Approach to improve pointing accuracy of antenna systems with offset reflector and feed configuration

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016261040-A1
Application number	US-201514639885-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Mar 5, 2015
Priority date	Mar 5, 2015
Publication date	Sep 8, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for calibration for an offset antenna are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves calculating an estimated gimbal angle between the offset antenna and at least one target. Also, the method involves transmitting, by at least one target, at least one signal; and receiving, by the offset antenna, at least one signal. The method further involves pointing the offset antenna to an optimum gimbal angle to maximize received signal power. Additionally, the method involves comparing the optimum gimbal angle with the estimated gimbal angle to determine a difference in the gimbal angles. Also, the method involves calculating a bus, reflector, and/or feed error estimate by using the difference in the gimbal angles. Further, the method involves determining an azimuth and/or elevation correction for bus, reflector, and/or feed errors by using the bus, reflector, and/or feed error estimate.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A method for calibration for an offset antenna, the method comprising:
determining at least one target in a known location; calculating, with at least one processor, an estimated gimbal angle between the offset antenna and at least one of the at least one target; transmitting, by at least one antenna of at least one of the at least one target, at least one signal; receiving, by the offset antenna, the at least one signal; pointing the offset antenna to an optimum gimbal angle, for at least one of the at least one target, to maximize received signal power of the at least one signal; comparing, by the at least one processor, the optimum gimbal angle with the estimated gimbal angle, for at least one of the at least one target, to determine a difference in the gimbal angles for at least one of the at least one target; calculating, by the at least one processor, at least one of a bus error estimate, a reflector error estimate, and a feed error estimate by using the difference in the gimbal angles, for at least one of the at least one target; and determining, by the at least one processor, at least one of an azimuth correction and an elevation correction for at least one of bus errors, reflector errors, and feed errors by using at least one of the bus error estimate, the reflector error estimate, and the feed error estimate.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the offset antenna is mounted onto a vehicle.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is one of an airborne vehicle, a terrestrial vehicle, and a marine vehicle.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the airborne vehicle is one of a satellite, an aircraft, and a space plane.

5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the terrestrial vehicle is one of a truck, a train, a car, and a tank.

6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the marine vehicle is one of a ship and a boat.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one signal is an electromagnetic (EM) signal.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the EM signal is one of a radio frequency (RF) signal, an optical signal, and an infra-red signal.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the offset antenna comprises at least one feed.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the offset antenna comprises at least one reflector.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the at least one target is a ground station.

12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the offset antenna is mounted onto a vehicle.

13 . A system for calibration for an offset antenna, the system comprising:
at least one target in a known location, wherein at least one antenna of at least one of the at least one target is to transmit at least one signal; the offset antenna to receive the at least one signal, and to point to an optimum gimbal angle, for at least one of the at least one target, to maximize received signal power of the at least one signal; and at least one processor to calculate an estimated gimbal angle between the offset antenna and at least one of the at least one target; to compare the optimum gimbal angle with the estimated gimbal angle, for at least one of the at least one target; to determine a difference in the gimbal angles for at least one of the at least one target; to calculate at least one of a bus error estimate, a reflector error estimate, and a feed error estimate by using the difference in the gimbal angles, for at least one of the at least one target; and to determine at least one of an azimuth correction and an elevation correction for at least one of bus errors, reflector errors, and feed errors by using at least one of the bus error estimate, the reflector error estimate, and the feed error estimate.

14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the vehicle is one of an airborne vehicle, a terrestrial vehicle, and a marine vehicle.

15 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the airborne vehicle is one of a satellite, an aircraft, and a space plane.

16 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the terrestrial vehicle is one of a truck, a train, a car, and a tank.

17 . The system of claim 14 , wherein the marine vehicle is one of a ship and a boat.

18 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the at least one signal is an electromagnetic (EM) signal.

19 . The system of claim 18 , wherein the EM signal is one of a radio frequency (RF) signal, an optical signal, and an infra-red signal.

20 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the offset antenna comprises at least one feed.

Assignees

• Boeing Co

Inventors

• Liu Yong

Classifications

• H01Q19/132

  Horn reflector antennas; Off-set feeding · CPC title

• H01Q1/34

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

• H01Q1/32

  Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles · CPC title

• H01Q1/288

  Satellite antennas · CPC title

• H01Q3/08 Primary

  for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation · CPC title