ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR MULTIPLE ORBITS AND MULTIPLE AREAS
First Claim
1. A synthesized reflector surface for directing communication signals in a communication system that operates in a plurality of orbital slots and to a plurality of regions within a first coverage area comprising:
- a plurality of contiguous profile surfaces forming the reflector surface, each of said plurality of contiguous profile surfaces altering the phase of the communication signals to provide a first gain for a first satellite orbit location and a second gain for a second satellite orbit location;
wherein said plurality of contiguous profile surfaces directs said signals from the first satellite orbit location in a first orientation to the first coverage area or from said second satellite orbit location in a second orientation to the first coverage area.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A synthesized reflector surface (12) for directing communication signals (27) in a communication system (10) that operates in a plurality of orbital slots and to a plurality of regions (28) within a first coverage area (30) is provided. The synthesized reflector surface (12) includes a plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) that form the reflector surface (12). Each of the plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) alters the phase of the communication signals (27) to provide a first gain for a first satellite orbit location (32) and a second gain for a second satellite orbit location (34). The plurality of contiguous profile surfaces (40) directs the signals from the location (32) in a first orientation to the first coverage area (30) or from the location (34) in a second orientation to the first coverage area (30). A method is provided for synthesizing the reflector surface (12). A satellite system (10) and a method of configuring the satellite system (10) are also provided utilizing the synthesized reflector surface (12).
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A synthesized reflector surface for directing communication signals in a communication system that operates in a plurality of orbital slots and to a plurality of regions within a first coverage area comprising:
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a plurality of contiguous profile surfaces forming the reflector surface, each of said plurality of contiguous profile surfaces altering the phase of the communication signals to provide a first gain for a first satellite orbit location and a second gain for a second satellite orbit location;
wherein said plurality of contiguous profile surfaces directs said signals from the first satellite orbit location in a first orientation to the first coverage area or from said second satellite orbit location in a second orientation to the first coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A satellite system comprising:
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an antenna comprising;
a synthesized reflector surface comprising;
a plurality of contiguous profile surfaces, each of said profile surfaces altering the phase of transmitted communication signals as to provide a gain for an orbital slot;
a spacecraft-steering mechanism coupled to the satellite system;
a gimball mechanism coupled to said antenna; and
a controller electrically coupled to said spacecraft-steering mechanism and said gimball mechanism, said controller adjusting pitch and roll positioning angles of the satellite system and adjusting positioning of said antenna as to transmit signals, using a profile surface from said plurality of contiguous profile surfaces, from a first location in a first orbital slot or from a second orbital slot in a second orientation to a first coverage area. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of synthesizing a reflector surface comprising:
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determining a plurality of orbital slots;
determining plurality of coverage area(s) for said plurality of orbital slots;
shaping the reflector surface in response to said plurality of orbital slots and said plurality of coverage area(s) such that the reflector surface transmits communication signals to a first coverage area from one or more of said plurality of orbital slots;
computing directivity values of communication signals for said plurality of orbital slots and said plurality of coverage area(s);
determining link availability for said plurality of orbital slots and said plurality of coverage area(s) in response to said computed directivity values; and
determining whether said directivity values and said link availability have been satisfied in said shaped reflector surface. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method of configuring a satellite system having an antenna with a single synthesized reflector, the method comprising:
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determining a first configuration for a primary mission having a first reflector surface;
determining a second configuration for a secondary mission having a second reflector surface; and
determining a third configuration and a fourth configuration, both of which having a third reflector surface, in response to said first configuration and said second configuration to provide directivity values and link availability for both said primary mission and said secondary mission respectively. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification