Phased array antenna communication performance mapping

Abstract

The communication system may be configured to take into account the directional beam characteristics in the operation of the phased array antenna, such as during installation of the phased array antenna, during positioning or orientation of the phased array antenna, or during communication using the phased array antenna. In some examples, the communication system may be configured to generate a communication performance map for evaluating or characterizing a local communication environment relative to the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna, and such a performance map may be used to establish various boundaries or directivity thresholds for performing communication operations. In some examples, the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna, or its communication performance map, may be used to evaluate when to reposition or reorient the phased array antenna, such as when an installer provides the phased array antenna with a substantially fixed orientation or when the phased array antenna utilizes a combination of physical positioning and electronic beamforming.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] In some wireless communication systems, a ground-based user terminal antenna may be used to provide communication with one or more target devices, such as satellites (e.g., non-geostationary satellites, satellites in low Earth orbit), that may traverse an overhead path. The environments in which the user terminal antennas are mounted may vary, and the environment local to the user terminal antenna may include obstacles or other sources of signal attenuation. As the target devices move through different locations relative to the user terminal, the obstacles or sources of attenuation may degrade or block communication between the user terminal antenna and the target devices. Summary of the Invention

[0002] The described features generally relate to systems and techniques for communication performance mapping for operating phased array antennas, such as those that may be used for communication with or through satellites or other target devices. A phased array antenna may include a set of feed elements physically arranged in a feed array assembly. The signals of each feed element may be steered according to various beamforming techniques to support a transmit beam (e.g., directional transmit), a receive beam (e.g., directional receive), or both. In some examples, a phased array antenna may be associated with inherently directional characteristics, including various characteristics that vary depending on the orientation of the signaling relative to the physical positioning or orientation of the array of feed elements (e.g., depending on the relative separation between the beam orientation and the physical boresight of the phased array antenna, depending on the scan angle).

[0003] According to embodiments disclosed herein, a communication system may be configured to take into account directional beam characteristics in the operation of a phased array antenna. In some embodiments, a communication system may be configured to generate or utilize a communication performance map to evaluate or characterize a local communication environment relative to the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna. For example, the boundaries or orientation of the communication performance map may be used to evaluate when a target device is within a range of locations that support communication with the phased array antenna, to evaluate which of a set of target devices may be in a favorable location for communication with the phased array antenna, or to evaluate when a terminal should handoff communication via the phased array antenna from one target device to another target device, among other communication operations. In some embodiments, the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna, or its communication performance map, may be used to evaluate whether or when to reposition or reorient the phased array antenna (e.g., to determine the orientation of the boresight of the phased array antenna), such as when the phased array antenna is provided with a nearly fixed or fixed orientation by an installer, or when the phased array antenna utilizes a combination of controlled physical actuation and electronic beamforming. By taking into account the directional characteristics of a phased array antenna in the operation of an antenna assembly (e.g., in a user terminal), various aspects of communications can be improved compared to techniques that do not take into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna.

[0004] Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of example satellite communication systems and phased array antennas with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Aspects of the present disclosure are described in the context of example beamforming networks, antenna characteristics and communication performance mapping with reference to Figures 3A-6. Example systems and methods relating to communication performance mapping in the context of communication operations and installation are described with reference to Figures 7-11. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0005] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a communication system that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an antenna assembly that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 3A] FIG. 3A illustrates a block diagram of a receive beamforming network that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B illustrates a block diagram of a transmit beamforming network that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna in accordance with an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an antenna characteristic map that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a signaling map supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of generating a communication performance map to support communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of using communication performance mapping for communication operations using a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates an example of using communication performance mapping to position a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an action response component that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a method for supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] The described features generally relate to systems and techniques for communication performance mapping for operating phased array antennas, such as those that may be used for communication with or through satellites or other target devices. A phased array antenna may include a set of feed elements physically arranged in a feed array assembly. The signals of each feed element may be steered according to various beamforming techniques to support a transmit beam (e.g., directional transmit), a receive beam (e.g., directional receive), or both. In some examples, a phased array antenna may be associated with characteristics that are directional in nature (e.g., directional communication characteristics, directional signaling characteristics), such as gain characteristics, noise characteristics, beamwidth characteristics, or other characteristics that vary depending on the orientation of the signaling relative to the physical positioning or orientation of the phased array (e.g., depending on the relative separation between the beam orientation and the physical boresight of the phased array antenna, depending on the scan angle).

[0007] According to embodiments disclosed herein, a communication system may be configured to take into account directional beam characteristics in the operation of a phased array antenna, such as during installation of the phased array antenna, during positioning or orientation of the phased array antenna, or during communication using the phased array antenna. In some embodiments, the communication system may be configured to generate or utilize a communication performance map to evaluate or characterize a local signaling environment with respect to the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna. For example, the system may be configured to receive or transmit signals via the phased array antenna according to different orientations of beamformed beams (e.g., beamformed receive beams, beamformed transmit beams) and scale the respective signal quality metrics determined for each of the different directions by the directional antenna characteristics of the phased array antenna. The scaled signal quality metrics may be mapped for different directions (e.g., in an antenna coordinate system, in a global coordinate system), which may be used to establish various boundaries or thresholds for performing communication operations (e.g., obstacle maps, attenuation maps, specific signaling maps associated with the local environment).

[0008] In some examples, the boundaries or orientation of the communication map can be used to evaluate when a target device is within a range of locations that support communication with a phased array antenna, evaluate which of a set of target devices are in a favorable position for communication with a phased array antenna, or evaluate when a terminal should handoff from one target device to another. In some examples, the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna, or its communication performance map, can be used to evaluate when to reposition or reorient the phased array antenna (e.g., to determine the orientation of the boresight of the phased array antenna), such as when the phased array antenna is provided with a nearly fixed or fixed orientation by an installer, or when the phased array antenna utilizes a combination of controlled physical actuation and electronic beamforming. By taking into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna in the installation or operation of the antenna assembly (e.g., of a user terminal), various aspects of communication can be improved compared to techniques that do not consider the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna.

[0009] FIG. 1 illustrates a diagram of a communication system 100 (e.g., a satellite communication system) supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to embodiments disclosed herein. The communication system 100 may use various network architectures to support communication services, such as an architecture including a space segment 101 and a ground segment 102. The space segment may include one or more satellites 120 (e.g., one or more communication satellites). The ground segment may include one or more user terminals 150 (e.g., satellite terminals) and one or more access node terminals 130 (e.g., gateway terminals), as well as network devices 141, such as a network operations center (NOC) and a satellite and gateway terminal command center. The terminals (e.g., access node terminals 130) of the satellite communication system 100 may be connected to each other and / or to one or more networks 140 via a mesh network, a star network, or the like.

[0010] The satellites 120 may include any suitable type of satellite configured for wireless communication with or between the access node terminals 130 and the user terminals 150. In some embodiments, some or all of the satellites 120 may be in geostationary orbits such that their locations relative to ground devices may be relatively fixed or may be fixed within operating tolerances or other orbital windows. Additionally or alternatively, some or all of the satellites 120 may be in orbits in which the position of the satellites 120 relative to the Earth varies over time (e.g., non-geostationary orbits such as low Earth orbit (LEO) or medium Earth orbit (MEO)). Although certain techniques are described herein with reference to the satellite 120 being one example of a target device (e.g., of a user terminal 150 or its antenna), the techniques described herein are applicable to other target devices, including other types of target devices having locations generally overhead relative to the user terminal 150 (e.g., airplanes, unmanned aerial vehicles, drones, airships).

[0011] Satellite 120 may receive forward uplink signals 132 from one or more access node terminals 130 and transmit forward downlink signals 172 to one or more user terminals 150. Additionally or alternatively, satellite 120 may receive return uplink signals 173 from one or more user terminals 150 and transmit return downlink signals 133 to one or more access node terminals 130. For communication of signals between access node terminals 130 (e.g., via satellite 120) and user terminals 150, various physical layer modulation and coding techniques may be supported, such as, for example, multi-frequency time division multiple access (MF-TDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), or any number of hybrid or other schemes known in the art. In various embodiments, the physical layer technology may be the same for each of signals 132, 133, 172, and 173, or some of the signals may use different physical layer technologies than other signals. Satellite 120 may support communications using one or more frequency bands and any number of sub-bands thereof. For example, satellite 120 may support operation in the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Ku, K, or Ka bands, C band, X band, S band, L band, V band, etc.

[0012] The satellite 120 may include an antenna assembly 121, such as a phased array antenna assembly, a phased array feed reflector (PAFR) antenna, or any other mechanism known in the art for transmitting and / or receiving signals of a communication service. In some embodiments, the antenna assembly 121 may support communication via one or more beamformed spot beams 125, which may be referred to as beams, service beams, satellite beams, or any other suitable terminology. Signals may be passed through the antenna assembly 121 to form a spatial electromagnetic radiation pattern of the spot beam 125. In some embodiments, the spot beam 125 may use or otherwise be associated with a single carrier (e.g., one frequency or a contiguous frequency range). In some embodiments, the spot beam 125 may be configured to support only user terminals 150, in which case the spot beam 125 may be referred to as a user spot beam or user beam (e.g., user spot beam 125-a). For example, user spot beam 125-a may be configured to support one or more forward downlink signals 172 and / or one or more return uplink signals 173 between satellite 120 and user terminal 150. In some embodiments, spot beam 125 may be configured to support only access node terminal 130, in which case spot beam 125 may be referred to as an access node spot beam, access node beam, or gateway beam (e.g., access node spot beam 125-b). For example, access node spot beam 125-b may be configured to support one or more forward uplink signals 132 and / or one or more return downlink signals 133 between satellite 120 and access node terminal 130.In other embodiments, the spot beam 125 may be configured to serve both the user terminal 150 and the access node terminal 130, and thus the spot beam 125 may support any combination of forward downlink signals 172, return uplink signals 173, forward uplink signals 132, or return downlink signals 133 between the satellite 120, the user terminal 150, and the access node terminal 130.

[0013] A spot beam 125 may support communication services with target devices (e.g., user terminal 150, access node terminal 130, satellite 120) located within the spot beam coverage area 126. The spot beam coverage area 126 may be defined by an area of ​​the electromagnetic radiation pattern of the associated spot beam 125 projected onto the ground or other reference surface that has signal characteristics (e.g., signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)) that exceed or otherwise meet a threshold value. The spot beam coverage area 126 may cover any suitable service area (e.g., circular, elliptical, hexagonal, local, regional, national) and may support communication services with any number of target devices located within the spot beam coverage area 126 that may include target devices located within the associated spot beam 125 but are not necessarily located on the reference surface of the spot beam coverage area 126, such as airborne terminals.

[0014] In some embodiments, the satellite 120 may support multiple beamformed spot beams 125, each covering a respective spot beam coverage area 126, which may or may not overlap with adjacent spot beam coverage areas 126. For example, the satellite 120 may support a service coverage area (e.g., a regional coverage area, a national coverage area) formed by a combination of any number (e.g., tens, hundreds, thousands) of spot beam coverage areas 126. A service coverage area may be broadly defined as a coverage area from and / or to which either a terrestrial source or a terrestrial receiver may participate in (e.g., transmit and / or receive signals associated with) a communication service via the satellite 120, and may be defined by multiple spot beam coverage areas 126. In some systems, the service coverage area of ​​each communication link (eg, forward uplink coverage area, forward downlink coverage area, return uplink coverage area, and / or return downlink coverage area) may be different.

[0015] User terminal 150 may include any number of devices configured to communicate signals with satellite 120 or other target devices. Other target devices may include fixed terminals (e.g., ground-based stationary terminals) or mobile terminals, such as terminals on ships, aircraft, or ground-based vehicles. User terminal 150 may communicate data and information via satellite 120 or other target devices. Such communication may include communication via access node terminal 130 to a destination device, such as network device 141 or some other device associated with network 140 or a distributed server. User terminal 150 may communicate signals according to a variety of physical layer transmission modulation and coding techniques, including, for example, those defined in the DVB-S2, WiMAX, LTE, and DOCSIS standards.

[0016] The user terminal 150 (e.g., a phased array consumer terminal) may include a phased array antenna 155 that may be configured to receive a forward downlink signal 172 (e.g., from the satellite 120), to transmit a return uplink signal 173 (e.g., to the satellite 120), or both. In some embodiments, the user terminal 150 may be configured for one-way or two-way communication with the satellite 120 via a spot beam 125 (e.g., user spot beam 125-a). The phased array antenna 155 may include an array (e.g., a two-dimensional array) of feed elements 156 physically arranged in a feed array assembly, and the signals of each feed element 156 may be steered according to various beamforming techniques (e.g., phase and / or amplitude manipulation) to support terminal spot beams (not shown), such as transmit beams (e.g., directional transmit) and receive beams (e.g., directional receive). In other words, communication via the phased array antenna 155 may be electronically configurable using an array of feed elements 156 to align signal transmission and / or reception along a desired direction (e.g., terminal spot beam orientation).

[0017] As used herein, the feed element 156 may refer to a receive antenna element, a transmit antenna element, or an antenna element configured to support both transmission and reception (e.g., a transceiver element). A receive antenna element may include a physical transducer (e.g., an RF transducer) that converts an electromagnetic signal to an electrical signal, and a transmit antenna element may include a physical transducer that emits an electromagnetic signal when excited by an electrical signal. In some cases, the same physical transducer may be used for transmission and reception. Each of the feed elements 156 may include, for example, a feed horn, a polarization transducer (e.g., a septum-polarized horn that may function as two combined elements with different polarizations), a multi-port multi-band horn (e.g., dual-band 20GHz / 30GHz with dual-polarized LHCP / RHCP), a cavity-slot, an inverted-F, a slotted waveguide, a Vivaldi, a helical, a loop, a patch, or any other configuration of antenna elements or combinations of interconnected sub-elements. Each of the feed elements 156 may also include or be otherwise coupled to an RF signal transducer, a low noise amplifier (LNA), or a high power amplifier (HPA), and may be coupled to a transponder for performing other signal processing, such as frequency conversion, beamforming processing, etc.

[0018] The phased array antenna 155 may be part of an antenna assembly 151 (e.g., a user terminal antenna assembly), which may also include various hardware for mounting or orienting the phased array antenna 155. The antenna assembly 151 may also include circuitry and / or a processor for converting (e.g., performing frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, multiplexing / demultiplexing, filtering, forwarding, etc.) radio frequency (RF) communication signals (e.g., forward downlink signal 172 and / or return uplink signal 173) and user terminal communication signals 157 communicated between the phased array antenna 155 and the user terminal controller 158. Such circuitry and / or a processor may be included in the antenna assembly 151 and may also be referred to as an integrated antenna assembly or a processor-integrated antenna assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the user terminal controller 158 may include circuitry and / or a processor for performing various RF signal operations (e.g., receiving, performing frequency conversion, modulation / demodulation, multiplexing / demultiplexing, etc.). The antenna assembly 151 may also be known as a satellite outdoor unit (ODU), and the user terminal controller 158 may be known as an indoor unit (IDU).

[0019] User terminals 150 may be connected to one or more consumer premises equipment (CPE) 160 via wired or wireless connections 161 and may provide network access services (e.g., access to network 140, Internet access) or other communication services (e.g., broadcast media) to CPE 160 via communication system 100. CPE(s) 160 may include user devices such as, but are not limited to, computers, local area networks, Internet appliances, wireless networks, mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, tablet computers, laptops, display devices (e.g., televisions, computer monitors, etc.), printers, etc. CPE(s) 160 may also include any equipment located at a subscriber's premises, including routers, firewalls, switches, private branch exchanges (PBXs), Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) gateways, etc. In some embodiments, user terminal 150 provides bidirectional communication between CPE(s) 160 and network(s) 140 via satellite 120 and access node terminal(s) 130 .

