ANTENNA DEVICE, PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM

Abstract

An antenna apparatus comprises: an antenna that transmits and receives signals; antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, and a base that rotatably supports the antenna; a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals with the antenna-side equipment and base-side equipment included in the base; an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base; and an amplifier that performs a process to eliminate a certain amount of variation of an actual transmitted signal with respect to a desired power at a certain actual angle of the optical rotary joint, based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence between the respective angles of the optical rotary joint and the amounts of variation of transmitted signals with respect to the desired power at the respective angles. Fig. 8

Description

Title of the invention: ANTENNA APPARATUS, PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM

[0001] This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-096918, filed on June 13, 2023. Technical field

[0002] The present description relates to an antenna apparatus, a processing method and a program.

[0003] CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Antenna apparatuses that communicate while tracking artificial satellites are provided with antennas having axes (hereinafter referred to as "AZ axis" and "EL axis") on which an azimuth angle (AZ angle) and an elevation angle (EL angle) are respectively adjusted, and track the artificial satellites while adjusting the angles about the AZ axis and the EL axis. Japanese Publication No. 2017-020902 discloses, as related art, the use of a rotary joint for propagating signals.

[0005] SUMMARY

[0006] In an antenna apparatus that communicates continuously for 24 hours while tracking an artificial satellite, an antenna on a base should preferably be capable of unlimited rotation in the AZ axis direction so as to be able to freely change the orientation thereof. However, signals must be transmitted and received to and from base-side equipment provided in a base and antenna-side equipment provided on the antenna side even while continuing to rotate the antenna. For this reason, generally, when signals will be transmitted and received via a cable, rotation of the antenna on the base in the AZ axis direction will cause the cable to be wound around a support structure extending in the axial direction thereof.For this reason, when transmitting and receiving signals via a cable, the range in which the antenna on the base can rotate in the AZ axis direction is limited, and the antenna on the base cannot rotate unlimitedly in the AZ axis direction. Therefore, it is conceivable to transmit and receive the signals by using an optical rotary joint as described in Patent Document 1 instead of a cable. An optical rotary joint is a rotary joint that can transmit multiple signals in a state of unlimited rotation. For this reason, when an optical rotary joint is used, the possible rotation range of an antenna on a base in the AZ axis direction is not limited. However, a large amount of power cannot pass through an optical rotary joint. For this reason, when an optical rotary joint is used, a problem arises. since the antenna cannot be supplied with the transmitting power required for communication. In addition, when an optical rotary joint is used to supply transmitting power to the upper part of an antenna, a problem arises since the signal intensity varies with the rotation angle in the AZ axis direction due to the characteristics of the optical rotary joint. Furthermore, the permissible deviation in the transmitting power is defined by radio laws. Thus, the transmitting power must be kept constant. Therefore, a technology is sought that can allow an antenna on a base to rotate unlimitedly in the AZ axis direction and can also supply the antenna with the transmitting power required for communication.

[0007] An example objective of aspects of the present disclosure is to provide an antenna apparatus, a processing method, and a program that can solve the above-mentioned problems.

[0008] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an antenna apparatus comprising: an antenna that transmits and receives signals; antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna; a base that rotatably supports the antenna; a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base; an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base;and an amplifier that performs a process for eliminating a variation amount of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and variation amounts of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles. ;

[0009] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a processing method performed by an antenna apparatus, in which an antenna transmits and receives signals, antenna-side equipment transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, a base rotatably supports the antenna, a slip ring transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base, and an optical rotary joint transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base,the processing method comprising performing a process for removing an amount of variation of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the rotary joint, optical and the amounts of variation of emission signals relative to the desired power at the respective angles.

