# US 2014/0152404 A1 · Device for switching between linear and circular polarization using a rotatable depolarizer

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- Number: US 2014/0152404 A1
- Document ID: US20140152404A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 14/003,614
- Filed: 2012-02-29
- Published: 2014-06-05
- Earliest claimed: 2011-03-09
- Assignees: Thrane & Thrane A/S
- Inventors: Anders Kyhle
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152404A1

## CPC

- H01Q 21/245: {provided with means for varying the polarisation (polarising devices H01Q15/24; tracking by comparing linear polarisation compounds G01S3/146; reducing depolarisation effects H04B7/00; polarisation diversity H04B7/10)}
- H01P 1/065: {the axis of rotation being parallel to the transmission path, e.g. stepped twist}
- H01P 1/17: for producing a continuously rotating polarisation, e.g. circular polarisation
- H01P 1/172: {using a dielectric element}
- H01Q 13/0241: {radiating a circularly polarised wave (H01Q13/0258 takes precedence; polarisation converters H01Q15/244, in a waveguide H01P1/17)}
- H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72)
- H01P: WAVEGUIDES; RESONATORS, LINES, OR OTHER DEVICES OF THE WAVEGUIDE TYPE (operating at optical frequencies G02B)

## Abstract

A system for receiving a signal from one or more satellites or for transmitting a signal to one or more satellites and a method of operating the system, the system comprising a frame, a signal converter for converting between a received/transmitted signal and a corresponding signal, the converter being positioned, in relation to the frame, rotational around a predetermined axis, and a depolarizer mounted, in relation to the frame, rotational around the predetermined axis, the method comprising the sequence of steps of rotating one of the converter and the depolarizer independently of the other of the converter and the depolarizer, fixing the depolarizer in relation to the converter at a predetermined rotational relationship and rotating both the converter and the depolarizer.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A system for receiving a signal from one or more satellites or transmitting a signal to one or more satellites, the system comprising:
a frame,
a signal converter for converting between a-received radiation or radiation to be! transmitted signal and a corresponding electrical signal, the converter being positioned, in relation to the frame, rotational around a predetermined axis,
a depolarizer mounted, in relation to the frame, rotational around the predetermined axis,
a single rotator rotationally engaging a first of the converter and the depolarizer and for rotating the first of the converter and the depolarizer in relation to the frame,
means for releasably fixing the depolarizer in relation to the converter and at a predetermined rotational relationship,
a first end stop, and
a second end stop, wherein:
the other of the converter and the depolarizer comprises a part positioned so as to:
engage the first end stop and stop rotation of the other of the converter and the depolarizer when at a first rotational relationship along a first rotational direction and in relation to the frame
engage the second end stop and stop rotation of the other of the converter and the depolarizer when at a second rotational relationship in relation to the frame and along a second rotational direction opposite to the first rotational direction, the first and second rotational relationships defining a predetermined angular interval and
the first of the converter and the depolarizer is rotatable to positions outside of the predetermined angular interval.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A system according to claim 1, further comprising a controller adapted to control the rotator to maintain at least one of the depolarizer and the converter in a predetermined rotational relationship in relation to the satellite outputting the signal.

### Claim 3

A method of operating a system for receiving a signal from one or more satellites or for transmitting a signal to one or more satellites, the system comprising:
a frame,
a signal converter for converting between received radiation or radiation to be transmitted and a corresponding electrical signal, the converter being positioned, in relation to the frame, rotational around a predetermined axis,
a depolarizer mounted, in relation to the frame, rotational around the predetermined axis,
a single rotator for rotating the converter and the depolarizer,
1. the method comprising the sequence of steps of fixing the depolarizer in relation to the converter at a first predetermined rotational relationship,
2. rotating both the converter and the depolarizer within a predetermined angular interval,
3. rotating the converter and the depolarizer, in a first direction, past a rotational position where a first of the converter and the depolarizer engages a first end stop and stops rotating while the other of the converter and the depolarizer remains rotating,
4. Rotating, in the first direction, the other of the converter and the depolarizer independently of the first of the converter and the depolarizer to a second predetermined rotational relationship and
5. Rotating the converter and the depolarizer in a second direction opposite to the first direction, to a position where the first of the converter and the depolarizer engages a second end stop and stops rotating while the other of the converter and the depolarizer remains rotating,
6. Rotating the other of the converter and the depolarizer in the second direction, until the converter and the depolarizer is in the first predetermined rotational relationship.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A method according to claim 3, wherein step 2 comprises rotating the converter and depolarizer to maintain a rotational relationship in relation to the satellite outputting the signal.