[0020] The access node terminal 130 may service forward uplink signals 132 and return downlink signals 133 (e.g., to and from the satellite 120). The access node terminal 130 may also be known as a ground station, a gateway, a gateway terminal, or a hub. The access node terminal 130 may include an access node terminal antenna system 131 and an access node controller 135. The access node terminal antenna system 131 may be bidirectional and may be designed with sufficient transmit power and receive sensitivity to reliably communicate with the satellite 120. In some embodiments, the access node terminal antenna system 131 may include a parabolic reflector with high directivity in the direction of the satellite 120 and low directivity in other directions. The access node terminal antenna system 131 may include a variety of alternative configurations and may include operational characteristics such as high isolation between orthogonal polarizations, high efficiency in the operating frequency band, and low noise.

[0021] In some embodiments, the access node terminal 130 (e.g., the access node controller 135) may schedule traffic to the user terminal 150. Additionally or alternatively, the scheduling may be performed in other parts of the communication system 100 (e.g., at one or more network devices 141, which may include a network operations center (NOC) and / or a gateway command center). The satellite 120 may communicate with the access node terminal 130 by transmitting return downlink signals 133 and / or receiving forward uplink signals 132 via one or more spot beams 125 (e.g., the access node spot beams 125-b, which may be associated with respective access node spot beam coverage areas 126-b). The access node spot beams 125-b may support, for example, communication services for one or more user terminals 150 (e.g., relayed by the satellite 120) or any other communication between the satellite 120 and the access node terminal 130.

[0022] The access node terminal 130 may provide an interface between the network 140 and the satellite 120 and may be configured to receive data and information sent between the network 140 and one or more user terminals 150. The access node terminal 130 may format the data and information for delivery to the respective user terminals 150. Additionally or alternatively, the access node terminal 130 may be configured to receive signals from the satellite 120 (e.g., from one or more user terminals 150) directed to destinations accessible via the network 140. The access node terminal 130 may also format received signals for transmission over the network 140.

[0023] The network(s) 140 may be any type of network, including, for example, the Internet, an Internet Protocol (IP) network, an intranet, a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a local area network (LAN), a virtual private network (VPN), a virtual LAN (VLAN), an optical fiber network, a hybrid fiber coaxial network, a cable network, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a public switched data network (PSDN), a public land mobile network, and / or any other type of network supporting communication between the devices described herein. The network(s) 140 may include both wired and wireless connections, as well as optical links. The network(s) 140 may connect the access node terminal 130 with other access node terminals that may communicate with the satellite 120 or other satellites. One or more network devices 141 may be coupled to the access node terminal 130 and may control aspects of the communication system 100. In various embodiments, the network device 141 may be co-located with the access node terminal 130 or otherwise near the access node terminal 130, or may be a remote installation communicating with the access node terminal 130 and / or the network 140 via wired and / or wireless communication links.

[0024] In some embodiments, the phased array antenna 155 may be associated with characteristics (e.g., communication characteristics, signaling characteristics) that are directional in nature, such as gain characteristics, noise characteristics, beamwidth characteristics, or other characteristics that vary depending on the direction of beamforming with respect to the physical positioning or orientation of the phased array (e.g., depending on the relative separation between the beam orientation of the phased array and the physical boresight). According to embodiments disclosed herein, various components of the communication system 100 may be configured to take into account the directional beam characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 for operation of the user terminal 150 (e.g., operation of the phased array antenna 155), such as during installation of the phased array antenna 155, during positioning or orientation of the phased array antenna 155, or during communication using the phased array antenna 155.

[0025] In some embodiments, one or more components of the communication system 100 (e.g., the user terminal controller 158, the access node controller 135, the network device 141) may be configured to generate a communication performance map to evaluate or characterize a communication or signaling environment local to the user terminal 150 with respect to a directional characteristic of the phased array antenna 155. For example, the user terminal 150 may be configured to receive or transmit signals via the phased array antenna 155 according to different directions of a beamformed beam (e.g., a beamformed terminal spot beam, a beamformed receive beam of the phased array antenna 155, a beamformed transmit beam of the phased array antenna 155) and scale the respective signal quality metrics determined for each of the different directions by the directional antenna characteristic of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., associated with the respective direction). The scaled signal quality metric may be mapped for different directions (e.g., in the antenna coordinate system, in the global coordinate system), which may be used to establish various boundaries or directivity thresholds for performing communication operations (e.g., obstacle maps, attenuation maps, specific signaling maps associated with the local environment). For example, the boundaries of the communication map may be used to evaluate when a target device (e.g., satellite 120) is within a range of locations that support communication with the phased array antenna 155, evaluate which of a set of target devices are in favorable locations for communication with the phased array antenna 155, or evaluate when the user terminal 150 should handoff from one target device to another.By taking into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155, the user terminal 150 (e.g., user terminal controller 158), the access node terminal 130 (e.g., access node controller 135), or the network device 141, or various combinations thereof, may support improved communications performance, improved utilization of communications resources (e.g., improved spectral efficiency), smoother handovers between target devices, or reduced occurrences of signal dropouts, among other advantages, compared to techniques that do not take into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna.

[0026] In some examples, the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155, or its communication performance map, can be used to evaluate how or when to reposition or reorient the phased array antenna 155. For example, when the phased array antenna 155 is provided with a substantially fixed or fixed orientation by an installer, the orientation characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 can be utilized to determine a preferred physical orientation of the phased array antenna 155, such as aligning the direction or scanning volume of the phased array antenna 155 with a clear line of sight (e.g., relative to obstacles or other attenuating sources), with a direction of a potential target device location, or various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, when the antenna assembly 151 utilizes a combination of physical actuation (e.g., actuators or positioners of the antenna assembly 151) and electronic beamforming, the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 can be used to determine, among other positioning decisions or assessments, whether to control one or more actuators (e.g., of the antenna assembly 151) to reorient the phased array antenna 155 to a new orientation (e.g., to align the phased array antenna 155 with a current or future position of a target device) or whether to maintain the one or more actuators in a stationary position (e.g., while tracking a target device using electronic beamforming). By taking into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 in the alignment or positioning of the phased array antenna 155, the phased array antenna 155 may be aligned with an orientation that maximizes an obstruction-free field of view within the scanning volume of the phased array antenna, or the phased array antenna 155 may be used with fewer or less expensive actuators that may not support smooth or continuous tracking of a target device, among other advantages, compared to positioning techniques that do not take into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155.

[0027] 2 illustrates an example of an antenna assembly 151-a supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The antenna assembly 151-a includes a phased array antenna 155-a, a mounting structure 220, and a positioner 235 coupled between the mounting structure 220 and the phased array antenna 155-a. The positioner 235 may include one or more components that support positioning or orientation of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., for static or fixable positioning, for controlled or actuated positioning). In various embodiments, the mounting structure 220 may be mounted or attached to a substantially fixed, ground-based location (e.g., a building, a mounting pole), or the mounting structure 220 may be mounted or attached to or be part of a moving installation (e.g., a vehicle, an airplane, a ship, a drone, a UAV).

[0028] In some embodiments, the antenna assembly 151-a may include circuitry and / or a processor for processing RF signals transmitted by and / or received at the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., when the antenna assembly 151-a is a processor-integrated antenna assembly), circuitry and / or a processor for controlling the orientation of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., for controlling an actuator of the positioner 235), or various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the antenna assembly 151-a may be coupled to an IDU (e.g., user terminal controller 158) of the user terminal 150 via a communications feed (e.g., when the antenna assembly 151-a is configured as an ODU). The phased array antenna 155-a may include an array (e.g., a two-dimensional array, not shown in FIG. 2 ) of feed elements 156, each of which may include or be otherwise associated with a transceiver configured to communicate signals between the phased array antenna 155-a and a target device (e.g., satellite 120). The phased array antenna 155-a may be associated with a boresight 240 (e.g., a physical boresight, a physical orientation), which may indicate a major axis or alignment of the phased array antenna 155-a. In some examples, the boresight 240 may be aligned with or correspond to a direction of a peak or maximum gain of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., within the array reference frame 280). In some examples, the boresight 240 may be a direction perpendicular to a surface of the phased array antenna 155-a, such as a surface associated with an aperture of the feed element 156, which may be a flat surface, a curved surface, or other type of surface of the phased array antenna 155-a.

[0029] Aspects of the antenna assembly 151-a, or its components or operations may be described with reference to the global reference frame 260, the base reference frame 270, the array reference frame 280, or various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the reference frames may be used to describe position or orientation information associated with the antenna assembly 151-a and one or more target devices, such as satellites 120. For example, the global reference frame 260, the base reference frame 270, or the array reference frame 280 may be used to identify the location of the antenna assembly 151-a or one or more target devices. Additionally or alternatively, the global reference frame 260, the base reference frame 270, and / or the array reference frame 280 may be used to identify a vector or relative orientation between the antenna assembly 151-a and one or more target devices. Each of the reference frames may be described as a three-dimensional reference frame (e.g., a coordinate system) having mutually orthogonal axes, although one or more of the global reference frame 260, the base reference frame 270, or the array reference frame 280 may be other types of reference frames (e.g., a polar reference frame, an angular reference frame) to support techniques according to embodiments disclosed herein.

[0030] The global reference frame 260 may be a three-dimensional, centered Cartesian coordinate frame. The X-axis of the global reference frame 260 may be aligned with a compass direction of North (e.g., magnetic or true north). The Y-axis of the global reference frame 260 may be aligned with a compass direction of East. The Z-axis of the global reference frame 260 may be aligned with an Earth radian that emanates from the origin of the global reference frame 260 and extends through the center of the Earth. The described alignment of the global reference frame 260 may be referred to as a North, East, Down (NED) alignment. Each axis of the global reference frame 260 may be orthogonal to each of the other axes, forming a 90 degree angle. In some embodiments, the origin of the global reference frame 260 may coincide with the latitude and longitude of the antenna assembly 151-a. In some embodiments, the altitude or elevation of global reference frame 260 may be assumed to be zero (e.g., if the origin of global reference frame 260 is at the Earth's surface or some other suitable reference elevation such as sea level). In some embodiments, the origin of global reference frame 260 may be at the center of the Earth, the Z axis may be aligned with a compass direction of North (e.g., magnetic or true North), and the X and Y axes may each be aligned with a different Earth longitude.

[0031] The base reference frame 270 may also be a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate frame and may be associated with or otherwise correspond to the mounting structure 220. The X' axis of the base reference frame 270 may be aligned along a first direction of the mounting structure 220 (e.g., along a width direction, along a first edge of a mounting surface) and the Y' axis of the base reference frame 270 may be aligned along a second direction of the mounting structure 220 (e.g., along a depth or length direction, along a second edge of a mounting surface). In some embodiments, the plane defined by the X' and Y' axes may be parallel to or otherwise represent a mounting plane or other reference plane of the mounting structure 220. The Z' axis of the base reference frame 270 may be aligned along a direction perpendicular to the X' and Y' axes (e.g., perpendicular to a mounting surface or other reference plane). Unlike global reference frame 260, which may remain fixed relative to the Earth's position or orientation (e.g., in attitude, or in position, or in attitude and position), base reference frame 270 may follow mounting structure 220. In other words, the origin and orientation of base reference frame 270 may be fixed relative to mounting structure 220. In some embodiments, the attitude of mounting structure 220 (e.g., relative to the Earth, relative to global reference frame 260) may be defined by a set of one or more rotations (e.g., roll, pitch, and yaw) or other transformations between base reference frame 270 and global reference frame 260.

[0032] The array reference frame 280 may also be a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate frame and may be associated with or otherwise correspond to the phased array antenna 155-a. The X" axis of the array reference frame 280 may be aligned along a first direction of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., along the width direction, along the direction of the rows of the feed elements 156) and the Y" axis of the array reference frame 280 may be aligned along a second direction of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., along the depth direction, along the direction of the columns of the feed elements 156). In some examples, the plane defined by the X" and Y" axes may be parallel to or otherwise represent an aperture plane or other reference plane of the phased array antenna 155-a. The Z" axis of the array reference frame 280 may be aligned along a direction perpendicular to the X" and Y" axes (e.g., perpendicular to an aperture plane or other reference plane) and may be aligned or coincident with the boresight 240. In some embodiments, the orientation of the array reference frame 280, or the orientation and origin of the array reference frame 280, may be fixed relative to the phased array antenna 155-a. In some embodiments, the origin of the array reference frame 280 may be collocated with the origin of the base reference frame 270 (e.g., at the nominal location of the antenna assembly 151-a), which may be a defined or programmed location (e.g., by an installer), or may be a location determined using a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver (e.g., of the antenna assembly 151-a, of the user terminal 150 including the antenna assembly 151-a), among other systems.

[0033] In some embodiments, the attitude or orientation of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., with respect to the mounting structure 220, with respect to the base frame of reference 270) may be defined by a set of one or more rotations (e.g., azimuth rotation, elevation rotation, skew rotation) between the array frame of reference 280 and the base frame of reference 270, which may be associated with a physical orientation 275 (e.g., a relative orientation between the array frame of reference 280 and the base frame of reference 270). In some embodiments, the base frame of reference 270 may be omitted or the base frame of reference 270 may be aligned with the global frame of reference 260, and the translation, rotation, or both (e.g., physical orientation 275) may be direct (e.g., physically, mathematically, computationally) between the array frame of reference 280 and the global frame of reference 260. In some embodiments, the rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a may be supported or defined by aspects of the positioner 235 (mechanisms, couplers, actuators, etc.) coupled between the mounting structure 220 and the phased array antenna 155-a. For example, the positioner 235 may include one or more rotary or spherical bearings, one or more pivot joints or couplers, one or more ball joints or couplers, one or more actuators, or various combinations thereof that support orienting the phased array antenna 155-a relative to the mounting structure 220 (e.g., orienting the array reference frame 280 relative to the base reference frame 270 or relative to the global reference frame 260, or orienting about an azimuth axis, an elevation axis, a cross-elevation axis, or a skew axis, or a combination thereof).

[0034] In some embodiments (e.g., when the X' and Y' axes are parallel to a horizontal plane or direction), rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a about the Z' axis of the base reference frame 270 may correspond to an azimuth adjustment of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., of the boresight 240), and the positioner 235 may include a rotary or spherical coupler or actuator that supports relative rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a at least about the Z' axis. In some embodiments, rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a about the X' axis of the base reference frame 270, about the Y' axis of the base reference frame 270, or generally about any axis parallel to the plane defined by the X' and Y' axes, may correspond to an elevation adjustment of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., of the boresight 240), and the positioner 235 may include a rotary or spherical coupler or actuator that supports rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a about at least the X' axis or the Y' axis or a combination thereof, or otherwise relative to the X'-Y' plane. In some embodiments, rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a about the X" axis of the array reference frame 280 may correspond to an elevation adjustment of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., in a configuration in which the X" axis is maintained in an orientation parallel to a plane defined by the X' and Y' axes, in a configuration in which the X" axis is parallel to a horizontal plane or direction), and the positioner 235 may include a rotary or spherical coupler or actuator supporting relative rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a at least about the X" axis. In some embodiments, rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a about the Z" axis of the array reference frame 280 (e.g., about the boresight 240) may correspond to a skew adjustment of the phased array antenna 155-a, and the positioner 235 may include a rotary or spherical coupler or actuator supporting relative rotation of the phased array antenna 155-a at least about the Z" axis. Other embodiments of the antenna assembly 151 according to embodiments disclosed herein may include different definitions of its relative orientation or translation (eg, different reference frame transformations), or associated couplers or actuations.

