Methods and Systems for Tracking Signals with Diverse Polarization Properties

• US 20080001820A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Original Assignee: Aerospace Corporation
• Inventors: Pidhayny, Denny, Dybdal, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,134 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/362
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity

Abstract

Methods and systems for tracking signals with diverse polarization properties address both sensitivity and antenna tracking performance issues. In one embodiment, complex weightings for matching a polarization of an incident signal on a data channel are determined, and the complex weightings are applied to a tracking channel such that an antenna system polarization is matched to the polarization of the incident signal. In another embodiment, orthogonally polarized tracking channel components of an incident signal are processed to make a determination as to which of the orthogonally polarized tracking channel components is stronger, and this determination is used to select a polarization of a data channel to reduce a polarization mismatch loss.

Claims

1. A method for antenna tracking, comprising:

determining complex weightings for matching a polarization of an incident signal on a data channel; and

applying the complex weightings to a tracking channel such that an antenna system polarization is matched to the polarization of the incident signal.

2. The method for antenna tracking of claim 1, wherein the complex weightings are determined such that a signal power of the incident signal is maximized.

3. A method for antenna tracking, comprising:

deriving complex weighting values that match a polarization of an incident signal on a data channel; and

applying the complex weighting values and time variations of the complex weighting values to a tracking channel to replicate the polarization of the incident signal over time.

4. A system for antenna tracking, comprising:

means for measuring a polarization of an incident signal on a data channel and for determining an amplitude and phase combination that matches the polarization; and

means for applying the amplitude and phase combination to a tracking channel responding to variations in the polarization.

5. The system for antenna tracking of claim 4, wherein the means for measuring a polarization of an incident signal on a data channel and for determining an amplitude and phase combination that matches the polarization includes

a polarization-matching network.

6. The system for antenna tracking of claim 5, wherein the polarization matching network includes a vector modulator.

7. The system for antenna tracking of claim 5, wherein the polarization matching network includes a diversity combiner.

8. The system for antenna tracking of claim 4, wherein the means for applying the amplitude and phase combination to a tracking channel responding to variations in the polarization includes

a polarization-matching network.

9. The system for antenna tracking of claim 8, wherein the polarization matching network includes a vector modulator.

10. The system for antenna tracking of claim 8, wherein the polarization matching network includes a diversity combiner.