# US 2014/0152492 A1 · Portable satellite communication system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0152492 A1 - Document ID: US20140152492A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/788,463 - Filed: 2013-03-07 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-03-10 - Assignees: Harris Corporation - Inventors: Kurt A. Zimmerman; Mark C. Retting; Robert A. Cox; Van Truong; Erich Haeussler, II; Lee L. Garrett; Victor Woodling; Anthony Vergamini; Tyron Millen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140152492A1 ## CPC - H01Q 15/162: {composed of a plurality of rigid panels} - G01S 1/04: Details - H01Q 1/08: Means for collapsing antennas or parts thereof (collapsible loop antennas H01Q7/02; means for collapsing H-antennas or Yagi antennas H01Q19/04) - Y10T 29/49018: with other electrical component - Y10T 403/32631: Universal ball and socket - H01Q: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS (radiators or antennas for microwave heating H05B6/72) - G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract Systems and methods for providing a Portable Satellite Communication (“PSC”) antenna. The PSC antenna (100) comprises: a Parabolic Segmented Antenna (“PSA”) reflector (102) with a plurality of identical and interchangeable panels (106) that can be stowed in a nested stacked arrangement; a plurality of interchangeable feedhorn assemblies (104) that can be coupled to a center hub (110) via a quick-connect mechanism (112); an adjustment mechanism (2512, 2602, 2604) for adjusting an angular orientation of the feedhorn assemblies relative to the center hub; a transceiver (202) that can be coupled to a convex side of the PSA reflector; a base panel (120) which is coupled to a tripod positioning structure (118) such that reflector wind moment loads can be transferred through a base panel to the tripod positioning structure; and a tripod positioning structure with folding legs (3102, 3104) and hard stops (3306) against which the folding legs can be preloaded. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A satellite communication system, comprising: a Parabolic Segmented Antenna (“PSA”) reflector with a base panel and a plurality of identical panels that are interchangeable and can be compactly stored in a nested stacked arrangement. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of identical panels has a trapezoid shape with a concave cross-sectional profile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of identical panels comprises stamped metal or composite with no core, a honeycomb core, or a foam core. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of identical panels has a curved body and angled sidewalls. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein adjacent ones of the plurality of identical panels are fastened at a perimeter to each other via panel-to-panel latching mechanisms. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein the panel-to-panel latching mechanisms have form factors and positions on the panels that ensure the panel-to-panel latching mechanisms will not interfere with the nested arrangement. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of identical panels is mounted on a center hub. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The satellite communication system of claim 7, wherein the center hub comprises a plurality of insert spaces formed along a peripheral sidewall thereof and a plurality of engagement members protruding into the plurality of insert spaces. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The satellite communication system of claim 8, wherein each of the plurality of identical panels comprises a tab that is sized and shaped to be inserted into a respective insert space of the plurality of insert spaces. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The satellite communication system of claim 9, wherein the respective insert space has a chamfered sidewall to allow the tab to be inserted therein at an angle relative to a center axis of the respective insert space. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The satellite communication system of claim 10, wherein the tab has at least one aperture formed therein that engages a respective one of the plurality of engagement members when the orientation of the tab is transitioned from an angled orientation relative to the center axis to a generally parallel orientation relative to the center axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The satellite communication system of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of engagement members comprises a set screw with a conical or spherical end, and the aperture comprises a countersink hole with an angled sidewall. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The satellite communication system of claim 11, wherein the orientation of the angled sidewall is changed relative to the center axis in response to a latching together of the plurality of identical panels or an unlatching of the plurality of identical panels from each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The satellite communication system of claim 7, wherein the center hub comprises a groove formed in a peripheral portion thereof and a plurality of engagement members protruding into the groove. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of engagement members comprises at least one radial set screw with a conical or spherical end. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The satellite communication system of claim 15, wherein a screw depth of the radial set screw is adjustable to control angle of a panel to hub. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The satellite communication system of claim 14, wherein each of the plurality of identical panels comprises a sidewall with at least one dimple molded therein for engaging a respective engagement member of the engagement members. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The satellite communication system of claim 17, wherein the dimple is caused to engage the respective engagement member when the plurality of identical panels are latched together. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The satellite communication system of claim 17, wherein the dimple is caused to disengage the respective engagement member when the plurality of identical panels are unlatched from each other. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The satellite communication system of claim 17, wherein the sidewall of each of the plurality of identical panels is retained in the groove as a result of (a) an engagement of the dimple to the respective engagement member, and (b) frictional contact between the sidewall and a surface of the center hub. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein reflector wind moment loads are transferred to a positioner structure via a base panel of the plurality of identical panels. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The satellite communication system of claim 21, wherein the base panel comprises a tab which is clamped within an insert space of a center hub via a securing member. