Method for upgrading a satellite antenna assembly having a subreflector and an associated satellite antenna assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016226151-A1
Application number	US-201514706331-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 7, 2015
Priority date	Jan 29, 2015
Publication date	Aug 4, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A method for upgrading a dual-band antenna assembly to a tri-band antenna assembly is provided. The dual-band antenna system includes a main reflector, a strut assembly coupled to the main reflector defining an antenna feed receiving area spaced from the main reflector, and a subreflector carried by the strut assembly and also spaced from the main reflector. The subreflector includes a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for both a first frequency band and a second frequency band and transmissive for a third frequency band. First and second antenna feeds are arranged in a coaxial relationship adjacent the main reflector and directed toward the subreflector. The first and second antenna feeds are for first and second frequency bands, respectively. The method includes positioning a third antenna feed at the antenna feed receiving area and directed towards the subreflector and the main reflector. The third antenna feed is for the third frequency band.

First claim

That which is claimed is:

1 . A method for upgrading a dual-band antenna assembly to a tri-band antenna assembly, the dual-band antenna system comprising a main reflector, a strut assembly coupled to the main reflector defining an antenna feed receiving area spaced from the main reflector, a subreflector carried by the strut assembly and also spaced from the main reflector and comprising a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for both a first frequency band and a second frequency band and transmissive for a third frequency band, and first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship adjacent the main reflector and directed toward the subreflector, with the first and second antenna feeds for first and second frequency bands, respectively, the method comprising:
positioning a third antenna feed at the antenna feed receiving area and directed towards the subreflector and the main reflector, the third antenna feed for the third frequency band.

2 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the third antenna feed comprises an antenna feed horn.

3 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the main reflector has a medial opening therein, and wherein the first antenna feed comprises an elongated center conductor extending through the medial opening.

4 . The method according to claim 3 wherein the second antenna feed comprises a series of stepped circular conductors surrounding and spaced apart from the elongated center conductor and extending through the medial opening.

5 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the first frequency band comprises the Ku-band, and the second frequency band comprises the C-band, and the third frequency band comprises the Ka-band.

6 . The method according to claim 1 wherein each of the first, second and third antenna feeds is operable for both transmit and receive.

7 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the first, second and third antenna feeds are simultaneously operable.

8 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the dual-band antenna assembly further comprises a rotatable base mounting the first and second antenna feeds.

9 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the dual-band antenna assembly further comprises a stabilization platform coupled to the main reflector.

10 . The method according to claim 1 wherein the main reflector has a diameter in a range of 2 to 3 meters.

11 . A method for making a dual-band antenna assembly that is upgradable to a tri-band antenna assembly, the method comprising:
positioning first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship adjacent a main reflector, with the first and second antenna feeds for first and second frequency bands, respectively; coupling a strut assembly to the main reflector to define an antenna feed receiving area spaced from the main reflector; and coupling a subreflector to the strut assembly and also spaced from the main reflector, the subreflector comprising a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for both the first frequency band and the second frequency band and transmissive for a third frequency band; the antenna receiving area configured to receive a third antenna feed to be directed toward the subreflector and the main reflector, the third antenna feed for the third frequency band.

12 . The method according to claim 11 wherein the third antenna feed comprises an antenna feed horn.

13 . The method according to claim 11 wherein the main reflector has a medial opening therein, and wherein the first antenna feed comprises an elongated center conductor extending through the medial opening.

14 . The method according to claim 13 wherein the second antenna feed comprises a series of stepped circular conductors surrounding and spaced apart from the elongated center conductor and extending through the medial opening.

15 . The method according to claim 11 wherein the first frequency band comprises the Ku-band, and the second frequency band comprises the C-band, and the third frequency band comprises the Ka-band.

16 . The method according to claim 11 further comprising mounting the first and second antenna feeds to a rotatable base.

17 . The method according to claim 11 further comprising coupling a stabilization platform to the main reflector.

18 . The method according to claim 11 wherein the main reflector has a diameter in a range of 2 to 3 meters.

19 . An upgradable dual-band antenna assembly comprising:
a main reflector; a strut assembly coupled to said main reflector defining an antenna feed receiving spaced from said main reflector; a subreflector carried by said strut assembly and also spaced from said main reflector and comprising a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for both a first frequency band and a second frequency band and transmissive for a third frequency band; and first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship adjacent said main reflector and directed toward said subreflector, said first and second antenna feeds for first and second frequency bands, respectively.

20 . The upgradable dual-band antenna assembly according to claim 19 wherein said antenna feed receiving area is configured to receive a third antenna feed to be directed toward said subreflector and said main reflector, the third antenna feed for the third frequency band.

21 . The upgradable dual-band antenna assembly according to claim 19 wherein said main reflector has a medial opening therein, and wherein said first antenna feed comprises an elongated center conductor extending through the medial opening.

22 . The upgradable dual-band antenna assembly according to claim 21 wherein said second antenna feed comprises a series of stepped circular conductors surrounding and spaced apart from said elongated center conductor and extending through the medial opening.

23 . The upgradable dual-band antenna assembly according to claim 19 wherein the first frequency band comprises the Ku-band, and the second frequency band comprises the C-band, and the third frequency band comprises the Ka-band.

24 . The upgradable dual-band antenna assembly according to claim 19 further comprising a rotatable base mounting said first and second antenna feeds.

25 . The upgradable dual-band antenna assembly according to claim 19 further comprising a stabilization platform coupled to the main reflector.

Assignees

• Harris Corp

Inventors

• Paleta Jr Roy J
• Mccoig Duncan
• Ahrendt Mitchell L
• Gothard Griffin Keith
• Meehan Robert Francis
• Torres Francisco
• Vergamini Anthony James
• Strachan Colin
• Lucas Andrew

Classifications

• H01Q21/28

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

• H01Q19/13

  the primary radiating source being a single radiating element, e.g. a dipole, a slot, a waveguide termination (H01Q19/15 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01Q15/0013

  said selective devices working as frequency-selective reflecting surfaces, e.g. FSS, dichroic plates, surfaces being partly transmissive and reflective · CPC title

• H01Q13/08

  Radiating ends of two-conductor microwave transmission lines, e.g. of coaxial lines, of microstrip lines · CPC title

• H01Q13/0258

  Orthomode horns (orthomode transducers H01P1/161) · CPC title