H01Q1/1257

System and method for estimating a pointing error of a satellite antenna
11277200 · 2022-03-15 · ·

A system for estimating a pointing error of an antenna (ANT) of a satellite, the satellite includes a payload (CU) comprising a multichannel transmitter or receiver comprising a multichannel antenna (ANT), one analogue processing chain per channel and a set of digital integrated circuits (PN), the system comprising an estimation device (EST), implemented aboard the satellite or in a ground station, for estimating a pointing error of the antenna, the device for estimating a pointing error being configured to: acquire, for at least two channels of the transmitter or of the receiver, at least two test signals, each test signal having been transmitted or received by the antenna along a different direction (θ.sub.A, θ.sub.B), for at least one pair of acquired test signals, determine, for each test signal, a relative complex gain between the test signal received or transmitted respectively on two distinct channels, determine a comparative measurement between the two test signals from either the ratio between the two relative complex gains and/or the difference between the phases of the two relative complex gains, determine a pointing error (dθ) of the antenna on the basis of the comparative measurement, of the expected directions of transmission or of reception of the test signals (θ.sub.A, θ.sub.B) and of a model of the gain of the antenna for each channel and in a plurality of directions.

ANTENNA FINE TUNING WITH A VOLTMETER ASSOCIATED WITH AN ANTENNA ALIGNMENT DEVICE

An antenna alignment device includes an embedded (or is connected to) direct current (DC) voltmeter. In addition to using different sensors for azimuth and tilt alignment of an antenna, the DC voltmeter may be used to measure the DC voltage indicative of received signal strength at the antenna. The received signal may have a transmission pattern generated by a far side antenna. Particularly, the DC voltmeter may be used to detect peaks in the DC voltage and count the number of detected peaks as the antenna is moved changing its azimuth and the tilt. An odd number of peaks indicates the boresight of the antenna is in the main lobe of the transmission pattern, and an even number of peaks indicates otherwise. The highest peak in the odd number of peaks corresponds to the main lobe and the boresight of the antenna is aligned/tuned toward the highest peak.

Mm-wave wireless channel control using spatially adaptive antenna arrays

System and method for determining a position of an antenna array for optimal wireless communication. The system includes a spatially adaptive and beam-steering antenna array configured to control a wireless communications path between a first element and a second element based on a determination of wireless channel gain.

ELECTRONICALLY ALIGNED WIDEBAND TRACKING MODULATOR SYSTEM
20210318408 · 2021-10-14 ·

An electronically aligned wideband tracking modulator system is described. The wide band tracking modulator system comprises a waveguide coupled to an antenna. The wide band tracking modulator system also comprises waveguide tuning circuitry configured to convert RF energy from a waveguide of the wideband tracking modulator system into an RF signal that can be processed by the waveguide tuning circuitry. The waveguide tuning circuitry is also configured to shift a phase of the RF signal. The waveguide tuning circuitry is further configured to convert the phase-shifted RF signal into phase-shifted RF energy and return the phase-shifted RF energy to the waveguide to electrically align the wideband tracking modulator system.

MULTIPLE-ASSEMBLY ANTENNA POSITIONER WITH ECCENTRIC SHAFT
20210305676 · 2021-09-30 ·

Methods, systems, and devices are described for an antenna positioning apparatus, which includes a multiple-assembly positioner for adjusting a positioning angle about a positioning axis. The multiple-assembly positioner has two or more positioning assemblies that are coupled in series between a base structure and a positioning structure. Positioning assemblies can be individually selected based on various criteria, such as cost, complexity, angular range, and other performance, and be configured to work together to provide a desired range of adjustment to the positioning angle while simultaneously meeting precision requirements. In one example, a positioning assembly can include a shaft with an eccentric portion, which is rotated in order to provide the adjustment. A method is described where a first positioning assembly can be actuated to a first initial position, and then held, such that a second positioning assembly can be actuated to provide a selected antenna positioning angle.

ROTATING CONTROLLING METHOD FOR AN ANTENNA
20210296768 · 2021-09-23 ·

A rotating controlling method for an antenna, the steps includes collecting parameters for indicating signal strength of the antenna; and determining an optimal radiation position of the antenna and setting the corresponding value of a repulsive force or an attractive force so that the antenna is rotated to the optimal radiation position.

AUTO ORIENTATING ANTENNA DEVICE
20210351504 · 2021-11-11 ·

An auto orientating antenna device includes a base, a body and a processing chip. The base includes a motor comprising a rotating shaft. The body is connected to the rotating shaft and comprises at least one 5G antenna. The processing chip generates an auto orientating instruction according to at least one signal receiving status of the antenna unit. The motor drives the rotating shaft according to the auto orientating instruction, so as to let the antenna unit face a receiving direction.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ALIGNING AN EARTH STATION ANTENNA WITH A SATELLITE ANTENNA
20210218140 · 2021-07-15 ·

A method for aligning an earth station antenna with a satellite antenna includes sending an uplink signal from the earth station antenna to the satellite antenna; measuring at least a strength of the uplink signal received by the satellite antenna; sending by telemetry the measured signal strength to a telemetry station; adjusting the orientation of the earth station antenna in order to maximize the measured signal strength.

Mechanically steered and horizontally polarized antenna for aerial vehicles, and associated systems and methods
11101557 · 2021-08-24 · ·

A mechanically steered, horizontally polarized, directional antennae for aerial vehicles, such as UAVs. The antenna system can include a planar substrate with a horizontally polarized antenna embedded therein. A rotation member, on one end, can be attached to the planar substrate, and can extend from an external surface of the aerial vehicle. An actuator can be coupled to the rotation member to rotate the rotation member. A communication controller of the aerial vehicle can control the actuator to beam horizontally polarized radiofrequency (RF) waves to a target receiver or receive a wave front from a target transmitter.

Directional antenna with signal strength feedback and methods

Disclosed are systems and methods for improving the quality and strength of a wireless signal connecting a mobile station and a base station, in situations where the mobile station is able to utilize a directional antenna. The system for improving system quality comprise, for example, a directional antenna; an antenna power level detector which detects a signal strength; a signal inverter wherein the signal inverter generates a conditioned signal from the detected signal strength; an indicator wherein the indicator provides an indicator of a signal quality level from the detected signal strength; a reorientation decision logic wherein the reorientation decision logic communicates an instruction for movement of the directional antenna, wherein the detected signal strength is correlated to a projected orientation of the directional antenna at a time the signal strength is detected, and further wherein an antenna orientation control loop communicates a reorientation instruction for the directional antenna.