[0035] The phased array antenna 155-a may support communication of electromagnetic signals with a target device via one or more beams 250 (e.g., terminal spot beams). For example, a forward downlink signal 172 may be received at the phased array antenna 155-a using a receive beam 250 (e.g., downlink beam, directional receive), and a return uplink signal 173 may be transmitted by the phased array antenna 155-a using a transmit beam 250 (e.g., uplink beam, directional transmit). The beam 250 may be associated with (e.g., directed along, focused along) a beam orientation 255 (e.g., beamformed beam orientation, beamformed beam 250 orientation, terminal spot beam direction) that may be defined with respect to the boresight 240. For example, the beam orientation 255 may be associated with a first angle α, which may be the angle of the beam orientation 255 in a plane defined by the X″ and Y″ axes of the array reference frame 280 (e.g., beam azimuth angle, the angle measured between the projection of the beam orientation 255 on the X″-Y″ plane and the direction of the X″ axis). The beam orientation 255 may also be associated with a second angle β, which may be the angle of the beam orientation 255 relative to the boresight 240 (e.g., scan angle, beam elevation angle, beam deflection angle, the angle measured between the direction of the beam orientation 255 and the direction of the Z″ axis). Although the beam 250 is illustrated as a cone originating at a center point or origin of the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., to illustrate the relative orientation), the beam 250 may be formed via electromagnetic signaling distributed across a surface of the phased array antenna 155-a. For example, the beam 250 may be formed according to the beam orientation 255 via constructive or non-constructive interactions (e.g., as defined in a beamforming configuration) between or among feed element signals of the feed elements 156 distributed across the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., along the X″ direction, along the Y″ direction, or both).

[0036] In some examples, the positioner 235 may support static or semi-static installation aspects in which the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., boresight 240) may be physically pointed or oriented by an installer (e.g., using one or more static or “fixable” positioners around one or more axes) in the general direction of a target device, or in the general direction of a statistical distribution of potential target device locations, or in a clear line of sight direction, among other directions (e.g., in a nominal pointing direction). The positioner 235 may include a clamp or fixation mechanism configured to maintain or fix the orientation (e.g., physical orientation 275, orientation relative to the mounting structure 220) of the phased array antenna 155-a as oriented around one or more axes (e.g., of a coupler of the positioner 235, of the base reference frame 270, of the array reference frame 280) by the installer. In such an embodiment, directional transmission or reception through the beam 250 may be based on maintained physical alignment (e.g., physical orientation 275) of the phased array antenna 155-a and orientation provided by electronic beamforming (e.g., beam orientation 255, orientation using feed element signals communicated via respective feed elements 156).

[0037] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the positioner 235 may support aspects of dynamic or controlled placement or positioning in which the phased array antenna 155-a (e.g., boresight 240) may be oriented by one or more actuators (e.g., elevation actuators, azimuth actuators, cross-elevation actuators, or skew actuators, or combinations thereof) of the positioner 235. The actuators of the positioner 235 may be responsive to a controller (e.g., a controller of the antenna assembly 151-a, a controller of the user terminal 150 including the antenna assembly 151-a, the user terminal controller 158, the access node controller 135, the network device 141) that is operable to cause the actuators to orient the phased array antenna 155-a based at least in part on a desired or determined orientation (e.g., physical orientation 275, orientation of the boresight 240) that may be determined at the user terminal 150 or another component of the communications system 100 (e.g., at the access node terminal 130, at the network device 141, at the NOC, at a gateway command center). In such embodiments, the directional transmission or reception may be based on an orientation provided by an installer and subsequently maintained, or an orientation provided by one or more actuators, or an orientation provided by electronic beamforming, or various combinations thereof.

[0038] The phased array antenna 155-a may be associated with characteristics (e.g., communication characteristics, signaling characteristics) that are inherently directional (e.g., based on the relative separation between the beam orientation 255 and the boresight 240). In some embodiments, the performance of the phased array antenna 155-a may generally degrade as the angle β increases (e.g., as the scan angle increases). For example, a beam 250 that is aligned with or relatively close to the alignment of the boresight 240 (e.g., a beam orientation 255 having a relatively small angle β) may be associated with a relatively high signal gain, a relatively narrow beamwidth, a relatively low signal noise, or short sidelobes, among other directional characteristics. A beam 250 that is relatively far from the alignment of the boresight 240 (e.g., a beam orientation 255 having a relatively large angle β) may be associated with a relatively low signal gain, a relatively wide beamwidth, a relatively high signal noise, or sidelobes, among other characteristics. In some examples, the impedance presented to circuitry associated with processing the feed element signal, such as a front-end amplifier, may change with scan angle, and thus one or more analog or digital signal processing characteristics (e.g., signal strength, SNR, SINR, noise floor) may also be directional (e.g., according to the relative angle between the beam orientation 255 and the boresight 240).

[0039] In some examples, the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155-a may be associated with one or more physical characteristics that are asymmetric (e.g., different between the X″ and Y″ directions, different according to the angle α). For example, the phased array antenna 155-a may include columns of feed elements 156 that are narrower than rows of feed elements (e.g., in a feed element array having more feed elements 156 in the row or X″ direction than in the column or Y″ direction). In such examples, the phased array antenna 155-a may support forming beams 250 (e.g., beams having rectangular, elliptical, or otherwise elongated cross-sections) that are narrower along the X″ direction than along the Y″ direction. In various examples (e.g., when the number of feed elements 156 in the X″ direction is different from the Y″ direction), gain characteristics, noise characteristics, sidelobe characteristics, beamwidth characteristics, or other characteristics or combinations of characteristics may be different along different directions (e.g., with respect to the angle α) for the phased array antenna. Further, the characteristics of the phased array antenna 155-a may additionally or alternatively vary based on various operating characteristics or conditions, such as frequency, signaling direction (e.g., transmit or receive), operating temperature, operating voltage, or other characteristics or conditions.

[0040] According to various embodiments disclosed herein, the communication system 100 may be configured to take into account directional beam characteristics in the operation of the phased array antenna 155-a, such as during installation of the phased array antenna 155-a, during positioning or orientation of the phased array antenna 155-a, or during communications using the phased array antenna 155-a. In some embodiments, such techniques may be used to improve the evaluation of the local attenuation environment (e.g., distinguishing between path loss of the local environment and scanning loss of the phased array antenna) or the evaluation of communications to be performed, thereby improving the quality of communications between the user terminal 150 and a target device, such as a satellite 120. In some embodiments, such techniques may be used to select an orientation (e.g., physical orientation 275, orientation of the boresight 240) based on an evaluation of the local environment, such as biasing the scanning volume of the phased array antenna 155-a toward an obstruction-free field of view. For example, if a building or other obstruction is identified in the west direction, the boresight 240 may be biased in the east direction to improve the usefulness of the phased array antenna 155-a. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, such techniques may be used to bias the scan volume of a phased array antenna toward the likely location of a target device (e.g., toward a direction likely to pass through the orbital path of one or more satellites 120). By taking into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155-a in the operation of the antenna assembly 151-a (e.g., of a user terminal 150 that includes the antenna assembly 151-a), various aspects of communications may be improved as compared to techniques that do not take into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna.

[0041] 3A illustrates a block diagram 300 of a receive beamforming network 310 that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna, according to embodiments disclosed herein. In various embodiments, one or more components of the receive beamforming network 310 may be included in the antenna assembly 151 or distributed between the antenna assembly 151 and another component of the user terminal 150 (e.g., the user terminal controller 158).

[0042] The receive beamforming network 310 may take the feed element signals 315 (e.g., feed element receive signals) received from the m feed elements 156 and provide beam receive signals 335 (e.g., beam signals, spot beam receive signals) corresponding to the beams 250 (e.g., receive beams 250). Using various signal manipulation techniques, the beam receive signals 335 may be provided according to the beam orientation 255, beam width, or various other characteristics of the beams 250. For example, each feed element signal 315 from each feed element 156 may be fed to a respective conditioning component 320, which may include circuitry or digital processing operable to perform amplitude adjustments, phase adjustments, or both, among other components. Each instance of the conditioning component 320 may perform amplitude and phase adjustments on the corresponding feed element signal 315 (e.g., via a receive beam weight of a receive beamforming weight vector associated with the beam 250) to provide a respective conditioned signal 325. The conditioned signals 325 may be summed using a summation component 330 to provide a beam receive signal 335 from the beamformed beam 250. The beam receive signal 335 may correspond to a directional receive signal, and in some embodiments may correspond to a communication signal or stream (e.g., a downlink communication stream).

[0043] The process of adjusting the amplitude and phase of the feed element signals 315 (e.g., by the adjustment components 320) may be mathematically described as multiplying a complex baseband representation of the signal by a complex number (e.g., a complex weight). Expressing the complex number as w=I+jQ, the magnitude of w may represent the amplitude adjustment and the phase of w may represent the phase adjustment. In some embodiments, the adjustment components 320 may include a vector multiplier circuit that can receive I and Q values ​​(e.g., from a controller in the user terminal 150, from a beamforming controller) and a circuit that has independent phase and amplitude adjustment mechanisms and takes the desired amplitude and phase adjustments as inputs. The receive beamforming network 310 may provide dynamic (e.g., varying) and programmable complex beam weight values ​​to each of the m adjustment components 320. The receive beamforming network 310 may include an amplification stage (e.g., a low noise amplifier) ​​in the beamformer structure to account for some or all of the insertion loss of the devices used to perform the beamforming functions (e.g., splitting, weighting, and combining). In some embodiments, the receive beamforming network may further include downconverters, filters, or other signal processing components.

[0044] The signal processing of the receive beamforming network 310 may be performed in the analog and / or digital signal domain. For example, when signal processing is performed by the receive beamforming network 310 in the digital domain, the receive beamforming network 310 may include one or more analog-to-digital converters (e.g., converting the feed element signals 315 to the digital domain). In other examples, each of the feed elements 156 may be associated with its own analog-to-digital converter that provides the digital feed element signals 315 to the receive beamforming network 310. In examples including digital domain processing, the path hardware may provide the beam receive signals 335 in the digital domain. In other examples, the signal processing of the receive beamforming network 310 may be performed entirely in the analog domain such that the feed element signals 315 are received in the analog domain and the processed signals remain in the analog domain throughout the path hardware that provides the beam receive signals 335 in the analog domain. In some examples, an analog-to-digital converter (e.g., a demodulator) may be used to convert the analog beam receive signals 335 of the path hardware to the digital domain.

[0045] 3B illustrates a block diagram 350 of a transmit beamforming network 360 (e.g., a feedforming network (FFN)) that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to embodiments disclosed herein. In various embodiments, one or more components of the transmit beamforming network 360 may be included in the antenna assembly 151 or distributed between the antenna assembly 151 and another component of the user terminal 150 (e.g., the user terminal controller 158).

[0046] The transmit beamforming network 360 may take a beam transmit signal 365 (e.g., a spot beam transmit signal) and provide a respective feed element signal 385 (e.g., a feed element transmit signal) to the n feed elements 156 (e.g., different from or the same as the m feed elements 156 described with reference to the receive beamforming network 310). The beam transmit signal 365 may correspond to a signal for directional transmission and, in some examples, may correspond to a communication signal or communication stream (e.g., an uplink communication stream).

[0047] Using various signal manipulation techniques, the beam receive signal 335 may be transmitted according to the beam orientation 255, beam width, or various other characteristics of the beam 250. For example, the beam transmit signal 365 may be split into n beam signal copies 375 (e.g., duplicate signals), one for each feed element 156, using a splitter 370. Each beam signal copy 375 of each feed element 156 may be fed to a respective conditioning component 380, which may include, among other components, circuitry or digital processing operable to perform amplitude and phase adjustments on the corresponding beam signal copy 375 (e.g., using transmit beam weights of a transmit beamforming weight vector associated with the beam 250) to provide a respective feed element signal 385 for transmission by the respective feed element 156.

[0048] The process of adjusting the amplitude and phase of the beam signal copies 375 may also be mathematically described as multiplying a complex baseband representation of the signal by a complex number. In some embodiments, the adjustment components 380 may include vector multiplier circuits that can receive I and Q values ​​(e.g., from a controller in the user terminal 150, from a beamforming controller) and circuits with independent phase and amplitude adjustment mechanisms that take the desired amplitude and phase adjustments as inputs. The transmit beamforming network 360 may provide dynamic (e.g., varying) and programmable complex beam weight values ​​to each of the n adjustment components 380. The transmit beamforming network 360 may also include amplification stages (e.g., high power amplifiers) within the beamformer structure to account for some or all of the insertion loss of devices used to perform the beamforming functions (e.g., splitting, weighting, and combining).

[0049] The signal processing of the transmit beamforming network 360 may be performed in the analog and / or digital signal domain. For example, when signal processing is performed by the transmit beamforming network 360 in the digital domain, the receive beamforming network 360 may include one or more digital-to-analog converters (e.g., modulators that convert digital feed element signals 385 to the analog domain for transmission by the transducers of the feed elements 156). In other examples, each of the feed elements 156 may be associated with its own digital-to-analog converter that provides an analog signal to the corresponding feed element 156 for transmission. In some examples, the signal processing of the transmit beamforming network 360 may be performed entirely in the analog domain such that the digital beam transmit signals 365 are received in or converted to the analog domain and the processed signals remain in the analog domain throughout the path hardware that provides the feed element signals 385 in the analog domain.

[0050] 4 illustrates an example of an antenna characteristic map 400 that supports communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to embodiments disclosed herein. The antenna characteristic map 400 illustrates an example for mapping directional antenna characteristics 410 of a phased array antenna 155 that may be associated with different beamformed beam orientations 255.

[0051] An example of the antenna characteristic map 400 shows the gain (e.g., in decibels (dB), receive gain, transmit gain, relative gain, beam gain) of the phased array antenna 155 mapped for angles α and β in degrees, which may be angles relative to the array reference frame 280 as described with reference to FIG. 2. An origin 405 of the antenna characteristic map 400 may correspond to the orientation of the boresight 240, which may represent the nominal or primary physical orientation of the phased array antenna 155. In the example of the antenna characteristic map 400, the gain shown may be assumed to be maximum or unity gain (e.g., 0 db gain, zero relative attenuation) at the origin 405.

[0052] As illustrated by antenna characteristic map 400, the performance of phased array antenna 155 may degrade as angle β increases (e.g., as scan angle increases away from origin 405). For example, antenna characteristic 410-a at an orientation (e.g., beam orientation 255) of α=90 degrees and β=45 degrees may be equal to −3 dB, which may indicate a degree of relative attenuation or loss of gain (e.g., antenna gain) compared to a beam orientation 255 aligned with boresight 240 (e.g., antenna characteristic 410 at origin 405). In some embodiments, the attenuation of the antenna characteristic may be associated with a mathematical formulation, such as having a roll-off that follows or is approximated by an exponential relationship with angle β (e.g., gain=k*cos(β)). 1.3 In some embodiments, the attenuation at the maximum scan angle of a phased array antenna (e.g., at or near β=90) may be as high as the attenuation through certain obstacles, such as through trees or other vegetation.

