Reduced scan loss antenna system for communicating with satellite at low elevation angle

Abstract

To provide an antenna system for communicating with satellites at any elevation and a method for connecting the antenna system to the satellites.SOLUTION: In a satellite communication system 100, each of antenna systems 115, 130, 170, 175 includes two or more user terminal panels (UTPs). Each of the UTPs includes multiple user terminal modules (UTMs). The UTPs may be arranged in either a fixed, an adjustable geometry or a combination thereof. A UTM has multiple user terminal elements (UTEs) that include antennas and active circuits. An antenna may either generate an incoming signal in response to incident radio waves received from a satellite and / or may transmit an outgoing signal toward the satellite. Each active circuit is configured to process the incoming and outgoing signals. The antenna system may include a control circuit configured to control signal processing performed by the active circuits. The UTPs may be operably connected to a single satellite, or different UTPs may be operably connected to different satellites.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Related Applications

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 964,376, filed on January 22, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 019,228, filed on May 1, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This application further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 060,101, filed on August 2, 2020, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to the field of beam scanning antenna systems, low scan loss at low elevation angles, and more particularly to flat panel antennas for communicating with satellites at any elevation angle. Background

[0003] The global market for space ground station equipment is growing at a significant pace and is expected to reach a market value of $119.78 billion by 2024, according to a January 24, 2020 report titled "Global Market for Space Ground Station Equipment to 2024: Focus on Equipment, End Users, Applications, and Satellite Communication Services" by GlobeNewswire. Parabolic reflector antennas are the most prevalent in today's market. However, parabolic reflector antennas include a parabolic reflector which can be costly to manufacture, which can result in an antenna that is bulky and heavy in relation to the required supply system and support structure. In a sense, parabolic reflector antennas are becoming increasingly unrealistic. For example, the shape and form factor of parabolic reflector antennas make it expensive to ship and transport to different regions of the world. Overview

[0004] One or more embodiments described herein, among other advantages, can be configured for various commercial and consumer beam-scanning communication applications and provide an inexpensive, reusable (or interchangeable) antenna element that can be incorporated into a high-performance modular electronic scanning array antenna system capable of communicating with satellites located at elevation angles from 0 to 90 degrees, thereby solving one or more of the above-described problems or other problems in the art.

[0005] In one embodiment, a flat panel array (FPA) antenna includes P user terminal panels (UTPs). Each UTP includes N user terminal modules (UTMs) and also includes M user terminal elements (UTEs). The M UTEs include M antennas and M active circuits. The antennas generate an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from a satellite or transmit a transmitted signal toward the satellite. The active circuits process the incoming and transmitted signals. The FPA antenna further includes a control circuit for controlling the signal processing performed by the M active circuits. Advantageously, N and M can be adjusted so that the effective antenna area visible from the satellite and the corresponding throughput of the connection to it can be adjusted to maintain the connection. The satellite is located at an elevation angle between zero and 90 degrees.

[0006] In other embodiments, the satellite antenna system includes M application-agnostic user terminal elements (UTEs) each including an antenna for generating an incoming signal in response to an incident satellite radio wave or for transmitting a transmission signal to a receiver such as a satellite or a ground unit. Each UTE further includes active circuitry for processing the incoming and transmission signals. The UTE active circuitry is controlled by a control circuit that controls the processing performed by the M active circuits. In one embodiment, the M UTEs are distributed among N user terminal modules (UTMs) each including a daisy chain of O of the M active circuits. An example of such a system is shown and described with respect to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 shows a satellite antenna system where M is equal to 256 and N and O are equal to 16.

[0007] To address potential quality degradation and signal attenuation that can occur along the stages of the daisy chain, each UTM further includes a buffer placed after every P active circuits to correct for amplitude degradation that occurs within the daisy chain. In other words, buffers can be placed after every P active circuits to correct for signal characteristics that degrade as the signal traverses the daisy chain. An example of such a UTM is shown in FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a UTM having 16 UTEs with buffers placed between every 16 UTEs.

[0008] An advantage of a system as disclosed herein is that, due to its modular design, M can be adjusted to tune the total antenna area and corresponding signal throughput available for a given application. For example, for a satellite antenna system intended for use in automotive applications, M can be set to a lower value compared to more demanding applications such as buses, airplanes, or cruise ships. As long as the UTEs have been designed in the past and are being reused, the NRE cost in such a system is minimized.

[0009] Additional features and advantages of the present application will be described in the following description, some of which will be apparent from the following description or can be understood by implementing examples of such embodiments.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] To describe the above-mentioned advantages and features and the manner in which other advantages and features can be obtained, a more specific description is provided and the description is made by referring to specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. While it is understood that these drawings show only typical examples and thus do not limit the scope, the embodiments will be described and explained more specifically and in detail by using the accompanying drawings.

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[0035] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Similarly, in order to explain some of the embodiments of the present technology, some components and / or operations may be separated into different blocks or integrated into a single block. Also, the present technology can be changed into various modifications and different forms, but specific embodiments are shown in the drawings as examples and will be described in detail below. However, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described. On the contrary, the present technology is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives within the scope of the technology defined by the appended claims. Detailed description

[0036] Examples are described below. Specific embodiments are described, but it should be understood that these are for illustrative purposes only. Those skilled in the relevant art will understand that other components and configurations can be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter of the present disclosure. Embodiments may include systems, processes, devices, methods implemented by machines, computing devices, or computer-readable media.

[0037] As described above, parabolic reflector antennas are the most widespread in the market for space ground terminal equipment in today's world. However, parabolic reflector antennas can be bulky and heavy, making them more unrealistic. For example, it becomes costly to ship and transport them to different regions of the world due to the shape and form factor of the parabolic reflector antennas.

[0038] In one embodiment, the disclosed flat panel array (FPA) antenna is also referred to as an antenna system. The disclosed embodiments of the FPA antenna include various dimensional shapes composed of a single panel on a flat surface or multiple antenna panels.

[0039] The invention described herein and shown in the figures seeks to solve the problems faced by parabolic reflector antennas. In one embodiment, the FPA antenna includes a plurality of N UTMs and also includes M UTEs. The M UTEs include M antennas and M active circuits. Each antenna generates an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from a satellite or transmits a transmitted signal towards the satellite. The active circuits process the incoming and transmitted signals. The FPA antenna further includes a control circuit for controlling the signal processing performed by the M active circuits. Advantageously, N and M can be adjusted so that the effective antenna area visible from the satellite to maintain the connection and the corresponding throughput of the connection can be adjusted. This satellite is located at an elevation angle anywhere between zero and 90 degrees.

[0040] As described below with respect to the method shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the disclosed FPA antenna can be used to connect to satellites at any elevation angle. One such example of such a method includes placing the FPA antenna in a certain position. The FPA antenna includes a plurality of N UTMs, and the N UTMs include M UTEs (user terminal elements). The M UTEs include M antennas and M active circuits. The antennas generate an incoming signal in response to the incident radio wave received from the satellite, or transmit a transmission signal towards the satellite. The active circuits process the incoming signal and the transmission signal. In this example, the FPA antenna further includes one or more sensors for measuring the intensity of the connection signal to the satellite. This example determines whether the total connection signal intensity measured by one or more sensors meets the signal intensity requirement, and if not, adjusts one or more of N, M, and the position until the signal intensity meets the requirement to adjust the effective antenna area visible from the satellite, including a control circuit. In this example, the satellite can be located at any elevation angle between zero and 90 degrees.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the term "scanning loss" is used to explain the inverse of the term "gain". Further, the scanning loss is defined as the difference in the gain of the antenna at any elevation angle with respect to the maximum gain that occurs perpendicular to the antenna panel. For a flat panel placed on the ground, the maximum occurs at an elevation angle of 90 degrees.

[0042] Advantages of the disclosed FPA antenna over a parabola reflector antenna

[0043] The disclosed FPA antenna has several advantages over the parabolic reflector antennas commonly used today. This parabolic reflector antenna is typically large, heavy, and expensive. The parabolic reflector antenna typically includes several components, and to name just a few, 1) a main parabolic reflector that can be several meters in diameter, 2) a feed horn that needs to be separated by the focal length, and 3) a mechanical system to support all components. These components typically result in a heavy and bulky antenna.

[0044] In the first point of comparison, the disclosed FPA antenna uses simpler components to manufacture. Large parabolas are more difficult to fabricate. The disclosed FPA antenna further advantageously uses an application-agnostic UTE. This application-agnostic UTE is less expensive because it can be mass-produced. The advantages of application-agnostic components are further described below.

[0045] Furthermore, the disclosed FPA antenna has the advantage of electronic steering and can better handle multiple satellites at different elevation angles. The parabolic reflector antenna is often slower in beam steering compared to the disclosed FPA antenna that can steer the beam in milliseconds.

[0046] Furthermore, the disclosed FPA antenna has the advantage of electronic steering and can handle multiple satellites at different elevation angles simultaneously.

[0047] Furthermore, the parabolic reflector antenna has challenges in maintenance due to the inclusion of high-precision mechanical positioners, while many of the disclosed FPA antennas do not have mechanical positioners. Also, since the FPA antenna is flat, the challenges with respect to wind speed are significantly less.

[0048] In addition, parabolic reflector antennas typically include moving parts that can cause failures such as degradation over time or shortening of the lifespan. The disclosed FPA antennas, such as those with at least fixed dimensional shapes like the FPA antennas 552, 554, 556, 558, 560, and 562 in FIG. 5B, do not include moving parts that can fail over time.

[0049] Additional advantageous features of the disclosed FPA antenna

[0050] As described below and shown in the figures, the disclosed FPA antennas have several advantageous features and capabilities, especially when compared to parabolic reflector antennas. For example, in one aspect of the present invention, the disclosed FPA antennas can simultaneously connect to multiple satellites in multi-beam communication. These satellites are located at any elevation angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. Furthermore, the disclosed FPA antennas can measure the signal strength of the connection to the satellites and respond in several ways to defects such as changing the dimensional shape of the antenna to vary the effective antenna area visible from the satellites. Embodiments of the disclosed FPA antennas can be advantageously applied in countless contexts including ground stations, ground terminals, mobile applications such as vehicles and trains, and ground wireless stations such as those shown in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B.

[0051] In certain embodiments, the disclosed FPA antennas have a user interface that enables programming of the control circuit. The user can use the user interface to input the position display of the satellite. The position display includes an azimuth angle that starts from 0 degrees of true north and rotates clockwise to 360 degrees. Also, using the user interface, an elevation angle starting from 0 degrees horizontal and pointing straight up into the air to 90 degrees can be input.

[0052] Figures 5A, 5B, and 6 illustrate examples of antenna systems having multiple panel sides. As used herein, the effective satellite area as shown in FIG. 6 consists of the sum of the respective projected surface areas of the panel sides visible from the satellite. Each projected area is the linear projection of the panel side onto an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the satellite.

[0053] In certain embodiments, the disclosed antenna has a fixed dimensional shape, as shown, for example, as the FPA antennas 554, 556, 558, 560, and 562 in FIG. 5B. Such an antenna with a fixed dimensional shape includes an antenna surface capable of communicating with a satellite at an elevation angle of 0 degrees. In certain embodiments, the disclosed antenna has a combination of one antenna surface 1902 shown in FIG. 19 and a feed horn including a flare metal waveguide 1904.

[0054] In certain embodiments, the disclosed FPA antenna has an adjustable tent-like structure 552 that can set the ridge height according to the position of the satellite with which the FPA antenna is attempting to communicate. In other embodiments (not shown), multiple tents are used to increase the effective area of the FPA antenna and reduce scanning loss.

[0055] In other embodiments, the disclosed FPA antenna has a main panel and a plurality of movable side panels, as shown, for example, as the FPA antennas 564, 566, 568, and 570 in FIG. 5B. In such embodiments, the FPA antenna can use an actuator to move one or more side panels to maximize the effective antenna area visible from the satellite. In such embodiments, individual side panels can be dedicated to a satellite and combined with other side panels to switch between multiple satellites.

[0056] Also, the disclosed FPA antenna can form multi-beam connections to multiple satellites. Each satellite has its own effective antenna area.

[0057] In another advantage of the present invention, the disclosed FPA antenna can connect to satellites disposed at any elevation angle from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. To do so, in one embodiment, a plurality of FPAs are arranged in a three-dimensional shape, for example, in the shape of some fixed structures shown in FIG. 5B, so that the antenna surface can face the satellite. An embodiment as also shown in FIG. 5B has a movable side panel adjustable using an actuator to maximize the surface area visible from the satellite. For example, as shown as antenna 572 in FIG. 5B, one embodiment includes one or more reflectors that focus on satellite connection on the main panel. Generally, in the disclosed FPA antenna having a plurality of side panels, non-operating panels can be disabled to suppress power consumption.

[0058] Advantages in the cost of an application - agnostic UTE

[0059] The limited availability and affordability of satellite ground antenna systems are further exacerbated by the way they are manufactured. Conventional antenna systems are designed to be customized for specific applications. Such customized design projects typically require expensive one-time engineering effort, which becomes their NRE cost. Also, such antenna systems are typically produced in relatively small quantities, thus increasing the cost per unit. An example of such a satellite Internet system available today is made by Gogo of Chicago, Illinois, which provides a satellite Internet system used on aircraft. Gogo's antenna system can require costs in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. This is comparable to the price of a single-family home in today's dollar value.

[0060] In contrast, the technology described herein is directed to antenna elements for modular antenna systems. More specifically, the technology is directed to inexpensive, reusable, and replaceable antenna elements that can be incorporated into modular electronically scanned array antenna systems. The antenna system described herein can be composed of application-agnostic antenna elements that are designed only once. Such an approach minimizes NRE costs, facilitates mass production, and significantly reduces the cost per unit. In fact, the antenna elements described herein can be configured in various sizes and performances for various high-performance commercial and consumer beam scanning applications such as satellite communication applications, 5G mobile phone communication applications, automotive radar, and IoT applications, and can be incorporated into modular electronically scanned array antenna systems.

[0061] As an example of advantageously reusing the UTE design to reduce the NRE costs associated with beam scanning satellites, in one embodiment, the UTE can be designed only once, and an antenna system can be realized that includes one of a first number of UTEs placed in automobiles, a second number of UTEs placed in buses, a third number of UTEs placed in airplanes, and a fourth number of UTEs placed in cruise ships. The first number, the second number, the third number, and the fourth number of UTEs increase progressively.

[0062] In one embodiment, the technology described herein enables widespread utilization of satellite connections by significantly reducing the cost of an electronically scanned array antenna system for satellite user terminals. In fact, the technology described herein reduces NRE costs, which, when combined with mass production, enables the realization of high-performance user terminals with transmission speeds faster than 1 Gbps and costing less than $100. In other words, it is possible to mass-produce M UTEs such that the manufacturing cost of each antenna system corresponds to the average retail price offered by a commercially available personal computer manufacturer. This is, for example, more affordable than the Gogo commercial wireless satellite system, which costs on the order of the price of a house, as described above. Thus, in addition to contributing to existing markets, the technology also facilitates new and previously non-existent markets where there is currently not enough money available to access high-speed Internet connections.

[0063] Among other advantages, the modular antenna systems and solutions described herein facilitate an antenna that is inexpensive, reusable, replaceable, and capable of flat beam steering in a modular fashion. As described above, the disclosed UTE can be designed only once without considering the final form factor. Such an approach reduces the NRE costs associated with the UTE and enables the realization of an antenna system suitable for high-performance commercial and consumer beam scanning applications such as satellite communications, 5G mobile phone communications, automotive radar, and IoT applications. In fact, the modular antenna systems and solutions described herein enable the widespread use of satellite connections by significantly reducing the cost of phased arrays for satellite user terminals. Due to the improvements described herein, a large number of modular antenna elements can be manufactured, resulting in a dramatic reduction in the overall cost of the beam scanning array antenna. Furthermore, the array design reduces the complexity of the baseboard and further reduces the overall cost of the system. As a result, the systems and solutions described herein not only contribute to existing markets but also enable new, previously non-existent markets where there is currently no access method to high-speed Internet connections.

[0064] Furthermore, the modularity and reusability of the designs described herein enable rapid scalability for various form factors and can improve the time to market. In fact, new systems and solutions can be developed in a matter of weeks using the building blocks disclosed herein.

[0065] As described above, the disclosed satellite antenna systems are each application agnostic and include M UTEs including antennas for generating an incoming signal in response to an incident satellite radio wave or transmitting an outgoing signal towards a receiver such as a satellite, a terrestrial unit, a plurality of satellites, a plurality of terrestrial units, and any combination thereof. As used herein, the term "application agnostic" means that in any application, for example, in a car, bus, or cruise ship, the same UTE can be used.

[0066] As used herein, the term "electronically scanned array" means an electronically scanned array that can electronically steer radio beams in different directions without moving the antenna, i.e., a computer-controlled array of antennas. It should be understood that the array can be controlled by either a computer, a microcontroller, or an on-board processor.

[0067] As used herein, the term "die" is used in the context of integrated circuits and means a small block of semiconductor material on which a functional circuit is fabricated. Integrated circuits are typically manufactured in large quantities on a single wafer made of electronic-grade silicon or on other semiconductors via processes such as photolithography.

[0068] As used herein, the term "integrated circuit implementation" means the final stage of semiconductor device manufacturing, in which a block of semiconductor material is encapsulated within a support case that protects against physical damage and corrosion. The case, known as a "package," supports electrical contacts that connect the device to a circuit board. As described herein, the package material is typically very lossy at RF frequencies, and as a result, degrades RF signals passing through it (e.g., from the die to the external environment of the package).

[0069] An overview and architecture of an example of a satellite communication system using various modular antenna systems for facilitating satellite and ground-to-ground communication are described with respect to FIG. 1. Various exemplary environments are described with respect to FIGS. 2A and 2B. Thereafter, examples showing the module architecture of an electronically scanned array antenna system including modules and panels configured using inexpensive antenna elements are described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4, respectively. Examples of flat panel array antennas with low scan loss at low elevation angles have several advantages over parabolic reflectors, and these examples are described with respect to FIGS. 5A - 8B. Thereafter, a more detailed description of the antenna elements and the components, operations, and processes of an exemplary modular electronically scanned array antenna system is given with respect to FIGS. 9 - 18.

[0070] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram illustrating the general overview and configuration of a satellite communication system 100 including various examples of modular antenna array systems according to an embodiment. More specifically, the satellite communication system 100 includes various examples of modular antenna systems configured to establish satellite and ground-to-ground communication links (or connections) using an electronically scanned antenna array configured using inexpensive antenna (or user terminal) elements. As described herein, various examples of modular antenna array systems can reduce the NRE costs associated with each new design by reusing the same or similar designs. Also, the disclosed antenna elements enable the manufacturer to reduce the overall cost of the system on a scale never before possible.

[0071] Although a single satellite is shown in the satellite communication system 100 of FIG. 1, it will be understood that the system can include any number of satellites. Further, although various types of modular antenna array systems are shown for illustrative purposes, it will be understood that the configuration can include one or all of the examples of modular antenna array systems.

[0072] As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the satellite communication system 100 includes a satellite 110 and various modular antenna array systems including a modular gateway antenna system 115, modular satellite user terminal antenna systems 130 and 170, and modular wireless antenna systems 140, 150, and 160. Each of the various modular antenna array systems includes at least one electronically scanned array antenna. In practice, the electronically scanned array antenna is modular, and thus can be formed with various sizes and performances using the inexpensive, reusable, and replaceable antenna elements described herein. In practice, the replaceable antenna elements described herein can be incorporated into larger antenna (or user terminal) modules. These antenna (or user terminal) modules can be individually configured as electronically scanned array antennas themselves, or can be incorporated into larger antenna (or user terminal) panels for higher performance or high throughput beam scanning, such as for satellite communication. As described herein, these electronically scanned array antennas utilize the same or similar design and manufacturing processes that facilitate the ability to construct scanned array antennas, and as a result, can significantly reduce the total cost of the scanned array antenna system.

[0073] In one embodiment, the satellite 110 is in a geostationary orbit (GO), such as an equatorial geostationary orbit (GEO), or a non-geostationary orbit, such as a low Earth orbit (LEO) or a medium Earth orbit (MEO). The modular gateway antenna system 115 can be a modular electronically scanned array antenna system including a satellite communication panel 116. In practice, the satellite communication panel 116 is an antenna (or user terminal) panel formed with a plurality of antenna (or user terminal) modules. This antenna module is formed with a plurality of antenna (or user terminal) elements.

[0074] As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the modular gateway antenna system 115 and the modular satellite user terminal antenna systems 130 and 170 communicate with the satellite 110. Also, the modular satellite user terminal antenna system 170 communicates with the user device 175. Further, although the modular satellite user terminal antenna system 170 is shown as separate, in some embodiments, it can be integrated with or combined with the user device 175 to be, for example, an integrated satellite transceiver, such as a separate or single device like a portable device having an antenna (or user terminal) element for direct communication with the satellite 110.

[0075] Similarly, the modular satellite user terminal antenna system 130 also communicates with the modular wireless antenna system 140, the modular wireless antenna system 150, and the user device 135. The modular wireless antenna system 140 communicates with the user device 145. Subsequently, the modular wireless antenna system 150 communicates with the user device 155 and the modular wireless antenna system 160. The modular wireless antenna system 160 further communicates with the user device 165.

[0076] The user devices 135, 145, 155, 165, and 175 can be user devices such as portable devices, telephones, smartphones, tablets, laptop computers, computers, wearable devices, smartwatches, audiovisual devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, or any device capable of communicating with a modular antenna array system. Further, the user devices 135, 145, 155, 165, and 175 can be devices (such as access points, smart cells, etc.) used to communicate with one or more end-user devices (not shown).

[0077] During operation, various example modular antenna array systems communicate with a user equipment via a bidirectional access link (having a forward access link and a return access link). Similarly, the modular radio antenna system 150 communicates with the modular radio antenna system 160 via a bidirectional access link (having a forward access link and a return access link). For example, the bidirectional access link may be an intercity link. An example of this intercity link is shown and described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2A.

[0078] The modular gateway antenna system 115 may have access to the Internet 125 or one or more other types of public networks, semi-private networks, or private networks. As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the modular gateway antenna system 115 communicates with an infrastructure 120 that can access the Internet 125 or one or more other types of public networks, semi-private networks, or private networks. Also, the modular gateway antenna system 115 can be connected to various types of communication backhaul, including, for example, a terrestrial line network such as an optical fiber network or a public switched telephone network (not shown).

[0079] In one embodiment, the modular gateway antenna system 115 may be configured to communicate with other gateways via the infrastructure 120 or to communicate without using the infrastructure 120. The infrastructure 120 may include all or part of a network control center (NCC), a satellite control center (SCC), a wired and / or wireless core network, and / or other components or systems used to facilitate the operation of the satellite communication system 100 and / or communication with the satellite communication system 100.

[0080] The two-way communication between the satellite 110 and the modular gateway antenna system 115 is called a feeder link, and the communication between the satellite 110 and the modular satellite user terminal antenna systems 130 and 170 is called a two-way service link.

[0081] FIGS. 2A and 2B show block diagrams illustrating examples of satellite communication systems 200a and 200b that include various modular antenna systems configured to establish satellite and ground-to-ground communication links (or connections) using electronically scanned antenna arrays formed using inexpensive antenna (or user terminal) elements according to an embodiment.

[0082] First, referring to the example of FIG. 2A, the satellite communication system 200a includes various modular antenna systems configured to establish satellite and ground-to-ground communication links (or connections) using electronically scanned antenna arrays formed using inexpensive antenna (or user terminal) elements. More specifically, the example of FIG. 2A shows the use of various modular antenna systems described herein to provide inter-city connections (e.g., inter-city link 250).

[0083] FIG. 2B shows an example in which infrastructure (e.g., a streetlight pole) 260 can be adapted or incorporated into the modular electronically scanned array antenna system described herein to establish or improve connections in a particular area or region. In one embodiment, the infrastructure (e.g., a streetlight pole) 260 can be a self-standing unit. For example, the infrastructure 260 can be "plug and play". Thereby, after installation, the unit can be immediately activated to provide connections to a fixed wireless 270 system, e.g., homes and schools in the vicinity of a town and other mobile user devices 280 within range.

[0084] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a modular architecture of an antenna module 300 formed using a plurality of antenna (or user terminal) elements 310 according to an embodiment. More specifically, the example of FIG. 3 shows the antenna module 300 together with an exploded view of an example of the components of the antenna (or user terminal) element 310. The antenna module 300 can be any of the antenna modules shown and described with reference to FIG. 1, although other configurations are also conceivable. Further, the antenna (or user terminal) element 310 and the antenna (or user terminal) module 300 are shown mainly with hexagonal elements in this specification, but it will be understood that elements of other shapes (e.g., triangular, square, circular, etc.) are also conceivable. Examples of further antenna (or user terminal) module configurations are shown and described in more detail below.

[0085] As shown in the example of FIG. 3, the antenna (or user terminal) module 300 includes a plurality of antenna (or user terminal) elements 310 disposed on or within a structure 320. The antenna (or user terminal) elements 310 may be arranged in various configurations on or within the structure 320 to form the antenna module 300. Examples of further structures are shown and described in more detail below.

[0086] Referring back to FIG. 3, each antenna (or user terminal) element 310 includes a radiator (or antenna) 312 and an active circuit 314. The active circuit 314 can be embodied within the die and can include various components such as, for example, an amplifier, an RF circuit, a digital-to-analog (D / A) converter, an analog-to-digital (A / D) converter, etc. Although not shown in the example of FIG. 3, this die is larger than the die from a conventional antenna element. In fact, in certain embodiments, the die has the same (or similar) footprint as the radiator (or antenna) element. As described herein, by making the die larger, it becomes easier to integrate various components (e.g., RF circuits, digital-to-analog (D / A) converters, analog-to-digital (A / D) converters, etc.) that have not been embodied heretofore due to design and dimensional limitations in the die of a conventional antenna element.

[0087] As described herein, conventionally, in order to connect the radiator (or antenna) 312 and the active circuit 314, at least two, and often three or more, lossy radio frequency (RF) transition sections are required. When stacked on top of each other, these lossy RF transition sections can cause signal degradation of up to, for example, 3 dB, up to half of the total signal power. The examples described herein embed or integrate the radiator (or antenna) 312 into the active circuit 314 in order to reduce or eliminate these lossy RF transition sections.

[0088] Furthermore, the antenna elements described herein integrate various components into the active circuit 314 compared to conventional antenna elements for phased array antenna systems. For example, the antenna elements described herein integrate an RF circuit, a D / A converter, and an A / D converter into the active circuit 314. Also, various components of a conventional antenna element (e.g., phase shifters) are no longer required.

[0089] In one embodiment, the radiator (or antenna) 312 and the active circuit 314 are integrated within a single die (e.g., a silicon die), or embedded and packaged together to eliminate the high-loss RF transition sections. In this specification, a single die is referred to as an antenna-on-chip (AOC) element. The AOC element may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that can be implemented as an integrated circuit (IC). Various layers and components of an example AOC element are shown and described in more detail below.

[0090] In one embodiment, to reduce multiple high-loss RF transition sections to a single high-loss RF transition section while making the components of the antenna element available via a tape reel, the radiator (or antenna) 312 and the active circuit 314 are closely integrated but not mounted on a single die (e.g., a silicon die). A tape reel generally refers to the process of mounting surface-mount devices (SMDs) by filling each pocket of a pocket (or carrier) tape with these surface-mount devices. For example, the units are usually sealed within the carrier tape by a cover tape by heat or pressure. And the carrier tape can be wound around a reel for convenient handling and transportation. The reel is housed within a reel box before being finally shipped to the customer. As described herein, being able to obtain components via a tape reel can reduce the cost of the increasing components in order to enable the creation and construction of antenna elements on a scale for a modular beam scanning antenna array system.

[0091] Furthermore, closely integrating the radiator (or antenna) 312 and the active circuit 314 without being on a single die facilitates the use of three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to print the radiator (or antenna) 312. An example illustrating this integration is shown and described in more detail below.

[0092] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a modular architecture of an antenna (or user terminal) panel 400 formed using a plurality of antenna modules 300 according to an embodiment. As used herein, the antenna panel 400 is sometimes referred to as a UTP (user terminal panel). More specifically, the example of FIG. 4 shows an antenna (or user terminal) panel 400 formed using the plurality of antenna modules 300 of FIG. 3. The antenna (or user terminal) panel 400 can be any of the antenna panels shown and described with reference to FIG. 1 (e.g., satellite communication panels 112, 114, 116, or 132), although other configurations are contemplated. Further, although the antenna module 300 is shown herein primarily with hexagonal elements, it will be understood that other shaped elements, such as triangular, square, circular, etc., combinations or variations thereof are also contemplated.

[0093] Another advantage of the disclosed embodiments is the ability to select different user terminal elements for placement of each user terminal module. Many antennas are resonant devices, and these resonant devices operate efficiently in a relatively narrow frequency band. The antenna needs to be tuned (matched) to the same frequency band as the wireless system to which it is connected; otherwise, reception and / or transmission is impaired. The disclosed embodiments enable each of a plurality of UTEs to be tuned to one or more of a plurality of frequency ranges. In one embodiment, each of the UTEs on the first UTM is tuned to the first frequency range to maximize the throughput of the radio frequency signals communicated in the first frequency range by the UTEs on the first UTM. In other embodiments, each of the UTEs on the first UTM is tuned to a different frequency range to maximize the various frequency ranges over which radio waves are communicated by the UTEs on the first UTM.

[0094] As described herein, an antenna (user terminal) panel can be formed or composed of a plurality of antenna modules based on a specific application. For example, in high-performance commercial and consumer beam scanning applications that require long-distance communication or applications that require a high level of throughput, a larger panel may be required. Advantageously, these antenna (or user terminal) panels can be modularly configured using interchangeable building blocks, such as antenna (user terminal) modules and / or antenna (user terminal) elements, without the need for custom design.

[0095] Figure 5A shows an antenna system having a plurality of antenna panels for communicating with satellites at various different elevation angles, according to an embodiment. As shown, the antenna (FPA) system 500 includes a main panel surrounded by four corner side panels. Also shown are a satellite 502 located at an elevation angle of 90 degrees, a satellite 504 located at an elevation angle of 45 degrees, and a satellite 506 located at an elevation angle of 0 degrees.

[0096] During operation, the antenna system 500 communicates mainly with the satellite 502 located at an elevation angle of 90 degrees using the main panel, and a part of the four side panels is also visible to the satellite and used for communication. The FPA antenna system 500 communicates with the satellite 504 located at an elevation angle of 45 degrees using a part of the main panel and a part of two side panels B and C for communication. The FPA antenna system 500 communicates with the satellite 506 located at 0 degrees using only side panel B. This side panel B is the only side of the antenna system 500 visible to the satellite 506. Advantageously, in this way, the satellite 500 can communicate with satellites at any elevation angle between 0 degrees and 90 degrees.

[0097] It should be noted that side panels A, B, C, and D can be assembled from the same UTM module as the UTM module of the main panel. The panels can be made in different dimensional shapes so as to be optimized for different applications, such as round and rectangular. To increase the area of the side panel, the height and / or width can be increased.

[0098] FIG. 5B shows some flat panel array antennas according to an embodiment. Shown are tent 552, flat top pyramid 554, triangular pyramid 556, triangular pyramid with side panel 558, geodesic dome 560, and hybrid spline 562, which are flat panel array (FPA) antennas of some fixed dimensional shapes. With the exception of 552, all of these fixed dimensional shape FPA antennas can establish connections with satellites at any azimuth and any elevation angle. With the exception of tent 552, none of the fixed dimensional shape FPA antennas have moving parts, which can reduce the likelihood of failure.

[0099] Also shown are the sloped panel 564, the flat-top pyramid 566 with movable wings, the octagonal main panel 568 with eight folding wings, and the main panel 570 with a reflector (shown as 572 in the side view), which are FPA antennas with mechanical assistance. During operation, the actuator 1 and the actuator 2 can rotate the sloped panel 564 about the pivot point along the x-axis and the y-axis, so that the antenna system can be directed towards the satellite for all elevation angles. The flat-top pyramid 566 includes four actuators (not shown) that move any one of the four wings (wing A, wing B, wing C, and wing D) so as to position itself in any plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the satellite. Also, the octagonal pyramid 568 with movable sides includes an actuator (not shown) that moves the sides so as to position itself in any plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the satellite. Similarly, the main panel 570 with a reflector includes four actuators (not shown) that move the reflector so as to transfer the connection to the satellite to the main panel. Advantageously, all of the four FPA antennas 564, 566, 568, and 570 with mechanical assistance can establish connections with satellites at any azimuth angle and any elevation angle. In addition, 566 and 568 have the advantage that the gain can be increased at the location where the signals are combined from the main panel and the wings when the wings are folded back to the level of the main panel.

[0100] Figure 5C is a graph showing the relative antenna gain contributions by the main panel and the side panel as a function of the elevation angle of the satellite. As shown, the graph 575 shows the antenna gain with respect to the elevation angle. At an elevation angle of 90 degrees, the antenna gain is considered to be entirely due to the main panel gain 580. At an elevation angle of 0 degrees, the antenna gain is considered to be entirely due to the side panel gain 585. At other elevation angles, both the main panel gain 580 and the side panel gain 585 contribute to the total gain 590.

[0101] A threshold 595 for satellite connection is also shown, which is used by the FPA antenna in some embodiments to determine whether a connection with a satellite has been established, as in the method shown in FIG. 8B. If it is determined that the connection has been established, the connection can be maintained.

[0102] Furthermore, the threshold 595 for satellite connection in some embodiments is used by the FPA antenna to determine whether it is worthwhile to continue using the UTE to communicate with the satellite. If there is no value, it may be considered that there is no value in consuming the power required to keep the UTE operating. If the signal strength of satellite communication is lower than the threshold 595 for satellite connection, the power of the UTE can be turned off to save power. It should be understood that the antenna gain is directly proportional to the effective antenna area visible to the satellite. In some embodiments, the main panel provides sufficient gain, only the main panel is powered on and used, and the power of one or more side panels can be turned off. In some embodiments, when the satellite is located at a low elevation angle, only one or more side panels can be used and the power of the main panel can be turned off to save power.

[0103] FIG. 6 shows some embodiments of the effective antenna area of the flat panel array antenna. A flat panel array antenna 602 with a triangular panel with sides having an effective antenna area 604 is shown. The FPA antenna 606 with a hexagonal panel with sides has a hexagonal effective antenna area 608, and the FPA antenna 610 with an octagonal panel with sides has an octagonal effective antenna area 612. During operation, each effective antenna area can be calculated as the sum of the projected areas visible from each of the N UTM satellites. Each projected area includes the linear projection of the UTM surface onto an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the satellite. Here, for simplicity, each satellite is shown as being located at an elevation angle of 90 degrees directly above the FPA antenna. Therefore, none of the side portions of the FPA antenna are visible from the satellite, and the effective antenna area basically exactly matches the surface area of the main panel of the FPA antenna.

