Method and apparatus for antenna orientation and antenna with the same

A method for orienting an antenna toward a transmitter using an apparatus consisting of a shadow generating means and a target indicating means, comprising the steps of:

• attaching a shadow generating means to the antenna;
• determining a target point on the target indicating means, on which a predetermined portion of a shadow generated by the shadow generating means is positioned when the antenna is oriented toward the transmitter, on the basis of the type of a satellite, location information of the antenna and time information of the antenna orienting operation;
• and
• adjusting a direction of the antenna so that said predetermined portion of the shadow generated by the shadow generating means coincides with the target point,
• wherein said shadow generating means comprises a bar fixed at a first end to at least one of a reflected signal pickup unit and a pickup unit holder of the antenna and fixed at a second end to a portion of a periphery of a reflector, and at least one projecting mark formed on said bar;
• said target indicating means comprising a set of a plurality of intersectional lines provided on a surface of said reflector;
• and
• said target point specified by at least a coordinate values defined by the intersectional lines and one of blocks formed by said intersectional lines.

An antenna, comprising,

• an antenna assembly comprising:
• a reflector for reflecting a signal;
• a reflected signal pickup unit comprising of a feed horn and a low noise block feeding a reflected signal;
• a signal pickup unit supporting arm for positioning the reflected signal pickup unit at a specific position with regard to the reflector;
• and
• a pickup unit holder attached to an end of the signal pickup unit supporting arm for supporting the reflected signal pickup unit, means for supporting the antenna assembly, and
• an adjustable mounting mechanism for adjusting the antenna assembly in at least two directions, wherein said antenna further comprises:
• a shadow generating means attached to the antenna so as for generating a shadow;
• and
• target indicating means provided on the reflector for specifying a target point on the reflector, which a predetermined portion of the shadow generated by the shadow generating means is positioned when the antenna is oriented toward the transmitter,
• wherein, said shadow generating means comprises of a bar that is fixed at its first end to at least one of a reflected signal pickup unit and a pickup unit holder of the antenna and is fixed at its second end to a portion of a periphery of said reflector, and at least one projecting mark formed on said bar;
• said target indicating means comprising a plurality of intersectional lines that are provided on a surface of said reflector;
• and
• said target point specified by at least one coordinate value defined by the intersectional lines and a block formed by said intersectional lines.

An apparatus for orienting an antenna toward a transmitter, the apparatus comprising:

• a shadow generating means attached to the antenna so as to generate a shadow;
• and
• a target indicating means provided on a reflector of the antenna for specifying a target point on the reflector, on which a predetermined portion of the shadow generated by the shadow generating means is positioned when the antenna is oriented toward the transmitter,
• wherein, said shadow generating means comprises a bar attached at a first end to at least one of a reflected signal pickup unit and pickup unit holder of the antenna and at a second end to a portion of a periphery of said reflector, and a plurality of projecting figure-shaped graduations formed on the bar;
• said target indicating means comprising at least one line forming an angle with the shadow generating means and marked with graduations;
• and
• said target point specified by at least two coordinate values designating an intersection point at which a shadow of the bar of the shadow generating means intersects the line of the target indicating means.

A method for orienting an antenna toward a transmitter using an apparatus consisting of a shadow generating means and a target indicating means, comprising the steps of:

• attaching a shadow generating means to the antenna;
• determining a target point on the target indicating means, on which a predetermined portion of a shadow generated by the shadow generating means is positioned when the antenna is oriented toward the transmitter, on the basis of the type of a satellite, location information of the antenna and time information of the antenna orienting operation;
• and
• adjusting a direction of the antenna so that said predetermined portion of the shadow generated by the shadow generating means coincides with the target point,
• wherein, said shadow generating means comprises a bar attached at a first end to at least one of a reflected signal pickup unit and pickup unit holder of the antenna and at a second end to a portion of a periphery of said reflector, and a plurality of projecting figure-shaped graduations formed on the bar;
• said target indicating means comprising at least one line forming an angle with the shadow generating means and marked with graduations;
• and
• said target point specified by at least two coordinate values designating an intersection point at which a shadow of the bar of the shadow generating means intersects the line of the target indicating means.

An antenna comprising,

• an antenna assembly comprising:
• a reflector for reflecting a signal;
• a reflected signal pickup unit comprising a feed horn and a low noise block feeding a reflected signal;
• a signal pickup unit supporting arm for positioning the reflected signal pickup unit at a specific position with regard to the reflector;
• and
• a pickup unit holder attached to an end of the signal pickup unit supporting arm for supporting the reflected signal pickup unit,
• means for supporting the antenna assembly, and
• an adjustable mounting mechanism for adjusting the antenna assembly in at least two directions, wherein said antenna further comprises:
• a shadow generating means attached to the antenna so as for generating a shadow;
• and
• target indicating means provided on the reflector for specifying a target point on the reflector, on which a predetermined portion of the shadow generated by the shadow generating means is positioned when the antenna is oriented toward the transmitter,
• wherein, said shadow generating means comprises a bar attached at a first end to at least one of a reflected signal pickup unit and pickup unit holder of the antenna and at a second end to a portion of a periphery of said reflector, and a plurality of projecting figure-shaped graduations formed on the bar;
• said target indicating means comprising at least one line forming an angle with the shadow generating means and marked with graduations;
• and
• said target point specified by at least two coordinate values designating an intersection point at which a shadow of the bar of the shadow generating means intersects the line of the target indicating means.