Wide scan steerable antenna
View Patent ↗A steerable antenna configuration having all actuators and the feed source mounted on a stationary side of the antenna thereby eliminating the need of having to supply power and/or communication signal through, a rotation mechanism. A first actuator rotates a reflector assembly about a first axis, and a second actuator rotates at least a main reflector of the reflector assembly about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The second axis is rotatable about the first axis via the first actuator.
1. An antenna configuration for steering of a transmit and/or receive electromagnetic signal beam over wide scan angles within a pre-determined coverage area of the antenna, said antenna configuration comprising:
a support structure for mounting on a platform and defining a stationary side of the antenna configuration;
a transmitting and/or receiving signal feed chain mounting on the support structure;
a reflector assembly movably mounting on the support structure about first and second axes of rotation, the first and second axes of rotation being generally perpendicular to one another; and
a first actuator rotating the reflector assembly, and a second actuator rotating a main reflector of the reflector assembly about the second axis of rotation, the first and second actuators fixedly mounting on the support structure.
2. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the e reflector assembly includes the main reflector movably mounted relative to a sub-reflector thereof.
3. The antenna configuration of claim 2 , wherein the main reflector is rotatably mounted relative to the sub-reflector, the main reflector rotating about both the first and second axes of rotation and the sub-reflector rotating only about the first axis of rotation.
4. The antenna configuration of claim 3 , wherein the reflector assembly includes a splash reflector fixedly mounted onto the main reflector, the splash reflector reflecting the signal beam between the main reflector and the sub-reflector.
5. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the first and second actuators are rotary actuators.
6. The antenna configuration of claim 2 , wherein the first axis of rotation is substantially aligned with a feed source of the feed chain, and the second axis of rotation is substantially aligned with a reflection of the feed source on the sub-reflector.
7. The antenna configuration of claim 2 , wherein the sub-reflector defines first and second focal points thereof, the first and second focal points substantially lying on the first and second axes of rotation.
8. The antenna configuration of claim 7 , wherein the first focal point substantially lies on a feed source of the feed chain.
9. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the second axis of rotation is rotated about the first axis of rotation by the first actuator.
10. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes of rotation are co-planar.
11. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the reflector assembly is connected to the first actuator via a gear assembly, the main reflector being rotatably mounted onto the gear assembly about the second axis of rotation via a bearing assembly.
12. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the main reflector is connected to the second actuator via a gear assembly.
13. The antenna configuration of claim 12 , wherein the gear assembly includes bevel gears.
14. The antenna configuration of claim 1 , wherein the main reflector is connected to the second actuator via a connecting rod and crank assembly.
15. The antenna configuration of claim 14 , wherein the connecting rod and crank assembly includes a connecting rod mounted on ball joints.
16. The antenna configuration of claim 15 , wherein the connecting rod connects to a substantially outer periphery of the main reflector.