The present disclosure provides satellite tracking systems and tracking methods. The satellite tracking system includes an array of antenna elements and a control unit. A feed current for each of the antenna elements passes through a phase shifter. The control unit generates a control signal for the phase shifter. The satellite tracking system searches, positions, and tracks a target satellite in accordance with the control signal. The satellite tracking systems and methods utilize step scanning and particle swarm optimization in the search stage, compensating for gaps formed during the satellite searching in the positioning stage, and conical scanning in the tracking stage.

The present disclosure provides satellite tracking systems and tracking methods. The satellite tracking system includes an array of antenna elements and a control unit. A feed current for each of the antenna elements passes through a phase shifter. The control unit generates a control signal for the phase shifter. The satellite tracking system searches, positions, and tracks a target satellite in accordance with the control signal. The satellite tracking systems and methods utilize step scanning and particle swarm optimization in the search stage, compensating for gaps formed during the satellite searching in the positioning stage, and conical scanning in the tracking stage.

A directive direction finding apparatus may comprise: a directivity-enabled antenna array in which a constituent antenna or antenna subarray has directivity in the same direction; an RF/IF receiver connected to the directivity-enabled antenna array; a digital receiver connected to the RF/IF receiver; a direction finder connected to the digital receiver; a directivity control unit to control an operation of the directivity-enabled antenna array; and a transport/control interface connected to the direction finder and to manage control and operation of the directivity-enabled antenna array, the RF/IF receiver, the digital receiver, the direction finder and the directive control unit.

The present disclosure provides satellite tracking systems and tracking methods. The satellite tracking system includes an array of antenna elements and a control unit. A feed current for each of the antenna elements passes through a phase shifter. The control unit generates a control signal for the phase shifter. The satellite tracking system searches, positions, and tracks a target satellite in accordance with the control signal. The satellite tracking systems and methods utilize step scanning and particle swarm optimization in the search stage, compensating for gaps formed during the satellite searching in the positioning stage, and conical scanning in the tracking stage.

The present disclosure provides satellite tracking systems and tracking methods. The satellite tracking system includes an array of antenna elements and a control unit. A feed current for each of the antenna elements passes through a phase shifter. The control unit generates a control signal for the phase shifter. The satellite tracking system searches, positions, and tracks a target satellite in accordance with the control signal. The satellite tracking systems and methods utilize step scanning and particle swarm optimization in the search stage, compensating for gaps formed during the satellite searching in the positioning stage, and conical scanning in the tracking stage.

A method for pointing an antenna at an inclined geostationary satellite includes obtaining an analemma of the inclined geostationary satellite, and determining a plurality of points that are to be searched, wherein determining the plurality of points comprises selecting points that follow a centerline of the analemma. One point of the plurality of points is selected and the antenna is pointed at the selected point. While the antenna is pointing at the selected point, the inclined geostationary satellite is queried an RF power level of a response to the query received from the inclined geostationary satellite is recorded. Another point of the plurality of points and the query/recording step is repeated for each of the plurality of points. A determination is made regarding which point of the plurality of points produced a response to the query having the highest power level. The antenna then is pointed at the point having the highest power level.

Systems for maintain pointing of a phased array antenna in a direction maximizes to an extent possible the effective antenna gain is provided. The system includes a gyroscope and a Kalman Filter. The Kalman filter estimates an antenna pointing direction for each successive time step based on gyroscope readings and based on the results of a local search for maximum gain performed in the neighborhood of a previous antenna pointing direction.

Systems for maintain pointing of a phased array antenna in a direction maximizes to an extent possible the effective antenna gain is provided. The system includes a gyroscope and a Kalman Filter. The Kalman filter estimates an antenna pointing direction for each successive time step based on gyroscope readings and based on the results of a local search for maximum gain performed in the neighborhood of a previous antenna pointing direction.

A method for locating a point in a first region based on receipt of a rf signal from the point. An antenna array is in the first region at a first position rotatable about an axis. A series of phase-array patterns is provided for implementation with the antenna array to provide measures of rf signal strength. Each pattern provides a plurality of reference values as a function of angle. A plurality of the phase-array patterns are used to acquire, in the first region, a plurality of rf signal strength values based on reception of the rf signal. A set of correlation values is determined where each value is a correlation between signal strength reference values and rf signal strength values acquired based on reception of the rf signal from the point. The correlation values identify a direction relative to the first position along which the point is located.

A method for locating a point in a first region based on receipt of a rf signal from the point. An antenna array is in the first region at a first position rotatable about an axis. A series of phase-array patterns is provided for implementation with the antenna array to provide measures of rf signal strength. Each pattern provides a plurality of reference values as a function of angle. A plurality of the phase-array patterns are used to acquire, in the first region, a plurality of rf signal strength values based on reception of the rf signal. A set of correlation values is determined where each value is a correlation between signal strength reference values and rf signal strength values acquired based on reception of the rf signal from the point. The correlation values identify a direction relative to the first position along which the point is located.