Beam correction using a projected aperture area

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for beam correction using a projected aperture area are described. In some examples, a controller coupled with an electronically steered antenna of an antenna system may measure a power parameter of a signal received from a target by the electronically steered antenna. The controller may determine an offset based on applying a linear regression with a projected elevation adjustment parameter to the measured power parameter, where the offset includes a different between a pointing direction and a target direction determined using the linear regression, and where the projected elevation adjustment parameter is adjusted using a projected aperture area of the antenna system relative to the target. In some examples, the controller may steer a direction of a beam of the antenna system based on the determined offset.

Description

BEAM CORRECTION USING A PROJECTED APERTURE AREAFIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] The following relates generally to communications, including beam correction using a projected aperture area.BACKGROUND

[0002] In some examples, a mechanically steered antenna may be directed toward a target in a way that accounts for characteristics (e.g., location, direction, roll, pitch, yaw) of a platform on which the antenna is installed relative to the target. The mechanically steered antenna may track the target as the platform or the target moves using, at least in part, characteristics of a signal received via the antenna. This tracking may be realized by equipment that mechanically steers the antenna to track the target. However, the equipment used to steer the antenna may fail to operate correctly and / or may steer the antenna at a rate that is too slow to track the object in at least some cases. Electronically steered antennas may be used to avoid limitations of mechanically steered antennas but may create challenges in target tracking.SUMMARY

[0003] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support beam correction using a projected aperture area. For example, the described techniques may provide for an electronically steered antenna to compensate for a projected aperture area when correcting a beam for tracking a target. The described techniques may employ a linear regression with a projected elevation adjustment parameter to determine an offset for the beam.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 shows an example of a beam correcting system that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with examples described herein.

[0005] FIGs. 2A, 2B, and 2C show examples of projected area adjustment scenarios that support beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with examples described herein.

[0006] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a beam pointing system that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0007] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a pointing and tracking flow diagram that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0008] FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of signal tracking flow diagrams that support beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0009] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a beam manager that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0010] FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a system including a device that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart showing methods that support beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] In some examples, an electronically steered antenna (e.g., a phased-array antenna) may perform beamforming for a signal received from a target (e.g., an object, such as a satellite), or for a signal transmitted to the target. If the signal is received off from a center of the beam, the electronically steered antenna may correct the beam, for example, using offsets, such that the center of the beam is pointing closer to where the signal originated (e.g., the target). Determining the offsets may involve determining a power parameter (e.g., a received signal strength indicator (RSSI)) associated with the signal and performing a linear regression (e.g., a least squares regression) to determine values of coefficients of a two-dimensional parabolic equation (e.g., due to the beam being approximately parabolic with reference to the line of sight). In such examples, the values of these coefficients may be further used to derive the offsets. In some examples, a first of the offsets may be in terms of elevation, which may be pointing along a first direction perpendicular to a line of sight associated with the beam, and a second of the offsets may be in terms of cross-elevation, which may be pointing along asecond direction perpendicular to both the line of sight and the elevation. From the crosselevation offset estimation, the electronically steered antenna may determine a third offset in terms of azimuth that is used to steer the beam. In some examples, the linear regression may also use a beamwidth in elevation and a beamwidth in cross-elevation to determine the coefficients used to derive the offsets.

[0013] In some examples, a projected area of the electronically steered antenna may vary as a function of elevation (e.g., the projected area may decrease as elevation decreases). Correspondingly, the beamwidth in elevation may also vary (e.g., the beamwidth may increase as elevation decreases). Due to the beamwidth in elevation varying as a function of elevation, the two-dimensional parabolic equation may produce less accurate values for the coefficients if the beamwidth in elevation is assumed to be constant. In order to account for the change in beamwidth over elevation, the linear regression may be used to estimate the cross-elevation offset and a sine-elevation offset, the latter of which may be defined as a change in elevation multiplied by a sine of the elevation of the beam. Once the sine-elevation offset is determined, the elevation offset may be determined as the sine-elevation offset divided by the sine of the elevation of the beam. Then beam correction may be performed as described herein. Determining the sine-elevation offset in this manner may provide an elevation offset and / or azimuth offset that more closely corrects the beam to point towards where the signal was received.

[0014] Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a beam correcting system. Additional aspects of the disclosure are described in the context of projected area adjustment scenarios, a beam pointing system, a pointing and tracking flow diagram, and signal tracking flow diagrams. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, block diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to beam correction using a projected aperture area.

[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of a beam correcting system 100 that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with examples described herein.

[0016] In some examples, an electronically steered antenna 110 (e.g., a phased-array antenna) may be mounted on a vehicle 105. The vehicle may be, for example, a land-based vehicle (e.g., car, truck, bus, train), an aircraft (e.g., plane, helicopter), a ship, or the like. In some examples, the electronically steered antenna 110 may be part of an antenna system 140. The electronically steered antenna 110 may initially perform beamforming on a receivedsignal 120 from a target 115 (e.g., an object, such as a satellite) using a beam 125. In some examples, the beam 125 may be directed along a line of sight (e.g., pointing direction 145). In some such examples, the direction of the line of sight may be given by an azimuth angle in an x-y plane and elevation angle in a direction extending along an arc from the z axis to the x-y plane. In some examples, an elevation axis may be perpendicular to the line of sight and a cross-elevation axis may be perpendicular to the line of sight and the elevation axis. Additional details may be described herein, for instance, with reference to FIG. 3. In some examples, the antenna system 140 may be ground-based or may be in low-earth orbit. In some such cases, the antenna system 140 may not be mounted to a vehicle 105.

