Low cost method and system for automatically steering a mobile directional antenna
US4841303A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 1, 1987 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 1989 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 1, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01Q3/08
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A low cost, automatic steering system and method of operation for mobile mounted, rotatable, directional antennas is described. The improved system and method provides a means to sense the direction of the satellite and also to determine changes in direction of the mobile vehicle on which the rotatable directional antenna is mounted, and uses those items of information to point the antenna toward the satellite and to maintain the pointing of the directional antenna as the vehicle changes speed and/or direction and during periods when the received communication signal is degraded or interrupted. The novel system and method separates the signal sampling for steering purposes from the antenna scanning for communication signal reception and replaces gyroscopes or magnetic compasses used with prior art systems to obtain directional information by deriving directional information from the action of the vehicle as determined by its steering mechanism and speedometer or equivalent devices. The system and method thus eliminates any effect on signal quality while optimizing signal sampling rate for steering purposes. It eliminates the need for costly gyroscope and avoids problems encountered…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.