Device and method for reducing interference with adjacent satellites using a mechanically gimbaled asymmetric al-aperture antenna
AssigneeViaSat, Inc.
InventorDavid H. Irvine
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods, apparatuses, and systems for two-way satellite communication and an asymmetric-aperture antenna for two-way satellite communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a beam pattern for an asymmetric-aperture antenna is offset in a narrow beamwidth direction, and the offset beam pattern is directed by a mechanical gimbal, with the beam pattern offset made to reduce interference with an adjacent satellite. In additional embodiments, operational areas near the equator are identified for a given offset beam pattern, or a beam pattern offset may be adjusted over time to compensate for movement of the asymmetric-aperture antenna when attached to an airplane, boat, or other mobile vehicle.
Claims22
A method, comprising:
- associating an antenna mounted on a mobile vehicle with a satellite for communications, wherein the antenna comprises a radiating surface having a plurality of radiating elements;
- producing a beam using the radiating surface, the beam having an asymmetric beam pattern with a narrow-beamwidth direction and a wide-beamwidth direction;
- determining an offset angle of the beam with respect to a perpendicular of the radiating surface in the narrow-beamwidth direction;
- adjusting a plurality of signals communicated with the plurality of radiating elements to adjust an angle of the beam to the offset angle;
- and
- adjusting an azimuth and an elevation of the beam to point the beam in a direction toward the satellite, wherein adjusting the plurality of signals to adjust the angle of the beam and adjusting the azimuth and the elevation of the beam are based at least in part on a location of the mobile vehicle, and wherein adjusting the plurality of signals, the azimuth, and the elevation adjusts a skew angle of the beam with respect to a geosynchronous arc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.