[0053] The attenuation or roll-off of the antenna characteristic 410 (e.g., with increasing scan angle, with increasing angle β) may be based on various factors, or combinations thereof, such as a decrease in receive sensitivity or transmit power of the feed elements 156 at shallower angles of incidence (e.g., smaller angles relative to the X″-Y″ plane), limitations of constructive or destructive signal propagation with increasing β for a given number or arrangement of feed elements 156, an increase in impedance of the circuitry for beamforming at larger scan angles, among other factors. In some examples, the attenuation or roll-off of the antenna characteristic 410 may be related to the dimensions of the phased array antenna 155. For example, a substantially square array of feed elements 156 may be associated with a substantially square to circular outline of the antenna characteristic map 400, a substantially rectangular array of feed elements 156 may be associated with a substantially rectangular to elliptical outline of the antenna characteristic map 400, etc.

[0054] The antenna characteristic map 400 illustrates one example of mapping antenna characteristics 410 to a field of view of the phased array antenna 155, which may be associated with any number of one or more antenna characteristic maps 400. For example, the phased array antenna 155 may be associated with a respective antenna characteristic map 400 for signaling gain (e.g., a gain metric), signaling noise (e.g., a noise metric), sidelobe characteristics (e.g., a sidelobe metric), or beam dimensions (e.g., a beam rolloff metric, a beamwidth metric along the X″ direction, a beamwidth metric along the Y″ direction), or various combinations thereof (e.g., SNR, SINR).

[0055] The antenna characteristic maps 400 may be associated with or scaled for specific operating conditions. For example, different antenna characteristic maps 400 may be defined for different operating frequencies or frequency ranges, different operating temperatures or temperature ranges, different operating voltages or voltage ranges, or other conditions, ranges of conditions, or combinations thereof. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna characteristic maps 400 or their antenna characteristics may be scaled according to operating temperatures, operating frequencies, operating voltages, or other conditions or combinations of conditions. In some examples, some antenna characteristic maps 400 may be associated with or defined for signal transmission by the phased array antenna 155, while other (e.g., different) antenna characteristic maps 400 may be associated with or defined for signal reception by the phased array antenna 155. In some examples, multiple antenna characteristics may be combined to generate an effective antenna characteristic map 400, such as a map of dimensionless or unitless antenna characteristics 410, such as the relative strength or effectiveness of various beam orientations 255. To generate such an effective antenna characteristic map 400, different factors may be weighted according to their relative importance to signaling quality.

[0056] In some embodiments, the antenna characteristic map 400 can be used to define ranges or boundaries of beam orientations 255 of the phased array antenna 155 used for communication signaling. For example, the antenna characteristic map 400 shows a scanning volume boundary 420 that may correspond to angles or other orientation boundaries of the antenna characteristics 410 that support a particular signaling quality. For illustrative purposes, in an embodiment of the antenna characteristic map 400, the scanning volume within the scanning volume boundary 420 may correspond to a range of beam orientations (e.g., angles α and β) where the gain of the phased array antenna 155 is at least −6 dB (e.g., a range where the attenuation is less than −6 dB). However, the scanning volume boundary 420 may correspond to other gain values, or other types of antenna characteristics 410, or combinations thereof, and may further be based on operating conditions, or combinations thereof.

[0057] The communication system 100 can use one or more antenna characteristic maps 400 to improve various operations using the phased array antenna 155. For example, one or more antenna characteristic maps 400 can be used in conjunction with an evaluation of the local environment to determine the physical orientation 275 of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., for static or semi-static orientation or positioning operations, for controlled or actuated orientation or positioning operations). Additionally or alternatively, one or more antenna characteristic maps 400 can be used to evaluate or perform various communication operations, such as evaluating the timing of attempting to establish a communication link with a target device, evaluating a set of target devices to attempt to establish communication with, or evaluating parameters to use when performing communication (e.g., operating frequency, modulation rate or scheme, coding scheme, beam width), among other operations.

[0058] In some embodiments, the antenna characteristic map 400 may be used in the creation of a communication performance map that may map communication characteristics local to the antenna assembly 151. For example, the phased array antenna 155 of the antenna assembly 151 may be used to receive signaling, transmit signaling, or both, and various assessments of signaling quality may be scaled or normalized according to the directional antenna characteristics 410 that may affect the received or transmitted signaling. Thus, the contribution of the directional antenna characteristics 410 to the assessment of the local signaling environment may be offset or otherwise compensated for such that the communication performance map may refer to the inherent signaling characteristics of the environment. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna characteristic map 400 may be used in the interpretation of a communication performance map that may support using a communication performance map generated according to one set of conditions (e.g., one or more first operating conditions, a first physical orientation 275) to assess communication performance under another set of conditions (e.g., different conditions, one or more second operating conditions, a second physical orientation 275).

[0059] 5 illustrates an example of a signaling map 500 supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The signaling map 500 illustrates an embodiment for mapping directional signal quality metrics 510 determined from signals communicated via the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., signal reception by the phased array antenna 155, signal transmission by the phased array antenna) that may be associated with different beamformed beam orientations 255. The example of the signaling map 500 illustrates a mapping for angles α and β in degrees, which may be angles relative to the array reference frame 280 described with reference to FIG. 2. An origin 505 of the signaling map 500 may correspond to an orientation of the boresight 240, which may represent a nominal or primary physical orientation of the phased array antenna 155.

[0060] The signaling map 500, or its signal quality metric 510, may be generated according to various techniques. In some embodiments, the signaling map 500 may be based at least in part on receiving a plurality of signals (e.g., feed element signals 315, beam receive signals 335) according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations 255 at or via the phased array antenna 155. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the signaling map 500 may be based at least in part on transmitting a plurality of signals (e.g., signals 365, signals 385) according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations 255 at or via the phased array antenna 155. In various embodiments, such signals may be communicated using frequencies or frequency bands used for communication via the phased array antenna 155, or such signals may be communicated using frequencies or frequency bands not used for communication via the phased array antenna 155, or such signals may include a combination of signals from various frequencies or frequency bands that may or may not be used for communication via the phased array antenna 155. In some embodiments, the signaling map 500 may be associated with a first physical orientation 275 that may be different from a second physical orientation 275 used for subsequent communication.

[0061] Signals communicated at or through the phased array antenna 155 may be evaluated according to various techniques to generate a signal quality metric 510 for each beam orientation 255. In some embodiments, the signal quality metric 510 may include signal strength (e.g., signal power), a gain metric or attenuation metric, a noise metric (e.g., noise power), or various combinations thereof (e.g., SNR, SINR). In some embodiments, the signal quality metric 510 may be a binary characteristic, where a positive condition may indicate that the signaling meets a threshold and a negative condition may indicate that the signaling does not meet a threshold. In some embodiments, the signal quality metric 510 may be a composite of multiple measurements or evaluations, such as a dimensionless or unitless signal quality metric 510, where different factors may be weighted by their relative importance to the signaling quality to generate such a signal quality metric 510.

[0062] In embodiments in which the signaling map 500 is based at least in part on reception by the phased array antenna 155, at least some of the associated signal evaluations may be performed at the user terminal 150. For example, the user terminal 150, or some component thereof (e.g., the user terminal controller 158), may measure characteristics of the received signals and generate the signal quality metric 510. In some embodiments, the user terminal 150 may communicate the signal quality metric 510, or supporting measurements, to another device (e.g., to a satellite 120, to an access node terminal 130, to a network device 141) to generate the signaling map 500. In embodiments in which the signaling map 500 is based at least in part on transmissions by the phased array antenna 155, at least some of the associated signal evaluations may be performed at the target device or other receiving devices (e.g., the satellite 120, the access node terminal 130, the network device 141). For example, the satellite 120 may receive a transmission from the phased array antenna 155 and may measure characteristics of the received signal to generate the signal quality metric 510. In some embodiments, the satellite 120 or other target device may relay a communication to the access node terminal 130, and the access node terminal or associated network device 141 may measure characteristics of the relayed signal to generate the signal quality metric 510. In such embodiments, the signal quality metric 510 may be used by or communicated to any of the access node terminal 130 (e.g., the access node controller 135), the network device 141, the satellite 120, or the user terminal 150 (e.g., the user terminal controller 158) to generate the signaling map 500.

[0063] For illustrative purposes, the example of the signaling map 500 is associated with a relative signal strength as a signal quality metric 510, which may be a comparison metric relative to a peak or maximum signal strength within the field of view of the phased array antenna 155. The beam orientation 255 at the origin 505 may be associated with a maximum or nominal measured signal strength from which other measured signal strengths are compared (e.g., to map relative strength or attenuation). As shown by the signaling map 500, the signal quality metric 510 (e.g., relative signal strength) may generally decrease as the angle β increases (e.g., as the scan angle increases away from the origin 505). For example, the signal quality metric 510-a at an orientation (e.g., beam orientation 255) of α=90 degrees and β=45 degrees may be equal to −3 dB, which may indicate a degree of relative attenuation or reduced signal strength (e.g., the signal quality metric at the origin 505) compared to a beam orientation 255 aligned with the boresight 240.

[0064] In some embodiments, the attenuation or roll-off of the signal quality metric 510 for a given beam orientation 255 may be based at least in part on the antenna characteristics 410 associated with the phased array antenna 155 for the given beam orientation 255. In such embodiments, the areas of roll-off or attenuation of the signaling map 500 may be the same as or similar to the areas of roll-off or attenuation of the antenna characteristic map 400. Additionally or alternatively, the attenuation or roll-off of the signal quality metric 510 may be based on local sources of attenuation, such as obstructions (e.g., buildings, trees, geological formations), path loss sources (e.g., distance between the transmitter and the phased array antenna 155, environmental or atmospheric signal attenuation, vegetation), or other attenuation or noise sources (e.g., ground level scattering). According to embodiments disclosed herein, knowledge of the signaling characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., antenna characteristic map 400) can be used to compensate or counter such effects (e.g., from signaling map 500), which may support more accurately assessing or identifying the unique signaling characteristics of the environment local to the phased array antenna 155, such as obstacles, path loss sources, or other local phenomena that may affect signaling via the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., of the user terminal 150).

[0065] In some embodiments, signals received at or through the phased array antenna 155 to generate the signaling map 500 may be based at least in part on transmissions performed by one or more other devices of the communication system 100. Such one or more satellites 120 or other target devices are operable to perform communications via the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., target devices supporting communication services with user terminals 150). For example, the phased array antenna 155 may operate according to one or more beams 250 (e.g., receive beams 250) oriented to track the satellite 120 along an orbital path, and a signal quality metric 510 may be determined for each of multiple beam orientations 255 along the orbital path. Such techniques may be repeated for multiple passes of the same or different satellites 120 or other target devices along different orbital paths or other overhead trajectories. Furthermore, such techniques may or may not use signaling associated with a communication service (e.g., forward downlink signal 172, return uplink signal 173).

[0066] The signal quality metrics 510 of the signaling map 500 need not be limited to only locations (e.g., along the orbital path corresponding to the beam orientations 255) associated with directional reception or directional transmission. For example, spatial filtering may be used between beam orientations 255 associated with various measurements and / or beam orientations 255 not associated with measurements. The spatial filtering may include interpolation between beam orientations 255 associated with directional reception or directional transmission and beam orientations 255 associated with zero values ​​(e.g., due to zero values ​​of the particular signal quality metric 510 due to the absence of data at these locations). Various interpolation methods may be applied, including linear interpolation, polynomial interpolation, exponential interpolation, etc. The spatial filter may have different filter parameters and / or coefficients between directions along the orbital path and directions perpendicular to the orbital path.

[0067] In some examples, signals received at or through the phased array antenna 155 to generate the signaling map 500 may be based at least in part on transmissions performed by the same phased array antenna 155 (e.g., in radar imaging techniques). For example, the phased array antenna 155 may be configured to transmit a signal (e.g., signal 365, signal 385) and the phased array antenna 155 may be configured to scan reflections of the transmitted signal (e.g., received as feed element signal 315 or beam receive signal 335). By scanning reflections of signals transmitted by the phased array antenna 155, various aspects of the local communication environment can be evaluated, such as the orientation or location (e.g., orientation and associated distance) of an obstacle or obstruction. Such techniques may be performed without a separate transmitting or receiving device to generate the signaling map 500 or may be combined with one or more aspects of signaling between the phased array antenna 155 and another device, among other techniques.

[0068] The signaling aspects in radar imaging techniques may be configured for various beneficial attributes. In some embodiments, the transmitted signals may be configured at the same frequency or frequency band as the communication frequencies or frequency bands, so that any effects of frequency-dependent attenuation or blocking may be captured as they relate to communications performed via the phased array antenna 155. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the transmitted signals may be configured to avoid the frequencies or frequency bands used for communications, which may support robustness of the associated techniques when the phased array antenna 155 may be located near an interfering transmitter (e.g., using the same communication frequency band) or where transmissions from a target device (e.g., satellite 120) may interfere with the performance of the radar imaging techniques. In some embodiments, the radar imaging techniques may utilize directional transmissions (e.g., transmission of beams 250 along beam orientation 255), which may or may not involve directional reception along the same beam orientation 255. In some embodiments, the radar imaging techniques may utilize non-directional or coherent transmissions (e.g., transmission of signals 385 aligned in phase). In some embodiments, transmission, reception, or both in radar imaging techniques may be compensated (e.g., normalized) based on antenna characteristics 410 associated with the respective signaling, such as by scaling the transmit power according to the beam orientation 255, by scaling the receive power according to the beam orientation 255, or both.

[0069] In some embodiments, signals received at or through the phased array antenna 155 to generate the signaling map 500 may not be associated with a transmitting device. For example, the phased array antenna 155 may be configured to scan for ambient signals (e.g., background emissions) local to the phased array antenna 155. The ambient signals may also be based on temperature or other thermal effects (e.g., molecular effects) of various physical bodies within the field of view of the phased array antenna 155. The temperature or other thermal effects may support differentiation between physical bodies (e.g., obstacles) and the lack thereof (e.g., unobstructed line of sight, clear sky view). In some embodiments, the reception of ambient signals for the generation of the signaling map 500 may be scheduled according to a time of day. For example, the night sky may be favorable for some evaluation of ambient signals due to a relatively low sky temperature (e.g., in the range of 60 Kelvin), and such conditions may beneficially support distinguishing obstacles such as trees and buildings from clear sky (e.g., where cooler sky may be associated with lower electromagnetic emissions). In some embodiments, the ambient signal scanning techniques supporting the generation of the signaling map 500 may be configured to avoid frequencies or frequency bands used for communication and to avoid evaluating signals that may have originated from a transmitting device and therefore may not be associated with signal attenuation or blocking sources in the environment local to the phased array antenna 155.

