Viasat, Inc.

David H Irvine

Clifford K Burdick

Kenneth V Buer

Philip A Lampe

Ramanamurthy V Darapu

Ian A Cleary

Kurt A Zimmerman

Kevin Duane House

Timothy J Martin

Mark J Miller

Donald Wesley Becker

Brian T Sleight

Richard Blount

Methods, apparatuses, and systems for two-way satellite communication and an asymmetric-aperture antenna for two-way satellite communication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a beam pattern for an asymmetric-aperture antenna is offset in a narrow beamwidth direction, and the offset beam pattern is directed by a mechanical gimbal, with the beam pattern offset made to reduce interference with an adjacent satellite. In additional embodiments, operational areas near the equator are identified for a given offset beam pattern, or a beam pattern offset may be adjusted over time to compensate for movement of the asymmetric-aperture antenna when attached to an airplane, boat, or other mobile vehicle.

Device and method for reducing interference with adjacent satellites using a mechanically gimbaled asymmetrical-aperture antenna

The described features generally relate to determining dynamic signal quality criteria for an installation of satellite terminals for communications in a satellite communications system. In particular, the signal quality criteria for an installation may be based on an identified position of the satellite terminal to be installed, and in some examples based on the positions and signal characteristics of neighboring satellite terminals that have already been installed. In some examples, a signal quality map may be generated for a service beam coverage area, based on predetermined transmission characteristics and/or measured transmissions from a number of satellite terminals served by a communications satellite. The generated signal quality map may then be used to determine a signal quality threshold for the installation of a satellite terminal being installed for communications in a satellite communications system.

Dynamic signal quality criteria for satellite terminal installations

The described features generally relate to receiving one or more positioning signals at a satellite terminal during installation of the satellite terminal at a customer premises, and providing position-based access to a satellite communications system based on a satellite terminal installation position determined from the received positioning signals. The determined installation position of the satellite terminal may then be employed for various network access techniques, such as providing access to the satellite communications system, providing position-based content, or restricting content via the satellite communications system based on the determined installation position. In some examples the determined installation position of the satellite terminal may be used to approximate a propagation delay between the satellite terminal and various devices of the satellite communications system, such as a serving satellite and/or a serving gateway, to improve device synchronization and radio frequency spectrum resource utilization.

Position-based access to satellite networks for satellite terminals

Determining movement for alignment of a satellite antenna using accelerometer data and gyroscope data of the satellite antenna. Described techniques include receiving accelerometer data for a first time period from an accelerometer mounted on the antenna and analyzing the accelerometer data to determine a movement time window for a movement event of the antenna. The techniques may include receiving gyroscope data for the first time period from a gyroscope mounted on the antenna and analyzing the gyroscope data during the movement time window to determine an amount of movement of the antenna due to the movement event.

Antenna with sensors for accurate pointing

Device and method for reducing interference with adjacent satellites using a mechanically gimbaled asymmetric al-aperture antenna

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Carlsbad, CA, United States of America

David H Irvine