[0017] If the signal 120 is received off from the center of the beam 125, the electronically steered antenna 110 may correct the beam 125 using offsets such that the center of the beam 125 more closely points towards from where the signal 120 was received (e.g., the target 115). For instance, the electronically steered antenna 110 may correct the beam 125 to produce beam 130. In some examples, the electronically steered antenna 110 may correct the beam 125 due to the target 115 moving when the vehicle 105 (e.g., or a platform of vehicle 105) is still. In other examples, the electronically steered antenna 110 may correct the beam 125 due to the vehicle 105 (e.g., or a platform of vehicle 105) moving when the target 115 is still. In yet other examples, the electronically steered antenna 110 may correct the beam 125 due to both the vehicle 105 (e.g., or a platform of vehicle 105) and the target 115 moving relative to each other or relative to a surface (e.g., a surface of the Earth).

[0018] In some examples, to correct the beam 125, the controller 135 may measure a power parameter 160 of signal 120 (e.g., RSSI). The controller 135 may then determine offsets used to correct the beam 125 by performing a linear regression 170 to determine values of coefficients of a two-dimensional parabolic equation (e.g., due to the beam being approximately parabolic with reference to the line of sight). For instance, in some examples,RSSI of the signal 120 (e.g., the power parameter 160), RSSIctris an estimated RSSI of the signal 120 at a center of beam 125, ELact— ELtruis a difference between an expected elevation angle and an actual elevation angle for the beam 125, Bis a width of the beam 125 in elevation, XELact- XELtruis a difference between an expected cross-elevation angle and an actual cross-elevation angle for the beam 125, and BWXELis a width of the beam 125 in cross-elevation. In some examples, cross-elevation may be determined as XEL = AZ *cos (!"^ / 0), where '( is azimuth and !"^ / 0is the commanded elevation for the beam (e.g., an angular difference between azimuth and cross-elevation axes). In some examples, 2 = 34+ 356 + 3^6^+ 378 + 398^, where 2 = ^^^^, 6 = &!":^#;, and 8 = !":^#;. Using the equation for 2 and for ^^^^, a corresponding linear regression may be given as:, n alternative form. For instance, the linear regression may be given as: ^^ ∑ 21 3 éù ú^úú úú^ û[p , y used when the antenna beamwidths are constrained (e.g., constrained within a range, constrained to a constant value, constrained to a function).

[0021] After performing the linear regression, an estimated offset for cross-elevation may be given as &!"^:^=−35D 23^, and an estimated offset for elevation may be given as !"^:^=−37D 239ffset for azimuth may be given as '(^:^=^^^^E^FGH (^^^IJ). Using !"^:^and '(^:^, the electronically steered antenna 110 may steer the elevation and azimuth of the beam 125, respectively, to generate beam 130 (e.g., beam 130 may differ from beam 125 in elevation by !"^:^and may differ from beam 125 in azimuth by '(^:^).

[0022] In some examples, a projected area of the electronically steered antenna 110 may vary as a function of elevation (e.g., the projected area may decrease as elevation decreases). Correspondingly, the beamwidth in elevation (e.g., ^%^^) may also vary (e.g., the beamwidth may increase as elevation decreases). For instance, the beamwidth in elevation (e.g., ^%^^) may have a function equal to ^%^^,L4° / sin (!"^ / 0), where ^%^^,L4°may be a width of abeam in elevation when the elevation of the beam is 90 degrees and / or a scan angle of the beam is 0 degrees (e.g., pointing along the z-axis from electronically steered antenna 110). As the beamwidth in elevation varies as a function of elevation, the two-dimensional parabolic equation may produce less accurate values for the coefficients if the beam width in elevation is assumed to be constant (e.g., due to a width of the assumed parabolic beam varying with elevation). The RSSI equation accounting for the change in projected elevation with area may be given6account for the change in beamwidth over elevation, the linear regression 170 may be adapted to use a projected elevation adjustment parameter 165. For instance, sine-elevation may be defined in as SEL = EL * sin (FLC)nd). Accordingly, the RSSI equation may be given as > the sine-elevation for ELactand SELtruis the sine-elevation for ELtru.

[0023] In some examples, for linear regression 170, z = RSS1, x = XELscan, and y = SELscan(e.g., a projected elevation adjustment parameter). Accordingly, the corresponding linear regression 170 may be given as:

[0024] In some examples, the linear regression 170 may use the alternative form. For instance, the linear regression 170 may be given as

[0025] In such examples, an estimated offset for cross-elevation may be given asXELEst=ai / 2a2an<^anestimated offset for sine-elevation may be given as SELEst= a3 / / Z?U4. Additionally, an estimated offset for azimuth may be given as AZEst= cosXE(ELLEcsmtd)and an estimated offset for elevation may be given as ELEst=sin^sty The electronically steered antenna 110 may adjust a direction of the beam 125 to generate the beam 130 according to the determined offset 155 (e.g., beam 130 may differ from beam 125 in elevation by ELEstand / or may differ from beam 125 in azimuth by AZEst, which may both be accounted for in the offset 155). In some examples, the offsets ELEstand AZEstmay provide a difference between a pointing direction 145 (e.g., the direction of beam 125) and a target direction 150 (e.g., the direction of beam 130, directed towards target 115).