[0070] In various embodiments, the manner in which the signaling map 500 is generated (e.g., communicating signals via the phased array antenna 155) may be performed during normal operation or in a diagnostic mode or other mode not associated with supporting communications via the phased array antenna 155. For example, in some cases, the signaling map 500 may be generated based at least in part on signaling communicated to a target device under normal operating conditions (e.g., based at least in part on communication signaling, such as the forward downlink signal 172 or return uplink signal 173 of a communication service). In some examples, information about the signaling environment (e.g., the number of signal quality metrics 510 over a substantial portion of the field of view of the phased array antenna 155) sufficient to generate the signaling map 500 may be collected during normal communication operations, such as when the phased array antenna 155 is used to track one or more non-stationary target devices (e.g., when tracking non-geosynchronous satellites 120 such as LEO or MEO satellites, when tracking overhead planes or UAVs, when performing communication handovers between various target devices), or when the phased array antenna 155 is physically moved (e.g., moved from one location to another, moved from one physical orientation 275 to another physical orientation as implemented in a vehicular application). Additionally or alternatively, signaling supporting the generation of the signaling map 500 may be communicated according to a beam scanning operation, which may be initiated or performed based on periodic intervals or based on an event trigger, among other criteria or conditions (e.g., during normal operations). For example, the phased array antenna 155 may be configured to periodically scan along a beam orientation 255 around the local environment to detect local obstructions. The scanning may utilize, for example, radar imaging techniques (e.g., where the phased array antenna 155 transmits a signal and supports backscatter measurements), ambient signal scanning techniques (e.g., scanning for differences in background emissions, measuring noise temperature to identify clear skies), or both.In some embodiments, scanning the beam orientation 255 may include "spoil" the beam 250 to create a wider beam 250 to first scan the environment for obstructions or other attenuations (e.g., to change the shape or size of the beam 250), and then narrowing the beam 250 and scanning around the identified obstruction to precisely determine the edge of the obstruction. Such a scanning approach may support a local environment being scanned relatively quickly to generate the signaling map 500.

[0071] 6 illustrates an example 600 for generating a communication performance map 620 to support communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The embodiment 600 includes a generating operation 610 for generating a communication performance map 620 based on a signaling map 500-a (e.g., based on signals received or transmitted by a phased array antenna 155 according to a plurality of beam orientations 255) and an antenna characteristic map 400-a (e.g., directional antenna characteristics associated with a plurality of beamformed beam orientations). The communication performance map 620 illustrates an example for mapping a scaled signal quality metric 625 determined from a signal quality metric 510 (e.g., of the signaling map 500-a) and an antenna characteristic 410 (e.g., of the antenna characteristic map 400-a) that may be associated with different beamformed beam orientations 255. The communication performance map 620 may be indicative of a communication environment local to an antenna assembly 151 including a phased array antenna 155.

[0072] Example 600 shows a simplified generation operation 610 in which a communication performance map 620 can be generated as the difference between the signaling map 500-a and the antenna characteristic map 400-a (e.g., subtraction between them, scaling between them, product or multiplication between them), each associated with a common physical orientation 275. For example, if the signaling map 500-a provides a relative signal strength of signaling performed via the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., based on measurements of signals received or transmitted at the phased array antenna 155) and the antenna characteristic map 400-a provides a relative gain of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., for transmission or reception by the phased array antenna 155, based on the physical characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 that are directional with respect to the boresight 240), the generating operation 610 may include scaling the signal quality metric 510 of the signaling map 500-a (e.g., for each of the beam orientations 255) based on the antenna characteristics 410 of the antenna characteristic map 400-a or otherwise compensating for the antenna characteristics 410. Thus, the communication performance map 620 may include information about the local attenuation environment of the phased array antenna 155, and characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., signaling characteristics, beamforming characteristics, directional characteristics) may be removed or otherwise compensated for (e.g., compared to the signaling map 500). For example, the scaled signal quality metric 625-a may indicate a beam orientation 255 that is not associated with local attenuation (e.g., when the attenuation reflected in the signal quality metric 510-a is the same or comparable to the attenuation reflected in the antenna characteristics 410-a).

[0073] The communication performance map 620 may be divided into or otherwise indicate different regions related to the communication performance of the phased array antenna 155 in the local environment. For example, the communication performance map 620 may include an obstructed region 630 indicating an area of ​​high attenuation or signal blockage that is not due to directional attenuation of the phased array antenna 155 itself. Thus, the generating operation 610 may identify the obstructions 635. The obstructions 635 may be assigned to a range of beam orientations 255 in the array reference frame 280, or may be assigned to an orientation or location in the base reference frame 270 or the global reference frame 260 (e.g., relative to the position of the phased array antenna 155, not shown). Thus, the generating operation 610 may be an example of determining an obstruction map associated with the location of the phased array antenna 155 based on the signaling map 500-a and the antenna characteristic map.

[0074] In some embodiments, the communication performance map 620 may include a restricted region 640 that may correspond to a beam orientation 255 that is not suitable for communication using the phased array antenna 155, and an available region 650 that may correspond to a beam orientation 255 that is suitable for communication using the phased array antenna 155. The available region 650 may correspond to a beam orientation 255 where the performance of the phased array antenna 155 in the local environment meets a threshold (e.g., meets or exceeds a threshold gain, SNR, SINR), such as when there is no obstruction in the field of view or when a combination of local path loss and antenna scanning loss does not impede communication (e.g., at a given physical orientation 275 that may or may not be the same as the physical orientation 275 associated with the antenna characteristic map 400 and signaling map 500 used to generate the communication performance map 620). For example, the communication performance map 620 may reflect a scanning volume boundary 420-a of the phased array antenna 155 that is at least partially obstructed by an obstruction 635. The available region 650 thus indicates an available portion of the scanning volume of the phased array antenna 155. The boundary 655 may thus indicate an example boundary of the beam orientation 255 for communication using the phased array antenna 155. This boundary may be a combination of a boundary associated with the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., a boundary associated with the antenna characteristic 410 in a region of the signaling map 500 that is not associated with path loss) and a boundary of the obstructed region 630.

[0075] Although a simplified embodiment of the generating operation 610 is described with reference to an obstacle 635 that prevents use of the entire scanning volume, in some embodiments the boundary 655 may be within the scanning volume boundary 420 due to other path loss sources, including environmental or atmospheric attenuation, or distance-based attenuation at a particular beam orientation 255. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the communications performance map 620 may omit the antenna characteristics 410 from the determination of the restricted region 640, such that the boundary 655 is based only on an inference of local path loss sources and obstacles, among other sources of attenuation that are not related to the performance of the phased array antenna 155 itself. In such embodiments, the boundary between the available region 650 and the restricted region 640, or the restricted region 640 and the available region 650 themselves, may be determined based on the communications performance map 620 and another antenna characteristics map 400 (e.g., the scanning volume) that is based on particular operating conditions of interest (e.g., according to the frequency used for communication, according to a current operating temperature or voltage that may differ from when generating the communications performance map 620). Additionally or alternatively, the boundary between the available region 650 and the restricted region 640, or the restricted region 640 and the available region 650 themselves, may be determined or evaluated based on the antenna characteristic map 400 associated with a new physical orientation 275 (e.g., a second physical orientation 275, a physical orientation associated with evaluating the conditions for performing communications), which may be evaluated before or after a reorientation from one physical orientation 275 to another physical orientation, among other aspects of the communication performance map 620, or may be used to determine a new physical orientation 275 of the phased array antenna 155.

[0076] The generating operation 610, or portions thereof, may be performed by various components of the communications system 100 (e.g., by one or more components operating as a local environment manager). In some embodiments, the generating operation 610 may be performed at the user terminal 150 (e.g., at the user terminal controller 158) and the communications performance map 620 may be used for various operations at the user terminal, or the user terminal 150 may transmit the communications performance map 620 to another device (e.g., the access node terminal 130, the network device 141, a service or installation device coupled with the user terminal 150), or various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the signaling map 500 may be determined at the user terminal 150 or at the antenna assembly 151 and transmitted to another device (e.g., the access node terminal 130, the network device 141, a service or installation device coupled with the user terminal 150 or the antenna assembly 151) to perform the generating operation 610.

[0077] In some embodiments, the generating operation 610, or other supporting operations, may further consider characteristics of a second antenna, such as a second antenna involved in determining the signaling map 500. For example, to generate the communication performance map 620, the generating operation 610 may include compensation based on the antenna characteristic map 400 at the receiving phased array antenna 155 (e.g., of the antenna assembly 151 at the user terminal 150), as well as compensation for characteristics of the transmitting antenna (e.g., the antenna of the satellite 120 or other target device, the antenna assembly 121, the transmitting phased array antenna 155, compensation using the second antenna characteristic map 400). For example, according to various techniques, the communication performance map 620 based on signals received at the phased array antenna 155 may include compensation for the gain or SNR of the transmitting satellite 120, or may otherwise include consideration of the scanning characteristics (e.g., scanning loss, range) of the transmitting antenna assembly 121. In some embodiments, such compensation may already be performed during generation of the signaling map 500 rather than during the generating operation 610, but may nevertheless be taken into account in the communication performance map 620.

[0078] In some embodiments, the generating operation 610 may include generating a communication performance map 620 using multiple signaling maps 500 (e.g., a combination of one or more of radar imaging mapping, thermal or ambient signal mapping, known transmitter mapping). In some embodiments, each mapping (e.g., each signaling map 500) may be scaled or weighted for combination with other mappings, such as scaling or weighting reliability, strength of pattern recognition, data resolution, data volume, frequency or frequency range, or other relevance to the operation of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., to support communication services). In some embodiments, such techniques may include an expected or predicted communication performance map 620 (e.g., as an initial condition, as a baseline condition), such as an estimated field of view from satellite imagery.

[0079] In some examples, the generating operation 610 may include signaling maps 500 generated according to multiple orientations of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., different physical orientations 275, different orientations of the boresight 240) or communication performance maps 620 associated with different orientations of the phased array antenna 155 may be combined. For example, a first communication performance map 620 may be generated in an array reference frame 280 associated with a first boresight orientation (e.g., first physical orientation 275) and transformed (e.g., according to a coordinate system or reference frame transformation) to a corresponding first communication performance map 620 in the base reference frame 270 or global reference frame 260, and a second communication performance map 620 may be generated in an array reference frame 280 associated with a second boresight orientation (e.g., second physical orientation 275) and transformed to a corresponding second communication performance map 620 in the base reference frame 270 or global reference frame 260. The first and second communications performance maps 620 may be combined, which may include various averaging or weighted averaging techniques. Thus, the communications performance map 620 need not be limited to the beam orientation 255 of the array reference frame 280, but may relate to any beam orientation 255 that may be supported by the phased array antenna 155 according to different physical positioning, different electronic beamforming, or different combinations of physical positioning and electronic beamforming.

[0080] The generating operations 610 or the communication performance map 620 may be used to infer various aspects of the obstruction or attenuation environment local to the phased array antenna. In some embodiments, such operations may be performed during normal operation of the phased array antenna 155, such as using machine learning to infer the environment from measured signal quality data of signals (e.g., forward downlink signal 172, return uplink signal 173) communicated with the satellite 120 during normal operation. In some embodiments, machine learning or artificial intelligence techniques may be utilized to characterize various aspects of the communication performance map 620. For example, the generating operations 610 or the communication performance map 620 may identify nulls in particular directions (e.g., directions or locations within the beam orientation 255, array reference frame 280, base reference frame 270, or global reference frame) that may be inferred as emitters or emitting devices. In some embodiments, interferers may be identified based on receiving signaling across communication frequencies or frequency bands along the beam orientation 255 that are not associated with a known transmitter. In various examples, the direction or location of an emitter or interferer may be avoided for communication, signaling using a particular frequency of a frequency band (e.g., one or more frequencies associated with or attributed to an emitter), or may be avoided entirely. In some examples, techniques such as pattern recognition, among other techniques, may be applied to distinguish between buildings and trees or other vegetation, such as characterizing the degree of attenuation or blocking along a particular beam orientation 255, or identifying the degree of reflectivity or scattering along a particular beam orientation 255. In some examples, the characteristics associated with vegetation may be adjusted for seasonal effects, such as maintaining different communication performance maps 620 over periods when vegetation may have leaves (e.g., summer months) and periods when vegetation may have leaves (e.g., winter months), or otherwise initiate adjustments to the communication performance map 620 in response to such changes.

[0081] Thus, according to embodiments disclosed herein, a local environment manager (e.g., of a user terminal controller 158, of an access node controller 135) may use an antenna performance profile (e.g., one or more antenna characteristic maps 400) to adjust or normalize measured signal quality data (e.g., one or more signaling maps 500). In doing so, the location (e.g., orientation or position within the beam orientation 255, array reference frame 280, base reference frame 270, or global reference frame 260) and severity of local attenuation or obstruction 635 may be more accurately determined, thereby supporting improved use of or communication via the phased array antenna 155. For example, directional antenna characteristics that affect signaling used to assess the local environment may be offset from the local communication performance map 620, and then different antenna characteristics 410 associated with operating conditions (e.g., frequencies used for communication) may be used to perform or assess various operations with the phased array antenna 155.

[0082] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment 700 of using communication performance mapping for communication operations using a phased array antenna, according to embodiments disclosed herein. The embodiment 700 is described with reference to a communication performance map 620-a that may include an obstructed region 630-a, a restricted region 640-a, and an available region 650-a. In some embodiments, one or more of the described techniques may be intended to illustrate operations for communicating with a satellite 120 or other target device based at least in part on the communication performance map 620-a, and may include operations performed at the user terminal 150, another network entity (e.g., a scheduling entity, an access node terminal 130, a network device 141), or a combination thereof. For example, the user terminal 150 may generate the communication performance map 620-a and perform various operations using the communication performance map 620-a itself, or the user terminal 150 may transmit the communication performance map 620-a to a network scheduling entity and receive commands based on the transmitted communication performance map 620-a, or both. In some embodiments, the communication performance map 620-a may be illustrative of a beam orientation 255 in the array reference frame 280 (e.g., at a physical orientation 275 that may or may not be the same physical orientation 275 used to receive signaling to support generation of the communication performance map 620-a). However, the described techniques are also applicable to the base reference frame 270 or global reference frame 260, which may involve one or more transformations between one reference frame and another.

[0083] In various embodiments, the communications performance map 620-a, or operations using the communications performance map 620-a, may take into account operating conditions for performing communications using the phased array antenna 155, as well as operating conditions associated with transmitting or receiving signaling of the signaling map 500. For example, the communications performance map 620-a may have been generated based on conditions different from conditions for performing communications, and thus generating the communications performance map 620-a may be associated with a first antenna characteristic map 400 and performing communications may be associated with a second antenna characteristic map 400 that is different from the first antenna characteristic map 400 (e.g., may be performed with consideration of the second antenna characteristic map 400, which may be based at least in part on the second antenna characteristic map 400). Additionally or alternatively, the communication performance map 620-a may have been generated based on a physical orientation 275 that is different from the physical orientation 275 for performing or evaluating communications, and thus generating the communication performance map 620-a may be associated with the antenna characteristic map 400 at a first physical orientation 275, and performing or evaluating communications using the communication performance map 620-a may be associated with a second antenna characteristic map 400 at a second physical orientation 275 that is different from the first physical orientation 275 (e.g., may be performed taking into account the second antenna characteristic map 400, which may be based at least in part on the second antenna characteristic map 400). Or, in some embodiments, the communications performance map 620-a itself may be associated with the second physical orientation 275 and may be based at least in part on the antenna characteristic map 400 at the second physical orientation 275 as well as one or more antenna characteristic maps 400 associated with the one or more first physical orientations 275 (e.g., for which signaling has been communicated and evaluated for the respective signaling maps 500). In various embodiments, the evaluation to perform communications in the second physical orientation 275 (e.g., based at least on the antenna characteristic map 400 at the second physical orientation 275) may be performed before, after, or without actually positioning the phased array antenna 155 in the second physical orientation 275.

[0084] Thus, in various embodiments, the communication performance map 620-a may or may not include compensation for the current operating conditions (e.g., does not include compensation for the second antenna characteristic map 400) and thus may be related to the local unique attenuation environment of the phased array antenna 155. Thus, the operation using the communication performance map 620-a may further include applying compensation or scaling to the antenna characteristics 410 at the current operating conditions (e.g., by the user terminal 150 using the second antenna characteristic map 400, by a scheduling entity), such as the physical orientation 275, operating temperature, operating frequency, or operating voltage, or other condition or combination of conditions. In some embodiments, the communication performance map 620-a may have been generated by compensating the signal quality metric 510 of the first antenna characteristic map 400 and then applying the second antenna characteristic map 400 (e.g., to generate a communication performance map 620 adjusted to the current conditions of the phased array antenna 155 to perform communication).