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned objective, according to another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a program providing a computer system included in an antenna apparatus having an antenna that transmits and receives signals; antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, and a base that rotatably supports the antenna; a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base; and an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base;wherein the program causes the computer to execute a process to control amplification by the amplifier to eliminate an amount of variation of an actual transmit signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and amounts of variation of transmit signals from the desired power at the respective angles. ;

[0011] According to the exemplary aspects of the present disclosure, an antenna on a base can rotate unlimitedly in the AZ axis direction and an antenna can be supplied with transmit power necessary for communication. Brief description of the drawings

[0012] [Fig. 1] is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an antenna apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Fig.2] is a diagram illustrating an example of the configurations of antenna-side equipment and base-side equipment according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Fig. 3] is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmission processing unit according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Fig.4] is a diagram illustrating an example of a data table according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Fig.5] is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow in an antenna apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Fig.6] is a diagram illustrating the minimum configuration of an antenna apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Fig.7] is a diagram illustrating an example of examples of the processing flow in the antenna apparatus with the minimum configuration according to example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Fig.8] is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer according to at least one exemplary embodiment.

[0020] EXAMPLE OF EMBODIMENT

[0021] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] (Configuration of an antenna device)

[0023] The antenna device 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present description will be explained with reference to the drawings. The antenna apparatus 1 is an apparatus for communicating while tracking an artificial satellite, the apparatus being capable of unlimited rotation around the AZ axis (AZimut) and obtaining a desired transmission signal magnitude.

[0024] [Fig. 1] is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an antenna apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The antenna apparatus 1 comprises an antenna 10, an antenna-side equipment 20, a base 30, a base-side equipment 40, a slip ring 50, and an optical rotary joint 60 as illustrated in [Fig. 1].

[0025] The antenna 10 transmits and receives signals with respect to artificial satellites and the like, which are tracking targets. The antenna 10, such as a parabolic antenna, a Cassegrain antenna, a Gregorian antenna or a ring-focus antenna, functions to use one or more reflectors having curved surfaces to collect reception signals at a focal position or to send transmission signals from the focal position to the reflectors.

[0026] The antenna-side equipment 20 transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna 10. In addition, the antenna-side equipment 20 transmits and receives signals to and from the base-side equipment 40 via the slip ring 50 and the optical rotary joint 60. The antenna-side equipment 20 will be described below in detail. The base 30 rotatably supports the antenna 10 and the antenna-side equipment 20.

[0027] The base-side equipment 40 is provided within the base 30 or in the periphery of the base 30. The base-side equipment 40 transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 via the optical rotary joint 60 and the slip ring 50.

[0028] The slip ring 50 transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40. The optical rotary joint 60 transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40.

[0029] The antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40 will be explained in detail. [Fig. 2] is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. In [Fig. 2], an antenna 10, a slip ring 50, and an optical rotary joint 60 are also shown.

[0030] The antenna-side equipment 20 comprises a reception processing unit 201, a transmission processing unit 202, an electrical-optical conversion unit 203, an optical-electrical conversion unit 204 and an antenna drive unit 205 as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0031] The reception processing unit 201 receives reception signals from the antenna 10. The reception processing unit 201 performs imposed processes on the received reception signals. Examples of the imposed processes include amplification, frequency conversion (e.g., down-conversion), and the like. Among the reception signals on which imposed processes have been performed, the reception processing unit 201 outputs, to the electrical-optical conversion unit 203, reception signals to be transmitted to the base-side equipment 40.

[0032] The transmission processing unit 202 converts the transmission signals into signals of a prescribed magnitude and outputs them to the antenna 10. [Fig. 3] is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the transmission processing unit 202 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The transmission processing unit 202 comprises a storage unit 2021, an acquisition unit 2022, an identification unit 2023 and an amplification unit 2024, as illustrated in [Fig. 3].

