Beam correction using a projection aperture region
By using linear regression and projection elevation angle adjustment parameters, the problem of inaccurate beam correction in target tracking by electronically scanned antennas was solved, achieving more efficient and accurate beam correction and improving signal transmission and reception efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- VIASAT INC
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-05
AI Technical Summary
Mechanically scanned antennas may not operate correctly and/or have too slow a scan rate when tracking targets, while electronically scanned antennas present challenges in target tracking, especially due to inaccurate beam correction caused by variations in the projected aperture area.
A linear regression method is adopted, which uses projection pitch angle adjustment parameters and measures signal power parameters (such as RSSI) to determine beam offset. Considering the change of beamwidth with pitch angle, sinusoidal pitch offset and cross pitch offset are used to correct the beam and improve the correction accuracy.
It improves the beam correction accuracy of electronically scanned antennas in target tracking, maintains signal transmission and reception characteristics, reduces signal exposure area, and is more efficient in terms of time and memory.
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Figure CN122162322A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The following content generally relates to communications, including beam correction using projected aperture regions. Background Technology
[0002] In some examples, mechanically scanned antennas can be pointed at a target in a manner that takes into account the characteristics of the platform on which the antenna is mounted relative to the target (e.g., position, orientation, roll, pitch, yaw). Mechanically scanned antennas can at least partially utilize the characteristics of the signal received through the antenna to track the target as the platform or target moves. This tracking can be achieved by a device that mechanically scans the antenna to track the target. However, devices used for scanning antennas may not operate correctly and / or, in at least some cases, scan the antenna at an excessively slow rate to track the object. Electronically scanned antennas can be used to avoid the limitations of mechanically scanned antennas, but may present challenges for target tracking. Summary of the Invention
[0003] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses for supporting beam correction using a projected aperture region. For example, the described techniques can provide an electronically scanned antenna to compensate for the projected aperture region when correcting a beam used for tracking a target. The described techniques can employ linear regression with projection elevation angle adjustment parameters to determine beam offset. Attached Figure Description
[0004] Figure 1 An example of a beam correction system supporting beam correction using the projected aperture region, as described herein, is shown.
[0005] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C An example of a projection area adjustment scene that supports beam correction using the projection aperture area, as described in this article, is shown.
[0006] Figure 3 An example of a beam pointing system that uses the projected aperture region for beam correction in support of aspects of this disclosure is shown.
[0007] Figure 4 An example of a pointing and tracking flowchart using a projected aperture region to support beam correction according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.
[0008] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example of a signal tracking flowchart supporting beam correction using the projected aperture region according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.
[0009] Figure 6A block diagram of a beam manager supporting beam correction using a projected aperture region according to aspects of this disclosure is shown.
[0010] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a system including a device supporting beam correction using a projected aperture region is shown according to aspects of this disclosure.
[0011] Figure 8 A flowchart is shown illustrating a method for beam correction using a projected aperture region in support of aspects of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation
[0012] In some examples, an electronically scanned antenna (e.g., a phased array antenna) can perform beamforming on signals received from a target (e.g., an object, such as a satellite) or signals transmitted to a target. If the signal is received at a location off-center from the beam, the electronically scanned antenna can, for example, use offset to correct the beam so that the beam center is more closely pointed to the source of the signal (e.g., the target). Determining the offset may involve determining power parameters associated with the signal (e.g., Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)) and performing linear regression (e.g., least squares regression) to determine the coefficient values of a two-dimensional parabolic equation (e.g., since the beam is approximately parabolic relative to the line of sight). In such examples, the values of these coefficients can be further used to derive the offset. In some examples, the first offset in the offset can be an offset in the pitch direction, which can point along a first direction perpendicular to the line of sight associated with the beam, and the second offset in the offset can be an offset in the cross-pitch direction, which can point along a second direction perpendicular to both the line of sight and the pitch. Based on the cross-pitch offset estimate, the electronically scanned antenna can determine a third offset in the azimuth direction for scanning the beam. In some examples, linear regression can also use pitch beamwidth and cross-pitch beamwidth to determine the coefficients used to derive the offset.
[0013] In some examples, the projection area of an electronically scanned antenna can vary with the elevation angle (e.g., the projection area can decrease as the elevation angle decreases). Correspondingly, the elevation beamwidth can also vary (e.g., the beamwidth can increase as the elevation angle decreases). Because the elevation beamwidth varies with the elevation angle, the two-dimensional parabolic equation may produce inaccurate coefficient values if the elevation beamwidth is assumed to be constant. To account for the variation of beamwidth with the elevation angle, linear regression can be used to estimate the cross-elevation offset and the sinusoidal elevation offset, the latter of which can be defined as the product of the elevation change and the sine of the beam's elevation angle. Once the sinusoidal elevation offset is determined, the elevation offset can be determined as the sinusoidal elevation offset divided by the sine of the beam's elevation angle. Beam correction can then be performed as described herein. Determining the sinusoidal elevation offset in this way provides a more accurate correction of the beam's elevation and / or azimuth offset to the signal reception location.
[0014] The aspects of this disclosure are first described in the context of a beam correction system. Additional aspects of this disclosure are described in the context of projection area adjustment scenarios, beam pointing systems, pointing and tracking flowcharts, and signal tracking flowcharts. The aspects of this disclosure are further illustrated and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, block diagrams, and flowcharts relating to beam correction using projection aperture areas.
[0015] Figure 1 An example of a beam correction system 100 supporting beam correction using the projected aperture region, as described herein, is shown.