[0026] In some examples, the controller 135 may be configured to identify or obtain a location of the vehicle 105 relative to the target 115, an orientation of the vehicle 105 relative to the target 115, or both. In such examples, an azimuth of electronically steered antenna 110 (e.g., the azimuth of beam 130) and / or an elevation of electronically steered antenna 110 (e.g., the elevation of beam 130) may be determined based on the location of vehicle 105 relative to the target 115, the orientation of the vehicle 105 relative to the target 115 or both. In some examples, the antenna azimuth may be based on a scan azimuth (e.g., XELscanmay be used to determine a scanned azimuth) and the antenna elevation may be based on a scan elevation (e.g., SELscanmay be used to determine a scanned elevation). In some examples, the scan azimuth and scan elevation may be part of a signal tracking procedure (e.g., conical scan) where performing scanning over multiple positions may enable the controller 135 to determine a shape of a beam and / or a center of the beam (e.g., a position of beam 125 relative to signal 120-a) to track the direction of the target 115-d.

[0027] In some examples, the techniques described herein may be associated with one or more advantages. For instance, performing the linear regression using the sine-elevation offset may enable a controller 135 coupled with the electronically steered antenna 110 to account for changes in beam width when performing beam correction, thus enabling the corrected beam 130 to more accurately point towards the target 115 (e.g., as compared to performing linear regression using elevation instead of sine-elevation). This may enable the electronically steered antenna 110 to maintain signal transmission and receiving characteristics and / or efficiencies with respect to the signal 120 as compared to mechanically steered antennas while having reduced surface area exposed to the signal 120. Additionally, using techniques with closed form linear regression as described herein to derive the offset may be more efficient (e.g., in time or memory) as compared to solving for the offset with non-linear equations.

[0028] FIGs. 2A, 2B, and 2C illustrate examples of projected area adjustment scenarios 200-a, 200-b, and 200-c. In some examples, projected area adjustment scenarios 200-a, 200-b, and 200-c may be implemented by one or more aspects of beam correcting system 100. For instance, vehicles 105-a, 105-b, and 105-c may each be an example of a vehicle 105 as described with reference to FIG. 1; electronically steered antennas 110-a, 110-b, and 110-c may each be an example of an electronically steered antenna as described with reference to FIG. 1; and targets 115-a, 115-b, and 115-c may each be an example of a target 115 as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0029] In projected area adjustment scenario 200-a, a beam pointing towards target 115-a from electronically steered antenna 110-a may have an elevation of 90 degrees, and may thus have a projected aperture area 205-a. In projected area adjustment scenario 200-b, a beam pointing towards target 115-b from electronically steered antenna 110-b may have an elevation below 90 degrees, and may thus have a projected aperture area 205-b. In projected area adjustment scenario 200-c, a beam pointing towards target 115-c from electronically steered antenna 110-b may have an elevation lower than that of the beam pointing towards target 115-b and may thus have a projected aperture area 205-c. In some examples, the area of projected aperture area 205-a may be greater than that of projected aperture area 205-b and the area of projected aperture area 205-b may be greater than that of projected aperture area 205-c.

[0030] In some examples, the beam width in elevation associated with the beams pointing towards target 115-a, 115-b, and 115-c may be different from each other. For instance, the beam pointing towards target 115-a from electronically steered antenna 110-a may have a beam width given by Additionally, the beam pointing towards target115-b from electronically steered antenna 110-b may have a beam width given byBWEL 90=, where Xtis the elevation of the beam pointing towards target 115-b. Additionally, the beam pointing towards target 115-c from electronically steered antenna 110-c may have a beam width given byBWel’w>BWel'30where X?is the elevation of the beam pointingtowards target 115-c.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a beam pointing system 300 that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, beam pointing system 300 may be implemented by one ormore aspects of beam correcting system 100. For instance, electronically steered antenna 110-d may be an example of an electronically steered antenna 110 as described with reference to FIG. 1; target 115-d may be an example of a target 115 as described with reference to FIG. 1; and beam 125-a may be an example of a beam 125 as described with reference to FIG. 1.

[0032] In some examples, electronically steered antenna 110-d may receive a signal 120-a from target 115 -d using a beam 125-a. In some examples, the beam 125-a may be pointed along a line of sight 305, where the line of sight may be perpendicular to an elevation rotation axis 325 and a cross-elevation rotation axis 335. Additionally, the elevation rotation axis 325 and the cross-elevation rotation axis 335 may be perpendicular to each other. In some examples, the elevation rotation axis 325 may represent an axis along which elevation may be rotated. Cross-elevation rotation axis 335 may represent an axis along which an offset in cross-elevation may be rotated. In some examples, the line of sight 305 may have an associated azimuth angle 310 (e.g., an angle of the line of sight 305 in azimuth) and an associated elevation angle 315 (e.g., an angle of the line of sight 305 in elevation).Additionally, or alternatively, the line of sight 305 may have a scan angle 320 relative to the z-axis (the scan angle 320 may be equal to 90 degrees minus the elevation angle 315 in degrees). In some examples, the line of sight 305 may not be perpendicular to an azimuth rotation axis 330 along which azimuth may be rotated. In some examples, the elevation rotation axis 325 and the cross-elevation rotation axis 335 may act as a coordinate frame of the line of sight 305.

