Abstract

A method and apparatus is disclosed herein for acquiring and tracking a satellite signal with an antenna. In one embodiment, the method comprises a) perturbing one or more of roll, pitch and yaw angles of an antenna orientation to create variant orientations associated with a first search pattern; b) computing new scan and polarization angles, in response to perturbed roll, pitch and yaw angles, for each of the variant orientations; c) receiving a radio-frequency (RF) signal from a satellite for each of the variant orientations; d) generating one or more receiver metrics representing a received RF signal associated with each of the variant orientations; e) selecting, as a new orientation, one of the variant orientations based on the one or more receiver metrics; and f) repeating a)-e) with the new orientation with a second search pattern narrower than the first search pattern.

IPC Classes  ?

• G01S 3/06 - Means for increasing effective directivity, e.g. by combining signals having differently-oriented directivity characteristics or by sharpening the envelope waveform of the signal derived from a rotating or oscillating beam antenna
• G01S 3/08 - Means for reducing polarisation errors, e.g. by use of Adcock or spaced loop antenna systems
• G01S 3/38 - Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of real or effective orientation of directivity characteristic of an antenna or an antenna system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that antenna or antenna system, e.g. to give a maximum or minimum signal
• H01Q 3/24 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• H01Q 3/44 - Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system varying the electric or magnetic characteristics of reflecting, refracting, or diffracting devices associated with the radiating element
• H01Q 21/00 - Antenna arrays or systems
• H01Q 21/06 - Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart
• H01Q 21/20 - Arrays of individually energised antenna units similarly polarised and spaced apart the units being spaced along, or adjacent to, a curvilinear path
• H01Q 21/24 - Combinations of antenna units polarised in different directions for transmitting or receiving circularly and elliptically polarised waves or waves linearly polarised in any direction
• H04B 7/185 - Space-based or airborne stations