Terminal antenna architecture
AssigneeGilat Satellite Networks Ltd.
InventorRonen Stoleru
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Examples disclosed herein describe an antenna architecture (e.g., a planar electronically steered antenna architecture) that enables operation at low elevation angles, down to zero degrees from the satellite. The proposed ‘3SA’ architecture may improve power consumption and array footprints. The proposed ‘3SA’ architecture can support aero terminal implementation on aircraft, enabling the use of GEO, MEO and LEO satellites even in regions having low elevation angles. The architecture may include a horizontal antenna array and vertical antenna array as well as a controller for switching between the antenna arrays.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- selecting, by a controller installed in or on an aircraft, an operating antenna array based on an elevation angle between a location of the aircraft and an orbital location of a satellite, wherein the selected operating antenna array is a horizontal antenna array installed in or on a fuselage of the aircraft or one of two vertical antenna arrays installed back-to-back in or on a tail or fin of the aircraft, wherein each of the two vertical antenna arrays comprises a receiving array and a transmitting array;
- and
- communicating with the satellite using the selected operating antenna array.
A method comprising:
- determining, by a controller installed in or on an aircraft, an elevation angle between a location of the aircraft and an orbital location of a satellite;
- based on the elevation angle, selecting an operating antenna array from one of a horizontal passive array of antennas installed in or on a fuselage of the aircraft and one of two vertical passive arrays of antennas installed back-to-back in or on a tail or fin of the aircraft, wherein each of the two vertical antenna arrays comprises a receiving array and a transmitting array;
- and
- communicating with the satellite using the selected operating antenna array.
A system comprising:
- a horizontal antenna array installed in or on a fuselage of an aircraft;
- two vertical antenna arrays installed back-to-back in or on a tail or fin of the aircraft,
- wherein each of the two vertical antenna arrays comprises a receiving array and a transmitting array;
- and
- a controller installed in or on the aircraft, the controller configured to:
- determine an elevation angle between a location of the aircraft and an orbital location of a satellite;
- select an operating antenna array from the horizontal antenna array or one of the two vertical antenna arrays;
- and
- communicate with the satellite using the selected operating antenna array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.