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. 01, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 22, 2000
John William Broughton, Hertfordshire, GB;
Inmarsat Limited, , GB;
Abstract
A mobile satellite communications terminal ( ) comprises a portable computer ( ), an interface card ( ) containing intermediate frequency (IF) conversion circuitry ( ), and an antenna assembly ( ) including RF conversion circuitry ( ) and an antenna ( ). The interface card ( ) is connected to the antenna assembly ( ) by a detachable cable ( ), which carries IF signals. This arrangement reduces RF power losses and interference. The antenna ( ) is manually steerable towards a geostationary or quasi-geostationary satellite ( ). A navigation signal antenna ( ) is mounted on the antenna assembly ( ) and is steerable independently of the antenna ( ) so as to be vertically aligned, which is the optimum position for receiving navigation signals. The antenna assembly ( ) includes orientation sensors ( ) which allow the difference between the current and the correct orientation of the antenna ( ) to be calculated. This difference is indicated to the user to assist manual steering of the antenna ( ).