signal receiving antennas are connected pairwise to a phase comparator for comparing a plurality of first phase differences induced by a first GPS satellite signal received concurrently between the plurality of GPS satellite signal receiving antennas. A Phase comparator measures the phase difference of the signal received at GPS satellite signal receiving antennas pairwise thus performing a differential phase measurement. This differential phase measurement is supplied to a computer for identifying an ambiguous boresight position using the phase differences measured by the phase comparator. The position of the GPS satellites is known with respect to the geo-location of the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Kapriel V. Krikorian, Robert A. Rosen
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Patent number: 7289062Abstract: A device for measuring the received signal strength at an Earth station antenna has the capability to provide an accurate pointing indication when the frequency bands and other key characteristics of the satellite signals are not uniform over the coverage area. The device has an input port, a plurality of passive or active signal filters, a filter selector and an output port. The device may further contain a signal amplifier with automatic or manual gain control. A plurality of filters is provided which may be coupled singularly or in combination between the input port and the output port. Each filter or combination of filters is associated with a particular geographic area and capable of allowing the satellite signal assigned to that geographic area to pass while attenuating or blocking other signals, noise and interference. The filter selector is used to connect the appropriate filter or combination of filters between the input port and the output port.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2005Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: WildBlue Communications, Inc.Inventors: Erwin C. Hudson, Remberto L. Martin
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Patent number: 7268726Abstract: A method of correcting for beacon pointing errors is disclosed. A desired beacon value and a predicted measured beacon value are computed and used to generate the beacon correction. An antenna pattern calculator can be used to compute the predicted measured beacon value, and a beacon correction value generator can be used to compute the desired beacon value and to generate the beacon correction.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Richard A. Fowell, Hanching G. Wang
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Patent number: 7265728Abstract: A method for automatically adjusting an antenna and the system thereof are provided. The method includes driving the motor to rotate the antenna at first, so as to receive multiple first digital signals and record the position corresponding to the multiple first digital signals; comparing the multiple first digital signals to obtain the strongest first digital signal among them; driving the motor to rotate the antenna to the position corresponding to the strongest first digital signal; driving the motor to adjust the pitching angle of the antenna to receive multiple second digital signals and record the pitching angle corresponding to the multiple second digital signals; comparing the multiple second digital signals to obtain the strongest second digital signal among them; and driving the motor to rotate the antenna to the pitching angle corresponding to the strongest second digital signal.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2006Date of Patent: September 4, 2007Assignee: Inventec Multimedia & Telecom CorporationInventor: Chung-Ming Tsao
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Patent number: 7262732Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for fast satellite antenna acquisition via signal identification. The method and apparatus operate by positioning a satellite antenna using signal identification in order to reduce false satellite signal locks and missed detections and speed the acquisition of the correct satellite.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 28, 2007Assignee: Motia Inc.Inventors: James June-Ming Wang, Min-Yaug Yang, Robert A. Warner
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Patent number: 7257370Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously receiving a first signal from a non-terrestrial source and a second signal from a terrestrial source on the same or overlapping channels using a receive antenna with posteriorly-directed sidelobes is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one terrestrial transmitter transmitting information on at least one frequency simultaneously usable by at least one satellite transmitting to a satellite receive antenna having a sensitivity characterizable by a primary sensitive axis directed substantially at satellite. The terrestrial transmitter includes a azimuthal gain characteristic directed substantially away from the Earth's Equator. In an alternative embodiment, the terrestrial transmitter is disposed at a location defining a vector angularly displaced from the primary sensitive axis by an angle of less than 90 degrees. A method of transmitting information is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2004Date of Patent: August 14, 2007Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Paul R. Anderson
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Patent number: 7254365Abstract: A method and apparatus for redistributing power radiated by an antenna comprised of a plurality of antenna elements. An antenna directivity estimator function is performed to screen out inappropriate antenna directivity profiles from a plurality of antenna directivity profiles, thereby determining one or more remaining, appropriate antenna directivity profiles. An optimizer function is performed on the remaining, appropriate antenna element directivities to determine a phase distribution for the antenna elements based on a desired power distribution for the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Jacqueline C. Chen
