Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/42—Housings not intimately mechanically associated with radiating elements, e.g. radome
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
  • H01Q19/06—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens
  • H01Q19/062—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens for focusing
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
  • H01Q3/12—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems
  • H01Q3/14—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system using mechanical relative movement between primary active elements and secondary devices of antennas or antenna systems for varying the relative position of primary active element and a refracting or diffracting device
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
  • H01Q1/28—Adaptation for use in or on aircraft, missiles, satellites, or balloons
  • H01Q1/282—Modifying the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle, e.g. projecting type aerials
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
  • H01Q1/27—Adaptation for use in or on movable bodies
  • H01Q1/32—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles
  • H01Q1/325—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle
  • H01Q1/3275—Adaptation for use in or on road or rail vehicles characterised by the location of the antenna on the vehicle mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q15/00—Devices for reflection, refraction, diffraction or polarisation of waves radiated from an antenna, e.g. quasi-optical devices
  • H01Q15/02—Refracting or diffracting devices, e.g. lens, prism
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
  • H01Q21/06—Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
  • H01Q21/061—Two dimensional planar arrays
  • H01Q21/064—Two dimensional planar arrays using horn or slot aerials
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
  • H01Q3/24—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
  • H01Q3/245—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching in the focal plane of a focussing device
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
  • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
  • H01Q3/24—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
  • H01Q3/247—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching by switching different parts of a primary active element

Definitions

• the present application relates generally to satellite communications. More specifically, the present application relates to an antenna system for satellite communications.
• Vehicles such as aircrafts have radomes affixed to the vehicle to protect their antennas, such as those used for satellite communications.
• the antenna therefore has size constraints due to the aerodynamic nature of the radome.
• the weight of both the radome and the antenna is of further concern to promote fuel efficiency and maneuverability.
• the improved antenna system includes a phase compensated radome to provide high gain and a steerable beam.
• the phase compensated radome, or transmitarray allows the beam to propagate through its structure, and enables steering of the beam.
• the improved antenna system includes a light-weight feed antenna that may be rotated, tilted, and translated to achieve beam steering.
• a dual-band circularly polarized phase compensated radome supports transmitting and receiving wide steering angles.
• Dual-band includes (1) Ku Rx (10.7 GHz-12.75 GHz)and Ku Tx (13.75 GHz-14.5 GHz) or (2) K Rx (17.7 GHz-21.2 GHz) and Ka Tx (27.5 GHz-31.0 GHz).
• Quad-band includes Ku Rx (10.7 GHz-12.75 GHz), Ku Tx (13.75 GHz-14.5 GHz), K Rx (17.7 GHz-21.2 GHz), and Ka Tx (27.5 GHz-31.0 GHz).
• An antenna system comprising one or more antennas disposed beneath a concave interior of a transmission surface, and the transmission surface.
• the one or more antennas comprise one or more feedhorn antennas, and wherein the one or more feedhorn antennas comprise substantially conical surfaces open toward a concave interior of the transmission surface.
• the antenna system further includes one or more mechanical components configured to adjust the one or more antennas.
• the antenna system further includes one or more electrically operated switches configured to control actuation of the one or more antennas.
• the transmission surface may include an equi-phased transmission surface.
• the transmission surface may be mountable to an inner surface of a radome top.
• the transmission surface is a phase compensated structure configured to convert spherical waves of the one or more antennas into plane waves.
• the transmission surface comprises multiple layers of one or more dual-band dual-polarized cells or quad-band dual-polarized cells.
• the one or more antennas are tiltable, rotatable, and laterally movable.
• the antenna system is configured for any of Ku, K and Ka bands frequency communication.
• the one or more antennas comprise one or more feed antennas.
• the transmission surface comprises an array of one or more dual-band dual-polarized cells or quad-band dual-polarized cells.
• a phase compensated radome top comprising a transmission surface having a substantially similar curvature to a curvature of at least a protective layer of the phase compensated radome top, and the protective layer, wherein the protective layer is configured to protect the transmission surface, and, when coupled to a radome base, one or more antennas disposed beneath a concave interior of the protective layer and a concave interior of the transmission surface.
• the transmission surface is an equi-phased transmission surface and may be affixed to at least one of an inner surface of the protective layer or a framework of the phase compensated radome top.