[0033] In some examples, the electronically steered antenna 110-d may steer the beam 125-a using an elevation offset 340 and a cross-elevation offset 345 based on a received signal 120-a from target 115-d. However, a projected area of the electronically steered antenna 110-d may vary as a function of elevation angle 315 (e.g., the projected area may decrease as the elevation angle 315 decreases). Correspondingly, the beamwidth of beam 125-a may also vary as a function of elevation angle 315 (e.g., the beamwidth may increase as elevation angle 315 decreases). As the beamwidth in elevation varies as a function of elevation angle 315, a linear regression for a two-dimensional parabolic equation used to determine an offset for adjusting the beam 125-a may produce offsets that inaccurately steer the beam 125-a if the beamwidth is assumed to be constant with regards to elevation angle 315. In order to account for the change in beamwidth as elevation angle 315 changes, the linear regression as described herein may be used to estimate the cross-elevation offset 345and an offset for sine-elevation, the latter of which may be defined as an elevation offset 340 multiplied by a sine of the elevation angle 315 of beam 125-a. Once the sine-elevation offset is determined, the elevation offset 340 may be determined as the sine-elevation offset divided by the sine of the elevation angle 315 of the beam 125-a. An offset for azimuth (e.g., azimuth offset 350) may be determined as the cross-elevation offset 345 divided by the cosine of the elevation angle 315 of the beam 125-a.

[0034] In some examples, the elevation offset 340 may be defined in terms of an angle of rotation around the elevation rotation axis 325. For instance, if the elevation offset 340 is determined to be a radians, then the elevation offset 340 may be represented by a rotation of a radians around the elevation rotation axis 325. In some examples, the cross -elevation offset 345 may be defined in terms of an angle of rotation around the cross-elevation rotation axis 335. For instance, if the cross-elevation offset 345 is determined to be b radians, then the cross-elevation offset 345 may be represented by a rotation of b radians around the crosselevation rotation axis 335. In some examples, the azimuth offset 350 may be defined in terms of an angle of rotation around the azimuth rotation axis 330. For instance, if the azimuth offset 350 is determined to be c radians, then the azimuth offset 350 may be represented by a rotation of c radians around the azimuth rotation axis 330.

[0035] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a pointing and tracking flow diagram 400 that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, pointing and tracking flow diagram 400 may be implemented by one or more aspects of FIG. 1. For instance, pointing and tracking flow diagram 400 may be implemented by a controller 135 coupled with electronically steered antenna 110 or a set of controllers coupled with electronically steered antenna 110 and / or mounted on a vehicle 105 or a platform including electronically steered antenna 110.

[0036] Pointing and tracking flow diagram 400 may represent a procedure performed by the controller 135 in order to determine and adjust a position of a beam (e.g., from beam 125 to beam 130) for tracking a target 115. At 402 through 410, the controller 135 may determine an initial location of the target 115 relative to the electronically steered antenna 110 (e.g., may determine an azimuth and elevation that points in the direction of the target 115). For instance, at 402, the controller 135 may determine an Earth centered Earth fixed frame and may determine a location of the target 115 and / or electrically steered antenna 110 relative to the Earth. In some examples, a fixed plane may refer to a fixed coordinate system withrespect to the Earth, which may alternatively be referred to as a geographical coordinate system.

[0037] At 404, the controller 135 may use a propagator to produce a local target position for a local tangent plane (e.g., a North-East-Down coordinate frame) and may pass the result to 406. The logical tangent plane may be an example of a fixed reference plane that is based on the local vertical direction and the Earth’s axis of rotation. At 406, the controller 135 may perform an Earth to aircraft coordinate rotation using the results of 404 to determine a position of the vehicle 105 relative to target 115 (e.g., to determine a pointing angle towards the target 115). The result of 406 may be passed to 410, at which the controller 135 may perform a coordinate rotation using the results of 406 to determine a position of the target 115 relative to electronically steered antenna 110. The position may be provided as an azimuth and elevation to 412.

[0038] At 414, a signal (e.g., a signal 120) may be received from the target 115. The signal may be provided to 416, at which regression estimation may be performed (e.g., using the linear equations described herein) and estimated offsets (e.g., estimated elevation and azimuth offsets) may be provided to 418. Additionally, at 420, scan offsets (e.g., a scan elevation and a scan azimuth) may be determined and provided to 418. In some examples, the scan offsets may be defined as an offset from the position provided by 410 that has a peak characteristic (e.g., a maximum signal strength or SNR). At 418, the scan offsets and the estimated offsets may be combined to generate a conical scan offset, which may be provided to 412. At 412, the conical scan offset may be combined with the position information provided from 410 (e.g., the azimuth of the conical scan offset may be combined with an azimuth provided by 410 and the elevation of the conical scan offset may be combined with an elevation provided by 410) in order to generate a target pedestal position. The target pedestal position may represent a position of the target 115 relative to a pedestal or platform on which the electronically steered antenna 110 is located. At 414, the target pedestal position may be used to update a beam position (e.g., to adjust from beam 125 to beam 130) for receiving additional signaling.

[0039] In some examples, at 416, the controller 135 may use a sine elevation to perform the linear regression and determine offsets for adjusting a beam. For instance, an elevation of the electronically steered antenna 110 may be converted to sine-elevation as described herein and the controller may solve a linear regression using the sine-elevation. The resulting determination of sine-elevation may be converted back to an elevation value and thecorresponding elevation value may be used to determine an offset to be applied for determining the conical scan offset.