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Patent number: 7239274Abstract: Disclosed is a device and method for dynamically adjusting orientation of a satellite antenna carried in a movable carrier, including a satellite tracking system and an adjusting device. The satellite tracking system includes a position processor that receives a group of positioning signals comprising a current coordinate from a group of GPS satellites and retrieve a program signal comprised a preset coordinate among at least one of program satellites, a comparator comparing the current coordinate with a preset coordinate to generate an deviation, and a microprocessor processing the deviation to issue a control signal that is fed to the adjusting device for changing orientation of the antenna to match with that of the program satellite.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Mitac Technology Corp.Inventors: Chien-Chung Lee, Juyang Chang
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Patent number: 7230569Abstract: An antenna system electronically searches for a satellite signal by beginning at the current pointing angle of an antenna. The antenna system sweeps a tuner frequency of the receiver by electronically commanding the receiver to tune to different transponder frequencies. By scanning through transponder frequencies, the antenna system can locate a satellite signal without mechanical movement. As a result, the satellite signal can be acquired more quickly than in some conventional systems.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Frank J. Hules, Terrence L. Fall
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Patent number: 7218273Abstract: A technique for boresighting an antenna mounted on a moving platform is described. The technique uses a concurrently moving calibration target. Target navigation data and platform navigation data are used to compensate for movement of the target and the platform. The antenna pointing direction is biased in a direction which provides a best signal quality, and the bias used to determine antenna boresight calibration factors. The boresight correction factors can be used for open loop pointing.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 2006Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: L3 Communications Corp.Inventors: James B. Webster, Jr., LaMar K Timothy, Fred M. Strohacker
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Patent number: 7218277Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus, method, and computer-executable program for detecting antenna failures in directional antennas. In particular, the present invention compares a bearing calculated from received positional data concerning a target to the bearing of the target determined using the directional antenna. If the calculated bearing and the determined bearing differ by greater than a predetermined amount, it is determined that there is an antenna failure. In this way, bearing information determined by the directional antenna is compared against a piece of known data in order to determine if the antenna is functioning properly.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Aviation Communication & Surveillance Systems, LLCInventor: Mark Dean Smith
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Patent number: 7194394Abstract: A technique for detecting and correcting inaccuracies in curve-fitted models. Humps and dips in a curve-fitted model are identified. An analysis is performed on the humps and dips to determine if they are large enough to warrant correction. If so, then the source of the simulation and/or empirical data is modified to taking corrective action to improve the curve fit between the edge point and the next actual simulation and/or empirical data point.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2001Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Assignee: International Business Machines CorporationInventors: Barry Lee Dorfman, Thomas Edward Rosser
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Patent number: 7187323Abstract: Provided is an antenna control apparatus for controlling an antenna mounted on a stratospheric platform of the stratospheric communication system. The apparatus includes a plurality of location signal receivers, each receiver being positioned at each of predefined different points of the stratospheric platform and receiving a location signal for the stratospheric platform, a calculating circuit for calculating an adjustable displacement for the antenna, and an antenna driver for adjusting a direction of the antenna. The calculating circuit calculates a location and attitude of the stratospheric platform based on the location signals, and then computes the adjustable displacement using the location and attitude information. This invention can reduce power consumption in the stratospheric platform and recovery time of directional point of the beam.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2007Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Byung-Su Kang, Yang-Su Kim, Bon-Jun Ku, Do-Seob Ahn
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Patent number: 7183997Abstract: A satellite line of site alignment device for the installation of all satellite dish antenna. The alignment device provides a hand held orientation and angular inclination determination for properly positioning a satellite receiving dish with a known geosynchronous orbiting satellite transmitter. Receiving dish location longitude and latitude, satellite to be aligned to, and true north and level orientation are so configured to provide visually for siting through an eye piece for line of site object avoidance determination prior to satellite dish antenna installation.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2004Date of Patent: February 27, 2007Inventors: James E. Eakes, Mark Jackson