• the transmission surface is configured to convert spherical waves of the one or more antennas into plane waves.
• the transmission surface comprises multiple layers of one or more dual-band dual-polarized cells or quad-band dual-polarized cells.
• the transmission surface includes an array of one or more of dual-band dual-polarized cells or quad-band dual-polarized cells.
• the terms "data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received, and/or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.
• a computing device is described herein to receive data from another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be received directly from another computing device or may be received indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices and/or networks.
• a computing device is described herein to send data to another computing device, it will be appreciated that the data may be sent directly to another computing device or may be sent indirectly via one or more intermediary computing devices and/or networks.
• example means serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word example is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion.
• a particular feature may be disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
• the terms “includes” and “including”, and variants thereof are used in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.”
• the term "or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances.
• the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form.
• system refers to, or includes a computer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatus with one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can be either hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution.
• a system may be, but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executable instructions, a program, and/or a computer.
• an application running on a server and the server can be a system.
• electrical communication means that an electric current and/or electric signals are capable of making the connection between the areas specified.
• Coupled refers to both direct coupling, fixing, or attaching, as well as indirect coupling, fixing, or attaching through one or more intermediate components or features, unless otherwise specified herein.
• terms of approximation such as “approximately,” “substantially,” or “about,” refer to being within manufacturing or engineering tolerances. For example, terms of approximation may refer to being withing a five percent margin of error.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded view of an antenna system 100 for controlling satellite communication in a satellite communication network in accordance with example embodiments.
• the antenna system may be configured on a vehicle such as an aircraft, such as a rotorcraft, an airplane, or a drone.
• the vehicle is a land craft, such as a car, or a watercraft, such as a ship or a boat.
• the antenna system 100 of FIG. 1 can be implemented on the vehicle.
• the example antenna system 100 is an example of an antenna system with which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized. Certain variations of the antenna system 100 may be contemplated.
• the antenna system 100 may include a radome top 102 that protects a transmission surface 20 and one or more antennas 103, which may be referred to interchangeably as antennas.
• the radome top may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the transmission surface 20 and/or a radome base 104.
• the transmission surface 20 is an equi-phased transmission surface and/or phase compensated structure configured to convert spherical waves of the one or more antennas into plane waves.
• the transmission surface 20 has a curvature and shape substantially similar to the shape and/or curvature of the radome top 102 or matching the shape of the radome top 102, such that the transmission surface 20 can be integrated within a same structure of the radome top 102, affixed to, mounted to, or attached to the radome top 102, such as to the interior of the radome top 102 or the like, such as with any suitable materials.
• the transmission surface 20 is manufactured separately from the radome top 102, and is affixable, mountable, or attachable to the radome top 102, such as with any suitable materials.
• the transmission surface is affixed to at least one of an inner surface of the protective layer or a framework of the radome top 102, (e.g., the phase compensated radome top).
• the transmission surface 20 has a substantially similar curvature to a curvature of a protective layer and/or a framework of the radome top.
• the protective layer of the radome top 102 is configured to protect the transmission surface 20, and, when coupled to a radome base, one or more antennas disposed beneath a concave interior of the protective layer and a concave interior of the transmission surface 20.
• Configuring the transmission surface 20 to have a substantially same shape and/or curvature as the radome top 102 and/or protective layer of the radome top 102 promotes space-saving efficiency and the aerodynamic characteristics of the radome top 102.
• the term "substantially" with regard to the transmission surface having a substantially same curvature or shape as the radome top 102 and/or a protective layer of the radome top 102 is used to account for any small variations in shape variation or curvature variation between the radome top 102 and the transmission surface 20, such as materials used to affix or integrate the two components, other seams or components, or the like, that have little impact to the overall shape and/or aerodynamic characteristics of the radome top 102 and transmission surface 20.
• the radome top 102 comprises the transmission surface 20, and may be referred to as a phase compensated radome top.
• the transmission surface 20 may be configured to be integrated with existing radome tops, such that external changes to radome tops or the design thereof are not needed.
• Each of the antennas 103 may be positioned at least partially within or beneath the radome top 102 and/or transmission surface 20, and at least partially within the radome base 104.
• the radome top 102 and/or transmission surface 20 may have a concave interior, such that each of the antennas 103 may be at least partially positioned within the concave interior.
