Remote satellite terminal with antenna polarization alignment enforcement and associated methods

摘要

A communications system includes a satellite hub, a remote satellite terminal, and a satellite configured to provide communications therebetween. The remote terminal includes a controller that functions as an enforcement mechanism when adjusting antenna polarization on the remote satellite terminal to facilitate communications with the satellite. The satellite transmits an acquisition signal at a first satellite polarization angle, and a jamming signal at a second satellite polarization angle different from the first satellite polarization angle. If the polarization is not set correctly, then the jamming signal is not filtered by a narrow width null of the receive gain pattern at the remote satellite terminal, and the controller inhibits transmission. This forces an installer to correctly set the polarization of the antenna at the remote satellite terminal.

主权项

1. A communications system comprising:
a satellite hub, a remote satellite terminal, and a satellite configured to provide communications therebetween; said satellite configured to transmit to said remote satellite terminal an acquisition signal at a first satellite polarization angle, and a jamming signal at a second satellite polarization angle different from the first satellite polarization angle; said remote satellite terminal comprising an antenna defining
first and second remote terminal polarization angles being adjustable to obtain polarization alignment with the respective first and second satellite polarization angles,a receive gain pattern being relatively wide about the first remote terminal polarization angle, and having a narrow width null at the second remote terminal polarization angle, anda transmit gain pattern having a narrow width peak at the second remote terminal polarization angle; said remote terminal further comprising a remote terminal controller configured to inhibit transmission without polarization alignment as determined based upon receiving the acquisition signal while filtering the jamming signal with the narrow width null of the receive gain pattern.