Mobile satellite communication system including a dual-frequency, low-profile, self-steering antenna assembly
First Claim
1. A mobile satellite communication system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
- an antenna assembly mountable on the vehicle, including an antenna device for receiving first satellite signals from a first satellite in a first frequency band and for transmitting and receiving second satellite signals to and from a second satellite in a second frequency band, and a drive subassembly for rotating said antenna device relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal;
a satellite tracking assembly for determining the orientation of said antenna device and for providing said control signal to said drive subassembly so as to maintain said antenna device pointed at the first and second satellites as the vehicle moves;
a receiver coupled to said antenna device for receiving said first satellite signals in said first frequency band; and
a transceiver coupled to said antenna device for transmitting and receiving said second satellite signals in said second frequency band.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile satellite communication system includes an antenna assembly mountable on a vehicle and a satellite tracking assembly. The antenna assembly includes an antenna device for receiving first satellite signals from a first satellite in a first frequency band and for transmitting and receiving second satellite signals to and from a second satellite in a second frequency band, and a drive subassembly for rotating the antenna device relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal. The satellite tracking assembly maintains the antenna device pointed at the first and second satellites as the vehicle moves. The system further includes a receiver coupled to the antenna device for receiving the first satellite signals and a transceiver coupled to the antenna device for transmitting and receiving the second satellite signals. The first satellite signals may be video and imagery data signals transmitted in the Ku band by a direct broadcast satellite. The second satellite signals may be two-way digital communication signals transmitted and received in the L band by an AMSC satellite.
110 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A mobile satellite communication system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
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an antenna assembly mountable on the vehicle, including an antenna device for receiving first satellite signals from a first satellite in a first frequency band and for transmitting and receiving second satellite signals to and from a second satellite in a second frequency band, and a drive subassembly for rotating said antenna device relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal; a satellite tracking assembly for determining the orientation of said antenna device and for providing said control signal to said drive subassembly so as to maintain said antenna device pointed at the first and second satellites as the vehicle moves; a receiver coupled to said antenna device for receiving said first satellite signals in said first frequency band; and a transceiver coupled to said antenna device for transmitting and receiving said second satellite signals in said second frequency band. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An antenna system for use with a mobile satellite communication system in a vehicle, comprising:
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an antenna assembly mountable on the vehicle, including an antenna device for receiving first satellite signals from a first satellite in a first frequency band and for transmitting and receiving second satellite signals to and from a second satellite in a second frequency band, and a drive subassembly for rotating said antenna device relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal; and a satellite tracking assembly for determining the orientation of said antenna device and for providing said control signal to said drive subassembly so as to maintain said antenna device pointed at the first and second satellites as the vehicle moves. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An antenna assembly mountable on a vehicle for use with a mobile satellite communication system, comprising:
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a first antenna for receiving video and imagery data signals from a direct broadcast satellite in the Ku band, said first antenna comprising a reflector that reflects said video and imagery data signals and a horn for receiving the reflected signals; a second antenna for transmitting and receiving two-way digital communication signals to and from an AMSC satellite in the L band, said second antenna being located behind said reflector, said reflector being fabricated of a material that passes said two-way digital communication signals; and a drive subassembly for rotating said first and second antennas relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for satellite communication, comprising the steps of:
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mounting an antenna assembly on a vehicle, said antenna assembly including an antenna device and a drive subassembly for rotating said antenna device relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal; receiving video and imagery data signals from a direct broadcast satellite in the Ku band with said antenna device; transmitting and receiving two-way digital communication signals to and from an AMSC satellite in the L band with said antenna device; and providing said control signal to said drive subassembly so as to maintain said antenna device pointed at the direct broadcast satellite and the AMSC satellite as the vehicle moves. - View Dependent Claims (28)
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29. A mobile satellite communication system for use in a vehicle, comprising:
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an antenna assembly mountable on the vehicle, including an antenna device for receiving video and imagery data signals from a direct broadcast satellite in the Ku band and for transmitting and receiving two-way digital communication signals to and from an AMSC satellite in the L band, and a drive subassembly for rotating said antenna device relative to the vehicle in response to a control signal; a satellite tracking assembly for determining the orientation of said antenna device and for providing said control signal to said drive subassembly so as to maintain said antenna device pointed at the direct broadcast satellite and the AMSC satellite as the vehicle moves; a receiver coupled to said antenna device for receiving said video and imagery data signals in the Ku band; and a transceiver coupled to said antenna device for transmitting and receiving said two-way digital communication signals in the L band.
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Specification