METHOD FOR DIRECTED ANTENNA ALIGNMENT THROUGH AUGMENTED REALITY

• US 20130135146A1
• Filed: 11/29/2011
• Published: 05/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Harris Global Communications, Inc. (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Harris Corporation (L3Harris Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ransom, Nathan, Lee, Myung
• Granted Patent: US 9,281,559 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 342/357.36
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/23 Testing, monitoring, correcting or calibrating of receiver elements
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning

Abstract

A system for aligning two ground-based antennae (100, 110) or a ground-based antenna (100) and a satellite antenna (110), for use in military and civilian settings, in which a visual display is generated showing a graphical representation of the antennae including graphical representations indicating both the axis of the main lobe (102) and the approximate radiation pattern (414) of the antennae, superimposed over a live imaging of the local terrain. The alignment is achieved when the graphical representations of the main axis and radiation patterns of the two antennae align with each other.

Claims

1. A system for aligning antennae, comprising:

a processor;

a positioning system, coupled to said processor, for determining a position and an orientation of a local antenna; and

a visual display, coupled to said processor, wherein said processor is configured for generating a graphical user interface comprising indicia including graphical elements indicating a relative position of said local antenna and a target antenna, and graphical elements showing the axis of the main lobe of the radiation pattern of said local antenna.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said processor is configured to calculate a bearing and elevation from said local antenna to said target antenna, and wherein said indicia includes information which specifies said bearing and elevation.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said processor is configured to automatically update a position of said indicia contained in said visual display as the azimuth and elevation orientation of said local antenna is changed.

4. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

an imaging device, coupled to said processor, configured for providing an image of local terrain in which said local antenna is situated; and

wherein said indicia of said local and target antennae are superimposed over said image of local terrain.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said imaging device is configured to capture said image of local terrain in a direction that is substantially aligned with a boresight of said local antenna as defined by said main lobe.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said imaging device is secured to said local antenna or a portion of a support structure for said local antenna.

7. The system of claim 3, further comprising an input device for providing to said application the position of said local antenna.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said input device is selected from a group consisting of an alphanumeric input device and a GPS receiver.

9. The system of claim 7 further comprising a coupling to said local antenna, and wherein said processor is configured for causing a transmission of information specifying the position of said local antenna to said target antenna and for receiving the position of said target antenna.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein a pointing status of said local antenna is transmitted to said target antenna and the pointing status of said target antenna is received by said local antenna.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising a database containing the positions of known satellites in geosynchronous orbit.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein said target antenna is aligned with said local antenna when said graphical element showing the axis of the main lobe of the radiation pattern of said local antenna is aligned with a position of said target antenna.