Mobile tracking antenna made by semiconductor technique

• US 5,850,199 A
• Filed: 01/10/1997
• Issued: 12/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: BEI Sensors & Systems Company Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: BEI Sensors & Systems Company Incorporated (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Madni, Asad M., Wan, Lawrence A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Hoanganh T.
• Application Number:
  US08/781,199
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 343/757, 343/758, 343/761, 343/762, 343/763, 343/912, 343/914, 343/915, 343/916
• US Class Current: 343/757
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/14 for varying the relative position of primary active element and a refracting or diffracting device
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/20 wherein the primary active element is fixed and the reflecting device is movable

Abstract

A mobile tracking antenna for microwave signals from a satellite or distant transmitter includes a micro- electromechanical system produced by semiconductor processing. Specifically several micro faceted reflector segments have their facets selectively controlled by a feedback control system and reflects the signal onto a four sector horn which then by error signals actuates electrostatic positioning means on the micro facets to center the signal on the optimum receiving portion of the horn. Each segment covers a portion of the 360° receiving spectrum. The particular segment is selected by a maximum signal being received.

Claims

1. A mobile tracking antenna for receiving microwave signals from a satellite or distant transmitter comprising:

at least one reflective microwave lens segment having a plurality of micro facets for controllably focusing and reflecting a received microwave signal from said satellite or distant transmitter onto a microwave receiving horn means disposed opposite said reflective lens segment, said horn means having an optimum center of reception;

feedback control means responsive to the magnitude of received microwave signals reflected from said micro facets of said lens for adjusting the azimuth and elevation angles of each of said facets to center reflected signals on said optimum center of reception of said horn means to track said microwave signals in real time from said mobile antenna.

2. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 where said feedback control means provides for focusing of said microwave signals with respect to said horn means.

3. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 where said microwave lens has its micro facets formed by semiconductor micromachining processing techniques.

4. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 3 where said microwave lens segment is composed of any one of the following three materials:

silicon, ceramic, or plastic.

5. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 3 where a silicon wafer is etched to form a cavity with a said facet cantilevered over said cavity.

6. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 including a plurality of said segments arranged in a quasi-conical format to provide a 360°

angle of reception of said microwave signals.

7. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 6 including means for selecting one of said plurality of segments receiving a said microwave signal having the greatest magnitude.

8. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 where each of said micro facets has a conductive surface whereby said microwave signals are reflected.

9. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 where said horn means has four sectors arranged around an orthogonal axis, the origin of said axis being said optimum center of reception.

10. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 where each of said facets has its azimuth and elevation controlled by electrostatic means which are driven by said feedback control means.

11. A mobile tracking antennas as in claim 10 where said electrostatic means includes metallized pads on each of said facets which are juxtaposed with fixed metallized pads serving as effective capacitors to provide said electrostatic forces for said azimuth and elevation control.

12. A mobile tracking antenna as in claim 1 where each of said facets has its azimuth and elevation controlled by a piezo-plastic coupling driven by said feedback control means.