Satellite communications terminal for a ship and associated methods

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016226136-A1
Application number	US-201514627421-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 20, 2015
Priority date	Jan 29, 2015
Publication date	Aug 4, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A satellite communications terminal for a ship may include an antenna with three antenna feeds operable at respective different frequencies, and communications circuitry coupled to the three antenna feeds and being configurable for a selected antenna feed. The terminal also includes a positioner to mount the antenna to the ship and point the antenna. A controller may select an antenna feed, configure the communications circuitry, and operate the positioner to point the antenna to a selected satellite all based upon the location of the ship and at least one selection rule. The selection rule may be a communications circuitry configuration rule and/or a service level agreement rule.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1 . A satellite communications terminal for a ship and comprising:
an antenna comprising three antenna feeds operable at respective different frequencies; communications circuitry coupled to said three antenna feeds and being configurable for a selected antenna feed; a positioner to mount said antenna to the ship and point said antenna; and a controller to select an antenna feed, configure said communications circuitry, and operate said positioner to point said antenna to a selected satellite all based upon the location of the ship and at least one selection rule.

2 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein the at least one selection rule comprises at least one of a communications circuitry configuration rule and a service level agreement rule.

3 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein the at least one selection rule is based upon at least one of communication speed, communication latency, and communication cost.

4 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said controller stores antenna pointing data for different satellite footprints and different ship locations, and operates said positioner according to the antenna pointing data.

5 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said controller selects the antenna feed, configures said communications circuitry, and operates said positioner also based upon at least one of a communications circuitry status and a time-of-day.

6 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a remote override interface to permit a remote station to override at least one of selection of the antenna feed, configuration of said communications circuitry, and pointing of said antenna.

7 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said antenna comprises a main reflector cooperating with said three antenna feeds, and a subreflector spaced from said main reflector.

8 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said three antenna feeds are operable at the Ka band, Ku band, and C band, respectively.

9 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said communications circuitry comprises:
a first transmitter and receiver pair associated with said first antenna feed;
a second transmitter and receiver pair associated with said second antenna feed; and
a third transmitter and receiver pair associated with said third antenna feed.

10 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 9 wherein said communications circuitry comprises: a first modem associated with said first transmitter and receiver pair;
a second modem associated with said second transmitter and receiver pair; and
a third modem associated with said third transmitter and receiver pair.

11 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 10 wherein said communications circuitry comprises a router associated with said first, second and third modems.

12 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said positioner comprises a stabilization platform.

13 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 wherein said controller comprises a processor and a memory coupled thereto.

14 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 1 further comprising a radome surrounding said antenna.

15 . A satellite communications terminal for a ship and comprising:
an antenna comprising three antenna feeds operable at respective different frequencies; said antenna comprising a main reflector cooperating with said three antenna feeds, and a subreflector spaced from said main reflector; communications circuitry coupled to said three antenna feeds and being configurable for a selected antenna feed; a positioner to mount said antenna to the ship and point said antenna; and a controller to select an antenna feed, configure said communications circuitry, and operate said positioner to point said antenna to a selected satellite all based upon the location of the ship and at least one selection rule; said controller comprising a processor and memory a memory coupled thereto.

16 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein the at least one selection rule comprises at least one of a communications circuitry configuration rule and a service level agreement rule.

17 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein the at least one selection rule is based upon at least one of communication speed, communication latency, and communication cost.

18 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein said controller stores antenna pointing data for different satellite footprints and different ship locations, and operates said positioner according to the antenna pointing data.

19 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein said controller selects the antenna feed, configures said communications circuitry, and operates said positioner also based upon at least one of a communications circuitry status and a time-of-day.

20 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein said controller comprises a remote override interface to permit a remote station to override at least one of selection of the antenna feed, configuration of said communications circuitry, and pointing of said antenna.

21 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein said three antenna feeds are operable at the Ka band, Ku band, and C band, respectively.

22 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein said communications circuitry comprises:
a first transmitter and receiver pair associated with said first antenna feed;
a second transmitter and receiver pair associated with said second antenna feed; and
a third transmitter and receiver pair associated with said third antenna feed.

23 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 22 wherein said communications circuitry comprises:
a first modem associated with said first transmitter and receiver pair;
a second modem associated with said second transmitter and receiver pair; and
a third modem associated with said third transmitter and receiver pair.

24 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 23 wherein said communications circuitry comprises a router associated with said first, second and third modems.

25 . The satellite communications terminal according to claim 15 wherein said positioner comprises a stabilization platform.

26 . A method for operating a satellite communications terminal for a ship comprising an antenna comprising three antenna feeds operable at respective different frequencies, communications circuitry coupled to the three antenna feeds and being configurable for a selected antenna feed, and a positioner to mount the antenna to the ship and point the antenna, the method comprising:
operating a controller to select an antenna feed, configure the communications circuitry, and operate the positioner to point the antenna to a selected satellite all based upon the location of the ship and at least one selection rule.

27 . The method according to claim 26 wherein the at least one selection rule comprises at least

Assignees

• Harris Corp

Inventors

• Paleta Jr Roy J
• Mccoig Duncan
• Strachan Colin
• Lucas Andrew
• Cossar Stuart Alexander
• Dunbar William Robertson

Classifications

• H01Q1/125

  Means for positioning · CPC title

• H01Q1/34 Primary

  Adaptation for use in or on ships, submarines, buoys or torpedoes (for subaqueous use H01Q1/04) · CPC title

• H04B7/18513

  Transmission in a satellite or space-based system · CPC title

• H01Q13/0283

  Apparatus or processes specially provided for manufacturing horns · CPC title

• H01Q21/28

  Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems {(multiple beam H01Q25/00)} · CPC title