[0016] In some examples, the electronically scanned antenna 110 (e.g., a phased array antenna) may be mounted on a vehicle 105. The vehicle may be, for example, a land-based vehicle (e.g., a car, truck, bus, train), an aircraft (e.g., an airplane, helicopter), a ship, etc. In some examples, the electronically scanned antenna 110 may be part of an antenna system 140. The electronically scanned antenna 110 may initially perform beamforming on the received signal 120 from a target 115 (e.g., an object, such as a satellite) using a beam 125. In some examples, the beam 125 may be guided along a line of sight (e.g., a pointing direction 145). In some such examples, the direction of the line of sight may be given by an azimuth angle in the xy-plane and an elevation angle along a direction extending from the z-axis to the xy-plane. In some examples, the elevation axis may be perpendicular to the line of sight, and the cross-elevation axis may be perpendicular to both the line of sight and the elevation axis. Additional details may be described herein, for example, by referring to... Figure 3 In some examples, antenna system 140 may be ground-based or may be in low Earth orbit. In some such cases, antenna system 140 may not be mounted on vehicle 105.
[0017] If signal 120 is received at a location off-center from the center of beam 125, electronically scanned antenna 110 can use offset to correct beam 125 so that the center of beam 125 is more closely pointed to the location where signal 120 is received (e.g., target 115). For example, electronically scanned antenna 110 can correct beam 125 to produce beam 130. In some examples, electronically scanned antenna 110 can correct beam 125 due to movement of target 115 when vehicle 105 (e.g., or platform of vehicle 105) is stationary. In other examples, electronically scanned antenna 110 can correct beam 125 due to movement of vehicle 105 (e.g., or platform of vehicle 105) when target 115 is stationary. In still other examples, electronically scanned antenna 110 can correct beam 125 due to movement of both vehicle 105 (e.g., or platform of vehicle 105) and target 115 relative to each other or relative to a surface (e.g., the surface of the Earth).
[0018] In some examples, to correct beam 125, controller 135 can measure the power parameter 160 of signal 120 (e.g., RSSI). Controller 135 can then determine the offset used to correct beam 125 by performing linear regression 170 to determine the coefficient values of the two-dimensional parabolic equation (e.g., since the beam is approximated as a parabola relative to the line of sight). For example, in some examples, , where RSSI is the measured RSSI of signal 120 (e.g., power parameter 160). It is the estimated RSSI of signal 120 at the center of beam 125. It is the difference between the expected pitch angle and the actual pitch angle of beam 125. It is the beamwidth of beam 125 in the pitch direction. It is the difference between the expected cross-pitch angle and the actual cross-pitch angle of beam 125, and This is the beamwidth of beam 125 at cross-pitch. In some examples, cross-pitch can be determined as... Where AZ is the orientation and This is the beam's command pitch (e.g., the angular difference between the azimuth and cross-pitch axes). In some examples, ,in , and Using the equations for z and RSSI, the corresponding linear regression can be given as:
[0019]
[0020] In some examples, linear regression can have alternative forms. For instance, linear regression can be expressed as:
[0021]
[0022] In some examples, alternative forms can be used when the antenna beamwidth is constrained (e.g., constrained within a certain range, constrained to a constant value, constrained to a function).
[0023] After performing linear regression, the estimated offset of cross-pitch can be given as follows: Furthermore, the estimated pitch offset can be given as Furthermore, the estimated offset of the azimuth can be given as... .use and The electronically scanned antenna 110 can scan the elevation and azimuth angles of beam 125 respectively to generate beam 130 (for example, beam 130 can be out of phase with beam 125 in elevation). And it can be phased with beam 125 in azimuth. ).
[0024] In some examples, the projection area of the electronically scanned antenna 110 can vary with the elevation angle (e.g., the projection area may decrease as the elevation angle decreases). Correspondingly, the elevation beamwidth (e.g., The beamwidth can also vary (e.g., the beamwidth can increase as the pitch angle decreases). For example, the pitch beamwidth (e.g., It can have equal to The function, where This can be the beamwidth in the elevation direction when the beam's elevation angle is 90 degrees and / or the beam's scan angle is 0 degrees (e.g., pointing along the z-axis from the electronically scanned antenna 110). Since the elevation beamwidth varies with elevation, if the elevation beamwidth is assumed to be constant (e.g., due to the assumed parabolic beamwidth varying with elevation angle), the two-dimensional parabolic equation may produce less accurate coefficient values. The RSSI equation considering the variation of the projected elevation angle with the region can be given as follows: To account for beamwidth variations with pitch angle, linear regression 170 can be adapted to use the projected pitch angle adjustment parameter 165. For example, sinusoidal pitch can be defined as... Therefore, the RSSI equation can be given as follows: ,in yes The sine pitch, and yes The sine wave pitch.
[0025] In some examples, for linear regression 170, , and (For example, projection pitch angle adjustment parameters). Therefore, the corresponding linear regression 170 can be given as:
[0026]
[0027] In some examples, linear regression 170 can be used in an alternative form. For example, linear regression 170 can be given as...
[0028]
[0029] In such an example, the estimated offset of the cross-pitch can be given as The estimated offset of sinusoidal pitch can be given as Furthermore, the estimated offset of the azimuth can be given as... Furthermore, the estimated pitch offset can be given as The electronically scanned antenna 110 can adjust the direction of the beam 125 according to the determined offset 155 to generate a beam 130 (e.g., the beam 130 can be out of phase with the beam 125 in elevation). And / or may differ in azimuth from beam 125 Both of these can be considered in offset 155). In some examples, the offset... and The difference between the pointing direction 145 (e.g., the direction of beam 125) and the target direction 150 (e.g., the direction of beam 130 pointing to target 115) can be provided.