[0033] The storage unit 2021 stores information necessary for various processes performed by the antenna-side equipment 20. For example, the storage unit 2021 associates respective angles of the optical rotary joint 60 with variation amounts of the transmission signals with respect to a desired power at the respective angles, and stores the information in a data table TBL1. The correspondence between the respective angles of the optical rotary joint 60 and the variation amounts of the transmission signals with respect to the desired power at the respective angles may, for example, be determined by being acquired in advance, and the like. In addition, the variation amounts may be amounts indicated by absolute values. Furthermore, the variation amounts may be amounts indicated by relative values, such as multiples, with respect to the desired power. [Fig.4] is a diagram illustrating an example of the data table TBL1 in exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, in the data table TBL1 shown in [Fig. 4], an angle 1 of the optical rotary joint 60 is associated with a variation amount . 1 relative to the desired power of the transmission signal. In addition, in the data table TBL1, an angle 2 of the optical rotary joint 60 is associated with an amount of variation 2 relative to the desired power of the transmission signal. In addition, in the data table TBL1, an angle 3 of the optical rotary joint 60 is associated with an amount of variation 3 relative to the desired power of the transmission signal.

[0034] The acquisition unit 2022 acquires information including the current angle (an example of an actual angle) of the optical rotary joint 60. For example, if the optical rotary joint 60 can detect its own current angle, then the acquisition unit 2022 directly acquires the information including the current angle from the optical rotary joint 60. In addition, if the optical rotary joint 60 cannot detect its own current angle, the acquisition unit 2022 acquires control information from an antenna drive control unit 405 described below that controls the driving of the antenna 10, via the slip ring 50, or from the antenna drive unit 205 that has received control signals from the antenna drive control unit 405. Then, the acquisition unit 2022 can identify the current angle of the optical rotary joint 60 by calculation from the order information received.

[0035] In the respective exemplary embodiments of the present description, processes such as "acquisition" and "reception" are not limited to cases in which a target thereof (including information) is received directly, but may also include cases in which the target is obtained by performing calculations or processing on something (including information) that has been received directly.

[0036] The identification unit 2023 identifies, in the data table TBL1 stored in the storage unit 2021, an angle that is the same as the current angle of the optical rotary joint 60 included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit 2022. Furthermore, the identification unit 2023 identifies a variation amount associated with the angle identified in the data table TBL1. For example, if the current angle of the optical rotary joint 60 included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit 2022 is angle 1, the identification unit 2023 identifies angle 1 in the data table TBL1. Then, the identification unit 2023 identifies the variation amount 1 associated with the angle 1 identified in the data table TBL1.

[0037] The amplification unit 2024 performs a process to eliminate the amount of variation identified by the identification unit 2023. For example, the amplification unit 2024 changes its own amplification speed for amplifying transmission signals to an amplification speed for eliminating the amount of variation identified by the identification unit 2023. Alternatively, for example, the amplification unit 2024 newly adds an amplifier or an attenuator for eliminating the amount of variation identified by the identification unit 2023. The amplification unit 2024 outputs, to the antenna 10, the transmission signal obtained after having carried out the process for eliminating the amount of variation identified by the identification unit 2023.

[0038] The electrical-optical conversion unit 203 receives electrical signals from the reception processing unit 201. The electrical-optical conversion unit 203 converts the received electrical signals into optical signals. The electrical-optical conversion unit 203 outputs the converted optical signals to the optical rotary joint 60.

[0039] The optical-electrical conversion unit 204 receives optical signals from the optical rotary joint 60. The optical-electrical conversion unit 204 converts the received optical signals into electrical signals. The optical-electrical conversion unit 204 outputs the converted electrical signals to the transmission processing unit 202.

[0040] The antenna drive unit 205 drives the antenna 10 so that the orientation of the antenna 10 becomes a desired orientation under the control of the antenna drive control unit 405 to be described below. In particular, the antenna drive unit 205 receives drive control signals for changing the orientation of the antenna 10 from the antenna drive control unit 405 via the slip ring 50. The drive control signals are signals including power and electrical signals for obtaining the torque or rotational speed required to drive the antenna 10 in an elevation angle direction (around the EL axis (ELevation) and an azimuth angle direction (around the AZ axis)). The antenna drive unit 205 changes the orientation of the antenna 10 in response to the received drive control signals.

