Eccentric Tilt Antenna Positioner for Finite-Rate Overhead Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing antenna positioning systems struggle to maintain communication links with target devices due to high azimuth rates and infinite positioning requirements, particularly during overhead passes, leading to communication link drops and performance degradation.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an eccentric tilt position mechanism that adjusts the angle between a base structure and an intermediate structure, using a rotating element and an eccentric element, to support tracking of target devices by maintaining a stable antenna boresight orientation despite high angular rates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an antenna positioning system uses a conventional elevation-over-azimuth configuration to track target devices, then it can provide a relatively large angular range for tracking, but it cannot support infinite azimuth rates during overhead passes, leading to communication link drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the tilt axis itself rotatable about a vertical axis. This dynamic configuration allows the system to adapt the tilt axis orientation based on the target device's position, enabling the antenna to track overhead passes without requiring infinite azimuth rates. The rotatable tilt axis transforms a static positioning system into a dynamic one that can reconfigure its geometry to match tracking requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an additional degree of freedom by allowing the tilt axis to rotate about a vertical axis. This dimensionality change enables the system to escape the limitations of the conventional elevation-over-azimuth configuration. By adding this rotational dimension, the system can maintain communication links during overhead passes where the conventional two-axis system would fail.
2Measurement precision
If an antenna positioning system attempts to track an overhead pass with infinite azimuth rate, then it can maintain boresight alignment with the target device, but the positioning system cannot physically support such high azimuth rates
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tilt axis provides a dynamic solution where the system can change its geometric configuration in real-time. Instead of attempting to achieve infinite azimuth rates, the system dynamically reorients the tilt axis to a position where finite rates can maintain accurate boresight alignment during overhead passes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the positioning system by allowing the tilt axis orientation to vary. This parameter change enables the system to transition from a fixed configuration that requires infinite rates to a variable configuration that achieves the same tracking accuracy with finite, physically supportable rates.
3Device complexity
If an antenna positioning system uses a conventional configuration, then the structure is simpler, but it experiences communication link drops during overhead passes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a single additional degree of freedom (rotation of the tilt axis about a vertical axis) that provides a relatively simple structural enhancement. This dynamic capability prevents communication link drops during overhead passes without requiring complex multi-axis positioning systems or multiple antennas.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables the antenna positioning system to maintain communication links with target devices by reducing the operational demands on the positioning system, allowing it to track target devices with reduced elevation angles and azimuth rates, thereby improving system performance and reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The eccentric element may be mounted to or otherwise connected to the rotating element at a position offset from the second axis by an eccentricity distance or offset. In some examples, to change an angle between the base structure and the intermediate structure, rotating the rotating element may change a distance between the base structure and the intermediate structure at a location offset from the first axis
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices are described for antenna positioning with an eccentric tilt pointing mechanism. For example, a system in accordance with the present disclosure may include a base structure and an intermediate structure that is rotatably coupled with the base structure about a first axis (e.g., a tilt axis). The system may also include a positioning system that is coupled with the intermediate structure and configured to orient an antenna boresight about at least two angular degrees of freedom with respect to the intermediate structure (e.g., in an elevation-over-azimuth configuration). The system may also include an actuator between the base structure and the intermediate structure that is configured to set, change, or maintain an angle between the base structure and the intermediate structure, which, in some examples, may include a rotation of an eccentric element based on a predicted path of a target device.