[0030] In some examples, controller 135 may be configured to identify or obtain the position of vehicle 105 relative to target 115, the orientation of vehicle 105 relative to target 115, or both. In such examples, the azimuth angle of electronically scanned antenna 110 (e.g., the azimuth angle of beam 130) and / or the elevation angle of electronically scanned antenna 110 (e.g., the elevation angle of beam 130) may be determined based on the position of vehicle 105 relative to target 115, the orientation of vehicle 105 relative to target 115, or both. In some examples, the antenna azimuth angle may be based on the scanning azimuth angle (e.g., It can be used to determine the scanning azimuth angle) and the antenna elevation angle can be based on the scanning elevation angle (e.g., It can be used to determine the scan elevation angle. In some examples, the scan azimuth and scan elevation angles can be part of a signal tracking process (e.g., a conical scan), where performing scans at multiple locations allows the controller 135 to determine the shape of the beam and / or the center of the beam (e.g., the position of beam 125 relative to signal 120-a) to track the direction of target 115-d.
[0031] In some examples, the techniques described herein can be associated with one or more advantages. For instance, performing linear regression using sinusoidal elevation offset allows the controller 135 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110 to account for beamwidth variations when performing beam correction, thereby enabling the corrected beam 130 to be more accurately pointed at the target 115 (e.g., compared to performing linear regression using elevation angle instead of sinusoidal elevation). Compared to a mechanically scanned antenna, this allows the electronically scanned antenna 110 to maintain signal transmission and reception characteristics and / or efficiency with respect to signal 120 while having a reduced surface area exposed to signal 120. Furthermore, deriving the offset using the techniques described herein with closed-form linear regression may be more efficient (e.g., in terms of time or memory) than solving for the offset using nonlinear equations.
[0032] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C Examples of projection area adjustment scenarios 200-a, 200-b, and 200-c are shown. In some examples, projection area adjustment scenarios 200-a, 200-b, and 200-c can be implemented by one or more aspects of the beam correction system 100. For example, vehicles 105-a, 105-b, and 105-c can each be a reference. Figure 1 Examples of the described vehicle 105; electronically scanned antennas 110-a, 110-b, and 110-c may each be referenced. Figure 1 Examples of electronically scanned antennas described; and targets 115-a, 115-b, and 115-c can each be references. Figure 1 Example of target 115 described.
[0033] In projection area adjustment scenario 200-a, the beam pointing from electronically scanned antenna 110-a to target 115-a can have an elevation angle of 90 degrees, and therefore can have a projection aperture region 205-a. In projection area adjustment scenario 200-b, the beam pointing from electronically scanned antenna 110-b to target 115-b can have an elevation angle less than 90 degrees, and therefore can have a projection aperture region 205-b. In projection area adjustment scenario 200-c, the beam pointing from electronically scanned antenna 110-b to target 115-c can have a lower elevation angle than the beam pointing to target 115-b, and therefore can have a projection aperture region 205-c. In some examples, the area of projection aperture region 205-a can be larger than the area of projection aperture region 205-b, and the area of projection aperture region 205-b can be larger than the area of projection aperture region 205-c.
[0034] In some examples, the elevation beamwidths associated with the beams pointing towards targets 115-a, 115-b, and 115-c can be different from each other. For example, the beam pointing from the electronically scanned antenna 110-a to target 115-a can have a beamwidth consisting of... Given beamwidth. Additionally, the beam pointing from the electronically scanned antenna 110-b to the target 115-b can have a beamwidth determined by... Given a beamwidth, where This is the elevation angle of the beam pointing towards target 115-b. Additionally, the beam pointing from electronically scanned antenna 110-c towards target 115-c can have a [beam angle defined by...]. Given a beamwidth, where It is the elevation angle of the beam pointing towards target 115-c.
[0035] Figure 3 An example of a beam pointing system 300 supporting beam correction using a projected aperture region according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. In some examples, the beam pointing system 300 may be implemented by one or more aspects of the beam correction system 100. For example, the electronically scanned antenna 110-d may be a reference... Figure 1 Example of the described electronically scanned antenna 110; target 115-d may be a reference. Figure 1 Example of target 115 described; and beam 125-a may be a reference. Figure 1 Example of beam 125 described.
[0036] In some examples, the electronically scanned antenna 110-d can receive signal 120-a from target 115-d using beam 125-a. In some examples, beam 125-a can be pointed along line of sight 305, which can be perpendicular to the pitch rotation axis 325 and the cross-pitch rotation axis 335. Furthermore, the pitch rotation axis 325 and the cross-pitch rotation axis 335 can be perpendicular to each other. In some examples, the pitch rotation axis 325 can represent an axis along which a pitch angle can be rotated. The cross-pitch rotation axis 335 can represent an axis along which a cross-pitch offset can be rotated. In some examples, line of sight 305 can have an associated azimuth angle 310 (e.g., the angle of line of sight 305 in azimuth) and an associated pitch angle 315 (e.g., the angle of line of sight 305 in pitch). Alternatively or additionally, line of sight 305 can have a scan angle 320 relative to the z-axis (the scan angle 320 can be equal to 90 degrees minus the pitch angle 315 in degrees). In some examples, line of sight 305 may not be perpendicular to azimuth rotation axis 330, and azimuth angle may rotate along azimuth rotation axis 330. In some examples, pitch rotation axis 325 and cross pitch rotation axis 335 may serve as the coordinate system for line of sight 305.
