H01Q19/191

ANTENNA FOR SATELLITE COMMUNICATION CAPABLE OF RECEIVING MULTI-BAND SIGNAL
20200052411 · 2020-02-13 ·

Provided is an antenna for satellite communication capable of receiving multi-band signals. The antenna includes: a main reflector; a first feed horn which is provided on the main reflector and receives a signal of a first band; a first reflector which is disposed to be spaced apart from a reflective surface of the main reflector at a predetermined interval and transmits the signal of the first band to the first feed horn; a second feed horn which is provided on the main reflector and receives a signal of a second band; and a second reflector which is disposed to be spaced apart from the reflective surface of the main reflector at a predetermined interval and transmits the signal of the second band to the second feed horn.

Prism for repointing reflector antenna main beam

A microwave prism is used to repoint an operational Direct-to-Home (DTH) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) reflector antenna as part of a ground terminal to receive (or transmit) signals from a different satellite or orbital position without physically moving the reflector or the feed horn antenna. The microwave prism operates by shifting the radiated fields from the horn antenna generally perpendicular to the focal axis of the parabolic reflector in order to cause the main beam of the reflector to scan in response. For an existing reflector antenna receiving signals from an incumbent satellite, a prism has been designed to be snapped into place over the feed horn and shift the fields laterally by a calibrated distance. The structure of the prism is designed to be positioned and oriented correctly without the use of skilled labor. This system allows a satellite service provider to repoint their subscribers to a new satellite by shipping a self-install kit of the prism that is pre-configured to have the correct orientation and position on the feed antenna to correctly re-point the beam at a different satellite once the prism is applied. One benefit of the system is that unskilled labor, i.e., the subscribers themselves, can be used to repoint a large number of subscriber antennas in a satellite network rather than requiring the cost of a truck roll and a technician to visit every site. The microwave prisms to implement this functionality can be constructed in different ways, with homogeneous slabs or blocks, Gradient-Index (GRIN), multi-layered dielectric, geometric or graded-index Fresnel-zone, metasurface, or metamaterial prisms. The geometric and electrical constraints of the design are determined by the incumbent and target satellites, and the ground terminal location.

Multiple-feed antenna system having multi-position subreflector assembly

A multiple-feed antenna system includes a primary reflector that directs signals along a primary RF signal path and a movable subreflector assembly. When the subreflector assembly is in a first position, a first subreflector element of the subreflector assembly redirects signals traveling along the primary RF signal path to a first RF signal path and a second subreflector element of the subreflector assembly does not intersect the primary RF signal path. When the subreflector assembly is in a second position, the second subreflector element redirects signals traveling along the primary RF signal path to a second RF signal path and the first subreflector element does not intersect the primary RF signal path. The antenna system includes a first feed of the antenna system intersects the first RF signal path, a second feed that intersects the second RF signal path, and an actuator that moves the subreflector assembly.

PRISM FOR REPOINTING REFLECTOR ANTENNA MAIN BEAM
20240128655 · 2024-04-18 · ·

A microwave prism is used to repoint an operational Direct-to-Home (DTH) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) reflector antenna as part of a ground terminal to receive (or transmit) signals from a different satellite or orbital position without physically moving the reflector or the feed horn antenna. The microwave prism operates by shifting the radiated fields from the horn antenna generally perpendicular to the focal axis of the parabolic reflector in order to cause the main beam of the reflector to scan in response. For an existing reflector antenna receiving signals from an incumbent satellite, a prism has been designed to be snapped into place over the feed horn and shift the fields laterally by a calibrated distance. The structure of the prism is designed to be positioned and oriented correctly without the use of skilled labor. This system allows a satellite service provider to repoint their subscribers to a new satellite by shipping a self-install kit of the prism that is pre-configured to have the correct orientation and position on the feed antenna to correctly re-point the beam at a different satellite once the prism is applied. One benefit of the system is that unskilled labor, i.e., the subscribers themselves, can be used to repoint a large number of subscriber antennas in a satellite network rather than requiring the cost of a truck roll and a technician to visit every site. The microwave prisms to implement this functionality can be constructed in different ways, with homogeneous slabs or blocks, Gradient-Index (GRIN), multi-layered dielectric, geometric or graded-index Fresnel-zone, metasurface, or metamaterial prisms. The geometric and electrical constraints of the design are determined by the incumbent and target satellites, and the ground terminal location.