[0041] The base-side equipment 40 comprises a reception processing unit 401, a transmission processing unit 402, an electrical-optical conversion unit 403, an optical-electrical conversion unit 404 and an antenna drive control unit 405 as illustrated in [Fig.2].

[0042] The reception processing unit 401 receives electrical signals from the optical-electrical conversion unit 404. The reception processing unit 401 performs imposed processes on the received electrical signals. Examples of the imposed processes include demodulation processes, processes for condition monitoring data (i.e., telemetry), which is information necessary for monitoring the conditions of satellites from the ground, processes for antenna direction error information about satellites, and the like. The antenna direction error information includes information about signals from sum and difference signals for tracking satellites with the antenna by a monopulse tracking system. A sum signal is a signal having characteristics such that the signal level has a maximum when pointing directly at a satellite and the signal level decreases as the direction shifts from the satellite direction. A difference signal is a signal having characteristics such that the signal has a minimum when pointing directly at a satellite, the signal level increases as the direction shifts from the satellite direction, and the phase deviates from that of the sum signal in accordance with the direction of the shift. Examples of a process for antenna direction error information include a process for determining the AZ-axis angular error and the EL-axis angular error for the antenna from the sum signal and the difference signal, and others.These imposed processes may use a well-known art. Condition monitoring data includes information indicating the temperature inside the satellite, the voltage at a imposed location inside the satellite, the position of the satellite, the status of equipment mounted in the satellite, and others.

[0043] The transmission processing unit 402 outputs transmission signals on which imposed processes have been performed to the antenna-side equipment 20 via the electrical-optical conversion unit 403 and the optical rotary joint 60. Examples of the imposed processes include modulation processes, processes for generating transmission signals of an imposed magnitude, and the like.

[0044] The electrical-optical conversion unit 403 receives electrical signals from the transmission processing unit 402. The electrical-optical conversion unit 403 converts the received electrical signals into optical signals. The electrical-optical conversion unit 403 outputs the converted optical signals to the optical rotary joint 60.

[0045] The optical-electrical conversion unit 404 receives optical signals from the optical rotary joint 60. The optical-electrical conversion unit 404 converts the received optical signals into electrical signals. The optical-electrical conversion unit 404 outputs the converted electrical signals to the reception processing unit 401.

[0046] The antenna drive control unit 405 generates drive control signals for driving the antenna 10 so that the orientation of the antenna 10 becomes a desired orientation (i.e., an orientation facing the direction of an artificial satellite) on the basis of antenna direction error information. The antenna direction error information is information indicating how far the antenna is from the satellite direction in the case where the antenna is to be oriented in the direction of a target satellite by a system of monopulse tracking, and the like. This antenna direction error information may sometimes be angular error information. The antenna receives signals from a higher-order mode extractor and the like that are provided on the antenna side. Sum signals and difference signals are generated from signals received by the antenna by a higher-order mode extractor and the like that are provided on the antenna side, based on the angular error between the direction in which the antenna is pointed and the direction in which the satellite is actually located. The angular error is indicated by the angular signal information. The sum signals and the difference signals are respectively output to the reception processing unit 401.Then, the reception processing unit 401 calculates the angular errors, respectively, on the AZ axis and the EL axis from the phase differences and the level differences and the like between the sum signals and the difference signals. Then, the antenna drive control unit 405 outputs the generated drive control signals to the antenna-side equipment 20 via the slip ring 50.

[0047] The above-mentioned processes performed by the antenna apparatus 1 are a mere example, and the processes performed by the antenna apparatus 1 are not limited to those mentioned above. For example, the antenna apparatus 1 can perform the processes explained below.

