Drive arrangement for mechanically-steered antennas

摘要

A mechanically steerable antenna suitable for mobile earth stations of satellite communication systems comprises a support member mounted upon a base member and an active antenna element or array of elements mounted upon the support member. The antenna element or array of elements is rotatable about its boresight relative to the support member. The support member itself is rotatable in azimuth relative to the base member. The rotation axis of the antenna element or array of elements and the rotation axis of the support member are mutually inclined by a predetermined angle corresponding to the mean elevation angle of the satellite. The antenna includes drive means for rotating the support member relative to the base member, and a flexible coupling interconnects the base member and the antenna element. The arrangement is such that, as the support member rotates relative to the base member, the flexible coupling transmits torsional forces to rotate the antenna element or array of elements oppositely relative to the support member.