QUASI-OPTICAL BEAMFORMER COMPRISING TWO REFLECTORS

A quasi-optical beamformer includes a plurality N> 1 of power feeds (PF), each of the i?[1; N] power feeds (PF) being configured to emit a respective radio-frequency beam denoted R.sub.i, a radio-frequency transmission line (LT) fed at a first end by the power feeds and comprising at a second end a plurality of network ports (PR) that are configured to collect radio-frequency radiation, the transmission line (LT) comprising a radio-frequency waveguide (GO) that comprises at least two metal plates (PM) that are stacked so as to guide the radio-frequency beams R.sub.i, i?[1; N] towards the network ports (PR), the transmission line (LT) extending along a central main axis denoted axis x, a first reflector (M1) having a first centre (C1) centred on the axis x and a first effective radius of curvature and being configured to reflect the guided radio-frequency beams R.sub.i, i?[1; N], a second reflector (M2) having a second effective radius of curvature and being configured to reflect the radio-frequency beams (RF.sub.i) reflected by the first reflector so as to direct them towards the network ports so as to form output radio-frequency beams (RS.sub.i), the first and second effective radii of curvature and an arrangement of the power feeds (PF) with respect to the first reflector being configured so that: each of the output radio-frequency beams (RS.sub.i) is a plane wave, and a transverse amplitude distribution A.sub.i, on the network ports (PR), of each output radio-frequency beam (RS.sub.i), is substantially identical.

Integrated single-piece antenna feed and components

Embodiments of the invention include an integrated single-piece antenna feed and a turnstile circular polarizer suitable for use in a satellite communications system. One embodiment of the integrated single-piece antenna includes a circular waveguide input, a turnstile, a coaxial feed horn, subreflector and subreflector support. Alternative embodiments utilize symmetrically oriented struts with or without a coaxial subreflector support to physically support a subreflector.

Antenna feed system

An improved microwave system. Certain embodiments include a radio transceiver, an antenna, an antenna feed mechanism, and the necessary RF cabling to connect these elements. In the present invention, an antenna feed system is described. The antenna feed system may comprise the radio transceiver, which is integrated with the antenna feed mechanism and the antenna conductors. In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna feed assembly further comprises connectivity for a digital signal interface; antenna feed pins, director pins and sub-reflectors. Typically, these elements are located on a printed circuit board and housed in weather proof housing which may be disposed on the feed arm of a parabolic reflectors. Some embodiments may support OSI layer digital communications.

Antenna feed system

A microwave system comprises an antenna, antenna feed, a radio transceiver, and appropriate cabling among the aforementioned. Cost, performance and reliability improvements are achieved with further integration of these elements and with design improvements in the antenna feed. One improvement is the integration of the radio transceiver with the antenna feed. This improvement has many benefits including the to elimination of RF cables and connectors. Another improvement, is the incorporation of parasitic radiators and sub-reflectors as part to of the antenna feed. The entire antenna, including the feed design is optimized with 3D finite element method (FEM) software and numerical optimization software. Another improvement is the utilization of the digital cable to power the integrated radio transceiver and a center fed parabolic reflector.

HORN ANTENNA
20190051990 · 2019-02-14 ·

The present application discloses a horn antenna, including a frequency selective surface (FSS), a connection structure, and a waveguide tube. The connection structure includes a first dielectric slab, a second dielectric slab, and a dielectric wall, which jointly form a hollow structure. A first surface of the first dielectric slab is a hyperboloid whose surface is protruding, a second surface of the first dielectric slab is connected to the dielectric wall. The dielectric wall has a tubular structure, a first surface of the dielectric wall is covered by the first dielectric slab, a second surface of the dielectric wall is covered by the second dielectric slab. There is a hole at a middle position of the second dielectric slab. The FSS covers the first surface of the first dielectric slab. A part of the waveguide tube is inserted into the hole of the second dielectric slab.

Antenna System for multiple Synchronously Movable Feeds
20190051991 · 2019-02-14 ·

The antenna system and the method receive signals having radio frequencies in a plurality of radio frequency bands. The antenna system includes a support assembly, a primary reflector that is coupled to the support assembly, a feed assembly that is movably coupled to the support assembly, and a first feed and a second feed fixedly coupled to the feed assembly. The first feed and the second feed are configured to communicate RF signals in a first frequency band and a second frequency band, respectively, of the plurality of frequency bands. The antenna system also includes a first actuator that is configured to move the feed assembly from a first feed assembly position, where the first feed is positioned along a first signal path with the primary reflector, to a second feed assembly position, where the second feed is positioned along a second signal path with the primary reflector.