[0085] In some embodiments, the communication performance map 620-a may be used to evaluate when a target device (e.g., a satellite 120) is within a beam orientation 255 that supports communication with the phased array antenna 155. For example, the user terminal 150 or other scheduling entity may have knowledge of one or more target device locations or may be able to track the target devices through particular orientations regardless of whether communication is supported at those locations, and may select a particular target device (e.g., a satellite 120-a or a satellite 120-b) for communication while it is positioned within the available region 650-a. In some embodiments, the user terminal 150 may select one of the satellites 120-a or the satellites 120-b that are within the available region 650-a and attempt to establish a communication link with the selected satellite. In some embodiments, the scheduling entity may make such a selection and send commands to one or both of the user terminal 150 or the selected satellite 120 to establish a communication link.

[0086] In some embodiments, the communications performance map 620-a may be used to select one of a set of available target devices for performing communications, e.g., to evaluate which of the set of target devices are favorably positioned for communications with the phased array antenna 155. For example, using the communications performance map 620-a, the user terminal 150 or other scheduling entity may determine that satellite 120-b is closer to the boresight orientation of the phased array antenna 155 than satellite 120-a, and therefore may select satellite 120-b for performing communications (e.g., based at least in part on the relatively low scan loss of the phased array antenna 155). Although the communication performance map 620-a is shown as being divided into different regions according to boundaries, the communication performance map 620-a may, in some regions or more generally, include finer granularity information regarding the local attenuation environment or the combination of the local attenuation environment with the current antenna characteristics 410 (e.g., at the operating conditions for performing communication) so that the relative performance characteristics of different beam orientations 255 may be compared for such evaluation (e.g., selecting a target device located at a location having a relatively low combination of path loss and scan loss).

[0087] In some embodiments, the communication performance map 620-a may be used to evaluate when to establish or break a communication link with a target device. For example, the user terminal 150 or other scheduling entity may have knowledge of the target device's path or may be able to track the target device along a particular path, whether or not communication is supported at those locations, and may be able to predict when the target device will cross or cross a boundary 655-a, or enter or leave a region with relatively favorable signaling characteristics using the phased array antenna 155. Thus, the user terminal 150, the scheduling entity, or both may make communication scheduling decisions based at least in part on such predictions. In some embodiments, these and other techniques may be used to evaluate when the user terminal 150 should handoff from one target device to another, such as scheduling a handoff from one satellite to another (e.g., from satellite 120-a to satellite 120-b or vice versa), based at least in part on the generated communication performance map 620-a.

[0088] In some embodiments, the communication performance map 620-a may be used to evaluate parameters to be used when performing a communication. For example, based on the signaling characteristics represented by the communication performance map 620-a, the user terminal 150, the scheduling entity, or both, may determine an operating frequency or frequency range, a modulation rate or scheme, a coding scheme, or a beam width, among other parameters or combinations thereof for performing a communication. In some embodiments, a particular region of the communication performance map 620-a may be suitable for some communications (e.g., lower bandwidth communications, communications for establishing a communication link) but not for certain communications (e.g., higher bandwidth communications). Thus, by utilizing knowledge of the characteristics of the phased array antenna 155, the system may perform some communications, such as preemptively establishing a communication link, using signaling that may be relatively strongly attenuated (e.g., due to path loss, scanning loss, or a combination thereof) before the target device moves into an area that may support other communications, such as higher bandwidth communications. In some embodiments, the communications performance map 620-a, or a combination of communications performance maps 620, may indicate that for a given beam orientation 255, communications at certain frequencies may be attenuated more strongly than communications at other frequencies, which may be considered in selecting frequencies for conducting communications.

[0089] Thus, according to these and other embodiments, various components of the communications system 100 may be configured to use the communications performance map 620-a in operating the phased array antenna 155, which may include various operations that take into account directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155. By taking into account such directional characteristics, various components of the communications system 100 may support improved communications performance, improved utilization of communications resources (e.g., improved spectral efficiency), smoother handovers between target devices, or reduced occurrences of communications dropouts, among other advantages, as compared to techniques that do not take into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155.

[0090] 8 illustrates an example 800 of using communication performance mapping to position a phased array antenna according to an example embodiment disclosed herein. The example 800 can be described with reference to a first communication performance map 620-b (e.g., at a first physical orientation 275) that may include a first instance of an obstructed region 630, a restricted region 640, and an available region 650 (e.g., for a first orientation of the boresight 240, for a first physical orientation 275), and a second communication performance map 620-c (e.g., at a second physical orientation 275) after a positioning operation 810 that may include a second instance of an obstructed region 630, a restricted region 640, and an available region 650 (e.g., for a second orientation of the boresight 240, for a second physical orientation 275).

[0091] One or more of the described techniques may be illustrative of operations for positioning the phased array antenna 155 based at least in part on the communication performance map 620-b, and may include operations performed by the user terminal 150 (e.g., operations of the user terminal controller 158, operations of the positioner 235), another network entity (e.g., a scheduling entity, the access node terminal 130, the network device 141), or a combination thereof. For example, the user terminal 150 may perform various operations for repositioning the phased array antenna 155, or the user terminal 150 may transmit the communication performance map 620-b to a network scheduling entity and receive a command (e.g., a repositioning command or indication, an actuation command) based on the transmitted communication performance map 620-b, or both. In some embodiments, the communication performance maps 620-b and 620-c may be illustrative of the beam orientation 255 in the array reference frame 280. However, the techniques described are also applicable to the base reference frame 270 or the global reference frame 260, which may involve one or more transformations between one reference frame and another.

[0092] In various embodiments, the communication performance map 620-b, or the operation of using the communication performance map 620-b, may take into account operating conditions for performing communications using the phased array antenna 155, as well as operating conditions associated with transmitting or receiving signaling of the signaling map 500. For example, the communication performance map 620-b may have been generated based on conditions different from the conditions for performing communications, and thus generating the communication performance map 620-b may be associated with a first antenna characteristic map 400 and performing communications may be associated with a second antenna characteristic map 400 that is different from the first antenna characteristic map 400. Thus, in some embodiments, the communication performance map 620-b may or may not include compensation for the current operating conditions (e.g., does not include compensation for the second antenna characteristic map 400) and thus may be related to the local unique attenuation environment of the phased array antenna 155. Thus, operations using the communications performance map 620-b may further include applying compensation or scaling to the antenna characteristics 410 at current operating conditions (e.g., by the user terminal 150 using the second antenna characteristic map 400, by a scheduling entity), such as the current physical orientation 275, operating temperature, operating frequency, or operating voltage, or other condition or combination of conditions. In some embodiments, the communications performance map 620-b may have been generated by compensating the signal quality metric 510 of the first antenna characteristic map 400 and then applying the second antenna characteristic map 400 (e.g., to generate a communications performance map 620 adjusted for the current conditions of the phased array antenna 155 to perform communications).

[0093] The communication performance map 620-b may be used according to various techniques to perform a positioning operation 810 of the phased array antenna 155, such as various evaluations to determine how or when to position the phased array antenna 155, which may include operations for static or semi-static orientation or positioning, controlled or actuated orientation or positioning operations, or various combinations thereof. In an example of a positioning operation 810, the phased array antenna 155 may be repositioned to move the scanning volume boundary 420-c away from the obstacle 635-b, which may include moving the boresight 240 towards a direction of α=45 degrees. In some examples, such reorientation may include a combination of elevation repositioning and azimuth repositioning (e.g., of a coupler or actuator of the positioner 235), or some other reorientation of the positioner 235. In an embodiment of the positioning operation 810, the phased array antenna 155 may also be rotated to align an edge of the scanning volume boundary 420-c with an edge of the obstacle 635-b, which may include rotating the phased array antenna 155 about the Z″ axis (e.g., about the boresight 240). In some embodiments, such a reorientation may include a skew rotation (e.g., of a coupler or actuator of the positioner 235) such that the obstacle 635-b is rotated with respect to the array reference frame 280 associated with the communications performance map 620-c.

[0094] In some embodiments, an iterative installation process may be performed for static or semi-static positioning of one or more positioning operations 810. For example, the boresight 240 of the phased array antenna 155 may be aligned along a first orientation (e.g., first physical orientation 275, installer orientation), followed by a scan of the local environment with the phased array antenna 155 aligned along the first orientation (e.g., to generate the first signaling map 500). A local environment manager (e.g., of the user terminal controller 158, of a network entity such as the user terminal 150, the access node terminal 130, or of an installation device or CPE 160 coupled to the network device 141) may then determine a communication performance map 620-b (e.g., based on the scan of the local environment), which may include identifying obstacles 635-b, among other sources of attenuation. The local environment manager determines a new orientation of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., a new orientation of the boresight 240, a new physical orientation 275) or otherwise determines that the phased array antenna 155 is to be repositioned based at least in part on the communications performance map 620-b, which in some embodiments may take into account the antenna characteristic map 400 applied to or otherwise associated with one or more candidate positions (e.g., one or more candidate physical orientations 275 prior to the positioning operation 810). In some embodiments, the new orientation of the phased array antenna 155 may be communicated to an installer (e.g., via the CPE 160), which may include, or be part of, instructions for a user (e.g., the installer) to reposition the phased array antenna 155 from the first orientation to the second orientation. In one example of a positioning operation 810, the installer may move or orient the phased array antenna 155 around one or more couplers of the locator 235 (e.g., according to a new physical orientation 275 determined based on the communications performance map 620-b), which may include fixing or immobilizing one or more of the couplers when a desired orientation of the phased array antenna 155 is reached. In some embodiments, multiple iterations of such an approach may be performed.

[0095] Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the positioning operation 810 may be performed at least in part by using an actuator of the positioner 235 responsive to an actuation command. For example, a local environment manager (e.g., of the user terminal controller 158, of an installation device or CPE 160 coupled with the user terminal 150, of a network entity such as the access node terminal 130 or the network device 141) may determine a new physical orientation of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., a new orientation of the boresight 240) based at least in part on the communication performance map 620-b and command the actuator of the positioner 235 to reposition the phased array antenna 155 to the new physical orientation 275. In some embodiments, such techniques may be performed periodically (e.g., according to a period of days, weeks, months), such as when the actuator of the positioner 235 is not used to continuously track the target device, or may be triggered at least in part based on a communication condition (e.g., a degraded communication link, replacement of the target device).

[0096] The communications system 100 may implement various techniques to determine a desired or commanded physical orientation 275 for the phased array antenna 155. In some embodiments, the desired or commanded orientation may be selected to maximize an obstruction-free field of view within the antenna's scan volume (e.g., in steradians), which may be an example of aligning the phased array antenna 155 scan volume to an obstruction-free field of view of an obstruction map. Additionally or alternatively, the desired or commanded orientation may take into account link conditions of satellites traversing within the field of view due to factors such as slat range and antenna performance with scan angle. Additionally or alternatively, the desired or commanded orientation may be selected based at least in part on avoiding noise sources (e.g., known emitters or interference sources), avoiding physical obstructions (e.g., avoiding obstruction 635-b, aligning the boresight 240 with an obstruction-free portion of an obstruction map), considering cooperative or non-cooperative emitters, among other considerations or combinations of considerations.

[0097] In some embodiments, the desired or commanded orientation of the boresight 240 may be based at least in part on the direction of possible target device locations (e.g., determining physical orientation 275 based at least in part on a probability distribution of target satellite 120 locations). For example, some LEO satellites 120 may be configured for orbital paths that are within or bounded by ±45 degrees latitude, and such satellites 120 may cluster around such inclination angles. Thus, the desired or commanded orientation of the boresight 240 may be selected as a combination of maximizing an obstruction-free field of view while weighting toward orientations associated with a greater density of satellites 120 (e.g., pointing toward or toward 45 degrees latitude). Additionally or alternatively, the desired or commanded orientation may be determined based on alignment of geometric features of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., the elongation direction of the scanned volume, the direction of the larger or smaller dimension or width of the beam 250, the major or minor axis of the scanned volume) along the orbital path, or perpendicular to the orbital path, or along the edge or other attenuating feature of an obstacle 635, among other alignments.

[0098] By taking into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155 (e.g., communication performance map 620-b) to perform the positioning operation 810, the phased array antenna 155 may be aligned with an orientation that improves utilization of the scanning volume of the phased array antenna 155, or the phased array antenna 155 may be used with fewer or less expensive actuators (e.g., actuators that may not be used to smoothly or continuously track the target device), among other advantages, compared to positioning techniques that do not take into account the directional characteristics of the phased array antenna 155.

[0099] 9 illustrates a block diagram 900 of a communication system 920 supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an aspect of the disclosure. The communication system 920 may be an example of one or more aspects of the communication system 100 described with reference to FIGS. 1-8. In some embodiments, the communication system 920 may refer to one or more components of a user terminal 150. In some embodiments, one or more components of the communication system 920 may be separate from the user terminal 150 and may refer to one or more components of an access node terminal 130 (e.g., an access node controller 135), a network device 141, or a combination thereof.

[0100] The communications system 920, or various components thereof, may be examples of means for performing various aspects of the communications performance mapping and placement of phased array antennas described herein. For example, the communications system 920 may include a signal receiver 925, an antenna characteristic manager 930, a performance mapping component 935, a communications manager 940, an antenna positioner 945, a signal quality assessment component 950, a signal quality scaling component 955, a signal transmitter 960, a repositioning indicator 965, a positioning actuator 970, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may be in direct or indirect communication with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0101] Signal receiver 925 may refer to one or more components configured to receive signals via phased array antenna 155 (e.g., of communication system 920). In some examples, signal receiver 925 may include phased array antenna 155, which may include multiple feed elements 156, or multiple transducers configured to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals (e.g., feed element signals), or both. In some examples, signal receiver 925 may include, among other components or combinations thereof, an analog or digital beamformer (e.g., receive beamforming network 310) configured to convert received feed element signals into beam signals (e.g., according to phase conversion, amplitude conversion, or various combinations thereof) and a demodulator configured to demodulate analog signals into digital signals. In some examples, signal receiver 925 may refer to components external to user terminal 150 that are otherwise configured to receive signals communicated via phased array antenna 155.

[0102] The antenna characteristic manager 930 may refer to one or more components configured to manage characteristics (e.g., communication characteristics, signaling characteristics) of the phased array antenna 155, such as gain characteristics, noise characteristics, or beam width characteristics, among other characteristics of the phased array antenna 155. In some embodiments, such characteristics may be based at least in part on (e.g., may depend on, may be defined according to) beam direction, frequency, temperature, among other characteristics or combinations thereof. The antenna characteristic manager 930 may include or refer to a memory of the communication system 920 configured to store such characteristics, or a component configured to receive such characteristics from elsewhere (e.g., from the network device 141, upon request or polling). This component may be a component of the user terminal 150 or a component separate from the user terminal 150.

[0103] Signal transmitter 960 may refer to one or more components configured to transmit a signal via phased array antenna 155 (e.g., of communication system 920). In some examples, signal transmitter 960 may include phased array antenna 155, which may include multiple feed elements 156, or multiple transducers configured to convert electromagnetic radiation into electrical signals (e.g., feed element signals), or both, which may or may not be in common with the respective components of signal receiver 925. In some examples, signal transmitter 960 may include an analog or digital beamformer (e.g., transmit beamforming network 360) configured to convert received feed element signals (e.g., according to phase transformations, amplitude transformations, or various combinations thereof applied to the respective feed element signals) into received spot beam signals, and a demodulator configured to demodulate the analog signal into a digital signal, among other components or combinations that may or may not be in common with the respective components of signal receiver 925.