• the radome top 102 and/or transmission surface 20 is shaped substantially like a hemisphere, and the radome base 104 and antenna system base 110 substantially cylindrical.
• the radome top 102 and/or transmission surface 20 is substantially bullet shaped, and the radome base 104 and antenna system base 110 substantially elliptical and cylindrical.
• the radome top 102 may be in any shape or configuration determined to provide protection to the one or more antennas 103, while also providing a substantially aerodynamic shape of the vehicle portion or component to which it is affixed.
• the radome top 102 may comprise material that is substantially transparent to radio frequency (RF) signals such as plastic, polyethylene, and/or the like.
• RF radio frequency
• the radome top 102 can be formed or otherwise manufactured from material that is substantially transparent to RF signals.
• the radome top 102 may be configured to cover at least a portion of the antennas 103 and/or protect at least a portion of the antennas 103 from the environment (e.g., rain, snow, and/or the like.).
• the transmission surface 20 may include any structural surface, such as a, a multilayer metasurface, configured to radiate or receive electromagnetic waves.
• the transmission surface 20 may be referred to as a lens.
• the transmission surface 20 may include an arrangement of cells 22, such as dual-polarized unit cells, including but not limited to dual-band dual-polarized cells or quad-band dual-polarized cells, configured in a concave or hemisphere-shaped grid.
• a transmission surface 20, or a layer thereof may comprise, for example, thousands of cells 22 arranged in a pattern.
• the transmission surface 20 includes one or more layers of cells 22, with a configuration having more layers supporting a relatively higher directivity than a configuration with fewer layers.
• the multiple layers may have varying configurations of cells 22.
• the unit cells may be configured similarly as is illustrated in FIG. 1(a) of H. Hasani, J. S. Silva, S. Capdevila, M. Garc ⁇ a-Vigueras and J. R. Mosig, "Dual-Band Circularly Polarized Transmitarray Antenna for Satellite Communications at (20, 30) GHz, " in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. 67, no. 8, pp. 5325-5333, Aug. 2019, doi: 10.1109/TAP.2019.2912495 , a copy of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• the transmission surface 20 may be configured similarly as illustrated in FIG. 1(b) of Hasani et. al.
• FIG. 2 is a schematic of a cell 22 of a transmission surface 20, according to example embodiments.
• the cell 22 of FIG. 2 is a quad-band dual-polarized cell configured to support K band, Ka band, and Ku band communication. Phase shifting or phase variation may occur based on any of the unit cell parameters such as L1, L2, L3, L4, and L5.
• the parameters may include different cells across the aperture and may vary across different designs and embodiments.
• L2 L1 / 2.
• L1, L2, and L5 enable activation of Ku band transmission and receive elements.
• L3 and L4 enable activation of Ka band transmit and receive elements.
• the configuration of the quad-band dual- polarized unit cells enables 360-degree phase variation.
• a cell 22 has an aperture that captures or radiates the electromagnetic waves, and may be further configured to control phase, amplitude, and polarization of an electromagnetic wave, and may affect beam steering, beam focusing, beamwidth, and signal shaping. Numerous variations of cell 22 making up the transmission surface 20 may be contemplated.
• the transmission surface 20, which may include multiple layers of cells, such as dual-band dual-polarized cells and/or quad-band dual-polarized cells, may therefore provide a relatively high gain in comparison to traditional antenna systems, by effectively converting input power into radio waves in a particular direction to efficiently and effectively establish or maintain satellite communications.
• the radome base 104 may comprise material that is substantially transparent to RF signals such as plastic, polyethylene, and/or the like.
• the radome base may be configured to cover at least a portion of the antennas 103 and/or protect at least a portion of the antennas 103 from the environment (e.g., rain, snow, and/or the like.).
• the radome base 104 may be configured to mechanically support the antennas 103.
• the radome base 104 may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the antenna system base 110, the transmission surface 20, and/or the radome top 102.
• the antenna system 100 includes a plurality of standoffs 112 configured to facilitate coupling of the antenna system 100 to a structure (e.g., a building), a vehicle (e.g., an aircraft, a seacraft, or a land vehicle), or equipment. Each standoff 112 may be coupled, directly or indirectly, to the antenna system base 110.
• FIG. 1 is provided as an example, and alternative shapes and configurations may be contemplated.
• the term radome may refer to any of the radome top 102, transmission surface 20, radome base 104 and/or combination thereof.
