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Method for accurately tracking and communicating with a satellite from a mobile platform

A mobile platform and precise technology, applied in the field of satellite communication systems, can solve problems such as the pointing angle error of the transmitting antenna and the inability to use the timing lobe method

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-07-13
THE BOEING CO
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] For antennas where the transmit and receive functions are performed in the same physical antenna aperture, several sources of error are eliminated, but at step sizes where the transmit beam pointing accuracy requirements are smaller than the misalignment used during the timing lobe process , the timing lobe technique cannot be used
Such a situation also results in an error (i.e. misalignment) in the pointing angle of the transmitting antenna relative to the target satellite

Method used

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  • Method for accurately tracking and communicating with a satellite from a mobile platform
  • Method for accurately tracking and communicating with a satellite from a mobile platform
  • Method for accurately tracking and communicating with a satellite from a mobile platform

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Embodiment Construction

[0021] The following description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and should in no way be considered as limiting the invention, its application or uses.

[0022] Referring to FIG. 4 , a mobile platform 10 having an antenna aperture 12 in communication with a target satellite 14 is shown. Antenna aperture 12 is adapted to perform transmit and receive functions to enable reception of signals from satellite 14, as well as transmission of data and other information to the satellite. Satellite 14 typically carries one or more transponders 16 for retransmitting signals to ground stations (not shown). It is also known that the mobile platform 10 includes an inertial reference unit (IRU), an antenna controller and, for example, figure 2 The receiving / transmitting antenna subsystem for controlling the orientation of the antenna aperture 12 is shown in and 3 .

[0023] It is also to be understood that although the mobile platform is illustrated in Figure 4 as...

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Abstract

A method of accurately tracking and communicating with a satellite from a mobile platform that has an antenna that performs both transmit and receive functions from a single antenna aperture. The method involves initially acquiring signals from satellites using an inertial reference unit (IRU) of a mobile platform. The sequential lobe process is then used to more precisely align the antenna aperture with the receive beam from the satellite. The antenna is then used to send data and other information, and the antenna is kept pointing by an additional IRU local to the antenna with higher accuracy and lower latency than the mobile platform's IRU. The transmission from the antenna is suppressed periodically and the timing lobe process is repeated to remove any inertial reference drift errors. This approach allows for more precise antenna pointing when using a single antenna aperture for transmit and receive functions, without significantly interfering with the transmission of data or information from the antenna.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to satellite communication systems, and more particularly to a system for use with a mobile platform having an antenna aperture performing receive and transmit functions, and to a system for enabling precise tracking of the antenna aperture as the mobile platform moves method of targeting satellites. technical background [0002] High precision tracking of communication satellites from mobile platforms such as airplanes, ships and land vehicles is required to optimize data rate (ie, peak energy from / to the target) and prevent interference with satellites operating in close proximity to the target satellite. Various tracking methods that have been used include "dead-reckoning" or open-loop methods in which the correct pointing angle is calculated from known satellite and platform positions and platform attitudes. Other methods, such as "closed loop" tracking methods, use some form of feedback control through signal optimiz...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(China)
IPC IPC(8): H04B7/185G01S3/20H01Q1/12H01Q3/08
CPCG01S3/20H01Q1/125H01Q3/08H04B7/18508
Inventor 罗纳德·S·卡森
Owner THE BOEING CO
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