[0048] (Processes carried out by the antenna device)

[0049] [Fig. 5] is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow in the antenna apparatus 1 according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. Next, the process performed by the antenna apparatus 1 for changing the magnitude of the transmission signal outputted to the antenna 10 by the antenna-side equipment 20 to a desired magnitude will be explained with reference to [Fig. 5]. It is assumed that the reception processing unit 401 performs the processing of antenna direction error information. Furthermore, it is assumed that the antenna drive control unit 405 generates drive control signals for driving the antenna 10 so that the orientation of the antenna 10 becomes a desired orientation (i.e., an orientation facing the direction of an artificial satellite) on the basis of the processing of antenna direction error information performed by the reception processing unit 401.Further, it is assumed that the antenna drive control unit 405 outputs the generated drive control signals to the antenna-side equipment 20 via the slip ring 50. Further, it is assumed that the antenna drive unit 205 drives the antenna 10 so that the orientation of the antenna 10 becomes a desired orientation under the control of the antenna drive control unit 405.

[0050] The transmission processing unit 402 outputs transmission signals on which imposed processing has been performed to the antenna-side equipment 20 via the electrical-optical conversion unit 403 and the optical rotary joint 60. The electrical-optical conversion unit 403 receives electrical signals from the transmission processing unit 402. The electrical-optical conversion unit 403 converts the received electrical signals into optical signals. The electrical-optical conversion unit 403 outputs the converted optical signals to the optical rotary joint 60.

[0051] The optical-electrical conversion unit 204 receives optical signals from the optical rotary joint 60. The optical-electrical conversion unit 204 converts the received optical signals into electrical signals. The optical-electrical conversion unit 204 outputs the converted electrical signals to the transmission processing unit 202.

[0052] The acquisition unit 2022 acquires information including the current angle of the optical rotary joint 60 (step S1). The identification unit 2023 identifies an angle that is the same as the current angle of the optical rotary joint 60 included in the information acquired by the acquisition unit 2022 in the data table TBL1 stored in the storage unit 2021 (step S2). Then, the identification unit 2023 identifies the variation amount associated with the identified angle in the data table TBL1 (step S3).

[0053] The amplification unit 2024 performs a process for eliminating the variation amount identified by the identification unit 2023 (step S4). The amplification unit 2024 outputs, to the antenna 10, transmission signals on which the process for eliminating the variation amount identified by the identification unit 2023 has been performed. The antenna 10 transmits the signals to an artificial satellite which is being tracked (step S5).

[0054] (Advantages)

[0055] The antenna apparatus 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present description has been explained above. In the antenna apparatus 1, the antenna 10 transmits and receives signals. The base 30 rotatably supports the antenna 10 and antenna-side equipment 20 that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna 10. The slip ring 50 transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40 provided in the base 30. The optical rotary joint 60 transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40 provided in the base 30.The amplification unit 2024 performs a process for eliminating variation amounts of actual transmission signals from a desired power at actual angles of the optical rotary joint 60 based on the actual angles of the optical rotary joint 60 and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the joint. optical rotating 60 and amounts of variation of transmission signals with respect to the desired power at the respective angles. Thanks to this antenna device 1, the antenna on the base can rotate unlimitedly in the AZ axis direction and can supply the antenna with transmission power necessary for communication.

[0056] [Fig. 6] is a diagram illustrating the minimum configuration of the antenna apparatus 1 according to exemplary embodiments described herein. The antenna apparatus 1 comprises an antenna 10, a base 30, a slip ring 50, an optical rotary joint 60 and an amplification unit 2024 as illustrated in [Fig. 6].

[0057] The antenna 10 transmits and receives signals. The base 30 rotatably supports the antenna 10 and antenna-side equipment 20 that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna 10. A slip ring 50 transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and base-side equipment 40 provided in the base 30. An optical rotary joint 60 transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40 provided in the base 30. An amplification unit 2024 performs a process for eliminating the variation amount of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint 60 based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint 60 and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint 60 and variation amounts of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles..