[0040] FIGs. 5A and 5B illustrate examples of signal tracking flow diagrams 500-a that support beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, signal tracking flow diagrams 500-a and 500-b may be implemented by one or more aspects of FIGs. 1 and / or 4. For instance, signal tracking flow diagrams 500-a and / or 500-b may be implemented by a controller 135 coupled with electronically steered antenna 110 or a set of controllers coupled with electronically steered antenna 110 and / or mounted on a vehicle 105 or a platform including electronically steered antenna 110. Additionally or alternatively, signal tracking flow diagrams 500-a and 500-b may represent functionality of one or more of 412, 414, 416, 418, and 420 as described with reference to FIG. 4. For instance, 414 may represent one or more functionalities of 510-a and / or 510-b; 416 may represent one or more functionalities of 516-a, 518-a, 520-a, 522-a, 524-a, 516-b, 518-b, 520-b, 522 -b, 524-b, or any combination thereof; 420 may represent one or more functionalities of 504-a, 506-a, 504-b, 506-b, or any combination thereof; and 412 and 418 may represent one or more functionalities of 508-a and / or 508-b.

[0041] Signal tracking flow diagram 500-a may represent a scheme for determining an azimuth that the electronically steered antenna 110 is to use when steering a beam (e.g., from beam 125 to beam 130). At 502-a, a controller 135 coupled with an electronically steered antenna 110 may determine a baseline azimuth value for electronically steered antenna 110 (e.g., an azimuth navigational command, AZcmd). The baseline azimuth value may be based on a position of the vehicle 105 coupled with electronically steered antenna 110. Additionally, the controller may update the baseline azimuth value based on navigation changes associated with the vehicle 105 (e.g., a change in altitude). The controller 135 may provide the baseline azimuth value to 508-a and 512-a.

[0042] Additionally, the controller 135, at 506-a, may generate a profile. For instance, the controller 135 may determine a shape of a scanning wave that defines how a scan is performed. From generating the profile, the controller 135 may determine a cross-elevation scan and may provide the cross-elevation scan to 504-a. In some examples, the controller 135 may provide an updated cross-elevation scan to 504-a for each of one or more scan cycles. At 504-a, the controller 135 may divide the cross-elevation scan by a cosine of azimuth (e.g., AZcmd) to generate an azimuth scan 503-a and may provide the azimuth scan 503-a to 508-a.

[0043] At 522-a, the azimuth scan 503-a may be multiplied by a cosine of azimuth (e.g., AZcwl) to generate a cross-elevation scan. The cross-elevation scan may be provided to 520-a. Additionally, the cosine of the azimuth may be stored for averaging (at 524-a and 518- a). At 520-a, the controller 135 may perform linear regression as described herein and may provide a cross-elevation offset estimate to 516-a. For instance, the cross-elevation scan may be input as a first parameter to the linear regression (e.g., x as described with reference to FIG. 1); a sine-elevation scan (e.g., determined in signal tracking flow diagram 500-b) may be input as a second parameter to the linear regression (e.g., y as described with reference to FIG. 1); and an RSSI of signal 120 may be input as a third parameter to the linear regression (e.g., z as described with reference to FIG. 1), where the linear regression may output coefficients used to determine a cross-elevation offset estimate and a sine-elevation offset estimate. Additionally, at 524-a, the stored cosines of azimuth may be summed and divided by a total number of the stored cosines of azimuth in order to determine cos (AZ) (e.g.,— - — = cos (AZ)). The resulting cos (AZ) may be provided to 516-a. At 516-a, the elevation offset estimate determined at 520-a may be divided by cos (AZ) in order to generate an azimuth offset estimate. The azimuth offset estimate may be provided to 508-a and 512-a.

[0044] At 508-a, the baseline azimuth (e.g., AZcmd) provided from 502-a may be summed with the azimuth scan 503-a provided by 504-a and the azimuth offset estimate provided by 516-a in order to generate an updated azimuth for electronically steered antenna 110. Summing the baseline azimuth with the azimuth scan 503-a and the azimuth offset estimate may enable further refinement of a beam direction (e.g., the azimuth provided by summing the baseline azimuth with the azimuth scan 503-a and the azimuth offset estimate may be more accurate than the baseline azimuth alone). This updated azimuth may be provided to 510-a, where the electronically steered antenna 110 may use the updated azimuth for positioning a generated beam (e.g., beam 130). The updated azimuth may then be provided to 512-a, where it is subtracted by the baseline azimuth (e.g., AZcmd) and the azimuth offset estimate in order to generate the azimuth scan 503-a that is utilized at 522-a. The azimuth scan 503-a may then be provided from 512-a to 522-a. In a first time the steps of signal tracking flow diagram 500-a are performed (e.g., if an azimuth scan 503-a has not been generated), the updated azimuth may include just the baseline azimuth provided by 502-a.

[0045] Signal tracking flow diagram 500-b may represent a scheme for determining an elevation that the electronically steered antenna 110 is to use when steering a beam. At 502-b, a controller 135 coupled with an electronically steered antenna 110 may determine a baseline elevation value for electronically steered antenna 110 (e.g., an elevation navigational command, ELcmd). The baseline elevation value may be based on a position of the vehicle 105 coupled with electronically steered antenna 110. The controller may update the baseline elevation value based on navigation changes associated with the vehicle 105 (e.g., a change in altitude). The controller 135 may provide the baseline elevation value to 508-b and 512-b.

