Dual phased-array payload concept

• US 6,205,319 B1
• Filed: 09/18/1998
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TRW Inc. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
• Inventors: Kintis, Mark, Berger, Harvey L., Smith, Ronald P., Wiswell, Eric R., Westall, Kenneth E., Lane, Daniel R., Makrygiannis, Konstantinos, Christopher, Mark K., Conrad, Allen F.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAUNG, NAY AUNG
• Application Number:
  US09/157,061
• Time in Patent Office: 914 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/13.1, 455/13.3, 455/62, 455/427, 455/428, 455/429, 455/430, 455/431, 455/457, 342/354, 342/359, 342/368, 342/371, 342/372, 342/373, 342/457, 244/158.R, 244/164, 244/171
• US Class Current: 455/12.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/04 using two or more spaced independent antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18515 Transmission equipment in satellites or space-based relays

Abstract

A dual phased array payload (100) for use onboard a communications satellite is disclosed. The payload includes one or more phased array receive antennas (102-108) including numerous individual receiving elements distributed in a predetermined configuration. Each of the individual radiating elements is selectively adjustable in amplitude and phase to achieve scanning beams for receiving information transmitted from the ground in an uplink beam. The payload includes a packet switch (114) connected to the phased array receive antennas (102-108). The packet switch (114) includes a set of inputs and a set of outputs. The set of inputs are selectively connectable to the set of outputs. The payload (100) includes one or more phased array transmit antennas (120-126) connected to the packet switch (114). The phased array transmit antennas (120-126) include numerous individual radiating elements distributed in a predetermined configuration.

Claims

1. A dual phased array payload architecture for use onboard a communications satellite, said architecture comprising:

a phased array receive antenna including a plurality of individual radiating elements distributed in a predetermined configuration, each of said individual radiating elements selectively adjustable in phase and amplitude to provide scanning beams for receiving information transmitted from the ground in an uplink beam;

a packet switch connected to said phased array receive antenna, said packet switch including a set of inputs and a set of outputs, said inputs selectively connectable to said set of outputs;

a phased array transmit antenna connected to said packet switch, said phased array transmit antenna including a plurality of individual radiating elements distributed in a predetermined configuration, each of said individual radiating elements having a controllable amplitude and phase excitation to generate and electronically steer downlink beams; and

a payload computer connected to said packet switch, said payload computer including outputs controlling the connection of said set of inputs to said set of outputs, controlling the scanning of said radiating elements in said phased array receive antenna, and controlling the amplitude and phase excitation of said radiating elements in said phased array transmit antenna.

2. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, further comprising:

a downconverter connected to said phased array receive antenna;

an analog to digital converter connected to said downconverter; and

a demodulator/decoder connected to said analog to digital converter.

3. The dual phased array payload of claim 2, further comprising:

an encoder/modulator connected to said packet switch;

an upconverter connected to said encoder/modulator.

4. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, further comprising a beacon transmitter and receiver connected to said payload computer.

5. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, further comprising an intersatellite link (ISL) North transmitter and receiver and an ISL South transmitter and receiver.

6. The dual phased array payload of claim 5, further comprising an ISL East transmitter and receiver and an ISL West transmitter and receiver.

7. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional phased array receive antenna connected to said packet switch.

8. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, further comprising at least one additional phased array transmit antenna connected to said packet switch.

9. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, wherein said communications satellite orbits in a non-geostationary earth orbit.

10. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, wherein said phased array receive antenna is oriented in approximately a Northeast direction and further including:

a second phased array receive antenna oriented in approximately a Northwest direction and connected to said packet switch;

a third phased array receive antenna oriented in approximately a Southeast direction and connected to said packet switch; and

a fourth phased array receive antenna oriented in approximately a Southwest direction and connected to said packet switch.

11. The dual phased array payload of claim 1, wherein said phased array transmit antenna is oriented in approximately a Northeast direction and further including:

a second phased array transmit antenna oriented in approximately a Northwest direction and connected to said packet switch;

a third phased array transmit antenna oriented in approximately a Southeast direction and connected to said packet switch; and

a fourth phased array transmit antenna oriented in approximately a Southwest direction and connected to said packet switch.