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:
Oct. 16, 2001
Filed:
Feb. 22, 2000
Raymond K. DeLong, Palos Verdes Estates, CA (US);
TRW Inc., Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Abstract
An apparatus for determining the pointing uncertainty of a satellite communications system comprises a communications terminal coupled to a pointing mechanism which is operative to move and position the communications mechanism. A data storage device is configured to store data from which an actual position of a preselected light source which radiates a reference light can be determined. An acquisition sensor is positioned to move with the communications terminal and is configured to focus incident light onto the acquisition sensor. A control mechanism is coupled to the pointing mechanism and is operative to move the pointing mechanism to a position which would focus the reference light source at a preselected position on the acquisition sensor if the pointing uncertainty were substantially zero. The reference light focusing at a measured position on the acquisition sensor. A processor is coupled to the acquisition sensor and is operative to calculate the difference between the preselected position and the measured position, whereby the pointing uncertainty is calculable from the difference.