[0046] Additionally, the controller 135, at 506-b, may generate a profile. For instance, the controller 135 may determine a shape of a scanning wave that defines how a scan is performed. From generating the profile, the controller 135 may determine a sine-elevation scan and may provide the sine-elevation scan to 504-b. In some examples, the controller 135 may provide an updated sine-elevation scan to 504-b for each of one or more scan cycles. At 504-b, the controller 135 may divide the sine-elevation scan by a sine of elevation (e.g., ELcmd)10generate an elevation scan 503-b and may provide the elevation scan 503-b to 508-b.

[0047] At 522 -b, the elevation scan 503-b may be multiplied by a sine of elevation (e.g.,ELcmd) 1° generate a sine-elevation scan. The sine-elevation scan may be provided to 520-b. Additionally, the sine of the elevation may be stored for averaging (at 524-b and 518-b). At 520-b, the controller 135 may perform linear regression as described herein and may provide a sine-elevation offset estimate to 516-b. For instance, the sine-elevation scan may be input as a first parameter to linear regression (e.g., y as described with reference to FIG. 1); a crosselevation scan (e.g., determined in signal tracking flow diagram 500-a) may be input as a second parameter to the linear regression (e.g., x as described with reference to FIG. 1); and an RS SI of signal 120 may be input as a third parameter to the linear regression (e.g., z as described with reference to FIG. 1), where the linear regression may output coefficients used to determine a cross-elevation offset estimate and a sine-elevation offset estimate.Additionally, at 524-b, the stored sines of elevation may be summed and divided by a total number of the stored sines of elevation in order to determine sin (AZ) (e.g.,=sin (FL)). The resulting sin (EL) may be provided to 516-b. At 516-b, the elevation offset estimate determined at 520-b may be divided by sin (EL) in order to generate an elevation offset estimate. The elevation offset estimate may be provided to 508-b and 512-b.

[0048] At 508-b, the baseline elevation (e.g., ELcmd) provided from 502-b may be summed with the elevation scan 503-b provided by 504-b and the elevation offset estimate provided by 516-b in order to generate an updated elevation for electronically steered antenna 110. Summing the baseline elevation with the elevation scan 503-b and the elevation offset estimate may enable further refinement of a beam direction (e.g., the elevation provided by summing the baseline elevation with the elevation scan 503-b and the elevation offset estimate may be more accurate than the baseline elevation alone). This updated elevation may be provided to 510-b, where the electronically steered antenna 110 may use the updated elevation for positioning a generated beam (e.g., beam 130). The updated elevation may then be provided to 512-b, where it is subtracted by the baseline elevation (e.g., ELcmd) and the elevation offset estimate in order to generate the elevation scan 503-b that is utilized at 522-b. The elevation scan 503-b may then be provided from 512-b to 522-b. In a first time the steps of signal tracking flow diagram 500-b are performed (e.g., if an elevation scan 503-b has not been generated), the updated elevation may include just the baseline elevation provided by 502-b.

[0049] FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram 600 of a controller 620 that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The controller 620 may be an example of aspects of a controller 135 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 5. The controller 620, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of beam correction using a projected aperture area as described herein. For example, the controller 620 may include a power parameter measuring component 625, an offset determination component 630, a steering component 635, a location identifying component 640, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

[0050] The power parameter measuring component 625 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a power parameter of a signal received from a target by an electronically steered antenna of an antenna system. The offset determination component 630 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining an offset (e.g., an offset in elevation, an offset in cross-elevation, an offset in azimuth, an offset in any combination of elevation, cross-elevation, and azimuth) based at least in part on applying a linear regression with a projected elevation adjustment parameter to the measured power parameter, wherein the offset comprises a difference between a pointing direction and a targetdirection determined using the linear regression, and wherein the projected elevation adjustment parameter is adjusted using a projected aperture area of the antenna system relative to the target. The steering component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for steering a direction of a beam of the antenna system based at least in part on the determined offset.

[0051] In some examples, the antenna system is mounted on a vehicle, and the location identifying component 640 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for identifying a location of the vehicle relative to the target, an orientation of the vehicle relative to the target, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the antenna system is mounted on a vehicle, and the steering component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determine an antenna azimuth and an antenna elevation based at least in part on the location of the vehicle relative to the target, the orientation of the vehicle relative to the target, or any combination thereof.

[0052] In some examples, the steering component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the antenna azimuth based at least in part on a scan azimuth. In some examples, the steering component 635 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for determining the antenna elevation based at least in part on a scan elevation.

[0053] In some examples, the power parameter is a first power parameter and the projected elevation adjustment parameter is a first projected elevation adjustment parameter, and the power parameter measuring component 625 may be configured as or otherwise support a means for measuring a second power parameter of the signal received from the target by the electronically steered antenna, wherein determining the offset is based at least in part on applying the linear regression with a second projected elevation adjustment parameter to the measured second power parameter, wherein the second projected elevation adjustment parameter is adjusted using a second projected aperture area of the antenna system relative to the target.

[0054] In some examples, a width of the beam varies as the projected aperture area changes. In some examples, the power parameter is based at least in part on the width of the beam.

[0055] In some examples, the projected elevation adjustment parameter is associated with a first direction perpendicular to a line of sight associated with the electronically steered antenna. In some examples, determining the offset is based at least in part on applying thelinear regression to a projected cross elevation parameter associated with a second direction perpendicular to the line of sight and the first direction.

