Determination of electronic beam steering angles
AssigneeSpace Exploration Technologies Corp.
InventorMartin S. McCormick
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In an embodiment, a method includes determining a first beam pointing vector associated with an antenna assembly by searching for a satellite from a plurality of satellites. The method includes maintaining a communication link with the satellite by determining a plurality of beam pointing vectors that converge to a signal quality value. The method includes obtaining, from the satellite, satellite ephemeris information of the satellite and one or more of remaining satellites of the plurality of satellites. The method includes determining an estimated orientation of the antenna assembly based on the plurality of beam pointing vectors.
Claims17
An end terminal in a communication system, the end terminal comprising:
- an antenna assembly configured to transmit and receive beams in time-varying directions;
- and
- a beam steering controller electrically coupled to the antenna assembly, wherein:
- the beam steering controller is configured to determine a first beam pointing vector associated with the antenna assembly by searching for a satellite from a plurality of satellites included in the communication system;
- the antenna assembly maintains a communication link with the satellite of the plurality of satellites by determining a plurality of beam pointing vectors that converge to a signal quality value;
- the beam steering controller is configured to obtain, from the satellite, satellite ephemeris information of the satellite and one or more of remaining satellites of the plurality of satellites;
- and
- the beam steering controller is configured to determine an estimated orientation of the antenna assembly based on the plurality of beam pointing vectors.
A method comprising:
- determining a first beam pointing vector associated with an antenna assembly by searching for a satellite from a plurality of satellites;
- maintaining a communication link with the satellite by determining a plurality of beam pointing vectors that converge to a signal quality value;
- obtaining, from the satellite, satellite ephemeris information of the satellite and one or more of remaining satellites of the plurality of satellites;
- and
- determining an estimated orientation of the antenna assembly based on the plurality of beam pointing vectors.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.