[0037] In some examples, the electronically scanned antenna 110-d can scan beam 125-a using an elevation offset 340 and a cross-elevation offset 345 based on the signal 120-a received from the target 115-d. However, the projection area of the electronically scanned antenna 110-d can vary with the elevation angle 315 (e.g., the projection area can decrease as the elevation angle 315 decreases). Accordingly, the beamwidth of beam 125-a can also vary with the elevation angle 315 (e.g., the beamwidth can increase as the elevation angle 315 decreases). Since the elevation beamwidth varies with the elevation angle 315, if it is assumed that the beamwidth is constant relative to the elevation angle 315, the linear regression of the two-dimensional parabolic equation used to determine the offset of the adjusted beam 125-a may produce an inaccurate scan of the beam 125-a's offset. To account for the variation in beamwidth with elevation angle 315, the linear regression described herein can be used to estimate the cross-pitch offset 345 and the sinusoidal pitch offset, the latter being defined as pitch offset 340 multiplied by the sine of the elevation angle 315 of beam 125-a. Once the sinusoidal pitch offset is determined, pitch offset 340 can be determined as the sinusoidal pitch offset divided by the sine of the elevation angle 315 of beam 125-a. Azimuth offset (e.g., azimuth offset 350) can be determined as the cross-pitch offset 345 divided by the cosine of the elevation angle 315 of beam 125-a.
[0038] In some examples, pitch offset 340 can be defined based on the rotation angle about pitch rotation axis 325. For example, if pitch offset 340 is determined to be 'a' radians, then pitch offset 340 can be represented by rotating 'a' radians about pitch rotation axis 325. In some examples, cross pitch offset 345 can be defined based on the rotation angle about cross pitch rotation axis 335. For example, if cross pitch offset 345 is determined to be 'b' radians, then cross pitch offset 345 can be represented by rotating 'b' radians about cross pitch rotation axis 335. In some examples, azimuth offset 350 can be defined based on the rotation angle about azimuth rotation axis 330. For example, if azimuth offset 350 is determined to be 'c' radians, then azimuth offset 350 can be represented by rotating 'c' radians about azimuth rotation axis 330.
[0039] Figure 4 An example of a pointing and tracking flowchart 400 supporting beam correction using a projected aperture region according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. In some examples, the pointing and tracking flowchart 400 can be... Figure 1 One or more aspects can be used to implement it. For example, the pointing and tracking flowchart 400 can be implemented by a controller 135 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110 or a set of controllers coupled to and / or mounted on the vehicle 105 or a platform including the electronically scanned antenna 110.
[0040] Pointing and tracking flowchart 400 may represent the process performed by controller 135 to determine and adjust the position of the beam used to track target 115 (e.g., from beam 125 to beam 130). At 402-410, controller 135 may determine the initial position of target 115 relative to electronically scanned antenna 110 (e.g., the azimuth and elevation angles in the direction pointing towards target 115 may be determined). For example, at 402, controller 135 may determine a geocentric fixed coordinate system and may determine the position of target 115 and / or electronically scanned antenna 110 relative to the Earth. In some examples, the fixed plane may refer to a fixed coordinate system relative to the Earth, which may alternatively be referred to as a geographic coordinate system.
[0041] At 404, controller 135 can use a propagator to generate a local target position in a local tangent plane (e.g., a northeast-lower coordinate system) and can pass the result to 406. The logical tangent plane could be an example of a fixed reference plane based on a local vertical direction and the Earth's rotation axis. At 406, controller 135 can use the result from 404 to perform an Earth-to-vehicle coordinate rotation to determine the position of vehicle 105 relative to target 115 (e.g., determining the pointing angle toward target 115). The result from 406 can be passed to 410, where controller 135 can use the result from 406 to perform a coordinate rotation to determine the position of target 115 relative to electronically scanned antenna 110. This position can be provided as azimuth and elevation angles at 412.
[0042] At 414, a signal (e.g., signal 120) can be received from target 115. The signal can be provided to 416, where regression estimation (e.g., using linear equations described herein) can be performed and the estimated offsets (e.g., estimated pitch and azimuth offsets) can be provided to 418. Additionally, at 420, a scan offset (e.g., scan pitch and scan azimuth angles) can be determined and provided to 418. In some examples, the scan offset can be defined as an offset with peak characteristics (e.g., maximum signal strength or SNR) from the position provided at 410. At 418, the scan offset and estimated offset can be combined to generate a conical scan offset, which can be provided to 412. At 412, the conical scan offset can be combined with position information provided from 410 (e.g., the azimuth angle of the conical scan offset can be combined with the azimuth angle provided at 410, and the pitch angle of the conical scan offset can be combined with the pitch angle provided at 410) to generate the target base position. The target base position can indicate the location of target 115 relative to the base or platform on which the electronically scanned antenna 110 is located. At 414, the target base position can be used to update the beam position (e.g., adjust from beam 125 to beam 130) to receive additional signaling.
[0043] In some examples, at 416, controller 135 can use sinusoidal elevation to perform linear regression and determine the offset used to adjust the beam. For example, the elevation of electronically scanned antenna 110 can be converted to sinusoidal elevation, as described herein, and the controller can use sinusoidal elevation to solve a linear regression. The resulting sinusoidal elevation determination can be converted back to an elevation value, and the corresponding elevation value can be used to determine the offset to be applied to determine the conical scan offset.
[0044] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An example of signal tracking flowchart 500-a supporting beam correction using the projected aperture region according to aspects of this disclosure is shown. In some examples, signal tracking flowcharts 500-a and 500-b can be derived from references... Figure 1 and / or Figure 4 This can be achieved through one or more aspects. For example, signal tracking flowcharts 500-a and / or 500-b can be implemented by a controller 135 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110, or a set of controllers coupled to and / or mounted on the vehicle 105 or a platform including the electronically scanned antenna 110. Additionally or alternatively, signal tracking flowcharts 500-a and 500-b can represent references Figure 4 The functions of one or more of 412, 414, 416, 418, and 420 are described. For example, 414 may represent one or more functions of 510-a and / or 510-b; 416 may represent one or more functions of 516-a, 518-a, 520-a, 522-a, 524-a, 516-b, 518-b, 520-b, 522-b, 524-b, or any combination thereof; 420 may represent one or more functions of 504-a, 506-a, 504-b, 506-b, or any combination thereof; and 412 and 418 may represent one or more functions of 508-a and / or 508-b.
