Monopulse Autotracking for High Gain Antenna Pointing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High gain antennas in satellite communication face challenges in accurately pointing due to narrow beamwidths and high sensitivity to pointing angle errors, which can significantly reduce data rate and antenna gain, especially when relying solely on Stellar Reference Units (SRU) input.
Innovation Solution
A monopulse autotracking system that includes a monopulse antenna and processing circuitry to determine the angle of arrival of a monopulse transmission, calculate angle errors, and adjust the high gain antenna's position, utilizing software defined radio (SDR) for flexible and accurate phase tracking, and incorporating phase or amplitude sensors to improve pointing accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high gain antenna is used to achieve high data rate satellite communication, then antenna gain is improved, but pointing accuracy deteriorates due to narrow beamwidth and high sensitivity to pointing angle errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using monopulse angle error measurements to continuously adjust the antenna pointing direction. The system measures the angle error between the antenna beam and the desired signal direction, then feeds this error back to the pointing control system to correct the antenna orientation, thereby maintaining high pointing accuracy despite the narrow beamwidth of high gain antennas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical pointing control systems that rely on Stellar Reference Units (SRU) with an electronic monopulse measurement and control system. This substitution uses electronic signal processing to determine angle errors and control antenna positioning, providing more precise and responsive pointing control compared to purely mechanical SRU-based systems
2Measurement precision
If monopulse antenna and processing circuitry are added to determine angle of arrival and calculate angle errors, then pointing accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the monopulse antenna system to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously performs angle of arrival measurement, angle error calculation, and provides feedback for pointing control. The processing circuitry is integrated to handle multiple signal processing tasks within a unified system architecture, reducing overall system complexity despite the enhanced functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces monopulse measurement circuitry as an intermediary between the antenna and the pointing control system. This intermediary component processes the received signals to extract angle error information, which then guides the pointing control. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall control architecture by providing a dedicated interface for angle measurement and error calculation
Data Source
AI summary
A method including receiving a monopulse transmission by a monopulse antenna determining an angle of arrival of the monopulse transmission, using processing circuitry operably coupled to the monopulse antenna, determining, using the processing circuitry, an angle error for a high gain antenna based on the angle of arrival of the monopulse transmission, and causing the positioning of the high gain antenna based on the angle error.