Method for upgrading a satellite antenna assembly and an associated upgradable satellite antenna assembly

• US 10,193,234 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2015
• Issued: 01/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intellian Technologies, Inc. (Intellian Technologies USA, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: SpeedCast International, Ltd. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• 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:
  US14/706,294
• Publication Number:
  US 20160226150A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,363 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 assembly includes a main reflector, and first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship and directed toward the main reflector. The first and second antenna feeds are for first and second frequency bands, respectively. The method includes positioning a third antenna feed through a medial opening in a center of the main reflector, with the third antenna feed directed towards the first and second antenna feeds. The third antenna feed is for a third frequency band. A subreflector is positioned between the main reflector and the first and second antenna feeds. The subreflector includes a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for the third frequency band and transmissive for both the first and second frequency bands.

Claims

1. A method for upgrading a dual-band antenna assembly to a tri-band antenna assembly, the dual-band antenna assembly comprising a main reflector, and first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship with each other and directed toward the main reflector, with the first and second antenna feeds for first and second frequency bands, respectively, the method comprising:

positioning a third antenna feed through a medial opening in a center of the main reflector, with the third antenna feed directed towards the first and second antenna feeds arranged in a coaxial relationship with each other and directed toward the main reflector, and with the third antenna feed for a third frequency band; and

positioning a subreflector between the main reflector and the first and second antenna feeds, the subreflector comprising a frequency selective surface (FSS) material that is reflective for the third frequency band and transmissive for both the first and second frequency bands.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the main reflector has a medial opening in a center thereof and a removable plug in the medial opening;

and further comprising removing the removable plug before positioning the third antenna feed through the medial opening.

3. The method according to claim 1 further comprising forming the medial opening in the main reflector before positioning the third antenna feed therethrough.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first and second antenna feeds comprise a mounting plate;

and further comprising;

mounting a plurality of struts to the mounting plate; and

coupling the subreflector to the plurality of struts.

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

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein the first antenna feed comprises an elongated center conductor.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein the second antenna feed comprises a series of stepped circular conductors surrounding and spaced apart from the elongated center conductor.

8. 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.

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

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

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

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

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