Method and apparatus for an improved antenna tracking system mounted on an unstable platform
AssigneeL-3 Communications Corporation
InventorsLaMar K. Timothy, Michael L. Ownby, Douglas G. Bowen
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Abstract
An apparatus for an improved antenna tracking system for antennas mounted on an unstable platform. The system comprising a directional antenna, an attitude heading reference system (AHRS) mechanically connected to the at least one directional antenna, a self-scan acquisition and tracking method and an antenna controller connected to the AHRS.
Claims8
An apparatus for an improved antenna tracking system for an antenna mounted to an unstable platform, the system comprising:
- at least one directional antenna;
- at least one attitude heading reference system (AHRS) directly mechanically connected to the at least one directional antenna;
- and
- at least one antenna controller connected to the at least one AHRS.
A method for closed loop radio frequency (RF) tracking of an energy source by a directional antenna mounted to an unstable platform, the method comprising the steps of:
- directly mechanically attaching an attitude heading reference system (AHRS) to the directional antenna;
- receiving the mobile platform's internal navigation data or alternatively, receiving navigation data from the attitude heading reference system (AHRS);
- determining a satellite orbit pattern;
- searching the satellite orbit pattern for an RF beacon;
- detecting the satellite RF beacon;
- and
- initiating self scan tracking upon detection of the satellite RF beacon.
A self scan radio frequency (RF) tracking antenna apparatus with directly mechanically mounted attitude reference heading system (AHRS) system, for use onboard a seagoing platform, the apparatus comprising:
- at least one directional antenna;
- at least one AHRS directly mechanically connected to the at least one directional antenna;
- and
- at least one antenna controller connected to the at least one directional antenna.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.