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:
May. 29, 2001
Filed:
Jun. 29, 1999
Michael Cuchanski, Newtown, PA (US);
Lockheed Martin Corporation, Bethesda, MD (US);
Abstract
A configurable antenna includes a main reflector and at least two subreflectors. Each of the subreflectors is configurably disposed relative to the main reflector to provide an active subreflector for reflecting radiation between the main reflector and a point off of the main reflector in a desired beam pattern. Each subreflector typically has a different shape and may be moved into the active subreflector position to produce a desired beam pattern during operation of the antenna. The antenna further includes a horn disposed at a point off of the main reflector for feeding signals to the reflectors and for receiving signals from the reflectors. The configurable antenna is typically mounted on a satellite system which itself, or in response to instructions or commands from a ground station, reconfigures the antenna to provide the desired beam shape.