[0104] The communication system 920 may support one or more techniques for communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the signal receiver 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a plurality of signals (e.g., feed element signals 315, beam received signals 335) at or through the phased array antenna, which may include receiving or beamforming according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna. The antenna characteristic manager 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with a plurality of beamformed beam orientations. The performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a communication performance map (e.g., a spatial map, a directional map) based at least in part on the plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925 and the plurality of directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930. The communications manager 940 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for communicating (e.g., transmitting, receiving) with a satellite or other target device based at least in part on the communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935.

[0105] In some embodiments, to support the determination of multiple directional antenna characteristics, antenna characteristic manager 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining, for each beamformed beam orientation of the multiple, an antenna gain, an antenna noise metric, or a beamwidth, or any combination thereof, associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation.

[0106] In some embodiments, to support generation of the communication performance map, the signal quality assessment component 950 may be configured as or otherwise support, for each received signal of the plurality, a means for determining or otherwise support a signal quality metric (e.g., signal strength, SNR, SINR) of the respective received signal. In some embodiments, to support generation of the communication performance map, the signal quality scaling component 955 may be configured as or otherwise support, for each received signal of the plurality, a means for scaling or otherwise support, a signal quality metric of the respective received signal based at least in part on a directional antenna characteristic associated with a beamformed beam orientation corresponding to the received signal.

[0107] In some examples, to support generation of a communication performance map, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a blockage or obstacle map, or a physical field of view, associated with a location of a phased array antenna based at least in part on signals received by the signal receiver 925 and directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930. In some examples, to support generation of a communication performance map, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining boundaries (e.g., useful field of view, operational field of view) of a beamformed beam orientation for communication using a phased array antenna based at least in part on signals received by the signal receiver 925 and directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930.

[0108] In some embodiments, to support communications with a target device, the communications manager 940 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for scheduling a handoff to a satellite or target device from another satellite or target device based at least in part on the communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935 (e.g., comparing or evaluating the positions or orbits of one or more satellites or other target devices with boundaries or other communications characteristics of the generated communications performance map).

[0109] In some embodiments, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for deciding to perform a beam scanning or beam sweeping operation based at least in part on a periodic interval or an event trigger (e.g., a decision to perform an initial performance mapping, a decision to update the performance mapping, a decision of a change in physical antenna orientation, a change in the attenuation environment). In some embodiments, the signal receiver 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a plurality of signals based at least in part on the performance mapping component 935 deciding to perform a beam scanning operation.

[0110] In some examples, the signal transmitter 960 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting the second plurality of signals using a phased array antenna (e.g., using the same set of feed elements as the signal receiver 925, using a different set of feed elements than the signal receiver 925). In some examples, the signal receiver 925 receiving the plurality of signals may include receiving reflections of the second plurality of signals transmitted by the signal transmitter 960.

[0111] In some embodiments, to support reception of multiple signals, signal receiver 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving ambient signals not associated with a transmitting device (e.g., ambient emissions, environmental emissions, temperature-based background emissions). In some embodiments, to support reception of ambient signals, signal receiver 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving ambient signals over frequencies or frequency ranges not used for communication with satellites or other target devices.

[0112] In some embodiments, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for transmitting a communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935 to a network scheduling entity (e.g., the network device 141, the access node terminal 130, via a satellite communications link, via a terrestrial communications link, via a signal transmitter 960). In some embodiments, the communications manager 940 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving instructions to communicate with a satellite or other target device from a network scheduling entity (e.g., via a satellite communications link, via a terrestrial communications link, via a signal receiver 925) based at least in part on (e.g., in response to transmitting, determined accordingly) the communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935.

[0113] In some examples, the plurality of signals may be received by a signal receiver 925 having a first physical orientation of a phased array antenna, and the signal receiver 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a second plurality of signals at or via the phased array antenna according to a second plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, and the second plurality of signals may be received by the signal receiver 925 having a second physical orientation of the phased array antenna. In some examples, the antenna characteristic manager 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a second plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the second plurality of beamformed beam orientations. In some examples, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a communication performance map based at least in part on the second plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925 and the second plurality of directional antenna characteristics determined by the performance mapping component 935.

[0114] In some embodiments, to support generation of the communication performance map, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a first performance map in a global coordinate system (e.g., global reference frame 260, base reference frame 270) based at least in part on a plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925, a plurality of directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930, and a first transformation from the antenna coordinate system at a first physical orientation to a global coordinate system. In some embodiments, to support generation of the communication performance map, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a second performance map in a global coordinate system based at least in part on a second plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925, a second plurality of directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930, and a second transformation from the antenna coordinate system at a second physical orientation to a global coordinate system. In some embodiments, to support generation of a communications performance map, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a communications performance map based at least in part on the first performance map and the second performance map.

[0115] Additionally or alternatively, the communication system 920 may support one or more techniques for phased array terminal antenna placement according to embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the signal receiver 925 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for receiving a plurality of signals at or via a phased array antenna according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna. In some embodiments, the antenna characteristic manager 930 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with a plurality of beamformed beam orientations. In some embodiments, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a communication performance map based at least in part on the plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925 and the plurality of directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930. The antenna positioner 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for positioning the phased array antenna in a physical orientation determined at least in part based on the communication performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935.

[0116] In some examples, the repositioning indicator 965 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating an instruction to a user (e.g., a repositioning message, a repositioning alert, a repositioning alarm, an indication of a target or desired physical orientation, or a targeted change of physical orientation) to reposition the phased array antenna from a first physical orientation associated with the plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925 to a second physical orientation based at least in part on the communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935.

[0117] In some examples, to support positioning of the phased array antenna, the positioning actuator 970 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for commanding an actuator (e.g., of the communication system 920) coupled to the phased array antenna (e.g., between the feed array assembly and the base assembly) to reposition the phased array antenna from a first physical orientation to a second physical orientation associated with the plurality of signals received by the signal receiver 925.

[0118] In some embodiments, the antenna positioner 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a physical orientation of the phased array antenna for positioning purposes at a satellite terminal in communication with the phased array antenna and based at least in part on the communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935.

[0119] In some embodiments, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining a physical orientation of a phased array antenna for positioning purposes based at least in part on the communications performance map generated by the performance mapping component 935 and the probability distributions of satellite or other target device locations.

[0120] In some embodiments, to support generation of a communications performance map, the performance mapping component 935 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for generating a blockage map, an obstacle map, or boundaries of a beamformed beam orientation for communications using a phased array antenna based at least in part on the signals received by the signal receiver 925 and the directional antenna characteristics determined by the antenna characteristic manager 930.

[0121] In some embodiments, to support positioning of a phased array antenna, the antenna positioner 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for aligning the physical boresight of the phased array antenna with a clear portion of an obstruction or obstacle map. In some embodiments, to support positioning of a phased array antenna, the antenna positioner 945 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for aligning the scan volume (e.g., the operating range of a beamformed direction) of the phased array antenna to the clear field of view of an obstruction or obstacle map.

[0122] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart illustrating a method 1000 for supporting communication performance mapping of a phased array antenna according to an aspect of the disclosure. The operations of method 1000 may be performed by a communications system or components thereof (e.g., a user terminal 150, an access node terminal 130, or a combination thereof) as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1000 may be performed by a communications system 920 as described with reference to FIG. 9. In some embodiments, the communications system may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the communications system to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the communications system may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0123] At 1005, the method may include receiving a plurality of signals at or via a phased array antenna according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna. The operations of 1005 may be performed according to embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1005 may be performed by a signal receiver 925, as described with reference to FIG.

[0124] At 1010, the method may include determining a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with a plurality of beamformed beam orientations. The operations of 1010 may be performed according to embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1010 may be performed by an antenna characteristic manager 930, as described with reference to FIG.

[0125] At 1015, the method may include generating a communications performance map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics. The operations of 1015 may be performed in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1015 may be performed by a performance mapping component 935, as described with reference to FIG.

[0126] At 1020, the method may include communicating with a target device (e.g., a satellite) based at least in part on the generated communications performance map. The operations of 1020 may be performed in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1020 may be performed by a communications manager 940, as described with reference to FIG.

[0127] In some examples, an apparatus described herein (e.g., user terminal 150) may perform one or more methods, such as method 1000. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor) for receiving a plurality of signals at or via a phased array antenna according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, determining a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations, generating a communications performance map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics, and communicating with a target device based at least in part on the generated communications performance map.

[0128] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, determining the plurality of directional antenna characteristics may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining, for each beamformed beam orientation of the plurality, an antenna gain, an antenna noise metric, a beamwidth, or any combination thereof, associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation.

[0129] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, generating the communications performance map may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining, for each received signal of the plurality, a signal quality metric for the respective received signal, and for each received signal of the plurality, scaling the signal quality metric for the respective received signal based at least in part on a directional antenna characteristic associated with a beamformed beam orientation corresponding to the received signal.

[0130] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, generating a communication performance map may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining an obstruction map associated with a location of a phased array antenna based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics. In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, generating a communication performance map may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for determining boundaries of a beamformed beam orientation for communication using a phased array antenna based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics.

[0131] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, communicating with the target device may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for scheduling a handoff to the target device from another target device based at least in part on the generated communication performance map.

[0132] Some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining to perform a beam scanning operation based at least in part on a periodic interval or an event trigger, and determining to receive a plurality of signals based at least in part on the determining to perform the beam scanning operation.

[0133] Some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a second plurality of signals using the phased array antenna, and receiving the plurality of signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving reflections of the transmitted second plurality of signals.

[0134] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, receiving the plurality of signals may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for receiving ambient signals not associated with a transmitting device. In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, receiving the ambient signals may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for receiving ambient signals over frequencies not used for communication with the target device.

[0135] Some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein may further include acts, features, means, or instructions for transmitting the generated communications performance map to a network scheduling entity and receiving instructions from the network scheduling entity to communicate with the target device based at least in part on transmitting the generated communications performance map.

[0136] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, the plurality of signals may be received at a first physical orientation of the phased array antenna. Some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for receiving a second plurality of signals at the phased array antenna according to a second plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, the second plurality of signals being received at a second physical orientation of the phased array antenna, determining a second plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the second plurality of beamformed beam orientations, and generating a communications performance map based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals and the determined second plurality of directional antenna characteristics.

[0137] In some embodiments of the methods 1000 and apparatus described herein, generating the communications performance map may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for generating a first performance map in a global coordinate system based at least in part on the received plurality of signals, the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and a first transformation from the antenna coordinate system at a first physical orientation to the global coordinate system; generating a second performance map in the global coordinate system based at least in part on the received plurality of signals, the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and a second transformation from the antenna coordinate system at a second physical orientation to the global coordinate system; and generating the communications performance map based at least in part on the first performance map and the second performance map.

[0138] 11 shows a flow chart illustrating a method 1100 supporting techniques for phased array terminal antenna installation according to embodiments disclosed herein. The operations of method 1100 may be performed by a communications system or components thereof (e.g., a user terminal 150, an access node terminal 130, or a combination thereof) as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1100 may be performed by communications system 920 as described with reference to FIG. 9. In some embodiments, the satellite communications system may execute a set of instructions to control functional elements of the satellite communications system to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the satellite communications system may perform aspects of the described functions using dedicated hardware.

[0139] At 1105, the method may include receiving a plurality of signals at or via a phased array antenna according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna. The operations of 1105 may be performed according to embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1105 may be performed by a signal receiver 925, as described with reference to FIG.

[0140] At 1110, the method may include determining a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations. The operations of 1110 may be performed in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1110 may be performed by an antenna characteristic manager 930, as described with reference to FIG.

[0141] At 1115, the method may include generating a communications performance map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics. The operations of 1115 may be performed in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1115 may be performed by a performance mapping component 935, as described with reference to FIG.

[0142] At 1120, the method may include positioning the phased array antenna in a physical orientation determined based at least in part on the generated communications performance map. The operations of 1120 may be performed in accordance with embodiments disclosed herein. In some embodiments, aspects of the operations of 1120 may be performed by an antenna positioner 945, as described with reference to FIG.

[0143] In some examples, an apparatus described herein may perform one or more methods, such as method 1100. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor) for receiving a plurality of signals at or via a phased array antenna according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, determining a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations, generating a communications performance map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and positioning the phased array antenna in a physical orientation determined based at least in part on the generated communications performance map.

[0144] Some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for generating instructions to a user to reposition the phased array antenna from a first physical orientation associated with the received plurality of signals to a second physical orientation based at least in part on generating the communication performance map.

[0145] In some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein, positioning the phased array antenna may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for commanding an actuator coupled to the phased array antenna to reposition the phased array antenna from a first physical orientation associated with the received plurality of signals to a second physical orientation.

[0146] Some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining, at a satellite terminal in communication with the phased array antenna, a physical orientation of the phased array antenna for positioning purposes based at least in part on the generated communications performance map.

[0147] Some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for determining a physical orientation of the phased array antenna for positioning purposes based at least in part on the generated communication performance map and the probabilistic distribution locations of one or more target devices (e.g., target satellites).

[0148] In some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein, generating the communications performance map may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for generating an obstruction map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics. In some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein, positioning the phased array antenna may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for aligning a physical boresight of the phased array antenna with an unobstructed portion of the obstruction map.

[0149] In some embodiments of the methods 1100 and apparatus described herein, positioning the phased array antenna may include operations, features, circuits, logic, means, or instructions for aligning a scanning volume of the phased array antenna to an obstruction-free field of view of the obstruction map.

[0150] It should be noted that the methods described above describe possible implementations, and that the acts and steps can be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Additionally, parts from two or more methods can be combined.

[0151] An apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a phased array antenna and a controller (e.g., coupled to the phased array antenna). The controller may be configured to receive, using the phased array antenna, a plurality of signals according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, determine a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations, generate a communication performance map based at least in part on the plurality of received signals and the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and communicate with a target device (e.g., a satellite) using the phased array antenna based at least in part on the generated communication performance map.

[0152] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to determine the plurality of directional antenna characteristics, the controller may be configured to determine, for each beamformed beam orientation of the plurality, an antenna gain, an antenna noise metric, or a beamwidth, or any combination thereof, associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation.

[0153] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to generate the communications performance map, the controller may be configured to determine, for each received signal of the plurality, a signal quality metric for the respective received signal, and, for each received signal of the plurality, scale the signal quality metric for the respective received signal based at least in part on a directional antenna characteristic associated with a beamformed beam orientation corresponding to the received signal.

[0154] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to generate the communication performance map, the controller may be configured to determine an obstruction map associated with a location of the phased array antenna based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics. In some embodiments of the apparatus, to generate the communication performance map, the controller may be configured to determine boundaries of beamformed beam orientations for communication using the phased array antenna based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics.

[0155] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to communicate with the target device, the controller may be configured to schedule a handoff from another target device to the target device based at least in part on the generated communication performance map.

[0156] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the controller may be further configured to determine to perform a beam scanning operation based at least in part on a periodic interval or an event trigger, and to receive a plurality of signals based at least in part on the determination to perform the beam scanning operation.

