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.

A multiple-feed antenna system includes a first feed configured to communicate signals in a first frequency range of a plurality of frequency ranges and a second feed configured to communicate signals in a second frequency range of the plurality of frequency ranges. A subreflector assembly is configured to move among multiple positions that include a first position and a second position. When the subreflector assembly is in the first position, a first element of the subreflector assembly redirects a signal reflected by a primary reflector to the first feed. When the subreflector assembly is in the second position, a second element of the subreflector assembly redirects the signal reflected by the primary reflector to the second feed.

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.

A spatially diverse antenna array may be used to reduce or eliminate multipath errors in ranging measurements for a mobile device. The spatial diversity in the antenna structure enables different locations of the antenna to experience different signal characteristics from which multipath signals may be identified. The measured relative reception time for each antenna in the array may be determined. The expected relative reception time for each antenna in the antenna array is determined based on an estimated location and orientation of the antenna array. The expected and measured relative reception times are fit to align the expected and measured relative reception times for one antenna such that for all other antennas the measured relative reception time is aligned or greater than the expected relative reception times. The range between the mobile device and the transmitter may be based on the fit of the expected and measured relative reception times.

The invention is an integrated single-piece antenna feed, turnstile polarizer and antenna system suitable for satellite communications. One embodiment of the integrated single-piece antenna includes a circular waveguide input, a circular polarizer, a coaxial feed horn, subreflector and subreflector support. One embodiment of the circular polarizer features four branches of wrapped-single-ridged waveguide.

A device and method are described for duplex satellite communication over a single satellite antenna. A satellite ground terminal may utilize a frequency-selective surface module including a frequency-selective surface as a subreflector acting as a frequency diplexer to separate signals received and/or transmitted by a first feed and a second feed of a satellite ground terminal, where each feed has a separate antenna horn. The frequency-selective surface module may be used in combination with a second subreflector such that a first feed and a second feed of the satellite ground terminal are implemented on the same side of the frequency-selective surface module.

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.

A spatially diverse antenna array may be used to reduce or eliminate multipath errors in ranging measurements for a mobile device. The spatial diversity in the antenna structure enables different locations of the antenna to experience different signal characteristics from which multipath signals may be identified. The measured relative reception time for each antenna in the array may be determined. The expected relative reception time for each antenna in the antenna array is determined based on an estimated location and orientation of the antenna array. The expected and measured relative reception times are fit to align the expected and measured relative reception times for one antenna such that for all other antennas the measured relative reception time is aligned or greater than the expected relative reception times. The range between the mobile device and the transmitter may be based on the fit of the expected and measured relative reception times.

A multiple-feed antenna system includes a first feed configured to communicate signals in a first frequency range of a plurality of frequency ranges and a second feed configured to communicate signals in a second frequency range of the plurality of frequency ranges. A subreflector assembly is configured to move among multiple positions that include a first position and a second position. When the subreflector assembly is in the first position, a first element of the subreflector assembly redirects a signal reflected by a primary reflector to the first feed. When the subreflector assembly is in the second position, a second element of the subreflector assembly redirects the signal reflected by the primary reflector to the second feed.

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.