Movable Feed Horn Linkage for Independent Spot Beam Steering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face limitations in independently redirecting multiple spot beams without moving the antenna reflector, which can affect the flexibility and efficiency of beam management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a movable feed horn assembly using a planar five bar linkage with actuators to control the position of feed horns, allowing individual spot beams to be redirected without moving the reflector, thereby enabling independent steering of multiple beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a steerable antenna with movable reflector is used to redirect spot beams, then beam redirection capability is improved, but device complexity and mechanical wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is segmented into a stationary reflector and multiple independently movable feed horns. Each feed horn can be individually positioned to redirect its spot beam without moving the entire reflector, thereby achieving beam redirection capability while keeping the reflector structure simple and fixed.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed horns are made dynamically movable through motorized positioning mechanisms, allowing them to change position and redirect beams as needed. This dynamic capability is achieved in the feed horns rather than the entire antenna structure, reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple steerable antennas are deployed to redirect multiple spot beams independently, then beam management flexibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple feed horns are combined within a single antenna structure, sharing a common stationary reflector. Each feed horn maintains independent positioning capability, allowing multiple spot beams to be redirected simultaneously or independently while using one unified antenna system instead of multiple separate steerable antennas.
Solution Approach 2:
The single antenna structure serves multiple functions by accommodating multiple feed horns that can independently redirect multiple spot beams. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple dedicated steerable antennas while maintaining full beam management flexibility.
3Productivity
If feed horns are made movable to redirect spot beams without moving the reflector, then operational efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable components are segmented into individual feed horns rather than moving the entire antenna structure. This segmentation allows for standardized, modular manufacturing of feed horn assemblies that can be independently produced and then integrated into the antenna system, reducing overall manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Motorized positioning mechanisms serve as intermediaries between the control system and the feed horns. These standardized motor assemblies simplify manufacturing by using off-the-shelf components rather than custom-built complex positioning systems, making the movable feed horn design more manufacturable.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An example apparatus includes a planar five bar linkage (1000) having a ground link (1020) and an endpoint (1018). A feed horn is attached at or near the endpoint (1018) of the planar five bar linkage (1000). A first motor (1022) is attached to a first side of the ground link (1020) to move the endpoint (1018) and a second motor (1024) attached to the second side of the ground link (1020) to move the endpoint (1018).