System and apparatus for driving antenna
First Claim
1. A method of communication for an antenna assembly comprising a base structure and a support structure rotatably coupled with the base structure about a first axis, the method comprising:
- tracking a first satellite for communication via a first antenna that is rotatably coupled with the support structure about a second axis, the first antenna having a first boresight, wherein tracking the first satellite comprises rotating the support structure about the first axis and rotating the first antenna about the second axis using a driven angular rotation about an axis that is non-coincident with the second axis;
determining to switch from communications via the first antenna to communications via a second antenna that is rotatably coupled with the support structure about a third axis, the second antenna having a second boresight, wherein a projection of the second boresight on a plane perpendicular to the first axis is separated by an angle from a projection of the first boresight on the plane perpendicular to the first axis; and
tracking a second satellite for communications via the second antenna, wherein tracking the second satellite comprises rotating the support structure about the first axis and rotating the second antenna about the third axis using a driven angular rotation about an axis that is non-coincident with the third axis.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multiple-antenna positioning system with a single drive element, providing reduced weight and complexity over systems that have a drive element for each antenna. In certain examples, each antenna can be coupled with a rotating spindle, with each antenna spindle being coupled with a pair of link arms. By driving a single drive spindle, each of the antenna spindles in the system can be rotated by the associated pair of link arms. The link arms can have an adjustable length, such as through a turnbuckle mechanism, to reduce backlash in the system, and in some examples can apply a preload to the system. By reducing backlash, the multiple antenna positioning system can have improved responsiveness to a rotation of the single drive element, as well as improved stability of the positioning of each antenna when the drive element is held in a fixed position.
80 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of communication for an antenna assembly comprising a base structure and a support structure rotatably coupled with the base structure about a first axis, the method comprising:
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tracking a first satellite for communication via a first antenna that is rotatably coupled with the support structure about a second axis, the first antenna having a first boresight, wherein tracking the first satellite comprises rotating the support structure about the first axis and rotating the first antenna about the second axis using a driven angular rotation about an axis that is non-coincident with the second axis; determining to switch from communications via the first antenna to communications via a second antenna that is rotatably coupled with the support structure about a third axis, the second antenna having a second boresight, wherein a projection of the second boresight on a plane perpendicular to the first axis is separated by an angle from a projection of the first boresight on the plane perpendicular to the first axis; and tracking a second satellite for communications via the second antenna, wherein tracking the second satellite comprises rotating the support structure about the first axis and rotating the second antenna about the third axis using a driven angular rotation about an axis that is non-coincident with the third axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. An antenna assembly, comprising:
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a base structure; a support structure rotatably coupled with the base structure about a first axis; a first antenna having a first boresight, the first antenna rotatably coupled with the support structure about a second axis, wherein rotation of the first antenna about the second axis is responsive to a driven angular rotation about an axis that is non-coincident with the second axis; and a second antenna having a second boresight, the second antenna rotatably coupled with the support structure about a third axis, wherein rotation of the second antenna about the third axis is responsive to a driven angular rotation about an axis that is non-coincident with the third axis, wherein a projection of the first boresight on a plane perpendicular to the first axis is separated by an angle from a projection of the second boresight on the plane perpendicular to the first axis. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification