Offset Antenna Calibration Using Self-Generated Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Offset antenna systems with offset reflector and feed configurations face pointing accuracy issues due to rotational and translational errors, with existing solutions being either expensive beacon tracking systems or designing with large margins in RF performance that may not meet tight accuracy requirements.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for offset antenna calibration that involves determining target locations, calculating gimbal angles, transmitting and receiving signals to maximize signal power, and calculating error estimates to apply azimuth and elevation corrections, allowing the antenna to adjust its pointing without a beacon tracking system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a real-time beacon tracking system is used to measure and correct pointing errors, then pointing accuracy is improved, but system cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simulation model that copies the physical antenna system's error characteristics (bus rotation errors, reflector rotation errors, feed translation errors) to generate synthetic calibration data. This virtual copy allows calibration without requiring expensive physical beacon tracking systems, directly resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration system uses the antenna system itself to generate calibration signals through self-service. The method employs the antenna's own transmit and receive capabilities to measure pointing errors by comparing transmitted signal characteristics with received signal characteristics, eliminating the need for external beacon infrastructure and reducing system cost while maintaining calibration accuracy
2Measurement precision
If a beacon tracking system is included in the design, then pointing measurement capability is improved, but performance becomes unacceptable when the beacon system is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration method enables the antenna system to perform self-calibration using its own transmit and receive capabilities. By measuring pointing errors through self-generated calibration signals and comparing transmitted versus received signal characteristics, the system maintains reliability and performance availability without dependence on external beacon systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary calibration actions that establish error correction capabilities before operational use. The calibration process pre-determines error characteristics and establishes correction models that remain valid during operation, ensuring performance availability even when beacon systems are unavailable
3Reliability
If large margins are designed in RF performance to tolerate pointing errors, then system robustness is improved, but cost increases and tight accuracy requirements cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback-based calibration approach that measures actual pointing errors and applies corrections to compensate for rotational and translational deviations. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain tight accuracy requirements without designing in large RF performance margins, reducing cost while improving both robustness and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration method dynamically adjusts operational parameters (gimbal angle corrections, pointing angle corrections) based on measured error conditions. By changing these parameters in response to actual performance conditions rather than designing for worst-case scenarios, the system achieves both cost efficiency and tight accuracy requirements
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and apparatus for calibration for an offset antenna are disclosed. In one or more embodiments, the disclosed method involves calculating an estimated gimbal angle between the offset antenna and at least one target. Also, the method involves transmitting, by at least one target, at least one signal; and receiving, by the offset antenna, at least one signal. The method further involves pointing the offset antenna to an optimum gimbal angle to maximize received signal power. Additionally, the method involves comparing the optimum gimbal angle with the estimated gimbal angle to determine a difference in the gimbal angles. Also, the method involves calculating a bus, reflector, and/or feed error estimate by using the difference in the gimbal angles. Further, the method involves determining an azimuth and/or elevation correction for bus, reflector, and/or feed errors by using the bus, reflector, and/or feed error estimate.