Control system for electronically scanned phased array antennas with a mechanically steered axis

Abstract

A control system for maximizing performance of an electronically scanned, mechanically augmented phased array (MAPA) antenna. In one preferred form, the control system forms a closed loop system which monitors a signal quality of the received signal from a primary signal source such as a primary satellite, and generates motor control signals for controlling a motor used to rotate the MAPA antenna about an axis so as to point the antenna at least slightly away from the primary signal source while electronically steering the antenna to track the primary signal source. The MAPA antenna is positioned so as to maximize the carrier-to-noise-plus-interference (CNI) ratio, and thus minimize the influence of interfering signal sources operating within a coverage region of the MAPA antenna. Open loop control arrangements are also described which make use of look-up tables or assumptions on the positions of interfering signal sources for generating motor control signals to position the MAPA antenna in desired orientations to limit the reception of signals from interfering signal sources.