• the antennas 103 may include one or more antennas, such as a horn antenna, a phasedarray, a patch array, a linear array, an array of horn antennas, a Helix, an open ended waveguide, or the like.
• the larger end or open end of the horn antenna(s), including the aperture are positioned toward the concave interior of the transmission surface 20.
• one or more feedhorn antennas comprise substantially conical surfaces open toward a concave interior of the transmission surface.
• a single antenna such as a single horn antenna, maybe be advantageously utilized to reduce or minimize weight.
• the antenna system 100 may include one or more mechanical components to control movement, or adjust, of one or more antennas 103, and therefore control the corresponding beam position.
• the antennas 103 may be tilted, rotated, and/or laterally translated to steer the beam.
• the antennas 103 may therefore by laterally movable.
• certain antennas may be electrically switched or activated in certain instances and based on their respective positions, in order to steer the beam.
• the antenna system 100 includes one or more electrically operated switches with which to control actuation of one or more antennas 103.
• the antennas 103 are configured to receive and/or transmit electromagnetic waves, such as by electrical connection to a receiver and transmitter (not shown in FIG. 1 ).
• the connection may include feedlines configured to feed power to the antennas 103.
• the electromagnetic waves create a communication link between the antenna system 100 and the satellite provided there is sufficient power.
• the electromagnetic waves are directed to form a beam that optimizes the energy in a specific direction to maintain the link, thus directing the energy to an antenna system of the satellite.
• the beam is dynamically positioned or steered to maintain the connection (e.g., link).
• a satellite communication system (SATCOM) of a vehicle may include the antenna system 100 of FIG. 1 .
• the SATCOM can be configured to communicate with one or more satellites, such as geostationary satellites, using the antenna system 100.
• the SATCOM may in communication with one or more satellites via radio frequency (RF) signals.
• RF radio frequency
• the SATCOM may also be configured to communicate with one or more ground stations.
• the SATCOM can, in various examples, be configured to provide Internet and/or telephone connectivity to passengers, drivers, or pilots within the vehicle.
• the SATCOM may provide connectivity to an IP-based packet-switched communications network.
• the SATCOM includes an antenna, such as antennas 103, in electrical communication with a modem.
• the modem is configured to demodulate RF signals received by the antennas 103 to a digital signal, and to modulate digital signals generated by the system to RF signals emitted by the antennas 103.
• the modem can be configured with various modulation codes to transform the digital data into analog data and vice versa.
• FIG. 3 is a schematic of a partial view of an antenna system and beam pattern 200, in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure.
• One or more antennas 103 beneath the transmission surface 20 may be configured to be moved laterally in the x direction such as a distance of dx.
• the dashed lines of the antennas 103 shows movement in the x plane. A distance and direction of the movement may be determined as disclosed herein.
• multiple antennas 103 may be configured such that a certain antennas 103 is selected for activation based on its lateral position or dx from a reference point, and activated by an electrical switch.
• a configuration such as depicted in FIG. 3 allows for translation shift and elevation scanning.
• FIGS. 4A-4E are schematics of partial views of an antenna system, illustrating various movements of antennas, in accordance with at least one example embodiment of the present disclosure.
• example embodiments may offset one or more antennas 103 to further enable elevation scanning.
• the offset provides further elevation scanning.
• example embodiments may offset and/or rotate one or more antennas 103 to perform azimuth scanning.
• example embodiments may offset, rotate, and/or tilt one or more antennas 103 to perform azimuth scanning.
• any combination of movements as described with respect to any of FIG. 3 or FIGs. 4A-4E may be performed for beam steering.
• An offset from center steers the beam in Elevation, and rotation round a central axis or the antennas 103 steers the beam in Azimuth. Additional tilt at the offset position optimizes the phase shifts for sidelobe improvement.
• any of the movement may be mechanically induced by one or more mechanical components as described in further detail herein.
• multiple antennas 103 in an arrangement may be selectively and electrically activated to achieve an effect of a translation shift.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 500 embodying one more devices or systems disclosed herein, such as a system for controlling one or more aspects of the SATCOM and/or the antenna system 100.
• Apparatus 500 may additionally or alternatively embody other systems or subsystems of the vehicle. Numerous instances of apparatus 500 may be implemented within a vehicle to control satellite communicates as discussed herein, control the antenna system 100, control other systems of the vehicle, and/or the like.
