SYSTEM FOR TESTING THE ACCURACY OF THE AUTOMATIC POSITIONING MEANS OF A SIGNAL TRACKING ANTENNA

• US 20190331800A1
• Filed: 11/29/2017
• Published: 10/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: QuadSAT IVS
• Original Assignee: QuadSAT IVS
• Inventors: ESPELAND, Joakim, BUCHI, Adrian
• Granted Patent: US 11,435,483 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 10/14 with four distinct rotor axes, e.g. quadcopters
• CPC Class Codes: B64U 2101/20 for use as communications relays, e.g. high-altitude platforms
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/23 Testing, monitoring, correcting or calibrating of receiver elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/023 Monitoring or calibrating
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/026 Simulating means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/38 using adjustment of real or effective orientation of directivity characteristic of an antenna or an antenna system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that antenna or antenna system, e.g. to give a maximum or minimum signal G01S3/16, G01S3/28 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4026 Antenna boresight
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/4082 using externally generated reference signals, e.g. via remote reflector or transponder
• 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 3/00 Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system means for positioning H01Q1/125
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/27 for locating or positioning the transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18504 Aircraft used as relay or high altitude atmospheric platform
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18506 Communications with or from aircraft, i.e. aeronautical mobile service
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/1851 Systems using a satellite or space-based relay H04B7/18508, H04B7/18521 take precedence; providing specific services H04B7/18523 - H04B7/18576
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18519 Operations control, administration or maintenance

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for testing the accuracy of the automatic positioning means of a signal tracking antenna during a satellite signal searching and/or tracking operation; wherein the platform, such as a ship, on which the signal tracking antenna is mounted is kept stationary during the testing operation. The method includes the use of an unmanned aerial vehicle and a control station.

Claims

1. Use of an unmanned aerial vehicle and a control station for testing the accuracy of an automatic positioning means of a signal tracking antenna during a satellite signal searching and/or tracking operation;

wherein a platform, such as a ship, on which the signal tracking antenna is mounted is kept stationary during a testing operation;

wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is adapted for;

transmitting, while navigating a flight route, a signal configured for the signal tracking antenna to search for and/or to track;

wherein the control station is adapted for;

receiving positioning data from the automatic positioning means during a predefined test period; and

receiving data, such as signal strength data, from the signal tracking antenna, about the received signal from the unmanned aerial vehicle during said predefined test period.

2. Use according to claim 1, wherein the control station is configured to a) output the received positioning data, and data about the received signal and/or b) compare the received positioning data, and data about the received signal with reference values from previous tests and/or with data sheets from an antenna manufacturer.

3. Use according to claim 1, wherein the control station is configured to receive positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle during a test period;

and to instruct the automatic positioning means to initiate and/or continue the satellite signal searching and/or tracking operation based on the positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

4. Use according to claim 1, wherein the control station is further configured to:

receive positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle during a test period; and

compare the received positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the positioning data from the automatic positioning means, and data about the received signal with reference values from previous tests.

5. Use according to claim 1, wherein the control station is configured to receive positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle during a test period;

and for

calculating simulated positioning data of a directional antenna; and

transmitting said calculated simulated positioning data to the control unit of an automatic positioning means of a directional antenna;

wherein the calculation of simulated positioning data of a directional antenna is based on the positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

6. Use according to claim 3, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured for continuously transmitting its position to the control station.

7. Use according to claim 1, wherein the control station is integrated into the stabilized satellite communication antenna.

8. Use according to claim 1, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is further adapted for:

receiving a test flight route from the control station;

automatically navigating the received test flight route with the aid of a received Global Navigation Satellite System signal; and

wherein the control station is further adapted for;

transmitting a test flight route signal to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

9. Use according to claim 1, wherein the signal tracking antenna is a COTM antenna.

10. A system for testing the accuracy of an automatic positioning means of a stabilized satellite communication antenna during a satellite signal searching and/or tracking operation;

the system comprising;

an unmanned aerial vehicle; and

a control station;

wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is adapted for;

transmitting, while navigating a flight route, a signal configured for the signal tracking antenna to search for and/or to track;

wherein the control station is adapted for;

receiving positioning data from the automatic positioning means during a predefined test period; and

receiving data, such as signal strength data, from the signal tracking antenna, about the received signal from the unmanned aerial vehicle during said predefined test period.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control station is configured to a) output the received positioning data, and data about the received signal and/or b) compare the received positioning data, and data about the received signal with reference values from previous tests and/or with data sheets from an antenna manufacturer.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control station is configured to receive positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle during a test period;

and to instruct the automatic positioning means to initiate and/or continue the satellite signal searching and/or tracking operation based on the positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control station is configured to receive positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle during a test period;

and for

calculating simulated positioning data of a directional antenna; and

transmitting said calculated simulated positioning data to the control unit of an automatic positioning means of a directional antenna;

wherein the calculation of simulated positioning data of a directional antenna is based on the positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle.

14. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control station is further configured to:

receive positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle during a test period; and

compare the received positioning data from the unmanned aerial vehicle, the positioning data from the automatic positioning means, and data about the received signal with reference values from previous tests.

15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is configured for continuously transmitting its position to the control station.

16. The system according to claim 10, wherein the control station is integrated into the signal tracking antenna.

17. The system according to claim 10, wherein the unmanned aerial vehicle is further adapted for:

receiving a test flight route from the control station;

automatically navigating the received test flight route with the aid of a received Global Navigation Satellite System signal; and

wherein the control station is further adapted for;

transmitting a test flight route signal to the unmanned aerial vehicle.

18. The system according to claim 10, wherein the signal tracking antenna is a COTM antenna.