[0058] The antenna 10 can be obtained, for example, by using functions of the antenna 10 illustrated in [Fig.l]. The base 30 can be obtained, for example, by using the functions of the base 30 illustrated in [Fig.l]. The slip ring 50 can be obtained, for example, by using the functions of the slip ring 50 illustrated in [Fig.l]. The optical rotary joint 60 can be obtained, for example, by using the functions of the optical rotary joint 60 illustrated in [Fig.l]. The amplification unit 2024 can be obtained, for example, by using the functions of the amplification unit 2024 illustrated in [Fig.3].

[0059] [Fig.7] is a diagram illustrating an example of the processing flow in the antenna apparatus 1 with the minimum configuration according to exemplary embodiments of the present description. Next, the processing in the antenna apparatus 1 with the minimum configuration according to the exemplary embodiment of the present description will be explained with reference to [Fig.7].

[0060] In an antenna apparatus 1 comprising an antenna 10 which transmits and receives signals, antenna-side equipment 20 which transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna 10, a base 30 which rotatably supports the antenna 10, a slip ring 50 which transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and base-side equipment 40 provided in the base 30 and an optical rotary joint 60 that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment 20 and the base-side equipment 40 provided in the base 30, an amplification unit 2024 performs a process for eliminating the variation amount of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint 60 on the basis of the actual angle of the optical rotary joint 60 and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint 60 and variation amounts of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles (step S101).

[0061] The antenna apparatus 1 with the minimum configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present description has been explained above. By means of this antenna apparatus 1, the antenna on the base can rotate unlimitedly in the AZ axis direction and the antenna can be supplied with the transmission power required for communication.

[0062] In the processing in the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the order of processes may be varied to the extent to which appropriate processing is performed.

[0063] Although exemplary embodiments of the present description have been explained, the antenna apparatus 1, the antenna-side equipment 20, the base-side equipment 40, and other control apparatuses mentioned above may have internal computer systems. Furthermore, the steps in the aforementioned processes are stored in a computer-readable recording medium in the form of a program, and the aforementioned processes are performed by a computer reading and executing this program. Specific examples of the computer are shown below.

[0064] [Fig. 8] is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a computer according to at least one exemplary embodiment. The computer 5 comprises a CPU (central processing unit) 6, a main memory 7, a storage device 8 and an interface 9, as illustrated in [Fig. 8].

[0065] For example, the antenna apparatus 1, the antenna-side equipment 20, the base-side equipment 40, and other control apparatuses mentioned above can each be implemented by the computer 5. Furthermore, the operations of the respective processing units mentioned above are stored in the storage device 8 in the form of a program. The CPU 6 reads the program from the storage device 8 and loads the program into the main memory 7, and then executes the above-mentioned processes in accordance with said program. In addition, the CPU 6 provides, in the main memory 7, storage areas corresponding to the respective storage units mentioned above in accordance with the program.

[0066] Examples of storage devices 8 include HDDs (hard disk drives), SSDs (solid state drives), magnetic disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs (compact optical disks), DVD-ROMs (digital versatile disks), solid state memory, and the like. The storage device 8 may be internal media connected directly to a bus in the computer 5, or may be external media connected to the computer 5 by an interface 9 or by a communication line. In addition, in the case where the program is distributed to the computer 5 by a communication line, the computer 5 that received the distribution may load the program into the main memory 7 and execute the processes mentioned above. In at least one exemplary embodiment, the storage device 8 is a non-transitory and tangible storage medium.

[0067] In addition, the above-mentioned program may perform only some of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the above-described program may be a so-called difference file (a difference program) which may perform the above-mentioned functions in association with a program already recorded in a computer system.

[0068] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present description have been explained, these exemplary embodiments are purely illustrative and do not limit the scope of the description. Various additions, omissions, substitutions and modifications may be made to these exemplary embodiments to an extent not departing from the spirit of the description.

[0069] Although examples of preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated above, it is to be understood that these are illustrative of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be construed as being limited by the foregoing description, and is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

[0070] Some or all of the exemplary embodiments mentioned above may be described as in the appendices below, but are not limited thereto.