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Patent number: 7177667Abstract: An antenna remote control apparatus for a base station in a mobile communication system is disclosed. The antenna remote control apparatus includes a remote controller for matching a driving voltage for a motor used to control the beam direction of an antenna, a reference signal for measuring the rotation state of the motor, and an RF signal for mobile communication and transmitting the matched signal via a feeder cable, and an antenna controller for receiving the matched signal from the remote controller via the feeder cable, dividing the matched signal into the reference signal, the motor driving voltage, and the RF signal, driving the motor using the motor driving voltage, and outputting a variation in the reference signal depending on the rotation state of the motor to the remote controller via the feeder cable. Therefore, there is no need for an additional cable for controlling the motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: KMW Inc.Inventor: Duk-Yong Kim
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Patent number: 7178160Abstract: A satellite broadcast receiver comprises an antenna, a tuner, a modulator, a FEC decoder, a microprocessor, and an antenna driver. The antenna receives the satellite signal and the tuner tunes the satellite signal received by the antenna, and the modulator modulates the satellite signal tuned by the tuner into digital signal, the FEC decoder corrects a position error of the satellite antenna using the signal modulated by the modulator, and outputs a corresponding output signal, and the microprocessor receives the signal modulated by the modulator and the output signal of the error corrector, and outputs a control signal which controls the position of the antenna, and the antenna driver drives the antenna in accordance with the control signal of the microprocessor. The satellite broadcast receiver enables a user to detect satellites fast and see satellite broadcast conveniently.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 13, 2007Assignee: Handan Broadinfocom Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ki-Won Jeong, Joong-Jeh Park, Min-Gu Kim, Jang-Hee Lee, Yong-Kook Lee
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Patent number: 7174242Abstract: There is disclosed a predictive filter for predicting the future position of a look direction of a rotating directional antenna mounted on a vessel. Prediction of a look direction of the antenna at any instant is made from input of ship's compass data including roll data, pitch data and heading data, as well as data describing a rotational position of the antenna, output from an antenna synchro device. Smoothing of the digital roll, pitch and heading data and antenna position data is followed by application of a moving time window, filter which removes any offset from the data within of the moving time window to produce data having a zero mean. The zero mean data is input into an auto-regression algorithm, the output of which is combined with mean roll, pitch, heading, position and antenna velocity data to obtain predicted positions of the antenna relative to the vessel, and a predicted motion of the vessel.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2003Date of Patent: February 6, 2007Assignee: BAE Systems (Combat and Radar Systems) LimitedInventor: Anthony Michael Deakin
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Patent number: 7165365Abstract: A satellite ready building comprises a plurality of studs and satellite wires positioned adjacent to the studs having a first termination and a second termination. A connector is coupled to the second termination of the wires. The first termination is coupled through the roof or the siding of the building. Drywall is installed in the house after the wires are installed. The first termination may be installed in a radome positioned on the roof of the building.Type: GrantFiled: April 3, 2000Date of Patent: January 23, 2007Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.Inventor: Arthur W. Wang
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Patent number: 7136012Abstract: A monopulse precision landing or other land-based radar system uses an array antenna and a beamformer to produce sum, azimuth difference and elevation difference beams relative to the array. The rows and columns of the array are skewed relative to the horizontal for tending to reduce the effects of multipath propagation on altitude estimates. A coordinate converter converts target information from the skewed antenna coordinates to ordinary vertical and horizontal coordinates.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventor: Richard Wasiewicz
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Patent number: 7126530Abstract: A directed-energy system includes a plurality of non-coherent microwave sources and a plurality of antennas. Each antenna may be coupled to a corresponding one or more of the sources to radiate energy from the sources and cumulatively generate high-energy pulses based on statistical combining of the energy radiated from the antennas. The pulses may statistically occur at an average rate approximately equal to a frequency spread between the sources divided by twice a number of sources comprising the plurality. In some embodiments, the sources may separately generate horizontally and vertically polarized energy to separately generate high-energy pulses from the statistical combining of the horizontally and vertically polarized energy. In some embodiments, the frequency spread between the sources may be controlled to change the average rate at which the pulses statistically occur. In some embodiments, the frequency spread between the sources may be controlled to change a pulse-width of the pulses.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventor: Kenneth W Brown
