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

• US 10,014,589 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 07/03/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellian Technologies, Inc. (Intellian Technologies USA, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SpeedCast International, Ltd.
• 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
• Primary Examiner(s): Han, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kim, Jae
• Application Number:
  US14/706,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20160226151A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,153 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/125 Means for positioning
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/18 Means for stabilising antennas on an unstable platform
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/34 Adaptation for use in or on ships, submarines, buoys or torpedoes for subaqueous use H01Q1/04
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0208 Corrugated horns waveguide mouth antenna with corrugated flange H01Q13/065; manufacturing details H01Q13/0283
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/0258 Orthomode horns orthomode transducers H01P1/161
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/08 Radiating ends of two-conductor microwave transmission lines, e.g. of coaxial lines, of microstrip lines
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 15/0013 said selective devices working as frequency-selective reflecting surfaces, e.g. FSS, dichroic plates, surfaces being partly transmissive and reflective
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/13 the primary radiating source being a single radiating element, e.g. a dipole, a slot, a waveguide termination H01Q19/15 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 19/19 comprising one main concave reflecting surface associated with an auxiliary reflecting surface
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 5/00 Arrangements for simultaneous operation of antennas on two or more different wavebands, e.g. dual-band or multi-band arrangements combinations of separate active antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system H01Q21/30

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.

Claims

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 and comprising a ring and a plurality of mounting struts coupled between the main reflector and the ring, with the ring defining an antenna feed receiving area spaced from the main reflector, a subreflector carried by the ring 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 with respect to each other and 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 through the ring at the antenna feed receiving area, with the third antenna feed being adjacent the subreflector and directed towards 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.