Wide scan steerable antenna with no key-hole

摘要

A steerable antenna architecture, or configuration, for optimal steering of transmitting and/or receiving beam over wide scan angles, is capable of steering the beam on a full hemisphere (2π steradians), with no singularity or key-hole within a coverage area and with only one RF rotary joint. The architecture includes a dual-reflector assembly defining an antenna focal point located close to a main reflector surface and a signal feed chain having a signal source located adjacent to the antenna focal point and defining a feed axis substantially pointing towards a sub-reflector intersection point. A first actuator rotates the feed chain and the dual-reflector assembly about a first rotation axis generally perpendicular to the feed axis and not intersecting with the coverage area. A second actuator rotates one of the main reflector and the dual-reflector assembly about a second rotation axis aligned with the feed axis.

主权项

1. A transmitting and/or receiving steerable antenna configuration for optimal beam steering of an electromagnetic signal over wide scan angles within a pre-determined coverage area of the antenna, said antenna configuration comprising:
a sub-reflector and main reflector assembly defining an antenna focal point located substantially adjacent to a reflecting surface of a main reflector; transmitting and/or receiving signal feed chain having a signal source located adjacent to the antenna focal point and defining a feed axis substantially pointing towards a sub-reflector intersection point, the main reflector generating a signal beam having a beam axis defining a beam angle with the feed axis; a first rotation member rotating the feed chain and the sub-reflector and main reflector assembly about a first rotation axis generally perpendicular to the feed axis and not intersecting with the coverage area; and a second rotation member rotating one of the main reflector and the sub-reflector and main reflector assembly relative to the signal feed chain about a second rotation axis substantially aligned with the feed axis, the second rotation member being rotated by the first rotation member.