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Patent number: 7123876Abstract: A low profile, vehicle mounted, in-motion tracking, satellite antenna includes a pair of antenna assemblies mounted in parallel on a rotatable platform. Each antenna assembly includes two subreflectors with a plastic matching element. The outputs of the two antenna assemblies are coupled with a single phase shifter. The combined outputs are retransmitted to a receiver inside the vehicle. The satellite antenna also includes a receiver for receiving channel selection data and/or for providing two-way communication with equipment inside the vehicle. The antennae, transmitter and receiver are self-powered by a storage device which is charged by a wind driven generator. A retractable radome lowers to a lower profile when the antenna is not in use.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2001Date of Patent: October 17, 2006Assignee: MotiaInventors: James June-Ming Wang, ChauChin Yang, Wen Yen Lin
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Patent number: 7092673Abstract: The present invention relates to estimating the Angle of Arrival (AoA) of a signal from a user equipment received at a base station of a wireless telecommunications network where the base station has a multi-beam antenna. A signal received from a user equipment is received by the each of the multiple beams of the antenna, and the two adjacent beams receiving the highest amplitude from the end user are selected. A ratio of functions of the amplitudes of the two selected beams, such as a ratio of the difference between the amplitudes of the two beams to the sum of the amplitudes is calculated and compared to a data store of ratios. The data store stores expected ratios corresponding to AoAs and the calculated ratio is compared to the pre-calculated expected ratios to extract an estimate of the AoA of the signal from the user equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2002Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Nortel Networks LimitedInventors: David Bevan, Victor T Ermolayev, Alexander G Flaksman, Evgeny A Mavrichev
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Patent number: 7053828Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system for correcting spacecraft thermal distortion pointing errors. The system comprises one or more spacecraft sensors located at positions on a spacecraft and which are adapted to measure spacecraft parameters at those positions. The system also includes a spacecraft distortion prediction module, which is adapted to generate expected spacecraft thermal distortion parameter values and expected antenna thermal distortion pointing errors. Further, the system includes a spacecraft parameter processing module adapted to generate measured spacecraft thermal distortion parameter values from the measured spacecraft parameters, and an antenna pointing error calculation module adapted to calculate antenna pointing error correction commands. Finally, the system includes an antenna pointing control module adapted to receive the antenna pointing correction commands and control the adjustment of the antenna pointing using the correction commands.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2004Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Neil Evan Goodzeit, Santosh Ratan, Douglas Vernon McKinnon
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Patent number: 7054739Abstract: Navigation apparatus that may include a radio receiver, at least one directional antenna communicatively coupled to the radio receiver, and a navigation computer including a memory and a processor. The navigation computer may be communicatively coupled to the radio receiver to receive relative bearing information from the directional antenna to a set of known radio transmitters, such as (but not limited to) commercial broadcast radio or television stations. Using a database stored in the memory that includes a record of position information and a record of radio frequency information for the set of known radio transmitters, the apparatus allows for the calculation of one or more reference positions using relative bearing information to the set of known radio transmitters and the stored, known positions of the set of known radio transmitters.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: May 30, 2006Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventor: Lucius O. Taylor
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Patent number: 7016643Abstract: A system and method for positioning a dish antenna having a plurality of low noise block converters for the simultaneous reception of signals from a plurality of satellites in a direct broadcast satellite system. An integrated receiver/decoder alternately powers at least two low noise block converters to sample signals for comparison to a threshold value to detect a peak signal for each of the low noise block converters. When the peak signals are detected, they are compared to a master threshold to indicate a master lock for the system.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 21, 2006Assignee: The DirecTV Group, Inc.Inventors: David J. Kuether, Kesse Ho
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Patent number: 7012566Abstract: Disclosed is a device for dynamically adjusting orientation of a satellite antenna carried in a movable carrier, including a satellite tracking system and an adjusting device. The satellite tracking system includes a position processor that receives an electromagnetic signal from at least one satellite and retrieve from the electromagnetic signal a satellite coordinate, a comparator comparing the satellite coordinate with a pre-set target coordinate to generate an error, and a microprocessor processing the error to issue a control signal that is fed to the adjusting device for changing orientation of the antenna to match with that of the satellite.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 14, 2006Assignee: Mitac Technology Corp.Inventors: Chien-Chung Lee, Juyang Chang
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Patent number: 7009558Abstract: A satellite tracking system includes a vehicle having an attitude measuring device for measuring an attitude of the vehicle. An antenna is mounted on the vehicle. An antenna pointing device is coupled to the antenna and points the antenna in a direction dependent upon the attitude measured by the attitude measuring device and a location of a satellite.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2005Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Terrence L. Fall, Frank J. Hules
