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:
Apr. 02, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 20, 2000
Parthasarathy Ramanujam, Redondo Beach, CA (US);
Philip H. Law, Encino, CA (US);
Steven O. Lane, Rolling Hills Estates, CA (US);
Hughes Electronics Corporation, El Segundo, CA (US);
Abstract
An antenna system and method for generating a desired contiguous spot beam pattern, and a signal is disclosed. The contiguous spot beam generating antenna system comprises a reflector system configured in a side-fed Cassegrain (SFOC) configuration, an array of feed horns comprising at least a subset of feed horns for illuminating the reflector system, and a beamforming network, communicatively coupled to the array of feed horns, for controlling an excitation of the subset of the feed horns in the array of feed horns. The method comprises illuminating a side fed offset Cassegrain reflector system with an RF signal emanating from an array of feed horns, and controlling an excitation of the subset of the feed horns. The present invention provides a beamformer network that can produce uniform performance over wide scan angles, is easier to integrate and test, that can change the beam pattern on orbit, and that provides a more complete utilization of space assets without dramatically increasing the cost of manufacturing and operating a satellite. The use of a SFOC configuration or other wide scanning antenna permits the use of a simple beamforming network while maintaining excellent beam beam scanning characteristics.