[0104] Figure 7 shows an example of a method for obtaining the projected area. The scenario shown in Figure 6 is a simple calculation because the satellite is located directly above the FPA antenna. When the satellite is located at a different elevation angle, for example 45 degrees, or when the FPA antenna plane is located at an angle, the effective antenna area will be smaller than the total surface area of the FPA antenna panels. In contrast, the FPA antenna 704 is an inclined panel antenna with its upper surface inclined at an angle θ. Here, the satellite 702 is located directly above the FPA antenna 704, but the effective antenna area 706 visible to the satellite 702 is the actual surface area of the upper panel multiplied by cosθ. On the other hand, the satellite 703 is located horizontally at an elevation angle of 0 degrees. The effective antenna area 708 visible to the satellite 703 is smaller than the total area of the main panel of the FPA antenna and is equal to the area of the upper panel multiplied by sinθ.

[0105] FIG. 8A shows a method of using an antenna system to communicate with satellites at any elevation angle according to an embodiment. As shown, process 800 starts at 802. In operation 804, the process requests that an antenna system including one or more panels be placed at a location, each panel including a plurality of N UTMs arranged in either a fixed or dimensioned shape with mechanical assistance, the N UTMs including M UTEs, the M UTEs including M antennas and M active circuits, each antenna generating an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from a satellite or transmitting an outgoing signal towards the satellite, each active circuit processing the incoming and outgoing signals, and the antenna system further including one or more sensors for measuring the total connection signal strength of the N UTMs to the satellite. In operation 806, the process requests that a control circuit be used to control the signal processing performed by the M active circuits. In operation 808, the process determines whether the total connection signal strength meets a threshold for satellite connection, and if not, requests that one or more of N, M, and the location be adjusted to adjust the effective antenna area visible from the satellite until the total connection signal strength meets the threshold for satellite connection. This satellite is located at an elevation angle between 0 and 90 degrees. Although not shown, in some embodiments, the FPA antenna transmits a ping signal towards the satellite, and then the FPA antenna receives a response to the ping signal from the satellite.

[0106] In some embodiments, if the total connection signal strength is insufficient for satellite connection, the method requests that one or more of N, M, and the location be adjusted to adjust the effective antenna area visible from the satellite until the signal strength meets the requirements. This satellite is located at an elevation angle between 0 and 90 degrees.

[0107] FIG. 8B shows a method performed by an FPA to connect to satellites at any elevation angle according to an embodiment. As shown, a flat panel array (FPA) antenna implements a method 850 starting from 852. In operation 854, the FPA antenna powers on N UTMs. One or more of the N UTMs are foldable, and the N UTMs include M UTEs. Each of the M UTEs has an antenna that generates an incoming signal in response to an incoming radio wave from a satellite or transmits a transmission signal to the satellite, and an active circuit that processes the incoming signal and the transmission signal. The M UTEs are further coupled to one or more signal strength sensors that measure the strength of the connection to the satellite. In operation 856, the FPA antenna accesses the azimuth and elevation angles of the satellite. In operation 858, the FPA antenna uses an actuator to fold one or more foldable UTMs perpendicular to the satellite. In operation 860, a ping signal is transmitted towards the satellite. In operation 862, the FPA antenna receives a response to the ping signal from the satellite. In operation 864, the FPA antenna determines, using one or more signal strength sensors, that the cumulative strength of the signals received from the satellite by the M UTEs meets a connection threshold. In operation 866, the FPA antenna maintains the connection to the satellite.

[0108] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a system (beam scanning antenna) for transmitting and receiving satellite radio signals for a certain application according to an embodiment. As shown, a satellite antenna system 900 includes a mechanical chassis 904 that includes user terminal (UT) modules 906A, 906B through 906N (where N is equal to 16). Each of the UT modules includes 16 daisy-chain connected UTEs. These are examples of UTE 310, each including an antenna 312 and an active circuit 314. In other embodiments, more than 16 UTEs are daisy-chain connected, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 11B and 11C. The processing performed by the active circuit of the UTE is controlled by a UT control 908.

[0109] As shown, each combiner receives signals from 4 UTMs, so 16 UTMs supply 16 analog signals to the first-level RF combiners 910A, 910B through 910X (where X equals 4). The second-combination-level RF combiner 912 combines the signals from the first level. It should be noted that in other embodiments, there may be more or fewer combiners. Also, it should be noted that the number of combiner levels can vary. In other words, although two levels of combiners are shown in FIG. 9, in other embodiments, there may be more or fewer levels.

[0110] Also, UT antennas 916A, 916B through 916M are shown. Here, M equals 256, N equals 16, and the number of UTEs per O and UTM is 16.

[0111] During operation, the satellite antenna system 900 provides satellite communication for personal computer use. In that case, the satellite antenna system 900 communicates with the satellite 210 shown as including the satellite communication panel 214.

[0112] In one embodiment, each of the M antennas of the M UTEs is tuned to one or more of a plurality of different frequency bands. In one embodiment, each antenna of each UT module is the same. As shown, the incoming signals received from the antennas of each UTE are analog voltages, and each of the M active circuits receives, processes, and generates an output signal having an analog voltage, and each of the N UTMs generates an analog signal that is combined with the analog signals from other UTMs. The received radio wave signals are transmitted from the RF combiner 912 to the modem (receiver) 914, and the receiver 514 supplies these signals to a device 916 such as a TV or Internet receiver.

[0113] Rather than routing control signals from a control circuit to each of the active circuits, certain embodiments reduce the cost and area required to route by sending digital control signals along a daisy chain of active circuits. In particular, in certain embodiments, digital control signals, clocks, and power pass between modules using input and output buffers such as buffers 1010 and 1012 of FIG. 10. In such scenarios, the system cost can be further reduced by using only one controller circuit to control multiple active circuits within the daisy chain by utilizing the concept of the daisy chain.

[0114] In some such scenarios, the daisy chain passes digital control signals, power, and clock signals. Analog processing is performed by combiners such as combiners 910A - N and 912 of FIG. 9. In certain embodiments, signals from each of the UTMs return to the controller via the daisy chain, and the controller monitors the signals to gauge the health of the system.

[0115] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a user terminal module, a user terminal control module, and an amplitude adjustment buffer, according to an example embodiment. As shown, system 1000 is an example of UT control 908 and one of UTMs 906A - 906N of FIG. 9. Here, UTM 1006 includes sixteen UTEs 1002A - 1002P. UTM 1006 is configured to receive an incoming signal from buffer 1010, supply the signal to be processed through a daisy chain of UTEs, and supply an outgoing signal through buffer 1012. Buffers 1010 and 1012 are connected to controller board 1008, which provides services to other electronic devices such as applications of personal computer 1014, modem boards, network adapters, and the like. In certain embodiments, controller board 1008 monitors the health of the system by monitoring one or more signal characteristics of the signal received from buffer 1012.

[0116] Figures 11A to 11C show block diagrams showing user terminal modules interconnected in various configurations according to an embodiment. It should be noted that the antennas used in the disclosed antenna system can be selected according to various criteria including the target frequency band, the target polarization, and the target beam direction. For example, as described above, an antenna tuned to a specific frequency band such as the Ku-Ka frequency band can be selected. Further, the antenna can be selected according to the polarization of the received signal (horizontal polarization, vertical polarization, left circular polarization, or right circular polarization). Further, the antenna can be selected based on the tuned beam direction. According to these criteria, one embodiment selects modules having the same antenna. Other embodiments divide the UTEs on the UTM into two or more groups, and the antennas within each group have the same characteristics. The user terminal element (UTE) can be selected according to the frequency, polarization, and tuned beam direction.

[0117] Figure 11A shows a block diagram showing an example of a plurality of user terminal modules and a user terminal control module according to an embodiment. Here, the antenna system 1100 includes four UTMs 1102, 1104, 1106, and 1108, and each of these UTMs includes a daisy chain consisting of 16 UTEs on each module. UTM 1102 includes a daisy chain consisting of UTEs 1112A to 1112P. UTM 1104 includes a daisy chain consisting of UTEs 1114A to 1114P. UTM 1106 includes a daisy chain consisting of UTEs 1116A to 1116P. UTM 1108 includes a daisy chain consisting of UTEs 1118A to 1118P. Here, each of the four UTMs (1102, 1104, 1106, and 1108) has a separate connection to the controller board 1101-1, which provides services to the application of the personal computer 1101-2.

[0118] Figure 11B shows a block diagram illustrating an example of a plurality of user terminal modules and a user terminal control module according to an embodiment. Here, the antenna system 1120 includes 16 UTMs classified into four groups consisting of UTMs 1122-1 to 4, 1124-1 to 4, 1126-1 to 4, and 1128-1 to 4. Each of the four groups of UTMs includes a daisy chain consisting of 64 UTEs across the stack. For example, the first group includes daisy-chain-connected modules 1122-1, 1122-2, 1122-3, and 1122-4. UTM 1122-1 includes 16 UTEs 1132A to 1132P. Also, UTMs 1122-2, 1122-3, and 1122-4 each include 16 UTEs (not shown here). However, Figure 11C shows all four UTMs 1122-1, 1122-2, 1122-3, and 1122-4 and the 16 UTEs included on each UTM. The output of UTM 1122-1 is connected to the input of UTM 1122-2, and finally, the output of UTM 1122-4 is reconnected to the controller board 1121-1, and the controller board 1121-1 is connected to the computer 1121-2. Similarly, UTM 1124-1 is shown as including UTEs 1134A to 1134P, UTM 1126-1 is shown as including UTEs 1136A to 1136P, and UTM 1128-1 is shown as including UTEs 1138A to 1138P. Modules 1122-1 to 4, 1124-1 to 4, 1126-1 to 4, and 1128-1 to 4 are shown in a stacked configuration in Figure 11B, but it should be understood that in use, the modules can be arranged so that they can send and receive signals and do not overlap so as not to be blocked by other modules.