[0056] In some examples, the power parameter comprises a received signal strength indicator.

[0057] In some examples, the linear regression comprises a least squares regression.

[0058] In some examples, the electronically steered antenna comprises a phased array antenna.

[0059] FIG. 7 illustrates a diagram of a system 700 including a device 705 that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. System 700 depicts a system for communicating using a projected elevation adjustment. In some examples, system 700 may be an example of an antenna system 140 as described with reference to FIG. 1. System 700 may include device 705 and antenna array 710. Device 705 may be an example of at least portions of a controller 135 as describe with reference to FIG. 1. The device 705 may include a beam manager 720, a memory 730, code 735, a processor 740, a beamformer 745, and a beam signal processor 750.

[0060] Antenna array 710 may be an example of the antennas of the antenna system 140 of FIG. 1, and may include antenna elements 715. In some examples, one or more of the antenna elements 715 may be or include an antenna panel, as described herein. The spacing between the antenna elements 715 may be evenly distributed across an aperture of antenna array 710, or the spacing of antenna elements 715 may be different across antenna array 710.

[0061] Bus 725 may represent an interface over which signals may be exchanged between components of device 705 and a location (e.g., a central location) that may be used to distribute the signals to the signal processing components of system 700 (e.g., beam manager 720, beam signal processor 750, beamformer 745). Bus 725 may include one or more wired interfaces. Additionally, or alternatively, bus 725 may be a wireless interface that is used to wirelessly communicate signaling between the signal processing components — e.g., in accordance with a communication protocol. Beamformer 745 may be coupled with antenna elements 715 via one or more wired or wireless interfaces.

[0062] The memory 730 may include volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and / or non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM). Other types of memory may also be possible. The memory 730 may store code 735 that is computer-readable and computer-executable. The code may includeinstructions that, when executed by the processor 740, cause the system 700 to perform various functions described herein. The code 735 may be stored in a non-transitory computer- readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 735 may not be directly executable by the processor 740 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the memory 730 may contain, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

[0063] Processor 740 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor), a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an PLD, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). The processor 740 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 730) to cause the device 705 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting beam correction using a projected aperture area). For example, the system 700 or a component of the system 700 may include a processor 740 and memory 730 coupled with the processor 740 that are configured to perform various functions described herein.

[0064] Beam signal processor 750 may be configured to process (e.g., demodulate, decode) beam signals received from beamformer 745. Beam signal processor 750 may decode data symbols included in the receive beam signals 754 to obtain receive beam data signals 764. Information (e.g., packets) in receive beam data signals 764 may be passed to a destination device. Beam signal processor 750 may also be configured to process (e.g., encode, modulate) transmit beam data signals 762 to obtain transmit beam signals 752. Transmit beam data signals 762 may include information (e.g., packets) received for transmission to other devices.

[0065] For reception of signals via antenna elements 715, beam manager 720 may determine a single set of receive beamforming coefficients for a frequency range or channel and each of one or more time periods that is applied to component signals 756 to obtain one or more of receive beam signals 754 associated with the received signals. In some examples, the beam manager 720 may measure a power parameter of a signal received from a target by antenna array 710 (e.g., the beam signal provided by beamformer 745) and may determine an offset based on applying a linear regression with a projected elevation adjustment parameter to the measured power parameter. The offset may include a difference between a pointing direction and a target direction determined using the linear regression, and the projectedelevation adjustment parameter may be adjusted using a projected aperture area of the antenna array 710 relative to the target. The beam manager 720 may adjust a direction of a beam of the antenna array 710 based on the determined offset.

[0066] In some examples, beam manager 720, beamformer 745, beam signal processor 750, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other PLD, a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled with the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by executing, by the processor, instructions stored in the memory).

[0067] Additionally, or alternatively, beam manager 720, beamformer 745, beam signal processor 750, or various combinations or components thereof, may be implemented in code 735 (e.g., as communications management software or firmware), executed by processor 740. If implemented in code 735 executed by processor 740, the functions of beam manager 720, beamformer 745, beam signal processor 750, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure).

[0068] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart showing a method 800 that supports beam correction using a projected aperture area in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 800 may be implemented by a controller or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 800 may be performed by a controller as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7. In some examples, a controller may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the controller to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.

[0069] At 805, the method may include measuring a power parameter of a signal received from a target by an electronically steered antenna of an antenna system. The operations of 805 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples,aspects of the operations of 805 may be performed by a power parameter measuring component 625 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0070] At 810, the method may include determining an offset based at least in part on applying a linear regression with a projected elevation adjustment parameter to the measured power parameter, wherein the offset comprises a difference between a pointing direction and a target direction determined using the linear regression, and wherein the projected elevation adjustment parameter is adjusted using a projected aperture area of the antenna system relative to the target. The operations of 810 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 810 may be performed by an offset determination component 630 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0071] At 815, the method may include steering a direction of a beam of the antenna system based at least in part on the determined offset. The operations of 815 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 815 may be performed by a steering component 635 as described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0072] In some examples, an apparatus as described herein may perform a method or methods, such as the method 800. The apparatus may include features, circuitry, logic, means, or instructions (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor), or any combination thereof for performing the following aspects of the present disclosure:

[0073] It should be noted that these methods describe examples of implementations, and that the operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified such that other implementations are possible. In some examples, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined. For example, aspects of each of the methods may include steps or aspects of the other methods, or other steps or techniques described herein.