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Patent number: 7009557Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for selectively receiving radio frequency (RF) signals which utilizes an array of antenna elements including a center antenna for receiving the RF signal, a navigational controller using coordinate information to determine pointing vectors pointing to respective RF signal sources, and beam-forming electronics connected to the array of antenna elements and the navigational controller for forming reception lobes. Each reception lobe points in the direction of a determined pointing vector. For accurate and precise measurements, a constant phase center is maintained by adjusting the center antenna to the same phase shift for each of the lobes and steering the lobes by adjusting the phase shift of the antenna elements surrounding the center antenna.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2001Date of Patent: March 7, 2006Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Richard Kirchofer, Raymond Nielsen
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Patent number: 7006788Abstract: A geostationary communication satellite system that uses a hub and spoke configuration, where the hub includes at least one relatively large diameter satellite antenna. The hub of the communication system is capable of receiving satellite communication signals even when the sun transits within the beamwidth of its primary antenna by either redirecting its primary antenna toward a secondary satellite, or switching to a secondary antenna directed toward a secondary satellite.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1998Date of Patent: February 28, 2006Assignee: Dyncorp Information Systems LLCInventor: Richard H. Warren
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Patent number: 6989787Abstract: Provided is an antenna system for satellite communication and a method for tracking satellite signals using the same, in which moving vehicles or vessels can perform a satellite multimedia communication. The method for tracking a satellite signal using the antenna system includes the steps of: a) setting a satellite signal reception environment by performing an electronic tracking in the elevation direction through an electronic beam steering control and performing a mechanical tracking for driving a rotating element in an azimuth direction; and b) stopping a drive of the rotating element in the azimuth direction, and setting a satellite signal transmission environment by using the satellite signal reception environment. According to the present invention, since both one-dimensional phase array control of the elevation and azimuth and one-dimensional mechanical control are used, it is possible to provide the economical and effective system compared with two-dimensional phase array antenna.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2003Date of Patent: January 24, 2006Assignee: Electronics and Telecommunications Research InstituteInventors: Ung-Hee Park, Soon-Ik Jeon, Seong-Ho Son, Jae-Seung Yun
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Patent number: 6982745Abstract: An antenna level display device capable of faithfully reflecting any deterioration of a picture quality in receiving a satellite broadcast. In this display device, orthogonal detection of an input signal is executed in a demodulator, and a CN ratio is calculated from a conversion table in a ROM according to the mean value of deflections of mapped points of the received signal on an IQ plane. The demodulated data is compared, in a comparator, with the demodulated data obtained after error correction by a Viterbi decoder, and a CN ratio is calculated on the basis of the bit error rate from a conversion table stored in another ROM. A decision is made to select one CN ratio, which is to be displayed as an antenna level, out of the two calculated CN ratios, and the selected CN ratio is displayed through adaptive switching.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: Sony CorporationInventor: Naoki Miyabayashi
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Patent number: 6972724Abstract: A self-correcting mobile antenna control system and method. A method is provided for controlling the direction of an antenna mounted on a vehicle. The method includes determining a position decision based on a direction change signal output from a direction sensor, determining an energy decision based on a signal strength indicator, combining the position decision and the energy decision to produce an antenna control signal, and adjusting the antenna's direction based on the antenna control signal. The system also operates to periodically calibrate itself to offset any sensor errors so that intensive calibration procedures can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2004Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Qualcomm IncorporatedInventors: Bin Tian, Judd Erlenbach
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Patent number: 6965343Abstract: A method for antenna tracking includes providing a central feed element in an antenna focal region with additional feed elements in an azimuth coordinate to provide a multitude of feed elements that each have a static beam position, and varying ratios of amplitudes of adjacent feed elements of the multitude of feed elements to electronically steer a beam between the static beam positions.Type: GrantFiled: June 17, 2004Date of Patent: November 15, 2005Assignee: The Aerospace CorporationInventors: Robert B. Dybdal, Denny D. Pidhayny, Don J. Hinshilwood