[0119] Similar to the system of FIG. 11A, the UTM stack has four connections to controller board 1121-1. In contrast to the system of FIG. 11A, the daisy chain consists of 64 UTEs. By daisy-chain connecting four stacks of UTMs, four times the number of UTEs can be controlled by controller board 1121-1, thus reducing the cost per UTE of the system. According to the disclosed embodiments, any number of UTMs can be daisy-chain connected in series. Scaling of system 1120 can be achieved by inserting additional UTMs into the daisy chain.

[0120] FIG. 11C is a block diagram showing a stack of UTMs 1122-1 to 1122-4 of FIG. 11B. As shown, controller board 1141-1 is connected to supply an input to the first UTM 1122-1 among the four stacked UTMs and receive an output from the fourth UTM 1122-4 among the four stacked UTMs. In such an embodiment, a daisy chain consisting of 64 active circuits can perform signal processing and route control along that daisy chain. Also shown is UTM 1122-2, which includes 16 UTEs and continues the daisy chain by receiving the output of UTM 1122-1. Also shown is UTM 1122-3, which includes 16 UTEs and continues the daisy chain by receiving the output of UTM 1122-2. Also shown is UTM 1122-4, which includes 16 UTEs and continues the daisy chain by receiving the output of UTM 1122-3. UTM 1122-4 completes the daisy chain consisting of 64 UTEs by returning its output to controller board 1141-1.

[0121] FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of an antenna printed circuit board mounted on a module printed circuit board connected to a controller board used in a beam scanning antenna according to an embodiment. As shown, cross-sectional view 1200 includes antenna PCB 1202, module PCB 1206, and control PCB 1208. Also, UT antenna elements are placed on antenna PCB 1202. Similarly, active circuit elements are placed on module PCB 1206 to be controlled by the control circuit on control PCB 1208 and are configured to perform operations as described herein, for example, as described with respect to FIG. 8.

[0122] FIG. 13 shows a plan view and a perspective view of an antenna board mounted on a module board used in a beam scanning antenna according to an embodiment. Assembly 1300 is shown in both a plan view where antenna board 1302 is visible and a perspective view where both antenna board 1302 and module board 1306 are visible.

[0123] FIG. 14 shows standard components and connectors used to assemble a beam scanning array system according to an embodiment. As shown, components 1400 include antenna elements 1405, SMP connectors 1410, printed circuit board 1415, and connectors 1420. Note that the parts used to build a demonstration product are considered to be available at minimal cost.

[0124] FIG. 15 shows an exemplary structure 1500 used to form an antenna (or user terminal) module according to an embodiment. More specifically, the example of FIG. 15 shows a structure in which seven antenna (or user terminal) elements 1510 are arranged. Exemplary structure 1500 can be structure 320 of FIG. 3, although other configurations are also conceivable. Although not shown in the example of FIG. 15, one or more of the exemplary structures can be fixed to a base board to form a high-performance scanning array antenna system.

[0125] FIG. 16 shows an exemplary structure 1600 used to form an antenna (or user terminal) module according to an embodiment. The exemplary structure 1600 is similar to the exemplary structure 1500 of FIG. 15, but is designed to firmly hold the antenna (or user terminal) element 1618 in place. Further, as shown in the example of FIG. 16, the exemplary structure 1600 is completely occupied by the antenna (or user terminal) element 1610.

[0126] FIG. 17 shows an example using a plurality of ground user terminals composed of a modular satellite user terminal antenna system for improving the target range and speed for real-time image capture according to an embodiment.

[0127] Today, image capture is mainly done through the LEO constellation of satellites. However, the target range of image capture typically depends on how many satellites are included, and the satellites need to wait from several minutes to several hours to cover different parts of the Earth. That is, the satellite 1710 needs to wait until it can establish communication with the ground terminal 1720 (e.g., a fixed-beam dish antenna solution or a gateway) before it can cross a specific path on the Earth and send the acquired image back to the Earth. As described above, typically, there are one to five ground terminals 1720 along a specific path, and thus, there is a significant waiting time for image processing.

[0128] As described herein, a few expensive fixed-beam dish antenna solutions can be replaced with many low-cost beamforming terminals to facilitate real-time or near-real-time image acquisition.

[0129] FIG. 18 shows an example of a synthetic aperture ground user terminal composed of a plurality of modular satellite user terminal antenna systems according to an embodiment.

[0130] To obtain high-quality images, the satellite needs to have a very large antenna size. The satellite typically achieves this by implementing synthetic aperture radar (SAR). For example, a small satellite acquires an image while in motion and then reintegrates the data as if it had a large aperture. And the satellite has very large files, and to receive these quickly on the ground, a very large ground terminal (several meters in size) is required. For example, large dish antennas that cost millions of dollars are often used for this purpose.

[0131] The example of FIG. 18 shows a synthetic aperture ground user terminal composed of many user terminals several meters or at any distance apart that receive and combine data collectively to effectively create a large ground terminal. By utilizing this configuration, gigabytes of data can be received in seconds, and even a live video stream of an image acquired by a satellite is possible.

[0132] The example of FIG. 19 shows a ground user terminal composed of a modular satellite user terminal antenna system 1902 having an additional feed horn 1904 used to expand the range of elevation angles covered compared to a single FPA. The feed horn enables the transmission and reception of signals at elevation angles where the FPA cannot.

[0133] Alternatively, in some embodiments, a single mobile terminal (e.g., on a vehicle) can move around to collectively create a large terminal.

[0134] Further embodiments

[0135] The following examples describe various examples of the configurations and embodiments of the disclosed invention described above.

[0136] Example 1 includes P UTPs each including N UTMs arranged in either a fixed or mechanically assisted dimensional shape, the N UTMs include M UTEs, the M UTEs include M antennas and M active circuits, each antenna generates an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from a satellite or transmits a transmitted signal toward the satellite, each active circuit processes the incoming signal and the transmitted signal and includes a control circuit for controlling the signal processing performed by the M active circuits, N and M can be adjusted to maintain the connection so that the effective antenna area visible from the satellite and the corresponding throughput of the connection thereto can be adjusted, and the satellite is located at any elevation angle between 0 and 90 degrees, providing an exemplary antenna system.

[0137] Example 2 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, the effective antenna area includes the sum of the projected areas of the UTPs visible from the satellite, and each projected area includes the linear projection of the antenna panel surface onto an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the satellite.

[0138] Example 3 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, each UTE antenna further generates an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from a second satellite or transmits a transmitted signal toward the second satellite, the second effective antenna area visible from the second satellite and the corresponding throughput of the second connection to the second satellite can be adjusted, N and M can be adjusted to maintain the second connection so that it can be scaled, the second satellite is located at any elevation angle between 0 and 90 degrees, and the antenna system maintains a multi-beam connection with both the satellite and the second satellite.

[0139] Example 4 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, wherein the P UTPs are arranged in a fixed dimension shape, and the fixed dimension shape is one of a tent, a main panel having a plurality of side UTPs, a triangular UTE pyramid, a triangular UTE pyramid having side UTPs, a geodesic tiled dome, and a structure having a plurality of splines.

[0140] Example 5 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, wherein the P UTPs include a main panel connected to a plurality of side UTPs including at least one foldable side UTP, and the antenna system further includes one or more actuators connected to the at least two foldable side UTPs, and the control circuit further causes the one or more actuators to adjust the angles of the at least two foldable side UTPs.

[0141] Example 6 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 5, and further includes a sensor for measuring the signal strength of each UTE, a connection to the satellite, and a user interface for supplying feedback reflecting the strength of the UTE connection, and further, the user interface configured to receive a display of the elevation angle of the satellite includes the content of an exemplary display used by the control circuit to adjust one or more side panel angles.

[0142] Example 7 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 5, and the control circuit is further configured to attempt to save power by turning off the power of one or more non-operating side UTPs.

[0143] Example 8 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 5, and the control circuit is further configured to adjust one or more side panel angles so as to maximize the effective antenna area visible from the moving satellite.

[0144] Example 9 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 5 and further includes one or more reflectors, and each reflector is positioned to reflect the connection with the satellite to one or more of the above UTMs.

[0145] Example 10 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 5, and the control circuit is further configured to control the multi-beam connection of the antenna system with a plurality of satellites by making each of the side UTPs dedicated to the first satellite, combining with one or more other side UTPs connected to the first satellite, or switching the connection between the first satellite and the second satellite.

