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US 11,442,161 B2Granted
Satellite borne synthetic aperture radar
AssigneeEmbraer S.A.
InventorsJoão Roberto Moreira Neto, Janio Kono
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The example non-limiting technology herein provides a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) solution on board a micro-satellite that provides global revisit within 1 month; a cost below US$ 10 million; and satellite mass lower than 100 kg. One solution uses an inflatable Cassegrain type antenna with a phased beam steering array in the 1.2 GHz band.
Claims13
A satellite borne Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for surveying the earth's surface, comprising:
- a geometrically-adjustable Cassegrain type antenna with aperture size in a range between 15 to 30 meters, comprising an inflatable balloon with a controlled pressure during orbit providing, during orbit, adjustable antenna geometry and characteristics for radar wavelengths larger than millimeters,
- the geometrically-adjustable Cassegrain type antenna comprising a two-dimensional active antenna array enabling electronic beam steering in elevation and azimuth directions with in-orbit adjustable electronic beam steering range,
- the Cassegrain type antenna comprising a sub-reflector that is centralized or offset for defining an illumination pattern on earth's surface with in-orbit adjustable geometry;
- and
- a Power, Attitude and Orbit Control Subsystem comprising a pressure control of geometrically-adjustable Cassegrain antenna reflectors, a telemetry infrastructure and a real-time data down link enabling the satellite to be controlled by a satellite control center and to download acquired radar data to a ground station.
2 more elements
An orbital platform comprising:
- a housing;
- a SAR radar system comprising an inflatable geometrically adjustable Cassegrain antenna mounted to the housing, the antenna comprising a two-dimensional steerable active antenna array, a sub-reflector and a main reflector, the antenna array emitting microwave pulses that the sub-reflector reflects to the main reflector and the main reflector reflects to the target;
- and
- solar panels mounted to the housing;
- wherein the solar panels provide sufficient energy to enable substantially continuous operation of the SAR radar system.
2 more elements
An orbital platform comprising:
- a housing;
- a SAR radar system comprising an inflatable Cassegrain antenna mounted to the housing, the antenna comprising a two-dimensional steerable active antenna array, a sub-reflector and a reflector, the antenna array emitting microwave pulses that the sub-reflector reflects to the reflector and the reflector reflects to the target;
- and
- solar panels mounted to the housing;
- wherein the solar panels provide sufficient energy to enable substantially continuous operation of the SAR radar system,
- wherein the gain and beamwidth of the illumination beam of the inflatable Cassegrain type antenna can be modified in orbit by changing the shape of the main and secondary reflectors, wherein independent pressure control of first and second the cavities are used to control the shapes of the main and secondary cavities to modify the antenna characteristics.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.