[0045] Signal tracking flowchart 500-a can illustrate a scheme for determining the azimuth angle to be used by the electronically scanned antenna 110 when scanning a beam (e.g., from beam 125 to beam 130). At 502-a, a controller 135 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110 can determine the baseline azimuth value of the electronically scanned antenna 110 (e.g., azimuth navigation command). The baseline azimuth value can be based on the position of the vehicle 105 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110. Additionally, the controller can update the baseline azimuth value based on navigational changes (e.g., altitude changes) associated with the vehicle 105. The controller 135 can provide the baseline azimuth value to 508-a and 512-a.
[0046] Additionally, controller 135 can generate a profile at 506-a. For example, controller 135 can determine the shape of the scan wave that defines how the scan is performed. By generating the profile, controller 135 can determine the cross-elevation scan and can provide the cross-elevation scan to 504-a. In some examples, controller 135 can provide an updated cross-elevation scan to 504-a for each of one or more scan cycles. At 504-a, controller 135 can divide the cross-elevation scan by the cosine of the azimuth angle (e.g., ...). This generates azimuth scan 503-a, and azimuth scan 503-a can be provided to 508-a.
[0047] At 522-a, the azimuth scan 503-a can be multiplied by the cosine of the azimuth angle (e.g., This generates a cross-pitch scan. A cross-pitch scan can be provided to 520-a. Additionally, the cosine of the azimuth angle can be stored for averaging (at 524-a and 518-a). At 520-a, controller 135 can perform linear regression as described herein and can provide a cross-pitch offset estimate to 516-a. For example, the cross-pitch scan can be input as a first parameter to the linear regression (e.g., referencing...). Figure 1 The described x); sinusoidal pitch scan (e.g., determined in signal tracking flowchart 500-b) can be used as a second parameter input to linear regression (e.g., refer to...). Figure 1 The description of y); and the RSSI of signal 120 can be used as a third parameter input to linear regression (e.g., reference y). Figure 1 The description (z) shows that linear regression can output coefficients used to determine the cross-pitch offset estimate and the sinusoidal pitch offset estimate. Additionally, at 524-a, the cosines of the stored azimuth angles can be summed and divided by the total number of stored azimuth angle cosines to determine... (For example, The obtained Provided to 516-a. At 516-a, the pitch offset estimate determined at 520-a can be divided by... This is to generate an azimuth offset estimate. The azimuth offset estimate can be provided to 508-a and 512-a.
[0048] At 508-a, the baseline orientation provided by 502-a (e.g., The baseline azimuth can be added to the azimuth scan 503-a provided by 504-a and the azimuth offset estimate provided by 516-a to generate an updated azimuth for the electronically scanned antenna 110. Summing the baseline azimuth with the azimuth scan 503-a and the azimuth offset estimate allows for further refinement of the beam direction (e.g., the azimuth provided by summing the baseline azimuth with the azimuth scan 503-a and the azimuth offset estimate can be more accurate than the baseline azimuth alone). This updated azimuth can be provided to 510-a, where the electronically scanned antenna 110 can use the updated azimuth to position the generated beam (e.g., beam 130). The updated azimuth can then be provided to 512-a, where the baseline azimuth (e.g., ...) is subtracted from it. The azimuth offset is estimated to generate the azimuth scan 503-a used at 522-a. The azimuth scan 503-a can then be provided to 522-a from 512-a. When the steps of the signal tracing flowchart 500-a are executed for the first time (e.g., if the azimuth scan 503-a has not yet been generated), the updated azimuth may include only the baseline azimuth provided by 502-a.
[0049] Signal tracking flowchart 500-b can illustrate a scheme for determining the elevation angle to be used by the electronically scanned antenna 110 when scanning the beam. At 502-b, the controller 135 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110 can determine the baseline elevation value of the electronically scanned antenna 110 (e.g., elevation navigation command). The baseline pitch value can be based on the position of the vehicle 105 coupled to the electronically scanned antenna 110. The controller can update the baseline pitch value based on navigation changes (e.g., altitude changes) associated with the vehicle 105. The controller 135 can provide the baseline pitch value to 508-b and 512-b.
[0050] Additionally, controller 135 can generate a profile at 506-b. For example, controller 135 can determine the shape of the scan wave that defines how the scan is performed. By generating the profile, controller 135 can determine a sinusoidal pitch scan and can provide the sinusoidal pitch scan to 504-b. In some examples, controller 135 can provide an updated sinusoidal pitch scan to 504-b for each of one or more scan cycles. At 504-b, controller 135 can divide the sinusoidal pitch scan by the sine of the pitch angle (e.g., ...). This generates a pitch scan 503-b, which can then be provided to 508-b.
[0051] At 522-b, the pitch scan 503-b can be multiplied by the sine of the pitch angle (e.g., This generates a sinusoidal pitch scan. The sinusoidal pitch scan can be provided to 520-b. Additionally, the sine of the pitch angle can be stored for averaging (at 524-b and 518-b). At 520-b, controller 135 can perform a linear regression as described herein and can provide a sinusoidal pitch offset estimate to 516-b. For example, the sinusoidal pitch scan can be input as the first parameter to the linear regression (e.g., referencing...). Figure 1 The described y); cross-pitch scan (e.g., determined in signal tracking flowchart 500-a) can be input as a second parameter to linear regression (e.g., referring to...). Figure 1 The described x); and the RSSI of signal 120 can be used as a third parameter input to linear regression (e.g., reference). Figure 1 The description (z) shows that linear regression can output coefficients used to determine the cross-pitch offset estimate and the sinusoidal pitch offset estimate. Additionally, at 524-b, the sines of the stored pitch angles can be summed and divided by the total number of stored pitch angle sines to determine... (For example, The obtained Provided to 516-b. At 516-b, the pitch offset estimate determined at 520-b can be divided by... This is to generate a pitch offset estimate. The pitch offset estimate can be provided to 508-b and 512-b.
