Low profile antenna positioner for adjusting elevation and azimuth

A low-profile antenna positioner comprising:

• an annular configured housing having a diameter at least twice the height of the housing;
• a central hub mounted within the annular configured housing;
• a substantially planar configured support plate rotatably mounted on the central hub within the annular configured housing;
• a substantially elongate antenna pivotally mounted on the support plate;
• an elevation drive mechanism mounted on the support plate and interconnecting the antenna for pivoting the antenna a predetermined angle and adjusting elevation of the antenna;
• an azimuth drive mechanism mounted on the support plate and interconnecting the central hub for rotating the support plate relative to the central hub a predetermined arcuate distance relative to the central hub for adjusting azimuth of the antenna;
• and
• a controller operatively connected to the elevation drive mechanism and the azimuth drive mechanism for controlling the azimuth and elevation drive mechanisms and adjusting elevation and azimuth.

A low-profile antenna positioner comprising:

• an annular configured housing having a diameter at least twice the height of the housing and adapted for mounting on the fuselage of an aircraft;
• an annular configured central hub mounted within the annular configured housing and having a ring gear;
• a substantially planar configured support plate rotatably mounted on the central hub within the annular configured housing;
• a substantially elongate antenna pivotally mounted on the support plate, wherein said antenna extends across a substantial portion of said housing defined by a chord having a length about the diameter of the housing;
• an elevation drive mechanism mounted on the support plate and interconnecting the antenna for pivoting the antenna a predetermined angle and adjusting elevation of the antenna;
• an azimuth drive mechanism mounted on the support plate, wherein said azimuth drive mechanism further comprises two servomotors, each having an output shaft and pinion gear mounted thereon and engaging said ring gear for rotating the support plate relative to the central hub and housing a predetermined arcuate distance on the central hub for adjusting azimuth of the antenna;
• and
• a controller mounted on said support plate and operatively connected to the elevation drive mechanism and the azimuth drive mechanism for controlling the azimuth and elevation drive mechanisms and adjusting elevation and azimuth.