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Patent number: 6956526Abstract: A method of pointing an antenna at a transmitter comprising the steps of: (a) varying the azimuth of the antenna dish a predetermined number of degrees in a first direction from a predetermined azimuth angle; (b) measuring a first signal strength of an incoming signal received by the antenna dish; (c) varying the azimuth of the antenna dish the same predetermined number of degrees in a second direction from the predetermined azimuth angle, where the second direction is opposite to the first direction; (d) measuring a second signal strength of the incoming signal received by the antenna dish; and (e) comparing the first signal strength to the second signal strength, and if the first signal strength substantially equals the second signal strength, the current predetermined azimuth angle represents the optimal angle of azimuth for the antenna dish.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 2004Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: The DIRECTV Group Inc.Inventors: Jack Lundstedt, Jr., John Schmid, Richard Sims, Peter Hou, Patrick Marrone, Lawrence Cronise
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Patent number: 6950061Abstract: A low-profile antenna system to be mounted to a moving vehicle for receiving signals, such as from a Digital Broadcast Satellite, includes a base for mounting to the surface of the vehicle, a platen mounted to the base for rotation, an azimuth drive motor for rotating the platen, an array of half-cylinder antenna elements mounted to the platen, an elevation drive motor for pivoting the antenna elements individually about their axes to change the elevation at which the antenna elements are pointing, and a cover. The azimuth drive motor and the elevation drive motor together allow the array of antenna elements to be pointed at a satellite over a wide range of vehicle orientations.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: EMS Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James M. Howell, Robert A. Freeman
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Patent number: 6950629Abstract: A self-structuring antenna (SSA) system employs a memory device to store switch states for antenna configurations that are determined to produce acceptable antenna characteristics. Each antenna configuration corresponds to a respective combination of switch states known as a switch configuration. Using the stored antenna configurations as a starting point for the process of searching for an antenna configuration that produces acceptable antenna characteristics under particular operating conditions may reduce the search time.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Louis L. Nagy
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Patent number: 6941222Abstract: A navigation system is provided that allows an appropriate destination point to be set when a vehicle begins to travel without an operator setting a destination point. A navigation system is provided with a system control section and, if a vehicle begins to travel without an operator setting a destination point, destination point information is retrieved. This destination point information is stored in a travel information database on the basis of information about the position of the vehicle, the direction in which the vehicle is progressing and information about the road. The road is which the vehicle is traveling along that was calculated based on the respective signals input from a GPS receiving section and various sensor sections. In addition, if there are candidates for the relevant destination point, candidate destination points are displayed on a display section as predicted destination points.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Pioneer CorporationInventors: Kenichiro Yano, Kiyonori Myochin, Keiichi Yamauchi
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Patent number: 6940452Abstract: A system and method for increasing the performance of a satellite communication system by using a multivariate analysis approach to optimize the pointing of the boresight of a satellite-mounted antenna. Optimizing the pointing of the boresight of the antenna minimizes sidelobe generation, and thus Co-Channel Interference (CCI) in geographic areas served by the system. By minimizing CCI, the overall system performance of the communication system is optimized. To optimize the pointing of the boresight of the antenna, the overall performance of the satellite communication system is determined, and the boresight of the antenna is iteratively repointed in the direction of increasing system performance until the optimized boresight pointing is determined. Alternatively, the frequency re-use plan of the satellite communication system may be analyzed to determine a high density cell region and the boresight may be pointed to the high density cell region.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2003Date of Patent: September 6, 2005Assignee: Northrop Grumman CorporationInventors: Michael S. Munoz, Garrick J. Harmon, Raymond M. Nuber, David L. Brundrett
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Patent number: 6937186Abstract: A method for main beam alignment verification includes providing data pertaining to one or more patterns associated with an antenna, measuring power levels of a signal acquired by the antenna, and comparing the measured power levels with the data to determine whether a direction of the signal is incident upon a main beam of the antenna.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: The Aerospace CorporationInventors: Robert B. Dybdal, Denny D. Pidhayny
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Patent number: 6937199Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2004Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Electronic Controlled Systems, Inc.Inventor: Lael D. King
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Patent number: 6937188Abstract: A portable device for assessing the degree of alignment between antenna and a satellite. In one embodiment, the device includes a portable housing that includes components for producing an audio and/or visual indication of the antenna's alignment with the satellite. The device may be self-contained and provide power to the antenna's frequency converter during the alignment process.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: BellSouth Intellectual Property CorporationInventors: Robert A. Saunders, Scott R. Swix