[0071] (Additional Note 1)

[0072] Antenna apparatus comprising:

[0073] an antenna that transmits and receives signals;

[0074] antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna;

[0075] a base that rotatably supports the antenna;

[0076] a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from antenna-side equipment and base-side equipment included in the base;

[0077] an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base; and

[0078] an amplifier that performs a process for eliminating a variation amount of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and variation amounts of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles.

[0079] (Additional Note 2)

[0080] Antenna apparatus according to supplementary note 1, further comprising:

[0081] a storage unit which stores a data table indicating the correspondence relationship between the respective angles of the optical rotary joint and the amounts of variation of transmission signals with respect to the desired power at the respective angles.

[0082] (Additional Note 3)

[0083] Antenna apparatus according to supplementary note 1 or 2, further comprising:

[0084] a processor that acquires information including the actual angle of the optical rotary joint.

[0085] (Additional Note 4)

[0086] Antenna apparatus according to supplementary note 3, wherein

[0087] the processor acquires the information including the actual angle of the optical rotary joint from the optical rotary joint or from an antenna drive control unit which generates a control signal for driving the antenna.

[0088] (Additional Note 5)

[0089] Antenna apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 4, wherein

[0090] the antenna emits the transmit signal after the amplifier has performed the process to eliminate the amount of variation.

[0091] (Additional Note 6)

[0092] A processing method performed by an antenna apparatus in which an antenna transmits and receives signals, antenna-side equipment transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, a base rotatably supports the antenna, a slip ring transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base, and an optical rotary joint transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base,

[0093] the processing method comprising performing a process for removing an amount of variation of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the rotary joint optical and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and amounts of variation of emission signals with respect to the desired power at the respective angles.

[0094] (Additional Note 7)

[0095] A program providing a computer system included in an antenna apparatus including an antenna that transmits and receives signals; antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, and a base that rotatably supports the antenna; a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base; and an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base;

[0096] wherein the program causes the computer to execute a process for controlling amplification by the amplifier to eliminate an amount of variation of an actual transmit signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and amounts of variation of transmit signals from the desired power at the respective angles.

Claims

Claims

1. An antenna apparatus comprising: an antenna that transmits and receives signals; antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna; a base that rotatably supports the antenna; a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base; an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base;and an amplifier that performs a process for eliminating a variation amount of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and variation amounts of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles.;

2. The antenna apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a storage unit which stores a data table indicating the correspondence relationship between the respective angles of the optical rotary joint and the variation amounts of transmission signals with respect to the desired power at the respective angles.

3. An antenna apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a processor which acquires information including the actual angle of the optical rotary joint.

4. The antenna apparatus of claim 3, wherein the processor acquires the information including the actual angle of the optical rotary joint from the optical rotary joint or from an antenna drive control unit that generates a control signal for driving the antenna.

5. An antenna apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the antenna transmits the transmit signal after the amplifier has performed the process for eliminating the variation amount.

6. A processing method performed by an antenna apparatus in which an antenna transmits and receives signals, antenna-side equipment transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, a base rotatably supports the antenna, a slip ring transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base, and an optical rotary joint transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base,the processing method comprising performing a process for removing an amount of variation of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and amounts of variation of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles.,

7. A program causing a computer system to execute a process, the computer system is included in an antenna apparatus including an antenna that transmits and receives signals; antenna-side equipment that transmits and receives signals to and from the antenna, and a base that rotatably supports the antenna; a slip ring that transmits and receives electrical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and a base-side equipment included in the base; and an optical rotary joint that transmits and receives optical signals to and from the antenna-side equipment and the base-side equipment included in the base;the process controls amplification by the amplifier to eliminate an amount of variation of an actual transmission signal from a desired power at an actual angle of the optical rotary joint based on the actual angle of the optical rotary joint and a correspondence relationship between respective angles of the optical rotary joint and amounts of variation of transmission signals from the desired power at the respective angles.;

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