[0146] Example 11 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, P is equal to 2, the first UTP and the second UTP are arranged in the shape of an A-frame tent, and the A-frame tent has an adjustable ridge height.

[0147] Example 12 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, and the antenna system is arranged as a flat-top pyramid having one main UTP and four side UTPs.

[0148] Example 13 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, and the antenna system is arranged as a tipi having a hexagonal base and six triangular side UTPs.

[0149] Example 14 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, the antenna system includes six upper triangular UTPs and six side UTPs, and the six side UTPs are arranged in a hexagonal shape.

[0150] Example 15 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, the antenna system is arranged in the shape of a geodesic dome, and the antenna system includes a plurality of UTPs.

[0151] Example 16. The above antenna system of Example 1, wherein the antenna system includes an octagonal main panel directly above a plurality of layers of concentric octagonal spline UTP, and the diameters of the layers gradually increase.

[0152] Example 17 includes the content of the above exemplary antenna system of Example 1, wherein the antenna system includes a flat main panel configured to be inclined about a pivot point, and the antenna system further includes a first actuator connected to a first side of the main panel and a second actuator connected to a second adjacent side of the main panel, and the first and second actuators are configured to adjust the title of the main panel.

[0153] Example 18 includes the content of the above exemplary antenna system of Example 1, wherein the antenna system is arranged as a flat-top pyramid having one main UTP and four foldable wing UTPs, and each of the four foldable wing UTPs is connected to an actuator configured to adjust the angle of the foldable wing UTP with respect to the main UTP.

[0154] Example 19 includes the content of the above exemplary antenna system of Example 1, wherein the antenna system includes an octagonal main panel connected to eight foldable wing UTPs, and each of the foldable wing UTPs is connected to an actuator configured to adjust one or more angles of the wing UTP.

[0155] Example 20 includes the content of the above exemplary antenna system of Example 1, wherein the antenna system includes a square main panel connected to four foldable reflectors, and each foldable reflector is connected to an actuator configured to adjust the angle of the reflector so as to reflect an incident satellite signal onto the main panel.

[0156] Example 21 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, and the antenna system includes four side UTPs arranged as a pyramid, but has an open top surface instead of a flat panel top surface.

[0157] Example 22 includes the content of the exemplary antenna system of Example 1, and the antenna system includes four side UTPs arranged as a tipi with an open top surface.

[0158] Example 23 is an exemplary method of connecting an antenna system to a satellite, the method comprising placing the antenna system at a location, the antenna system including P UTPs including N UTMs arranged in either a fixed or mechanically assisted dimensional shape, the N UTMs including M UTEs, the M UTEs including M antennas and M active circuits, each antenna generating an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from the satellite or transmitting a transmitted signal towards the satellite, each active circuit processing the incoming signal and the transmitted signal, and including a control circuit for controlling the signal processing performed by the M active circuits, the antenna system further including one or more sensors for measuring a total connection signal strength of the N UTMs to the satellite using the control circuit for controlling the signal processing performed by the M active circuits, determining whether the total connection signal strength satisfies a threshold for satellite connection, and if not, adjusting one or more of N, M, and the location until the total connection signal strength satisfies the threshold for satellite connection to adjust an effective antenna area visible from the satellite, the satellite being located at an elevation angle between zero and 90 degrees.

[0159] Example 24 includes the content of the exemplary method of Example 23, the effective antenna area including a sum of projected areas of each of the P panels visible from the satellite, each projected area being a linear projection of the UTP surface onto an arbitrary plane perpendicular to the line of sight to the satellite.

[0160] Example 25 includes the content of the exemplary method of Example 23, and each panel further generates an incoming signal in response to the incoming radio wave received from the second satellite, or transmits a transmission signal towards the second satellite, and can adjust N and M such as the second effective antenna area visible from the second satellite and the corresponding throughput of the second connection to the second satellite. The method further adjusts N and M to maintain the second connection. The second satellite is located at an elevation angle between 0 and 90 degrees, and the antenna system maintains a multi-beam connection with both the satellite and the second satellite.

[0161] Example 26 includes the content of the exemplary method of Example 23, and the P UTPs are arranged in a fixed-dimension shape, which is one of a tent, a main UTP having a plurality of side UTPs, a triangular UTP pyramid, a triangular UTP pyramid having side UTPs, a geodesic tiled dome, and a structure having a plurality of splines.

[0162] Example 27. In the above method of Example 23, the P UTPs include a main UTP connected to a plurality of side UTPs including at least two foldable side UTPs. The antenna system further includes one or more actuators connected to the at least two foldable side UTPs, and the control circuit further causes the one or more actuators to adjust the angles of the at least two foldable side UTPs.

[0163] Example 28 includes the content of the exemplary method of Example 27. The antenna system further includes a user interface. The method further provides feedback reflecting the total signal strength of the connection, provides a display of the azimuth and elevation angles of the satellite using the user interface, and operates one or more side UTPs by the control circuit using the display to adjust the angles of the one or more side UTPs.

[0164] Example 29 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 27, and further includes the above control circuit that attempts to save power by turning off the power of one or more non-operating side UTPs.

[0165] Example 30 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 27, and further includes the above control circuit that adjusts one or more side panel angles so as to maximize the above effective antenna area visible from the moving satellite.

[0166] Example 31 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 27, and the above antenna system further includes one or more reflectors, and each reflector is positioned to reflect the connection with the above satellite to one or more of the above UTMs.

[0167] Example 32 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 27, and further uses the above control circuit that controls the multi-beam connection of the above antenna system with a plurality of satellites. The above control circuit makes each of the above side UTPs dedicated to the first satellite, combines it with one or more other side UTPs connected to the above first satellite, or switches the connection between the above first satellite and the second satellite.

[0168] Example 33 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, P is equal to 2, the first UTP and the second UTP are arranged in the shape of an A-frame tent, and the above A-frame tent has an adjustable ridge height.

[0169] Example 34 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the above antenna system is arranged as a flat-top pyramid having one main UTP and four side UTPs.

[0170] Example 35 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the above antenna system is arranged as a hexagonal tipi having six triangular side UTPs.

[0171] Example 36 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the antenna system is arranged as a tipi having a hexagonal base and six triangular side UTPs.

[0172] Example 37 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the antenna system is arranged in the shape of a geodesic dome, and the antenna system includes a plurality of UTPs.

[0173] Example 38 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the antenna system includes an octagonal main panel directly above a plurality of layers of concentric octagonal spline UTPs, and the diameters of the layers gradually increase.

[0174] Example 39 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the antenna system includes a flat main panel configured to be inclined about a pivot point, and the antenna system further includes a first actuator connected to a first side of the main panel and a second actuator connected to a second adjacent side of the main panel, and the first and second actuators are configured to adjust the orientation of the main panel.

[0175] Example 40 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the antenna system is arranged as a flat-top pyramid having one main UTP and four foldable wing UTPs, and each of the four foldable wing UTPs is connected to an actuator configured to adjust the angle of the foldable wing UTP with respect to the main UTP.

[0176] Example 41 includes the content of the above-exemplified method of Example 23, and the antenna system includes an octagonal main panel connected to eight foldable wing UTPs, and the foldable wing UTPs are each connected to an actuator configured to adjust one or more angles of the wing UTPs.

[0177] Example 42 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 23, and the antenna system includes a rectangular main panel connected to four foldable reflectors, and each foldable reflector is connected to an actuator configured to adjust the angle of the reflector so as to reflect the incident satellite signal onto the main panel.

[0178] Example 43 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 23, and the antenna system includes four side UTPs arranged as a pyramid, but has an open upper surface instead of a flat panel upper surface.

[0179] Example 44 is an exemplary method performed by an antenna system, Power on N UTMs (User Terminal Modules) arranged on P UTPs (User Terminal Panels), one or more of the N UTMs are foldable, the N UTMs include M UTEs (User Terminal Elements), and each of the M UTEs has an antenna that generates an incoming signal in response to incident radio waves from a satellite or transmits a transmission signal to the satellite, and an active circuit that processes the incoming signal and the transmission signal. The M UTEs are further connected to one or more signal strength sensors that measure the strength of the connection to the satellite, access the azimuth and elevation angles of the satellite, use an actuator to fold one or more of the foldable UTMs perpendicular to the satellite, transmit a ping signal towards the satellite, receive a response to the ping signal from the satellite, use the one or more signal strength sensors to determine that the cumulative strength of the signal received from the satellite by the M UTEs satisfies a connection threshold, and maintain the connection with the satellite.

[0180] Example 45 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and further cuts off the power of one or more UTEs when the signal strength sensor determines that the strength of the signal received from the satellite is lower than a useful threshold.

[0181] Example 46 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, further receives the azimuth and elevation angles of the above satellite using a user interface, and further provides feedback that the signal received from the above satellite satisfies the above connection threshold using the above user interface.

[0182] Example 47 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and the azimuth and elevation angles are obtained from one or more of an Internet satellite list, a non-transitory machine-readable medium, and a memory.

