# US 12,183,982 B2 · Rotatable antenna system with wireless rotatable interconnect > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,183,982 B2 - Document ID: US12183982B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/600,995 - Filed: 2020-03-26 - Published: 2022-06-23 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2019-04-03 - Assignees: ViaSat, Inc. - Applicants: ViaSat, Inc. - Inventors: Eric B. Shin; Kevin M. Skinner - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183982B2 ## CPC - H01Q 3/08: for varying two co-ordinates of the orientation - H01Q 3/005: {using remotely controlled antenna positioning or scanning} - H01Q 3/06: over a restricted angle - H01Q 19/17: the primary radiating source comprising two or more radiating elements (H01Q19/15, H01Q25/00 take precedence) - H02J 50/005: {Mechanical details of housing or structure aiming to accommodate the power transfer means, e.g. mechanical integration of coils, antennas or transducers into emitting or receiving devices} - H02J 50/10: using inductive coupling - H01Q 15/16: curved in two dimensions [2D], e.g. paraboloidal - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - H02J: ELECTRIC POWER NETWORKS; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS OR SYSTEMS FOR SUPPLYING OR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRIC POWER; SYSTEMS FOR STORING ELECTRIC ENERGY ## Abstract A rotatable antenna is disclosed comprising a wireless rotatable interconnect comprising: a stator coil pad, a rotor coil pad, and a radiating element coupled to the rotor coil pad. In an embodiment, changes in a rotation of the rotor coil pad about an axis change a pointing direction of the radiating element. Moreover, a first channel of a plurality of wireless channels transfers power from the stator coil pad to the rotor coil pad and a second channel of the plurality of wireless channels transfers data between the stator coil pad and the rotor coil pad. Also, a data encoder may be coupled to the rotor coil pad that modulates at least a portion of the data transmitted through the second channel of the plurality of wireless channels onto a radio frequency (RF) signal, and provides the RF signal to the radiating element. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A rotatable antenna comprising: a wireless rotatable interconnect comprising: a stator coil pad coupled to a power supply port for receiving power and to a data port for communication of data, wherein the stator coil pad comprises a planar stator coil surface; and a rotor coil pad that is in bi-directional communication with the stator coil pad, wherein the rotor coil pad comprises a planar rotor coil surface; wherein the rotor coil pad superposes the stator coil pad and the planar rotor coil surface is spaced apart from the planar stator coil surface, wherein the planar rotor coil surface is parallel with the planar stator coil surface; and wherein the rotor coil pad is rotatable about an axis in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction on a plane perpendicular to the axis, wherein the axis is fixed relative to the wireless rotatable interconnect; a radiating element coupled to the rotor coil pad, wherein changes in a rotation of the rotor coil pad about the axis change a pointing direction of the radiating element; wherein a plurality of wireless channels are established between the stator coil pad and the rotor coil pad and a first channel of the plurality of wireless channels transfers power from the stator coil pad to the rotor coil pad and a second channel of the plurality of wireless channels transfers data between the stator coil pad and the rotor coil pad; a data encoder coupled to the rotor coil pad that modulates at least a portion of the data transmitted through the second channel of the plurality of wireless channels onto a radio frequency (RF) signal, and provides the RF signal to the radiating element; and a mechanical hold down to limit the rotation of the rotor coil pad to a plane that intersects the axis at a right angle and wherein the plane is parallel with both the planar rotor coil surface and the planar stator coil surface. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein a third channel of the plurality of wireless channels transfers commands for controlling a position of the rotor coil pad. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The rotatable antenna of claim 2, further comprising: an antenna control unit coupled to the rotor coil pad, wherein the antenna control unit receives the commands on the third channel of the plurality of wireless channels; and a motor coupled to a rotator for rotating the rotor coil pad, wherein the antenna control unit provides commands for controlling the motor in response to receipt of the commands on the third channel of the plurality of wireless channels. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The rotatable antenna of claim 3, wherein the motor receives a power signal from the rotor coil pad that is provided in response to power transferred to the rotor coil pad via the first channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein rotation of the rotor coil pad changes an azimuth of the radiating element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein the wireless rotatable interconnect is a first wireless rotatable interconnect, and the axis is a first axis, the rotatable antenna further comprising: a second wireless rotatable interconnect comprising: a stator coil pad coupled to the power supply port for receiving power; a rotor coil pad that is in bi-directional communication with the stator coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect, wherein the rotor coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect superposes the stator coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect and the rotor coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect is spaced apart from the stator coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect, and the rotor coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect is rotatable about a second axis; and wherein the radiating element is coupled to the rotor coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect, wherein changes in a rotation of the rotor coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect about the second axis change a pointing direction of the radiating element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The rotatable antenna of claim 6, wherein rotation of the rotor coil pad of the first wireless rotatable interconnect changes an azimuth of the radiating element and rotation of the rotor coil pad of the second wireless rotatable interconnect changes an elevation of the radiating element. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein the primary winding establishes mutual inductance with the secondary winding. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein the primary winding establishes magnetic resonance coupling with the secondary winding. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, further comprising: a first housing formed of non-conductive material that houses the stator coil pad; and a second housing formed of non-conductive material that houses the rotor coil pad, wherein the second housing abuts the first housing at a planar interface. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein the radiating element is mounted in a satellite dish. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein the radiating element is a wave guide array. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The rotatable antenna of claim 1, wherein the radiating element is a first radiating element pointing in a first direction, the rotatable antenna comprising a second radiating element pointing in a second direction, wherein the second direction opposes the first direction.