Portable antenna positioner apparatus and method
DC CAFCFirst Claim
1. A portable antenna positioner comprising:
- an antenna with a centrally located pivot point;
an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna rotates about said centrally located pivot point in elevation when moved by said elevation motor;
at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor;
an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm;
a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor wherein said positioner base houses a computer configured to control said antenna; and
,said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor and said positioning base configured to be stowed and deployed and carried by a single person.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A low power, lightweight, collapsible and rugged antenna positioner for use in communicating with geostationary, geosynchronous and low earth orbit satellite. By collapsing, invention may be easily carried or shipped in a compact container. May be used in remote locations with simple or automated setup and orientation. Azimuth is adjusted by rotating an antenna in relation to a positioner base and elevation is adjusted by rotating an elevation motor coupled with the antenna. Manual orientation of antenna for linear polarized satellites yields lower weight and power usage. Updates ephemeris or TLE data via satellite. Algorithms used for search including Clarke Belt fallback, transponder/beacon searching switch, azimuth priority searching and tracking including uneven re-peak scheduling yield lower power usage. Orientation aid via user interface allows for smaller azimuth motor, simplifies wiring and lowers weight. Tilt compensation, bump detection and failure contingency provide robustness.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable antenna positioner comprising:
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an antenna with a centrally located pivot point; an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna rotates about said centrally located pivot point in elevation when moved by said elevation motor; at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor; an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm; a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor wherein said positioner base houses a computer configured to control said antenna; and
,said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor and said positioning base configured to be stowed and deployed and carried by a single person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for utilizing a portable antenna positioner comprising:
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coupling an antenna with an elevation motor wherein said antenna comprises a centrally located pivot point and wherein said antenna is configured to rotate about said centrally located pivot point in elevation when moved by said elevation motor; coupling at least one positioning arm with said an elevation motor; coupling said at least one positioning arm with an azimuth; coupling said azimuth motor with a positioner base; and
,delivering said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor wherein said antenna is configured to be stowed and deployed and wherein said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm and said azimuth motor are configured to be carried by a single person. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A portable antenna positioner comprising:
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an antenna with a centrally located pivot point; an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna is configured to rotate about said centrally located pivot point in elevation when moved by said elevation motor; at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor; an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm; a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor wherein said positioner base comprises a thermally conductive element further coupled to electronic components located inside said positioner base wherein said positioner base dissipates heat from said electronic components; said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor and said positioning base configured to be stowed and deployed and carried by a single person; a computer configured to align said antenna to point at a satellite wherein said computer housed inside said positioner base; at least one receiver; at least one magnetometer; at least one inclinometer; and
,said computer configured to utilize time and position information from said at least one GPS receiver, orientation information from said at least one magnetometer and declination information from said at least one inclinometer in order to align said antenna with said satellite. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification