The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 20, 2001
Filed:
May. 20, 1999
Apostle G. Cardiasmenos, Carlisle, MA (US);
Anthony D. Monk, Lexington, MA (US);
Luther E. Rhoades, North Grafton, MA (US);
John Sangiolo, Newton, MA (US);
L-3 Communications/Essco, Inc., Concord, MA (US);
Abstract
A low-cost spherical reflector and a mechanically scanned antenna system utilizing such reflectors. The system employs one or more (substantially similar) primary spherical reflectors (each a truncated spherical surface), each having an associated moveable feed driven by a two-axis positioner mechanism that has few moving parts. The feed structure may preferably comprise a point source waveguide feed in combination with a shaped concave secondary reflector used in a Gregorian-like configuration to correct for spherical phase error. The positioner mechanism moves the waveguide feed and secondary reflector in tandem to shift the position of the far field beam direction in the sky. After phase correction by the secondary reflector, the resultant signal reflected from the primary aperture can simultaneously transmit and receive at two or more independent frequencies. With an assembly of multiple such spherical reflectors, each having a moveable feed driven by its own positioner mechanism, a compact arrangement is achieved. The assembly is mounted on a circular baseplate and preferably is covered by a radome.