[0074] Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0075] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).

[0076] The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.

[0077] Computer readable media includes both non transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk read-only memory (CDROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer, or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer readable media.

[0078] As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of’ or “one or more of’) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on.”

[0079] As used herein, including in the claims, the article “a” before a noun is open-ended and understood to refer to “at least one” of those nouns or “one or more” of those nouns.Thus, the terms “a,” “at least one,” “one or more,” “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. For example, if a claim recites “a component” that performs one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “a component” having characteristics or performing functions may refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent reference to a component introduced with the article “a” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article “a” may be understood to mean “one or more components,” and referring to “the component” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components.” Similarly, subsequent reference to a component introduced as “one or more components” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, referring to “the one or more components” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components.”

[0080] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished byfollowing the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label, or other subsequent reference label.

[0081] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.

[0082] The description herein is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An antenna system (140), comprising: an electronically steered antenna (110); and a controller (135) coupled with the electronically steered antenna (110) and configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: measure a power parameter (160) of a signal (120) received from a target (115) by the electronically steered antenna (110); determine an offset (155) based at least in part on applying a linear regression (170) with a projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) to the measured power parameter (160), wherein the offset (155) comprises a difference between a pointing direction (145) and a target direction (150) determined using the linear regression (170), and wherein the projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using a projected aperture area (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115); and adjust a direction of a beam (125, 130) of the antenna system (140) based at least in part on the determined offset (155).

2. The antenna system (140) of claim 1, wherein the antenna system (140) is mounted on a vehicle (105), and wherein the controller (135) is further configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: identify a location of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), an orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof; and determine an antenna azimuth (310) and an antenna elevation (315) based at least in part on the location of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), the orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof.

3. The antenna system (140) of claim 2, wherein the controller (135) is further configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: determine the antenna azimuth (310) based at least in part on a scan azimuth (503-a); and determine the antenna elevation (315) based at least in part on a scan elevation (503-b).

4. The antenna system (140) of any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the power parameter (160) is a first power parameter (160) and the projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is a first projected elevation adjustment parameter (165), and wherein the controller (135) is further configured to cause the antenna system (140) to: measure a second power parameter (160) of the signal (120) received from the target (115) by the electronically steered antenna (110); and determine the offset (155) based at least in part on applying the linear regression (170) with a second projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) to the measured second power parameter (160), wherein the second projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using a second projected aperture area (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115).

5. The antenna system (140) of any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein a width of the beam varies as the projected aperture area (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) changes, and the power parameter (160) is based at least in part on the width of the beam.

6. The antenna system (140) of any one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is associated with a first direction (340) perpendicular to a line of sight (305) associated with the electronically steered antenna (110), and determining the offset (155) is based at least in part on applying the linear regression (170) to a projected cross elevation parameter associated with a second direction (345) perpendicular to the line of sight (305) and the first direction (340).

7. The antenna system (140) of any one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the power parameter (160) comprises a received signal strength indicator.

8. The antenna system (140) of any one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the linear regression (170) comprises a least squares regression.

9. The antenna system (140) of any one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the electronically steered antenna (110) comprises a phased array antenna.

10. A method, comprising: measuring a power parameter (160) of a signal (120) received from a target (115) by an electronically steered antenna (110) of an antenna system (140); determining an offset (155) based at least in part on applying a linear regression (170) with a projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) to the measured power parameter (160), wherein the offset (155) comprises a difference between a pointing direction (145) and a target direction (150) determined using the linear regression (170), and wherein the projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using a projected aperture area (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115); and steering a direction of a beam (125, 130) of the antenna system (140) based at least in part on the determined offset (155).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the antenna system (140) is mounted on a vehicle (105), the method further comprising: identifying a location of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), an orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof; and determine an antenna azimuth (310) and an antenna elevation (315) based at least in part on the location of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), the orientation of the vehicle (105) relative to the target (115), or any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising: determining the antenna azimuth (305) based at least in part on a scan azimuth (503-a); and determining the antenna elevation (310) based at least in part on a scan elevation (503-b).

13. The method of any one of claim 10 through 12, wherein the power parameter (160) is a first power parameter (160) and the projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is a first projected elevation adjustment parameter (165), the method further comprising:measuring a second power parameter (160) of the signal (120) received from the target (115) by the electronically steered antenna (110), wherein determining the offset (155) is based at least in part on applying the linear regression (170) with a second projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) to the measured second power parameter (160), wherein the second projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is adjusted using a second projected aperture area (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) of the antenna system (140) relative to the target (115).

14. The method of any one of claims 10 through 12, wherein a width of the beam varies as the projected aperture area (205-a, 205-b, 205-c) changes, and the power parameter (160) is based at least in part on the width of the beam.

15. The method of any one of claims 10 through 14, wherein the projected elevation adjustment parameter (165) is associated with a first direction (340) perpendicular to a line of sight (305) associated with the electronically steered antenna (110), and determining the offset (155) is based at least in part on applying the linear regression (170) to a projected cross elevation parameter associated with a second direction (345) perpendicular to the line of sight (305) and the first direction (340).

16. The method of any one of claims 10 through 15, wherein the power parameter (160) comprises a received signal strength indicator.

17. The method of any one of claims 10 through 16, wherein the linear regression (170) comprises a least squares regression.

18. The method of any one of claims 10 through 17, wherein the electronically steered antenna (110) comprises a phased array antenna.

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