• apparatus 500 may implemented in a ground-control system that communicates with the vehicle, such as via another instance of apparatus 500 onboard the vehicle.
• the apparatus 500 may be in data communication with one or more subsystems of the vehicle.
• the apparatus 500 may be configured to receive or determine vehicle position data indicative of the current position, which may be used by the apparatus 500 to control a position, movement, or electrical activation of one or more antennas 103.
• vehicle position data indicative of the current position
• Various algorithms for positioning the antennas 103 may be utilized or implemented according to example embodiments and may vary depending on the vehicle type or model, antenna type, antenna configuration, and/or the like.
• the apparatus 500 may control one or more mechanical components to control positioning of one or more antennas 103, including controlling movement in any direction along an x-axis or y-axis, rotating, tilting, and/or the like, of any portion of the antennas 103. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus 500 may control one or more electrical switches and/or electrical components to activate one or more antennas 103. According to certain embodiments, the apparatus 500 controls such mechanical or electrical components to enable the SATCOM to maintain or attempt to maintain connectivity with the satellite.
• apparatus 500 may be a microcontroller or integrated circuit, such as to control power switching at one or more antennas 103.
• the apparatus 500 includes processor 502, memory 504, input/output circuitry 506, and/or communications circuitry 508.
• the apparatus 500 is configured, using one or more of the sets of circuitry embodied by processor 502, memory 504, input/output circuitry 506, communications circuitry 508, to execute and perform the operations described herein.
• computing entity, device, system, and/or similar words used herein interchangeably may refer to, for example, one or more computers, computing entities, desktop computers, distributed systems, terminals, servers or server networks, gateways, switches, processing devices, processing entities, relays, routers, network access points, the like, and/or any combination of devices or entities adapted to perform the functions, operations, and/or processes described herein.
• these functions, operations, and/or processes can be performed on data, content, information, and/or similar terms used herein interchangeably.
• the apparatus 500 embodies a particular, specially configured computing entity transformed to enable the specific operations described herein and provide the specific advantages associated therewith, as described herein.
• circuitry as used herein with respect to components of the apparatuses described herein should therefore be understood to include particular hardware configured to perform the functions associated with the particular circuitry as described herein.
• circuitry should be understood broadly to include hardware and, in some embodiments, software for configuring the hardware.
• circuitry includes processing circuitry, storage media, network interfaces, input/output devices, and/or the like.
• other elements of the apparatus 500 provide or supplement the functionality of another particular set of circuitry.
• the processor 502 in some embodiments provides processing functionality to any of the sets of circuitry
• the memory 504 provides storage functionality to any of the sets of circuitry
• the communications circuitry 508 provides network interface functionality to any of the sets of circuitry, and/or the like.
• the processor 502 (and/or co-processor or any other processing circuitry assisting or otherwise associated with the processor) is/are in communication with the memory 504 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 500.
• the memory 504 is non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and/or non-volatile memories.
• the memory 504 in some embodiments includes or embodies an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium).
• the memory 504 is configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like, for enabling the apparatus 500 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure.
• memory 504 may store computer program code providing algorithms for controlling one or more mechanical parts to position one or more antennas 103, and/or for actuating switches or electrical components of the antenna system 100.
• the algorithms may utilize one or more of Global Positioning System (GPS) based positioning, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) based positioning, radio frequency (RF) tracking, or the like.
• GPS Global Positioning System
• IMU Inertial Measurement Unit
• RF radio frequency
• the input/output circuitry 506 is optional in certain instances of apparatus 500.
• apparatus 500 when apparatus 500 is implemented as a microcontroller, input/output circuitry 506 may be excluded.
• certain instances of apparatus 500 may include input/output circuitry 506 to receive input or provide output to a user.
• the processor 502 may be embodied in a number of different ways.
• the processor 502 includes one or more processing devices configured to perform independently.
• the processor 502 includes one or more processor(s) configured in tandem via a bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining, and/or multithreading.
• the use of the terms "processor” and "processing circuitry" should be understood to include a single core processor, a multi-core processor, and/or multiple processors internal to the apparatus 500.
• the processor 502 is configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 504 or otherwise accessible to the processor.
• the processor 502 in some embodiments is configured to execute hard-coded functionality.
