Portable antenna positioner apparatus and method
First Claim
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1. A portable antenna positioner comprising:
- an antenna with a centrally located pivot point;
an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna may rotate up to 180 degrees in elevation;
at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor;
an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm wherein said azimuth motor is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees;
a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor; and
said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor and said positioning base configured to be stowed and deployed and carried by a single person.
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Abstract
A low power, lightweight, collapsible and rugged antenna positioner for use in communicating with geostationary, geosynchronous and low earth orbit satellite. By collapsing, invention may be easily carried or shipped in a compact container. May be used in remote locations with simple or automated setup and orientation. Azimuth is adjusted by rotating an antenna in relation to a positioner base and elevation is adjusted by rotating an elevation motor coupled with the antenna. Manual orientation of antenna for linear polarized satellites yields lower weight and power usage. Updates ephemeris or TLE data via satellite. Algorithms used for search including Clarke Belt fallback, transponder/beacon searching switch, azimuth priority searching and tracking including uneven re-peak scheduling yield lower power usage. Orientation aid via user interface allows for smaller azimuth motor, simplifies wiring and lowers weight. Tilt compensation, bump detection and failure contingency provide robustness.
42 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A portable antenna positioner comprising:
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an antenna with a centrally located pivot point;
an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna may rotate up to 180 degrees in elevation;
at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor;
an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm wherein said azimuth motor is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees;
a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor; and
said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor and said positioning base configured to be stowed and deployed and carried by a single person. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for utilizing a portable antenna positioner comprising:
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coupling an antenna with an elevation motor wherein said antenna comprises a centrally located pivot point and wherein said antenna is configured for up to 180 degrees of rotation in elevation when moved by said elevation motor;
coupling at least one positioning arm with said an elevation motor;
coupling said at least one positioning arm with an azimuth motor wherein said azimuth motor is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees;
coupling said azimuth motor with a positioner base; and
,delivering said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor wherein said antenna is configured to be stowed and deployed and wherein said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm and said azimuth motor are configured to be carried by a single person. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A portable antenna positioner comprising:
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an antenna with a centrally located pivot point;
an elevation motor coupled with said antenna wherein said antenna may rotate up to 180 degrees in elevation;
at least one positioning arm coupled with said elevation motor;
an azimuth motor coupled with said at least one positioning arm wherein said azimuth motor is configured to rotate less than 360 degrees;
a positioner base coupled with said azimuth motor wherein said positioner base comprises a thermally conductive element further coupled to electronic components located inside said positioner base wherein said positioner base dissipates heat from said electronic components;
said antenna, said elevation motor, said at least one positioning arm, said azimuth motor and said positioning base configured to be stowed and deployed and carried by a single person;
a computer configured to align said antenna to point at a satellite wherein said computer housed inside said positioner base;
at least one receiver;
at least one magnetometer;
at least one inclinometer; and
,said computer configured to utilize time and position information from said at least one GPS receiver, orientation information from said at least one magnetometer and declination information from said at least one inclinometer in order to align said antenna with said satellite. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeAQYR Technologies, Inc. (Antenna Research Associates Incorporated)
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Original AssigneeWindmill International, Inc.
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InventorsWebb, Spencer, Martin, David
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Granted Patent
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Time in Patent OfficeDays
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Field of Search
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US Class Current343/766
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CPC Class CodesH01Q 1/08 Means for collapsing antenn...H01Q 1/084 Pivotable antennasH01Q 1/1235 Collapsible supports; Means...H01Q 1/125 Means for positioningH01Q 1/42 Housings not intimately mec...H01Q 3/005 using remotely controlled a...H01Q 3/08 for varying two co-ordinate...
