A method and apparatus for performing satellite signal acquisition are described. In one embodiment, a method for using a satellite antenna comprises estimating antenna orientation when the antenna is in motion, including estimating yaw using one or more sensors; and performing signal acquisition to search for a satellite signal with the satellite antenna by interleaving a plurality of signal searches performed by the satellite antenna, the plurality of signal searches being based on an estimated yaw.

A method and apparatus for performing satellite signal acquisition are described. In one embodiment, a method for using a satellite antenna comprises estimating antenna orientation when the antenna is in motion, including estimating yaw using one or more sensors; and performing signal acquisition to search for a satellite signal with the satellite antenna by interleaving a plurality of signal searches performed by the satellite antenna, the plurality of signal searches being based on an estimated yaw.

A feed array is provided that may be installed in a reflector antenna provided with a single or dual reflector optics. The feed array includes a radiating array for transmitting/receiving radiofrequency signals, a digital beam forming network, a reception conversion unit for applying a frequency down-conversion and an analog-to-digital conversion to incoming radiofrequency signals to obtain incoming digital signals. The feed array includes a transmission conversion unit for applying a digital-to-analog conversion and a frequency up-conversion to outgoing digital signals generated by the digital beam forming network to obtain outgoing radiofrequency signals. The digital beam forming network processes the incoming digital signals by using a reception matrix, and generates the outgoing digital signals by using a transmission matrix, with the matrices computed based on electric field values measured by the radiating array in the focal region.

A feed array is provided that may be installed in a reflector antenna provided with a single or dual reflector optics. The feed array includes a radiating array for transmitting/receiving radiofrequency signals, a digital beam forming network, a reception conversion unit for applying a frequency down-conversion and an analog-to-digital conversion to incoming radiofrequency signals to obtain incoming digital signals. The feed array includes a transmission conversion unit for applying a digital-to-analog conversion and a frequency up-conversion to outgoing digital signals generated by the digital beam forming network to obtain outgoing radiofrequency signals. The digital beam forming network processes the incoming digital signals by using a reception matrix, and generates the outgoing digital signals by using a transmission matrix, with the matrices computed based on electric field values measured by the radiating array in the focal region.

An antenna system for a moving vehicle, the antenna system comprising: a main antenna to generate a main beam; a measurement antenna to generate a measurement beam; and control circuitry to perform an adjustment process by: rotating the main beam to an initial bearing angle; rotating the measurement beam independently of the main beam to receive signals at positions to either side of the initial bearing angle; comparing at least one metric measured for the signals received by the measurement antenna at the positions to either side of the initial bearing angle to generate a comparison output; and determining, based on the comparison output, a correction to be applied to the initial bearing angle of the main beam.

An antenna system for a moving vehicle, the antenna system comprising: a main antenna to generate a main beam; a measurement antenna to generate a measurement beam; and control circuitry to perform an adjustment process by: rotating the main beam to an initial bearing angle; rotating the measurement beam independently of the main beam to receive signals at positions to either side of the initial bearing angle; comparing at least one metric measured for the signals received by the measurement antenna at the positions to either side of the initial bearing angle to generate a comparison output; and determining, based on the comparison output, a correction to be applied to the initial bearing angle of the main beam.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to using a plurality of antennas radially distributed about a rotatable turret to sequentially scan a field of view. Each of the plurality of antennas directs an electromagnetic beam and senses its reflection along a principal direction defined by a roll position of the rotatable turret and an azimuthal beam angle. The principal directions of the antennas have a unique azimuthal beam angle relative to a boresight (i.e., axis of rotation). As the turret rotates, each of these antennas is sequentially turned on at a first roll position and off at a second roll position. This enables electromagnetic beams generated by the antennas to pan a scene both in azimuth and roll. An image processor then determines, based on the reflected signals received by the plurality of antennas, directions to and/or velocities of objects within the scanned field of view.

Apparatus and associated methods relate to using a plurality of antennas radially distributed about a rotatable turret to sequentially scan a field of view. Each of the plurality of antennas directs an electromagnetic beam and senses its reflection along a principal direction defined by a roll position of the rotatable turret and an azimuthal beam angle. The principal directions of the antennas have a unique azimuthal beam angle relative to a boresight (i.e., axis of rotation). As the turret rotates, each of these antennas is sequentially turned on at a first roll position and off at a second roll position. This enables electromagnetic beams generated by the antennas to pan a scene both in azimuth and roll. An image processor then determines, based on the reflected signals received by the plurality of antennas, directions to and/or velocities of objects within the scanned field of view.

An antenna device and an orientation adjustment mechanism are provided. The orientation adjustment mechanism includes a holder, a rotation carrier assembled to the holder, and a torsion spring. The rotation carrier is counterclockwise rotatable from an initial position by a first predetermined angle or is clockwise rotatable from the initial position by a second predetermined angle. The torsion spring has an elastic portion disposed on the holder and two extending arms that extend from the elastic portion. When the rotation carrier is rotated from the initial position by the first predetermined angle or the second predetermined angle, the rotation carrier presses and moves one of the two extending arms, and another one of the two extending arms abuts against the limiting portion, so that the elastic portion is deformed to store an elastic force that tends to move the rotation carrier toward the initial position.

In one example of the present disclosure, a radome assembly for use with an antenna assembly is described. The radome assembly may comprise a radome body portion having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface, and wherein the radome body portion defines a portion of a housing for an antenna assembly. The radome assembly may further comprise a radome spacer portion extending from the second surface of the radome body portion, the radome spacer portion defining a plurality of cells that are formed from a plurality of cell walls, wherein at least two cell walls of the plurality of cell walls defining each cell of the plurality of cells are spaced apart from each other.