[0183] Example 48. The above method of Example 44, wherein P is equal to 2, the first UTP and the second UTP are arranged in the shape of an A-frame tent, and the A-frame tent has an adjustable ridge height.

[0184] Example 49 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and the antenna system is arranged as a flat-top pyramid having one main UTP and four side UTPs.

[0185] Example 50 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and the antenna system is arranged as a tipi having a hexagonal base and six triangular side UTPs.

[0186] Example 51 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and the antenna system is arranged as a tipi having a hexagonal base and six triangular side UTPs.

[0187] Example 52 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and the antenna system is arranged in the shape of a geodesic dome, and the antenna system includes a plurality of UTPs.

[0188] Example 53 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44, and the antenna system includes an octagonal main panel directly above a plurality of layers of concentric octagonal spline UTPs, and the diameters of the layers gradually increase.

[0189] Example 54 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44. The antenna system includes a flat main panel configured to be inclined about a pivot point. The antenna system further includes a first actuator connected to a first side of the main panel and a second actuator connected to a second adjacent side of the main panel. The first and second actuators are configured to adjust the title of the main panel.

[0190] Example 55. The above method of Example 44, wherein the antenna system is arranged as a flat-top pyramid having one main UTP and four foldable wing UTPs, and each of the four foldable wing UTPs is connected to an actuator configured to adjust the angle of the foldable wing UTP with respect to the main UTP.

[0191] Example 56 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44. The antenna system includes an octagonal main panel connected to eight foldable wing UTPs, and each of the foldable wing UTPs is connected to an actuator configured to adjust one or more angles of the wing UTP.

[0192] Example 57 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44. The antenna system includes a square main panel connected to four foldable reflectors, and each foldable reflector is connected to an actuator configured to adjust the angle of the reflector so as to reflect an incident satellite signal onto the main panel.

[0193] Example 58 includes the content of the above exemplary method of Example 44. The antenna system includes four side UTPs arranged as a pyramid, but has an open top instead of a flat panel top surface.

[0194] Example 59 includes an antenna system including one panel and one or more horn antennas.

[0195] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, microcode, etc.), or an embodiment combining software and hardware. All of these are generally referred to herein as a "circuit", "module", or "system". Further, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer-readable media having computer-readable code embodied thereon.

[0196] The descriptions and figures included herein show specific embodiments in order to teach those skilled in the art the best mode of making and using the invention. Some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted in order to explain the principles of the invention. Those skilled in the art will be able to conceive of variations within the scope of the present disclosure from these embodiments. Also, those skilled in the art will understand that the above-described features may be combined in various ways to form multiple embodiments. As a result, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. Comprising two or more user terminal panels (UTPs) connected to each other, each of the UTPs includes one or more user terminal modules (UTMs) each including one or more user terminal elements (UTEs), and the UTEs each include one or more antennas configured to generate an incoming signal in response to incident radio waves received from a first satellite or to transmit a transmission signal toward the satellite, and one or more active circuits each configured to process the incoming signal and the transmission signal, and a controller circuit configured to control signal processing performed by the one or more active circuits and the two or more UTPs each have a surface area formed by respective portions of the UTEs, and the respective surface areas of the UTPs face in different directions from each other, an antenna system.

2. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the UTPs is movable and is movable to change the orientation of the surface area of the movable UTP relative to the orientation of the surface areas of the other UTPs.

3. The antenna system according to claim 2, further comprising a controller circuit connected to the two or more UTPs, wherein the controller is configured to electro-mechanically adjust the orientation of the surface area of at least one of the UTPs.

4. The antenna system according to claim 2, wherein at least one UTP continues to be located at a fixed position when the orientation of the surface area of the other UTPs is changed to other orientations.

5. The antenna system according to claim 2, wherein at least two UTPs are movable to a common orientation of the surface areas with respect to the at least two UTPs.

6. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the controller circuit is connected to the two or more UTPs, and the controller circuit is configured to electronically steer a beam generated toward the first satellite.

7. The antenna system according to claim 1, wherein the controller circuit is connected to the two or more UTPs, and the controller circuit is configured to electronically steer a beam received from the first satellite.

8. The controller circuit is connected to the two or more UTPs, and the controller circuit Generate an incoming signal in response to radio waves received in the surface area of at least one UTP using beam scanning, or Transmit a transmission signal towards the first satellite using the surface area of at least one UTP using beam scanning configured to instruct the UTP to The antenna system of claim 1.

9. The controller circuit is connected to two or more UTPs, and the controller circuit, simultaneously, Generates an incoming signal in response to radio waves received in the surface area of at least one UTP using beam scanning, Transmit a transmission signal towards the first satellite using the surface area of at least one UTP using beam scanning configured to instruct the UTP to The antenna system of claim 1.

10. One or more of the UTPs are arranged in a fixed non-movable dimensional shape, the antenna system of claim 1.

11. One or more sensors connected to the antenna system, one or more sensors configured to identify the received signal strength for signals generated from the first satellite, and A user interface, Provide a display of the received signal strength, Receive an input for the position display of the first satellite A user interface configured to Further comprising, The received input instructs the control circuit to adjust the orientation of the surface area of one or more UTPs, The antenna system of claim 1.

12. The control circuit, Determine an inoperative UTP, Further configured to set the determined inoperative UTP to a low power state The antenna system of claim 1.

13. The control circuit, Determine an inoperative UTP with respect to the signal of the first satellite, While maintaining the connection with the first satellite, adjust the orientation of the surface area of the determined inoperative UTP to establish a connection with the second satellite using the inoperative UTP Further configured to be, the antenna system of claim 1.

14. The control circuit, Control the multi-beam connection of the first satellite and the second satellite to the antenna system, Make each of the UTPs dedicated to the first satellite, or combine with one or more other UTPs connected to the first satellite, or switch the connection between the first satellite and the second satellite The antenna system of claim 13, further configured as such.

15. The antenna system of claim 1, further comprising one or more reflectors respectively positioned to reflect the connection to the satellite in one or more of the UTPs.

16. A method of connecting an antenna system to a satellite, comprising: placing an antenna system including two or more user terminal panels (UTPs) at a location, each UTP including: one or more user terminal modules (UTMs), each of the one or more UTMs including: one or more user terminal elements (UTEs), each of the UTEs including: one or more antennas and one or more active circuits, each antenna configured to generate an incoming signal in response to an incident radio wave received from a first satellite or to transmit a transmission signal toward the first satellite; each active circuit configured to process the incoming signal and the transmission signal, the antenna system further comprising one or more sensors configured to measure a connection signal strength of the one or more UTMs to the first satellite; the two or more UTPs each having a surface area formed by respective portions of the UTEs, the respective surface areas of the UTPs facing in different directions from each other; controlling signal processing performed by the active circuits using a control circuit; determining the connection signal strength of the connection to the first satellite via the one or more sensors; A method.

17. Furthermore, determining based on a total connection signal strength of the antenna system, and setting one or more UTPs to a low power state if the total connection signal strength does not meet the threshold for satellite connection. The method of claim 16.

18. Furthermore, moving at least one of the UTPs to change the orientation of the surface area of the movable UTP relative to the orientation of the surface areas of the other UTPs. The method of claim 16.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface area of the moved UTP is oriented such that the total signal strength of the antenna system exceeds the threshold for satellite connection.

20. The orientation of the surface of a first UTP group is oriented to maintain the signal strength above the threshold for satellite connection to the first satellite. orienting the surface of the second UTP group so as to maintain a second signal strength that exceeds a threshold for satellite connection for a second satellite at an elevation angle different from that of the first satellite The method of claim 16 **Claim 21** Furthermore in one operating mode, receiving, by the antenna system, one or more received signals from one or more satellites in another operating mode, transmitting, by the antenna system, one or more signals to one or more satellites The method of claim 16 **Claim 22** the antenna system further comprises one or more movable reflectors, each movable reflector being positioned to focus an incoming satellite signal from the first satellite onto one or more UTPs or to focus a transmitted signal from one or more UTPs towards the first satellite, the method of claim 16 **Claim 23** the antenna system further comprises a user interface Furthermore receiving, via the user interface, an input for display of an azimuth angle and an elevation angle of the satellite adjusting, by the control circuit, an orientation of the surface area of at least one of the UTPs based on the received display The method of claim 16 **Claim 24** Furthermore switching at least one connection of the UTPs from the first satellite to a second satellite while maintaining at least one connection of the UTPs to the first satellite The method of claim 16 **Claim 25** Furthermore adjusting the orientation of the surface area of the first group of UTPs to increase the total connection signal strength for the first satellite adjusting the orientation of the surface area of the second group of UTPs to increase the total connection signal strength for the second satellite The method of claim 16 **Claim 26** Furthermore operating the first group of UTPs to maintain the total connection signal strength so as to exceed the threshold for satellite connection to the first satellite operating the second group of UTPs to maintain the total connection signal strength so as to exceed the threshold for satellite connection to the second satellite The method of claim 16

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