• the processor 502 represents an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly.
• the instructions specifically configure the processor 502 to perform the algorithms embodied in the specific operations described herein when such instructions are executed.
• the processor 502 may include one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), logic circuits, or the like, for actuating one or more switches to open or close, and therefore enable or prevent transmission of the RF signal to the one or more antennas 103.
• FPGAs field-programmable gate arrays
• logic circuits or the like, for actuating one or more switches to open or close, and therefore enable or prevent transmission of the RF signal to the one or more antennas 103.
• the processor 502 is configured to perform various operations associated with controlling operation of the SATCOM.
• the processor 502 includes hardware, software, firmware, and/or a combination thereof to perform such operations.
• the apparatus 500 includes communications circuitry 508.
• the communications circuitry 508 includes any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network and/or any other device, circuitry, or module in communication with the apparatus 500.
• the communications circuitry 508 includes, for example, a network interface for enabling communications with a wired or wireless communications network.
• the communications circuitry 508 includes one or more network interface card(s), antenna(s), bus(es), switch(es), router(s), modem(s), and supporting hardware, firmware, and/or software, or any other device suitable for enabling communications via one or more communications network(s). Additionally or alternatively, the communications circuitry 508 includes circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) and/or other hardware or software to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some embodiments, the communications circuitry 508 enables transmission to and/or receipt of data amongst various components described herein.
• Apparatus 500 may be in data communication, via communications circuity 508 with one or more subsystems of the vehicle.
• the communications circuity 508 may be configured to receive or determine vehicle position data indicative of the current position, which may be used by the apparatus 500 to control a position, movement, or electrical activation of one or more antennas 103.
• communications circuity 508 may enable data communication to control movement of a mechanical part to control movement of, or adjust, one or more antennas 103, or to control actuation of one or more switches of the antenna system 100.
• two or more of the sets of circuitries embodying processor 502, memory 504, input/output circuitry 506, communications circuitry 508, are combined.
• one or more of the processor 502, memory 504, input/output circuitry 506, communications circuitry 508, perform some or all of the functionality described associated with another component.
• two or more of the processor 502, memory 504, input/output circuitry 506, communications circuitry 508, are combined into a single module embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and/or a combination thereof.
• FIG. 6 is a flowchart of example operations that may be performed by the apparatus 500 according to certain example embodiments.
• the apparatus 500 includes means, such as the processor 502, memory 504, communications circuitry 508 and/or the like, for controlling movement of one or more antennas via one or more mechanical components.
• the memory 504 may include computer program code and algorithms for controlling either directly or indirectly such as via another apparatus or system, mechanical components configured to laterally translate, rotate and/or tilt one or more antennas 103.
• the apparatus 500 includes means, such as the processor 502, memory 504, communications circuitry 508 and/or the like, for, controlling actuation of one or more antennas 103 with one or more electrical components, such as one or more electrically operated switches.
• the electrical components can be operated to allow or prevent the signal from the feed from reaching certain antennas as controlled by the apparatus 500.
• the memory 504 may include computer program code and algorithms for controlling either directly or indirectly such as via another apparatus or system, the electrical components.
• the improved antenna system 100 disclosed herein may enable a meaningful weight and size reduction of the antenna(s), in comparison to antennas of traditional antennas systems used in satellite communications.
• the improved antenna system 100 may therefore provide improvements to fuel efficiency and maneuverability of a vehicle.
• Configuring the transmission surface to be substantially the same shape as or to have substantially the same curvature as the radome top enables aerodynamic characteristics of existing aircrafts and/or radomes or designs thereof to be maintained.
• a computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, declarative or procedural languages, and it can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, object, or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment.
• a computer program may, but need not, correspond to a file in a file system.
• a program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs or information/data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub-programs, or portions of code).
• a computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that are located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
• processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer.
• a processor will receive instructions and information/data from a read-only memory or a random-access memory or both.
• the essential elements of a computer are a processor for performing actions in accordance with instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data.
• a computer will also include, or be operatively coupled to receive information/data from or transfer information/data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks.
• mass storage devices for storing data
• a computer need not have such devices.
• Devices suitable for storing computer program instructions and information/data include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.
• the processor and the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

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• 2025
  • 2025-05-27 EP EP25179143.0A patent/EP4668480A1/de active Pending

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