Patent · US Active

Antenna system for satellite communication

US8259020B1 · kind B1 · utility

10Cited by
13References
16Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJul 31, 2009
Grant dateSep 4, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 24, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01Q19/30
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An antenna system for satellite communication, mounted on a moving platform, includes an antenna assembly, a control and display unit, and an antenna steering unit. The antenna assembly includes a dipole driven element assembly and at least one director element mounted on an antenna mast. The antenna steering unit includes a support housing, a rotary joint comprising a BNC connector, an electronic magnetic compass. an angular velocity-sensing gyroscope, a global positioning system receiver, a signal processor and a motor. The direction of the antenna's azimuth axis is determined based on the heading of the moving platform determined by the signal processor. In one embodiment, the director elements, the antenna mast and the azimuth mast are all articulated on flexible joints comprising a cable and spring mechanism allowing the director elements to fold toward the antenna mast and allowing the antenna assembly to fold toward the azimuth mast for stowing.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.