Multi-Feed Tracking Antenna with Stationary Reflector for Seamless Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing single-feed ground antennas require 'break before make' operations for satellite communication, necessitating two antennas and feeds, leading to hardware duplication and transmission breaks, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A reflective scanning and tracking antenna with multiple feeds, featuring a spherical reflector and dual circular polarization feed assemblies, allows simultaneous tracking and transmission without breaking communications by using a dual-motor system for rapid steering and precise pointing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single-feed ground antenna is used for satellite communication, then the antenna structure is simple and cost-effective, but transmission breaks occur during satellite switching and tracking performance is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single feed assembly is segmented into multiple independent feeds (first feed, second feed, etc.), each capable of independently tracking different satellites. This allows the antenna to maintain communication with one satellite while another feed positions itself to track an incoming satellite, eliminating transmission breaks without requiring multiple complete antenna systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed assemblies are made dynamically movable relative to the stationary reflector through motorized positioning mechanisms. This dynamic capability enables rapid switching between satellites and continuous tracking without the need for complex dual-antenna mechanical systems, maintaining transmission continuity while keeping the overall structure simpler than traditional dual-antenna solutions.
2Reliability
If two antenna dishes are used to avoid transmission breaks, then transmission continuity is maintained through make before break operation, but hardware cost and real estate requirements double
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple feeds that would traditionally require separate antenna dishes are merged into a single shared reflector system. The stationary reflector serves multiple moving feeds simultaneously, allowing the system to achieve the transmission continuity of a dual-antenna system while using only one physical antenna structure, thereby reducing hardware cost and real estate requirements by approximately half.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reflector is designed to serve multiple feeds for different frequency bands and polarization modes (dual circular polarization). This multi-functional design allows one antenna structure to perform the work of multiple specialized antennas, reducing overall hardware requirements while maintaining transmission continuity through coordinated feed switching.
3Device complexity
If a traditional parabolic antenna is used for tracking, then the antenna structure is well-established and simple, but tracking speed and reset time are insufficient for low Earth orbit satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The feed assemblies are equipped with motorized positioning mechanisms that enable rapid movement and resetting between satellites. This dynamic capability allows the system to track fast-moving LEO satellites at speeds exceeding 8 km/sec, with reset times optimized for continuous communication, while maintaining a simpler stationary reflector structure compared to traditional moving-parabola systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of moving the entire antenna dish to track satellites (traditional approach), the invention inverts the approach by keeping the reflector stationary and moving only the smaller, lighter feed assemblies. This inversion enables faster tracking speeds and shorter reset times while maintaining structural simplicity, as the moving mass is significantly reduced compared to moving entire dish 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
The antenna system optimizes tracking performance, reduces hardware requirements, and achieves rapid signal reacquisition, eliminating transmission breaks and minimizing hardware costs.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector including a spherical reflective surface... transmit the electromagnetic radiation, to receive the electromagnetic radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A reflective antenna system for transmitting and receiving electromagnetic radiation, including a reflector that includes a spherical reflective surface. The reflective antenna system also includes a first feed assembly configured to provide the electromagnetic radiation in a first certain direction. The reflective antenna system further includes a second feed assembly configured to provide the electromagnetic radiation in a second certain direction.