[0052] At 508-b, pitch is taken from the baseline provided by 502-b (e.g., The baseline elevation can be added to the elevation offset estimates provided by elevation scans 503-b and 516-b, to generate an updated elevation angle for the electronically scanned antenna 110. Summing the baseline elevation with the elevation scan 503-b and the elevation offset estimates allows for further refinement of the beam direction (e.g., the elevation angle provided by summing the baseline elevation with the elevation scan 503-b and the elevation offset estimates can be more accurate than the baseline elevation alone). This updated elevation angle can be provided to 510-b, where the electronically scanned antenna 110 can use the updated elevation to position the generated beam (e.g., beam 130). The updated elevation angle can then be provided to 512-b, where the baseline elevation (e.g., ...) is subtracted from it. The pitch offset is estimated to generate a pitch scan 503-b used at 522-b. The pitch scan 503-b can then be provided to 522-b from 512-b. When the steps of the signal tracking flowchart 500-b are executed for the first time (e.g., if the pitch scan 503-b has not yet been generated), the updated pitch may only include the baseline pitch provided by 502-b.
[0053] Figure 6 A block diagram 600 is shown of a controller 620 supporting beam correction using a projected aperture region according to aspects of this disclosure. The controller 620 may be a reference... Figure 1 Examples of aspects of controller 135 as described in Figure 5. Controller 620 or its various components may be examples of means for performing the aspects of beam correction using projected aperture regions described herein. For example, controller 620 may include power parameter measurement component 625, offset determination component 630, scanning component 635, position identification component 640, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0054] The power parameter measurement component 625 may be configured or otherwise supported for means of measuring the power parameters of a signal received from a target by the electronically scanned antenna of the antenna system. The offset determination component 630 may be configured or otherwise supported for means of determining an offset (e.g., pitch offset, cross-pitch offset, azimuth offset, pitch, cross-pitch, and any combination of pitch and azimuth) based at least in part on the measured power parameters, wherein the offset includes the difference between the pointing direction and the target direction determined using linear regression, and wherein the projection pitch angle adjustment parameter is adjusted using the projected aperture region of the antenna system relative to the target. The scanning component 635 may be configured or otherwise supported for means of scanning the beam direction of the antenna system based at least in part on the determined offset.
[0055] In some examples, the antenna system is mounted on the vehicle, and the position identification component 640 may be configured or otherwise supported for means of identifying the position of the vehicle relative to a target, the orientation of the vehicle relative to the target, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the antenna system is mounted on the vehicle, and the scanning component 635 may be configured or otherwise supported for means of determining the antenna azimuth and antenna elevation angles based at least in part on the position of the vehicle relative to the target, the orientation of the vehicle relative to the target, or any combination thereof.
[0056] In some examples, the scanning component 635 may be configured or otherwise support means for determining the antenna azimuth angle based at least in part on the scanning azimuth angle. In some examples, the scanning component 635 may be configured or otherwise support means for determining the antenna elevation angle based at least in part on the scanning elevation angle.
[0057] In some examples, the power parameter is a first power parameter, and the projection elevation angle adjustment parameter is a first projection elevation angle adjustment parameter, and the power parameter measurement component 625 can be configured or otherwise support means for measuring a second power parameter of a signal received from a target by an electronically scanned antenna, wherein the offset is determined at least in part based on applying a linear regression with the second projection elevation angle adjustment parameter to the measured second power parameter, wherein the second projection elevation angle adjustment parameter is adjusted using the second projection aperture region of the antenna system relative to the target.
[0058] In some examples, the beamwidth varies with the projection aperture region. In some examples, the power parameter is at least partially based on the beamwidth.
[0059] In some examples, the projection pitch angle adjustment parameter is associated with a first direction perpendicular to the line of sight associated with the electronically scanned antenna. In some examples, the offset is determined at least in part based on applying linear regression to the projection cross pitch angle parameter associated with a second direction perpendicular to both the line of sight and the first direction.
[0060] In some examples, the power parameter includes a received signal strength indicator.
[0061] In some examples, linear regression includes least squares regression.
[0062] In some examples, electronically scanned antennas include phased array antennas.
[0063] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of a system 700, including a device 705 supporting beam correction using a projection aperture region, is shown according to aspects of this disclosure. System 700 depicts a system for communication using projection pitch angle adjustment. In some examples, system 700 may be a reference... Figure 1 An example of an antenna system 140 is described. System 700 may include device 705 and antenna array 710. Device 705 may be a reference Figure 1 Examples of at least a portion of the described controller 135. Device 705 may include beam manager 720, memory 730, code 735, processor 740, beamformer 745, and beam signal processor 750.
[0064] Antenna array 710 can be Figure 1 The antenna system 140 is an example of an antenna and may include antenna elements 715. In some examples, one or more of the antenna elements 715 may be or include an antenna panel, as described herein. The spacing between the antenna elements 715 may be uniformly distributed across the aperture of the antenna array 710, or the spacing of the antenna elements 715 may be different across the antenna array 710.
[0065] Bus 725 may represent an interface through which signals can be exchanged between components of device 705 and a location (e.g., a central location) that can be used to distribute signals to system 700 (e.g., beam manager 720, beam signal processor 750, beamformer 745). Bus 725 may include one or more wired interfaces. Alternatively, bus 725 may be a wireless interface used to wirelessly transmit signaling between signal processing components—e.g., according to a communication protocol. Beamformer 745 may be coupled to antenna element 715 via one or more wired or wireless interfaces.
