Aperture-to-receiver gain equalization in multi-beam receiving systems

A method of aperture-to-receiver gain equalization, for use in a multi-beam receiving system employing beam channel selection, comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a plurality of beam channels, each to couple a signal representative of a signal received via one of a plurality of antenna beams;
• (b) determining for a first beam channel a threshold level representing a noise signal level;
• (c) thereafter monitoring signal level in said first beam channel to determine a lowest signal level measured during a monitoring period;
• (d) utilizing the lower of said threshold level and said lowest signal level to derive a gain correction factor for said first beam channel;
• and
• (e) utilizing said gain correction factor during beam channel selection for reception of an information signal.

A method of aperture-to-receiver gain equalization, for use in a multi-beam receiving system employing beam channel selection, equalization comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a plurality of antenna-to-receiver beam channels each coupling a signal representative of a signal received via one of a plurality of partially overlapping antenna beams;
• (b) determining for a first beam channel a first threshold level representative of the lowest signal level measured, during a time period, at a receiver coupled to said first beam channel;
• (c) determining for a second beam channel a second threshold level representative of the lowest signal level measured, during a time period, at a receiver coupled to said second beam channel;
• and
• (d) utilizing said first and second threshold levels to derive a gain correction factor for at least one of said channels, said gain correction factor representative of relative difference in aperture-to-receiver gain between said first and second beam channels.