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 Title: |
US5929808:
System and method for the acquisition of a non-geosynchronous satellite signal
[ Derwent Title ]
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| Country: |
US United States of America
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| Inventor: |
Hassan, Amer A.; Kirkland, WA
Hinedi, Sami M.; Kirkland, WA
Miller, James R.; Redmond, WA
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| Assignee: |
Teledesic LLC, Kirkland, WA
other patents from TELEDESIC LLC (746777) (approx. 21)
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| Published / Filed: |
1999-07-27
/ 1997-10-14
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| Application Number: |
US1997000949989
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| IPC Code: |
Advanced:
H01Q 1/12;
H01Q 3/08;
H01Q 21/22;
Core:
more...
IPC-7:
H01Q 3/00;
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| ECLA Code: |
H01Q1/12E1; H01Q3/08; H01Q21/22;
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| U.S. Class: |
Current:
342/368;
342/359;
342/427;
Original:
342/368;
342/359;
342/427;
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| Field of Search: |
342/368,359,372,373,76,427
455/13.3
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| Priority Number: |
| 1997-10-14 |
US1997000949989 |
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| Abstract: |
An antenna having multiple antenna elements that are selectively activated performs an initial acquisition of a satellite signal by activating only a few of the antenna elements. This results in a broad beam width and increases the likelihood of detecting the signal from the satellite. When the satellite signal is initially detected, the system increases the number of active elements to narrow the beam width. The system incrementally increases the number of active antenna elements until the detected signal from the satellite exceeds a predetermined threshold. At that point, the location of the satellite may be precisely determined and all antenna elements activated to lock onto the satellite signal. If the antenna loses acquisition of the satellite signal, the reverse process may be implemented whereby some elements are selectively deactivated to broaden the beam width of the antenna in an effort to reacquire the satellite signal. When the satellite signal is reacquired, the antenna elements are incrementally reactivated until all antenna elements are active.
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| Attorney, Agent or Firm: |
Seed and Berry LLP ;
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| Primary / Asst. Examiners: |
Tarcza, Thomas; Phan, Dao L.
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| Maintenance Status: |
E1 Expired Check current status
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| INPADOC Legal Status: |
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| Family: |
None
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First Claim:
Show all 37 claims |
What is claimed is:
1. A system for the acquisition of a beacon signal transmitted from a satellite in non-geosynchronous earth orbit, the system comprising:
- a phased array antenna having a plurality of antenna elements, with a portion of said plurality of antenna elements being selectively activated and deactivated;
- an amplifier coupled to said antenna to amplify signals detected by said antenna and to generate amplified signals;
- a signal detection circuit coupled to said amplifier to detect the beacon signal in said amplified signals and generate a strength signal indicative of the signal strength of the beacon signal;
- a controller coupled to said antenna to selectively activate and deactivate said portion of said plurality of antenna elements, said controller initially activating less than all of said portion of said plurality of antenna elements and, upon detection of the beacon signal by said signal detection circuit, selectively activating additional ones of said portion of said plurality of antenna elements; and
- an antenna steering circuit coupled to said antenna elements, said steering circuit adjusting an electrical response of the activated antenna elements based on said strength signal to electrically aim the phased array antenna at the satellite.
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| Background / Summary: |
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| Drawing Descriptions: |
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| Description: |
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| Forward References: |
Show 2 U.S. patent(s) that reference this one
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