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The satellite communication system of claim 22, wherein the securing member comprises a draw screw with a cam draw lever attached thereto. ### Claim 24 (depends on 21) The satellite communication system of claim 21, wherein the base panel comprises a push/pull toggle clamp for clamping the base panel to a center hub. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, wherein adjacent panels of the plurality of identical panels are latch together via a latching mechanism. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The satellite communication system of claim 25, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a draw latch pivotally coupled to a first panel of the adjacent panels and an engagement member coupled to a second panel of the adjacent panels. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The satellite communication system of claim 26, wherein the draw latch comprises a catch member configured to snappingly engage the engagement member. ### Claim 28 (depends on 26) The satellite communication system of claim 26, wherein the draw latch comprises a plurality of circular spring flexure joints and a cantilever arm to guide the catch member to the engagement member. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The satellite communication system of claim 28, wherein the cantilever arm has an arched profile, a straight profile or a generally “Z” shaped profile. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The satellite communication system of claim 28, wherein the draw latch comprises a release tab protruding out and away from one of the plurality of circular spring flexure joints, and configured to facilitate a disengagement of the catch member from the engagement member. ### Claim 31 (depends on 25) The satellite communication system of claim 25, wherein the latching mechanism comprises a captive wing-nut threaded stud which locks to a forked clevis bracket. ### Claim 32 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of interchangeable feedhorn assemblies which operate at a plurality of different frequencies. ### Claim 33 (depends on 32) The satellite communication system of claim 32, wherein each of the plurality of interchangeable feedhorn assemblies comprises a shaft having a feedhorn disposed at a first end thereof and a feed flange disposed at a second end thereof. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The satellite communication system of claim 33, wherein the feed flange is configured to facilitate a coupling of the shaft to a center hub. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The satellite communication system of claim 34, wherein the feed flange is sized and shaped to snuggly fit within a socket attached to or integrally formed with the center hub. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The satellite communication system of claim 34, wherein the feed flange has a plurality of indentations formed in a peripheral edge thereof, the center hub has a pin securely coupled thereto, and an angular orientation of an antenna feed relative to the center hub is adjusted by removing horn and re-inserting with a new polarization notch or scallop. ### Claim 37 (depends on 33) The satellite communication system of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of levers pivotally mounted to the feed flange for facilitating a secure coupling of a feedhorn assembly to a center hub. ### Claim 38 (depends on 37) The satellite communication system of claim 37, wherein each lever of the plurality of levers comprises an arm to enable rotation thereof relative to the feed flange. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The satellite communication system of claim 38, wherein the arm contacts the shaft when the lever is in its closed position so as to provide structural support to the feedhorn assembly. ### Claim 40 (depends on 37) The satellite communication system of claim 37, wherein each lever of the plurality of levers comprises a beveled cam surface to engage a beveled cam groove formed in a sidewall of a socket attached to or integrally formed with the center hub. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) The satellite communication system of claim 40, wherein a camming engagement of the beveled cam surface and the beveled can groove creates high contact forces between the feed flange and the socket for carrying cantilevered bending moment loads. ### Claim 42 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, further comprising a tripod positioning structure to which the PSA reflector is mounted via a dove tail mounting mechanism. ### Claim 43 (depends on 42) The satellite communication system of claim 42, wherein a first mating portion of the blind mate dove tail mounting mechanism is mounted an a base panel of the plurality of identical panels, and a second mating portion is coupled to or integrally formed with the tripod positioning structure. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) The satellite communication system of claim 43, wherein the first and second mating portions are configured such that an interference fit therebetween can be created by a screw drive that provides a rigid connection between the base panel and the tripod positioning structure. ### Claim 45 (depends on 44) The satellite communication system of claim 44, wherein the rigid connection resists applied moments and linear displacement of the base panel and the tripod positioning structure. ### Claim 46 (depends on 42) The satellite communication system of claim 42, wherein tripod positioning structure comprises a hub, a stationary leg and a plurality of folding legs pivotally attached to the hub. ### Claim 47 (depends on 46) The satellite communication system of claim 46, wherein the plurality of folding legs are nested within the stationary leg when stowed. ### Claim 48 (depends on 46) The satellite communication system of claim 46, wherein the stationary leg comprises an internal cavity in which other components of the satellite communication system can be stored. ### Claim 49 (depends on 46) The satellite communication system of claim 46, wherein the plurality of folding legs are coupled to the hub via hinges. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) The satellite communication system of claim 49, further comprising a hard stop against which the plurality of folding legs can be preloaded. ### Claim 51 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, further comprising an electronic communication unit coupled to a center hub which contains a feed with RF mating flange or port. ### Claim 52 (depends on 1) The satellite communication system of claim 1, further comprising a case that satisfies size limitations for checked luggage in a commercial airliner. ### Claim 53 (depends on 52) The satellite communication system of claim 52, wherein at least the PSA reflector and a center hub can be carried in the case. ### Claim 54 A satellite communication system, comprising: an antenna including at least one antenna element and a waveguide antenna feed; a satellite communication transceiver unit comprising RF circuitry; a mounting structure configured to facilitate removable mounting of said satellite communication transceiver on said antenna element; one of a male mating portion and a female mating portion disposed on said satellite communication transceiver unit and forming a terminal end of a waveguide RF antenna port for said satellite communication transceiver unit; one of said male mating portion and said female mating portion disposed on a terminal end of said waveguide antenna feed, and oppositely sexed as compared to the mating portion provided on said satellite communication transceiver unit; a partial spherical female surface defined on said female mating portion configured to engage a partial spherical male surface defined on said male mating portion; wherein said female mating portion and said male mating portion together form a ball socket swivel when said satellite communication transceiver unit is mounted in said mounting structure, and said male and female mating portion are mated together. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) The satellite communication system according to claim 54, wherein a position of said waveguide antenna port and a position of said terminal end of said waveguide feed limit physical access to said male and female mating portions when said male and female mating portions are mated together. ### Claim 56 (depends on 54) The satellite communication system according to claim 54, wherein said antenna element is a dish reflector. ### Claim 57 (depends on 56) The satellite communication system according to claim 56, wherein said mounting structure is disposed on a back side of said dish reflector. ### Claim 58 (depends on 54) The satellite communication system according to claim 54, wherein said housing comprises a first substantially planar face on which said male or female mating portion is provided, said mounting structure comprises a second substantially planar face on which said male or female mating portion is provided, and wherein said first and second substantially planar faces are positioned directly adjacent and opposed to each other when said male and female mating portion are mated together. ### Claim 59 A method for providing an RF interface between a waveguide antenna feed of a satellite communication antenna and a waveguide RF antenna port of a satellite communication transceiver unit, comprising: providing said waveguide RF antenna port with one of a male and a female mating portion; providing said waveguide antenna feed with one of said male and said female mating portions, oppositely sexed as compared to the mating portion on said waveguide RF antenna port; positioning a housing enclosing said satellite communication transceiver unit on a mounting structure disposed on an antenna element of said satellite communication antenna; performing a blind mating operation which includes inserting a partial spherical male surface of the male mating portion within a partial spherical female surface of the female mating portion. ### Claim 60 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, further comprising latching said housing to said mounting structure. ### Claim 61 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, further comprising forming with said male and female mating portions a ball socket swivel when partial spherical male surface is inserted within said partial spherical female surface. ### Claim 62 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein said positioning step further comprises rotating said housing from a first position in which said male and female portions are separated to a second position in which said partial spherical male surface is inserted within said partial spherical female surface. ### Claim 63 (depends on 59) The method according to claim 59, wherein said blind mating operation substantially excludes access to said male and female mating portions when male and female portions are mated together. ### Claim 64 A method for communicating RF energy across a waveguide interface, comprising: disposing a female mating portion at a terminal end of a first waveguide; disposing a male mating portion at a terminal end of a second waveguide; providing a partial spherical male surface on said male mating portion; providing a partial spherical female surface on said female mating portion; forming a ball and socket swivel by receiving said partial spherical male surface within a portion of said female mating portion defined by said partial spherical female surface; and communicating RF energy between said first waveguide and said second waveguide, through said male and female mating portions. ### Claim 65 (depends on 64) The method according to claim 64, further comprising maintaining continuous physical contact between said partial spherical female surface and said partial spherical male surface throughout an angle of 360 degrees about a transmission axis of said first waveguide when said transmission axis of said first waveguide is misaligned with a transmission axis of said second waveguide. ### Claim 66 (depends on 64) The method according to claim 64, further comprising inhibiting leakage of RF energy from said ball socket swivel by providing an RF choke joint groove disposed along a periphery of said partial spherical male surface. ### Claim 67 (depends on 64) The method according to claim 64, further comprising preventing binding between said spherical male surface and said spherical female surface of said ball socket swivel by providing an O-ring disposed in an O-ring gland of said partial spherical male surface or said partial spherical female surface. ### Claim 68 (depends on 67) The method according to claim 67, wherein the O-ring comprises a conductive or non-conductive material. ### Claim 69 (depends on 64) The method according to claim 64, further comprising using said first waveguide as antenna feed for a satellite communication antenna. ### Claim 70 A waveguide RF interface, comprising: a female mating portion at a terminal end of a first waveguide including a partial spherical female surface; a male mating portion at a terminal end of a second waveguide including a partial spherical male surface; said partial spherical male surface removably disposed within a part of said female mating portion defined by said partial spherical female surface to form a ball and socket swivel; and an RF choke joint groove disposed along a periphery of said partial spherical male surface, said RF choke joint groove configured to inhibit leakage of RF energy from an interior of said ball and socket swivel. ### Claim 71 (depends on 70) The waveguide RF interface according to claim 70, wherein said partial spherical female surface and said partial spherical male surface maintain continuous physical contact throughout an angle of 360 degrees about a transmission axis of said first waveguide when said transmission axis of said first waveguide is misaligned with a transmission axis of said second waveguide. ### Claim 72 (depends on 70) The waveguide RF interface according to claim 70, further comprising an O-ring disposed in an O-ring gland of said partial spherical male surface or said partial spherical female portion. ### Claim 73 (depends on 70) The waveguide RF interface according to claim 70, wherein said first waveguide is an antenna feed of a satellite communication antenna.