Space Exploration Technologies Corp.

Robert Baummer, Jr

Masoud Kahrizi

David Francois Jacquet

Marc Gens

Pascal Triaire

Paul Lee Pearson

Francois Lucien Emile Icher

Jean-Noel Rozec

Fabrice Jean André Belvèze

Alireza Mahanfar

Javier Rodriguez De Luis

Nil Apaydin

Daniel A Dueri

Raymond Tyler Rowe

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a first baseband section to receive a calibration signal; a first radio frequency (RF) section configured to generate a RF calibration signal based on modulating the calibration signal. The calibration signal comprises an orthogonal code based signal. The apparatus includes a second RF section to receive the RF calibration signal and generate a received calibration signal based on demodulating the RF calibration signal; a calibration section; a first antenna electrically coupled to the first RF section and configured to transmit the RF calibration signal; and a second antenna electrically coupled to the second RF section and configured to receive the RF calibration signal. The calibration section is configured to determine one or more of gain, baseband delay, or RF delay to calibrate the first RF section; and the second antenna is switchable between receiving the RF calibration signal and transmitting an encoded data signal.

Over-the-air calibration of antenna system

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a method is provided for configuring an endpoint terminal for communication with a plurality of satellites in non-geosynchronous orbit. The endpoint terminal has an antenna system defining a limited field of regard for satellite communication. The antenna system is capable of gimbaling in order to move the field of regard. The method includes orienting the field of regard in a first position to communicate with a first satellite traveling in a first orbital plane; gimbaling the antenna system to move the field of regard from the first position to a second position to communicate with a second satellite traveling in a second orbital plane; establishing communication with the second satellite; and as the second satellite travels in the second orbital plane, gimbaling the antenna system to move the field of regard from the second position to a third position.

One-dimensional phased array antenna and methods of steering same

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a transmit section including a first baseband section and a first radio frequency (RF) section, wherein the transmit section is configured to receive a calibration signal, the first RF section is configured to generate a RF calibration signal based on modulating the calibration signal. The calibration signal comprises an orthogonal code based signal; and a receive section configured to receive the RF calibration signal over-the-air, the receive section includes a second RF section and a calibration section, the second RF section is configured to generate a received calibration signal based on the RF calibration signal, the received calibration signal and a reference signal associated with the RF calibration signal comprise inputs to the calibration section and the calibration section is configured to determine one or more of gain, baseband delay, or RF delay compensation values, based on the inputs, to calibrate the transmit section.

In an embodiment, an apparatus included in a communications system includes a transmit section including a first baseband section and a first radio frequency (RF) section, wherein the transmit section is configured to receive a calibration signal, the first RF section is configured to generate a RF calibration signal based on the calibration signal, and wherein the calibration signal comprises an orthogonal code based signal; and a receive section configured to receive the RF calibration signal over-the-air, wherein the receive section includes a second RF section and a calibration section, wherein the second RF section is configured to generate a received calibration signal based on the RF calibration signal, and wherein the calibration section is configured to determine one or more of gain, baseband delay, or RF delay compensation values, based on the inputs, to calibrate the transmit section.

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a phased array antenna system includes a first portion carrying an antenna lattice including a plurality of antenna elements, wherein the plurality of antenna elements are arranged in a first configuration, a second portion carrying a beamformer lattice including a plurality of beamformer elements, wherein the plurality of beamformer elements are arranged in a second configuration different from the first configuration, and a third portion disposed between the first portion and the second portion carrying at least a portion of a mapping including a first plurality of mapping traces on a first surface providing at least a portion of the electrical connection between the plurality of antenna elements and the plurality of beamformer elements, wherein each of the plurality of antenna elements are electrically coupled to one of the plurality of beamformer elements.

Growing community of inventors

Redmond, WA, United States of America

Robert Baummer, Jr