[0066] Memory 730 may include volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and / or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM). Other types of memory are also possible. Memory 730 may store computer-readable and computer-executable code 735. The code may include instructions that, when executed by processor 740, cause system 700 to perform the various functions described herein. Code 735 may be stored in non-transitory computer-readable media, such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, code 735 may not be directly executable by processor 740, but may enable a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform the functions described herein. In some cases, memory 730 may contain, in particular, a BIOS that controls basic hardware or software operations, such as interaction with peripheral components or devices.
[0067] Processor 740 may include intelligent hardware devices (e.g., general-purpose processors), DSPs, CPUs, microcontrollers, ASICs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), PLDs, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. Processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in memory (e.g., memory 730) to cause device 705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting beam correction using a projection aperture region). For example, system 700 or components of system 700 may include processor 740 and memory 730 coupled to processor 740, the processor and memory being configured to perform the various functions described herein.
[0068] Beam signal processor 750 can be configured to process (e.g., demodulate, decode) the beam signal received from beamformer 745. Beam signal processor 750 can decode data symbols included in the received beam signal 754 to obtain a received beam data signal 764. Information (e.g., data packets) in the received beam data signal 764 can be transmitted to a destination device. Beam signal processor 750 can also be configured to process (e.g., encode, modulate) the transmitted beam data signal 762 to obtain a transmitted beam signal 752. Transmitted beam data signal 762 may include received information (e.g., data packets) for transmission to other devices.
[0069] To receive a signal via antenna element 715, beam manager 720 can determine a single set of receive beamforming coefficients applied to the frequency range or channel of component signal 756 and each of one or more time periods to obtain one or more receive beam signals 754 associated with the received signal. In some examples, beam manager 720 can measure the power parameters of a signal received by antenna array 710 from a target (e.g., a beam signal provided by beamformer 745) and can determine an offset based on applying a linear regression with projection elevation angle adjustment parameters to the measured power parameters. The offset can include the difference between the pointing direction and the target direction determined using linear regression, and the projection elevation angle adjustment parameters can be adjusted using the projection aperture region of antenna array 710 relative to the target. Beam manager 720 can adjust the direction of the beam of antenna array 710 based on the determined offset.
[0070] In some examples, the beam manager 720, beamformer 745, beam signal processor 750, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communication management circuitry). The hardware may include processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs or other PLDs, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured to or otherwise support components for performing the functions described herein. In some examples, the processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing instructions stored in memory by the processor).
[0071] Additionally or alternatively, the beam manager 720, beamformer 745, beam signal processor 750, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in code 735 (e.g., as communication management software or firmware) executed by the processor 740. If implemented in code 735 executed by the processor 740, the functionality of the beam manager 720, beamformer 745, beam signal processor 750, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., means configured or otherwise supported for performing the functions described in this disclosure).
[0072] Figure 8 A flowchart of a method 800 for beam correction using a projected aperture region, according to aspects of this disclosure, is shown. Operation of method 800 can be implemented by a controller or its components as described herein. For example, operation of method 800 can be achieved by reference to... Figures 1 to 7 The controller described is used to perform this function. In some examples, the controller may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the controller to perform the described function. Additionally or alternatively, the controller may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described function.
[0073] At 805, the method may include measuring the power parameters of a signal received from a target by an electronically scanned antenna of an antenna system. Operation at 805 can be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation at 805 may be derived from references... Figure 6 The power parameter measurement component 625 described is used to perform this.
[0074] At 810, the method may include determining an offset based at least in part on a power parameter measured by applying a linear regression with a projection elevation angle adjustment parameter, wherein the offset includes the difference between the pointing direction and the target direction determined using the linear regression, and wherein the projection elevation angle adjustment parameter is adjusted using the projection aperture region of the antenna system relative to the target. Operation 810 can be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of operation 810 may be derived from references... Figure 6 The offset determination component 630 is described and executed.
[0075] At 815, the method may include scanning the direction of the antenna system's beam based at least in part on the determined offset. The operation at 815 can be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation at 815 may be derived from references... Figure 6 The scanning component 635 described is used to perform this operation.
[0076] In some examples, the apparatus described herein can perform one or more methods, such as method 800. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, components, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing processor-executable instructions) or any combination thereof for performing aspects of this disclosure:
[0077] It should be noted that these methods describe examples of implementation schemes, and the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified to make other implementations possible. In some examples, two or more aspects from the method may be combined. For example, each aspect of the method may include steps or aspects of other methods, or other steps or techniques described herein.
[0078] The information and signals described herein can be represented using any of a variety of different techniques and skills. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that can be referenced throughout the description can be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or light particles, or any combination thereof.
[0079] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein can be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, it may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors combined with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0080] The functions described herein can be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, these functions can be stored or transmitted to a computer-readable medium as one or more instructions or code. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of this disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwired, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions can also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that different parts of the function are implemented in different physical locations.
[0081] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, optical disc read-only memory (CDROM) or other optical disc storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code elements in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Furthermore, any connection is properly referred to as computer-readable media. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then such coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of media. As used herein, discs and platters include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital multifunction discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, wherein discs typically reproduce data magnetically, while platters optically reproduce data using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0082] As used herein, the word "or" included in the claims, as in a list of items (e.g., a list of items beginning with phrases such as "at least one of..." or "one or more of..."), indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Similarly, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as referring to a closed set of conditions. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".
