Digital conical scanning
Non-mechanical conical scanning using impedance-controlled conductive strips in a feed horn allows for high-frequency, electronically adjustable scanning, addressing the limitations of mechanical conical scanning methods in target tracking applications.
WO2025059333A1PCT designated stage expired Publication Date: 2025-03-20KRATOS INTEGRAL HOLDINGS LLC
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/US2024/046432
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2023-09-14
- Filing Date
- 2024-09-12
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-20
Smart Images
Figure US2024046432_20032025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Conical scanning has advantages over other target-tracking techniques in tracking a satellite in low Earth orbit. However, conventional conical scanning requires mechanical movement, which reduces longevity and requires precise manufacturing tolerances. Disclosed embodiments provide non-mechanical conical scanning. In particular, conductive strips of semiconducting material are formed along a radially inner surface of a feed horn from the proximate end to the distal end, with insulating gaps between adjacent conductive strips. A controller, in a plurality of rotational steps, selects a subset of conductive strips, and controls a switch matrix to connect the subset to a first voltage source, while connecting all of the other conductive strips to a second voltage source, to change an electrical property in the subset relative to the other conductive strips. This effects a rotation of the center of the antenna beam around the mechanical center of the antenna.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art