[0157] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the controller may be further configured to transmit a second plurality of signals using the phased array antenna and receive the plurality of signals, and the controller may be configured to receive reflections of the transmitted second plurality of signals.

[0158] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to receive the plurality of signals, the controller may be configured to receive ambient signals not associated with the transmitting device. In some embodiments of the apparatus, to receive the ambient signals, the controller may be configured to receive ambient signals over frequencies not used for communication with the target device.

[0159] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the controller may be further configured to transmit the generated communications performance map to a network scheduling entity and receive instructions from the network scheduling entity to communicate with the target device based at least in part on transmitting the generated communications performance map.

[0160] In some examples of the apparatus, the plurality of signals may be received at a first physical orientation of the phased array antenna, and the controller may be further configured to receive at the phased array antenna a second plurality of signals in accordance with a second plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, where the second plurality of signals are received at the second physical orientation of the phased array antenna; determine a second plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the second plurality of beamformed beam orientations; and generate a communications performance map based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals and the determined second plurality of directional antenna characteristics.

[0161] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to generate the communications performance map, the controller may be configured to: generate a first performance map in a global coordinate system based at least in part on the received plurality of signals, the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and a first transformation from the antenna coordinate system at the first physical orientation to the global coordinate system; generate a second performance map in the global coordinate system based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals, the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and a second transformation from the antenna coordinate system at the second physical orientation to the global coordinate system; and generate the communications performance map based at least in part on the first performance map and the second performance map.

[0162] Another apparatus is described. The apparatus may include a phased array antenna and a controller (e.g., coupled to the phased array antenna). The controller may be configured to receive a plurality of signals at the phased array antenna according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations of the phased array antenna, determine a plurality of directional antenna characteristics associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations, generate a communications performance map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics, and determine a physical orientation of the phased array antenna based at least in part on the generated communications performance map.

[0163] Some embodiments of the apparatus may further include a positioning system operable to position the phased array antenna based at least in part on the determined physical orientation, In some embodiments of the apparatus, the controller may be configured to command an actuator of the positioning system to align the phased array antenna to the determined physical orientation.

[0164] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the controller may be configured to generate instructions to a user to reposition the phased array antenna from a first physical orientation associated with the received plurality of signals to a second physical orientation based at least in part on generating the communications performance map.

[0165] In some embodiments of the apparatus, the controller may be configured to determine a physical orientation of the phased array antenna based at least in part on the generated communications performance map and a probability distribution of locations of one or more target devices (e.g., target satellites).

[0166] In some embodiments of the apparatus, to generate the communications performance map, the controller may be configured to generate an obstruction map based at least in part on the received signals and the determined directional antenna characteristics. In some embodiments of the apparatus, to position the phased array antenna, the controller may be configured to align a physical boresight of the phased array antenna with a clear portion of the obstruction map. In some embodiments of the apparatus, to position the phased array antenna, the controller may be configured to align a scanning volume of the phased array antenna to a clear field of view of the obstruction map.

[0167] The detailed description set forth above in connection with the accompanying drawings illustrates examples and does not represent the only examples that may be implemented or are within the scope of the claims. The term "embodiment" as used herein means "serving as an embodiment, example, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other embodiments." The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described technology. However, these technologies may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0168] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0169] The various example blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an 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. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a digital signal processor (DSP) and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in combination with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0170] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. 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 may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. Features implementing the functions may also be physically located in various locations, including being distributed such that parts of the functions are implemented in different physical locations.

[0171] Computer-readable media includes both communication media and non-transitory computer storage media, including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Non-transitory storage media may be any available medium accessible by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk read-only memory (CDROM) or other optical disk storage devices, magnetic disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to execute or store desired program code means 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. Any connection is also properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the 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, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of media. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CDs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs (DVDs), floppy disks, and Blu-ray discs, where discs typically reproduce data optically with a laser. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0172] As used herein, including the claims, "or" used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one" or "one or more") indicates an inclusive list, such as, 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). Also, as used herein, the phrase "based on" should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" is to be interpreted in the same manner as the phrase "based at least in part on."

[0173] In the accompanying figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Furthermore, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label with a dash and a second label that distinguishes between the similar components. If only a first reference label is used herein, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label, regardless of the second reference label, or any other subsequent reference label.

[0174] The description set forth herein with reference to the accompanying drawings describes exemplary configurations and does not necessarily represent all embodiments that may be implemented or fall within the scope of the claims. As used herein, the term "exemplary" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described technology. However, these technologies can be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described embodiments.

[0175] The description herein is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the 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 the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the embodiments and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method for communication in a satellite communication system (100), comprising: receiving, in a phased array antenna (155), a plurality of signals (315, 335) according to a plurality of beamforming beam orientations (255) of the phased array antenna (155); determining a plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the plurality of beamforming beam orientations (255); generating a communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155); communicating with a satellite (120) based at least in part on the generated communication performance map (620).

2. Determining the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) comprises: for each of the plurality of beamforming beam orientations (255), determining an antenna gain of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamforming beam orientation (255). The method according to claim 1.

3. Determining the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) comprises: for each of the plurality of beamforming beam orientations (255), determining an antenna noise metric of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamforming beam orientation (255). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Determining the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) comprises: for each of the plurality of beamforming beam orientations (255), determining a beam width of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamforming beam orientation (255). The method according to claim 1 or 2.

5. Generating the communication performance map (620) comprises: For each of the plurality of received signals (315, 335), determining a respective signal quality metric (510) of the received signal (315, 335); For each of the plurality of received signals (315, 335), scaling the respective signal quality metric (510) of the received signal (315, 335) based at least in part on the directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the beamformed beam orientation (255) corresponding to the received signal (315, 335), the method according to claim 1 or 2.

6. Generating the communication performance map (620) comprises: Determining a blockage map associated with the location of the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the plurality of received signals (315, 335) and the plurality of determined directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the method according to claim 1 or 2.

7. Generating the communication performance map (620) comprises: Determining a boundary (655) of a beamformed beam orientation (255) for communication using the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the plurality of received signals (315, 335) and the plurality of determined directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the method according to claim 1 or 2.

8. Communicating with the satellite (120) comprises: Scheduling a handoff from another satellite (120) to the satellite (120) based at least in part on the generated communication performance map (620), the method according to claim 1 or 2.

9. Determining to perform a beam scanning operation based at least in part on a periodic interval or an event trigger; Receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335) based at least in part on determining to perform the beam scanning operation, the method according to claim 1 or 2.

10. Further comprising transmitting a second plurality of signals (365, 385) using the phased array antenna (155), Receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335) includes receiving reflections of the second plurality of signals (365, 385) that were transmitted, according to the method of claim 1 or 2.

11. Receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335) includes receiving ambient signals not associated with the transmitting device, according to the method of claim 1 or 2.

12. Receiving the ambient signals includes receiving the ambient signals over frequencies not used for the communication with the satellite (120), according to the method of claim 11.

13. transmitting the generated communication performance map (620) to a network scheduling entity (130, 141); receiving, from the network scheduling entity (130, 141), instructions for communicating with the satellite (120) based at least in part on transmitting the generated communication performance map (620), according to the method of claim 1 or 2.

14. The plurality of signals (315, 335) are received in a first physical orientation (275) of the phased array antenna (155), and the method receives a second plurality of signals (315, 335) in the phased array antenna (155) according to a second plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255) of the phased array antenna (155), where the second plurality of signals (315, 335) are received in a second physical orientation (275) of the phased array antenna (155); determines a second plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the second plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255); generates the communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined second plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), according to the method of claim 1 or 2.

15. Generating the communication performance map (620) Generate a first performance map (620) in the global coordinate system (260, 270) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335), the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), and a first transformation from the antenna coordinate system (280) in the first physical orientation (275) to the global coordinate system (260, 270). Generate a second performance map (620) in the global coordinate system (260, 270) based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals (315, 335), the determined second plurality of directional antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), and a second transformation from the antenna coordinate system (280) in the second physical orientation (275) to the global coordinate system (260, 270). Generate the communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the first performance map (620) and the second performance map (620). The method according to claim 14 includes this step.

16. An apparatus for communication in a satellite communication system (100), A phased array antenna (155), A controller (158) coupled to the phased array antenna (155), Receive a plurality of signals (315, 335) using the phased array antenna (155) according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255) of the phased array antenna (155), Determine a plurality of directional antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255), Generate a communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined plurality of directional antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), A controller (158) configured to communicate with a satellite (120) using the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the generated communication performance map (620). The apparatus comprises this controller (158).

17. To determine the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the controller (158) The apparatus according to claim 16, wherein for each of the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255), the controller (158) is configured to determine an antenna gain of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation (255). **Claim 18** To determine the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the controller (158) The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein for each of the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255), the controller (158) is configured to determine an antenna noise metric of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation (255). **Claim 19** To determine the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the controller (158) The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein for each of the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255), the controller (158) is configured to determine a beam width of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation (255). **Claim 20** To generate the communication performance map (620), the controller (158) For each of the plurality of received signals (315, 335), determine a respective signal quality metric (510) of the received signal (315, 335), The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, wherein for each of the plurality of received signals (315, 335), the controller (158) is configured to scale the respective signal quality metric (510) of the received signal based at least in part on the directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the beamformed beam orientation (255) corresponding to the received signal (315, 335). **Claim 21** To generate the communication performance map (620), the controller (158) configured to determine a blockage map associated with a location of the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the apparatus according to claim 16 or 17.

22. To generate the communication performance map (620), the controller (158) configured to determine a boundary (655) of a beamformed beam orientation (255) for communication using the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the apparatus according to claim 16 or 17.

23. To communicate with the satellite (120), the controller (158) configured to schedule a handoff from another satellite (120) to the satellite (120) based at least in part on the generated communication performance map (620), the apparatus according to claim 16 or 17.

24. The controller (158) determines to perform a beam scanning operation based at least in part on a periodic interval or an event trigger, and is further configured to receive the plurality of signals (315, 335) based at least in part on determining to perform the beam scanning operation, the apparatus according to claim 16 or 17.

25. The controller (158) is further configured to transmit a second plurality of signals (365, 385) using the phased array antenna (155), and to receive reflections of the transmitted second plurality of signals (365, 385) for receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335), the apparatus according to claim 16 or 17.

26. To receive the plurality of signals, the controller (158) is configured to receive ambient signals not associated with a transmitting device, the apparatus according to claim 16 or 17.

27. To receive the ambient signals, the controller (158) The apparatus according to claim 26, configured to receive the ambient signal over a frequency not used for the communication with the satellite (120).

28. The controller (158) is configured to transmit the generated communication performance map (620) to a network scheduling entity (130, 141), The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, further configured to receive, from the network scheduling entity (130, 141), an instruction for communicating with the satellite (120) based at least in part on transmitting the generated communication performance map (620).

29. The plurality of signals (315, 335) are received in a first physical orientation (275) of the phased array antenna, and the controller (158) is receiving, in the phased array antenna (155), a second plurality of signals (315, 335) according to a second plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255) of the phased array antenna (155), wherein the second plurality of signals (315, 335) are received in a second physical orientation (275) of the phased array antenna (155), determining a second plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the second plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255), The apparatus according to claim 16 or 17, further configured to generate the communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined second plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155).

30. To generate the communication performance map (620), the controller (158) is configured to generate a first performance map (620) in a global coordinate system (260, 270) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335), the determined plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), and a first transformation from an antenna coordinate system (280) in the first physical orientation (275) to the global coordinate system (260, 270), Generate the second performance map (620) in the global coordinate system (260, 270) based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals (315, 335), the determined second plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), and a second transformation from the antenna coordinate system (280) in the second physical orientation (275) to the global coordinate system (260, 270). The apparatus according to claim 29, configured to generate the communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the first performance map (620) and the second performance map (620).

31. An apparatus for communication in a satellite communication system (100), Means for receiving a plurality of signals (315, 335) in a phased array antenna (155) according to a plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255) of the phased array antenna (155); Means for determining a plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255); Means for generating a communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155); Means for communicating with a satellite (120) based at least in part on the generated communication performance map (620). An apparatus comprising the above.

32. The means for determining the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) For each of the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255), includes means for determining the antenna gain of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation (255). The apparatus according to claim 31.

33. The means for determining the plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, comprising means for determining an antenna noise metric of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation (255) for each of the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255).

34. The means for determining the plurality of directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, comprising means for determining a beam width of the phased array antenna (155) associated with electronic beamforming along the beamformed beam orientation (255) for each of the plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255).

35. The means for generating the communication performance map (620) For each of the plurality of received signals (315, 335), means for determining a respective signal quality metric (510) of the received signal (315, 335); For each of the plurality of received signals (315, 335), means for scaling the respective signal quality metric (510) of the received signal (315, 335) based at least in part on the directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the beamformed beam orientation (255) corresponding to the received signal (315, 335). The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

36. The means for generating the communication performance map (620) The apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, comprising means for determining a blockage map associated with the location of the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the plurality of received signals (315, 335) and the plurality of determined directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155).

37. The means for generating the communication performance map (620) Means for determining a boundary (655) of a beamformed beam orientation (255) for communication using the phased array antenna (155) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined plurality of directive antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

38. The means for communicating with the satellite (120) comprises means for scheduling a handoff from another satellite (120) to the satellite (120) based at least in part on the generated communication performance map (620), the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

39. means for determining to perform a beam scanning operation based at least in part on a periodic interval or an event trigger; and means for receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335) based at least in part on determining to perform the beam scanning operation, the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

40. further comprises means for transmitting a second plurality of signals (365, 385) using the phased array antenna (155), wherein receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335) includes receiving reflections of the transmitted second plurality of signals (365, 385), the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

41. The means for receiving the plurality of signals (315, 335) comprises means for receiving ambient signals not associated with a transmitting device, the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

42. The means for receiving the ambient signals comprises means for receiving the ambient signals over frequencies not used for the communication with the satellite (120), the apparatus according to claim 41.

43. means for transmitting the generated communication performance map (620) to a network scheduling entity (130, 141); and means for receiving, from the network scheduling entity (130, 141), instructions for communicating with the satellite (120) based at least in part on transmitting the generated communication performance map (620), the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32.

44. The plurality of signals (315, 335) are received in a first physical orientation (275) of the phased array antenna (155), and the apparatus means for receiving in the phased array antenna (155) a second plurality of signals (315, 335) according to a second plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255) of the phased array antenna (155), wherein the second plurality of signals (315, 335) are received in a second physical orientation (275) of the phased array antenna (155), the means for receiving means for determining a second plurality of directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155) associated with the second plurality of beamformed beam orientations (255) means for generating the communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals (315, 335) and the determined second plurality of directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), the apparatus according to claim 31 or 32, further comprising

45. The means for generating the communication performance map (620) means for generating a first performance map (620) in a global coordinate system (260, 270) based at least in part on the received plurality of signals (315, 335), the determined plurality of directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), and a first transformation from an antenna coordinate system (280) in the first physical orientation (275) to the global coordinate system (260, 270) means for generating a second performance map (620) in the global coordinate system (260, 270) based at least in part on the received second plurality of signals (315, 335), the determined second plurality of directivity antenna characteristics (410) of the phased array antenna (155), and a second transformation from the antenna coordinate system (280) in the second physical orientation (275) to the global coordinate system (260, 270) means for generating the communication performance map (620) based at least in part on the first performance map (620) and the second performance map (620), the apparatus according to claim 44, comprising

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