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Patent number: 6933901Abstract: A system having a steerable antenna coupled to a temperature-dependent driver. The driver has a shape-memory element fabricated using a shape-memory alloy (SMA) and having the ability to change its shape as a function of temperature. The element is adapted to steer the antenna to improve signal reception and is controlled by a control circuit, which resistively heats the element while using the strength of the electrical signal generated by the antenna in response to a received radio-frequency signal as a feedback signal. The temperature of the element is adjusted to optimize the signal strength. Systems of the invention may enable customer-performed antenna alignment and are relatively simple and inexpensive to implement.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.Inventors: Ivan Pawlenko, Larry Samson, Richard F. Schwartz
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Patent number: 6930636Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for reducing pointing errors ? 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 ? and are transmitted to overlap on a ground-based receiving terminal which has a known terminal location ? and which measures received signal strengths ?. Pointing errors ? of the transmit beams are then determined from the estimated pointing attitudes ?, the terminal location ? and the signal strengths ? and the pointing errors ? are subsequently reduced by revising the pointing attitudes ?. Other method embodiments utilize known signal-strength functions and antenna signals with known signal parameters such as frequencies and/or modulations.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 16, 2005Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Richard Fowell
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Patent number: 6900757Abstract: The method for identification of a set of satellites, arranged on GEO orbit, consists of receiving satellite signals; determining antenna beams strength; detecting beams that are local maximums according to the antenna structure, defined by the number of beams and their coordinates in the antenna plane; and approximating the GEO orbit using the strength of the received signals, wherein the satellites' identification is carried out through the local maximums situated on or in a defined range of the approximated GEO curve, according to the information for the geographic position of each satellite and the antenna orientation. Projection probability coefficients of a given satellite in a given area of the antenna plane are used for satellites' identifications. The information about the geographic position of each satellite may be corrected by azimuth, elevation and roll angles, according to the inaccuracy of the antenna installation.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Skygate International Technology N.V.Inventors: Milen Dimitrov, Dimitar Mishev, Todor Krastev, Boyan Yakimov, Nikolay Kratchunov
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Patent number: 6900761Abstract: A portable, remote-controlled or automated robotic (capable of operating in an unmanned mode) transceiver using a directional antenna pointing system The system comprises a highly integrated, wireless, self-contained transceiver with robotic antenna pointing and an interface system for satellite, conventional antenna, and radar applications for personal, commercial, and military use.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 2004Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Optistreams, Inc.Inventors: Jack P. Durban, Sean K. Gahan
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Patent number: 6897821Abstract: An off-gimbal pointing system is improved using filtering of resolver and gyro responses respectively applied at the output of the resolvers and gyros for attenuating high frequencies resolver responses and gyro responses that effectively degrades the high frequency responses that are matched and above the control system bandwidth for improving the overall dynamic control of the off-gimbal pointing system for rejecting the affects of base motion disturbances and vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2003Date of Patent: May 24, 2005Assignee: The Aerospace CorporationInventors: Robert L. Wong, Jason H. Q. Ly, Philip R. Dahl, Arthur C. Or
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Patent number: 6889421Abstract: Methods for aligning a satellite reflector with an antenna that has a feed/LNBF assembly. The feed/LNBF assembly is electronically coupled to a set top box which is electronically coupled to a television that has a television speaker. A transmitter is placed adjacent the television speaker. The speaker transmits the audio tones emitted by the television speaker which are indicative to the alignment of the antenna with a satellite to a speaker located adjacent to or attached to the antenna or antenna support structures.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2001Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: Bell South Intellectual Property Corp.Inventors: William R. Matz, Timothy H. Weaver
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Patent number: 6864847Abstract: This invention describes a method, an apparatus, and a system for optimizing antenna performance by remotely adjusting the plumb-to-level (absolute measurements with respect to true vertical) and the compass heading (absolute compass heading direction with respect to magnetic North) of one or a plurality of communication antennas by electromechanical means. Until now, only fixed, manual adjustments referenced to points on the tower that are assumed to be accurate, but are not, can be made. Furthermore, antenna optimization that is accomplished by solely adjusting the tilt of an antenna is limited. And, since azimuth adjustments for antenna sectors are difficult to adjust manually and are not available by electromechanical means, site planning personnel have not been able to accurately compensate for changes in tower and site parameters.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Inventor: Jan Blair Wensink