[0083] As used herein, including in claims, the article “a” preceding a noun is open-ended and is understood to refer to “at least one” or “one or more” of those nouns. Therefore, the terms “a,” “at least one,” “one or more,” and “at least one of one or more” can be interchangeable. For example, if a claim enumerates “components” that perform one or more functions, each of the various functions can be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “component” having a characteristic or performing a function can refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent references to the component introduced by the article “a” can refer to any one or all of those one or more components. For example, the component introduced by the article “a” can be understood to mean “one or more components,” and subsequent references to “the component” in a claim can be understood as equivalent to references to “at least one of those one or more components.” Similarly, subsequent references to a component introduced as “one or more components” using the terms “the” or “said” can refer to any one or all of those one or more components. For example, reference to "the one or more components" in the subsequent claims can be understood as equivalent to reference to "at least one of the one or more components".
[0084] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numerals. Furthermore, various components of the same type can be distinguished by a dash following the reference numeral and a second reference numeral for differentiation among similar components. If only the first reference numeral is used in the specification, the description applies to any of the similar components having the same first reference numeral, regardless of the second or other subsequent reference numerals.
[0085] The descriptions herein, illustrated in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, depict exemplary configurations and do not represent all achievable examples or all examples within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or demonstration" and is not "preferred" or "superior" to other examples. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form so as not to obscure the concepts of the described examples.
[0086] The description herein is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make or use this disclosure. Various modifications to this disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein, but should be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. An antenna system (140) comprising: Electronic scanning antenna (110); as well as A controller (135), coupled to the electronically scanned antenna (110) and configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: The power parameters (160) of the signal (120) received by the electronically scanned antenna (110) from the target (115) are measured; The offset (155) is determined at least in part based on applying a linear regression (170) with a projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) to the measured power parameter (160), wherein the offset (155) includes the difference between a pointing direction (145) and a target direction (150) determined using the linear regression (170), and wherein the projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using the projection aperture regions (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115); and The direction of the beam (125, 130) of the antenna system (140) is adjusted at least in part based on the determined offset (155).
2. The antenna system (140) according to claim 1, wherein the antenna system (140) is mounted on a vehicle (105), and wherein the controller (135) is further configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: Identify the position of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), the orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof; and The antenna azimuth (310) and antenna elevation (315) are determined at least in part based on the position of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), the orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof.
3. The antenna system (140) according to claim 2, wherein the controller (135) is further configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: The antenna azimuth angle (310) is determined at least in part based on the scanning azimuth angle (503-a); and The antenna elevation angle (315) is determined at least in part based on the scan elevation angle (503-b).
4. The antenna system (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the power parameter (160) is a first power parameter (160), and the projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) is a first projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165), and wherein the controller (135) is further configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: Measure the second power parameter (160) of the signal (120) received by the electronically scanned antenna (110) from the target (115); and The offset (155) is determined at least in part based on applying a linear regression (170) with a second projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) to the measured second power parameter (160), wherein the second projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using the second projection aperture region (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115).
5. The antenna system (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein The beam width varies with the projection aperture regions (205-a, 205-b, 205-c), and The power parameter (160) is based at least in part on the width of the beam.
6. The antenna system (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein The projection pitch angle adjustment parameter (165) is associated with a first direction (340) perpendicular to the line of sight (305) associated with the electronically scanned antenna (110), and The offset (155) is determined at least in part based on the projection cross pitch angle parameter associated with applying the linear regression (170) to a second direction (345) perpendicular to the line of sight (305) and the first direction (340).
7. The antenna system (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the power parameter (160) includes a received signal strength indicator.
8. The antenna system (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the linear regression (170) comprises least squares regression.
9. The antenna system (140) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the electronically scanned antenna (110) comprises a phased array antenna.
10. A method comprising: The power parameters (160) of the signal (120) received from the target (115) by the electronically scanned antenna (110) of the antenna system (140) are measured. The offset (155) is determined at least in part based on applying a linear regression (170) with a projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) to the measured power parameter (160), wherein the offset (155) includes the difference between a pointing direction (145) and a target direction (150) determined using the linear regression (170), and wherein the projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using the projection aperture regions (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115); and The direction of the beam (125, 130) of the antenna system (140) is scanned at least in part based on the determined offset (155).
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the antenna system (140) is mounted on a vehicle (105), the method further comprising: Identify the position of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), the orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof; and The antenna azimuth (310) and antenna elevation (315) are determined at least in part based on the position of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), the orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof.
12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: The antenna azimuth angle (305) is determined at least in part based on the scanning azimuth angle (503-a); as well as The antenna elevation angle (310) is determined at least in part based on the scanning elevation angle (503-b).
13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the power parameter (160) is a first power parameter (160), and the projection pitch angle adjustment parameter (165) is a first projection pitch angle adjustment parameter (165), the method further comprising: A second power parameter (160) of the signal (120) received by the electronically scanned antenna (110) from the target (115) is measured, wherein the offset (155) is determined at least in part based on the application of the linear regression (170) having a second projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) to the measured second power parameter (160), wherein the second projection elevation angle adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using the second projection aperture region (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115).
14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein The beam width varies with the projection aperture regions (205-a, 205-b, 205-c), and The power parameter (160) is based at least in part on the width of the beam.
15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 14, wherein The projection pitch angle adjustment parameter (165) is associated with a first direction (340) perpendicular to the line of sight (305) associated with the electronically scanned antenna (110), and The offset (155) is determined at least in part based on the projection cross pitch angle parameter associated with applying the linear regression (170) to a second direction (345) perpendicular to the line of sight (305) and the first direction (340).
16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein the power parameter (160) includes a received signal strength indicator.
17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 16, wherein the linear regression (170) comprises least squares regression.
18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the electronically scanned antenna (110) comprises a phased array antenna.