Multi-beam bi-focal shaped reflector antenna for concurrent communication with multiple non-collocated geostationary satellites and associated method
View Patent ↗In one embodiment, a multi-beam antenna is described. The multi-beam antenna includes a reflector having a single reflector surface defining a first focal region and a second focal region. A first feed group is located within the first focal region. The first feed group includes a first feed oriented relative to the reflector define a first beam pointed in a first direction. The multi-beam antenna further includes a fixed attachment mechanism attaching the first feed group to the reflector such that a position of the first feed group is fixed relative to the reflector. The multi-beam antenna further includes a second feed group located within the second focal region. The second feed group includes a second feed oriented relative to the reflector to define a second beam pointed in a second direction. The multi-beam antenna further includes an adjustable attachment mechanism attaching the second feed group to the reflector in an adjustable relation to the reflector, whereby a difference between the first direction and the second direction is adjustable.
1. A multi-beam antenna comprising:
a reflector having a single blended reflector surface defining a first focal region and a second focal region;
a first feed group located within the first focal region, the first feed group comprising a first feed oriented relative to the reflector to define a first beam pointed in a first direction;
a fixed attachment mechanism attaching the first feed group to the reflector such that a position of the first feed group is fixed relative to the reflector;
a second feed group located within the second focal region, the second feed group comprising a second feed oriented relative to the reflector to define a second beam pointed in a second direction; and
an adjustable attachment mechanism attaching the second feed group to the reflector in an adjustable relation to the reflector, whereby a difference between the first direction and the second direction is adjustable.
2. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first feed and the second feed are each offset from a centerline of the reflector.
3. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first feed and the second feed point to different locations on the reflector.
4. The multi-beam antenna of claim 3 , wherein:
the first feed and the second feed are on opposing sides of a plane that includes a centerline of the reflector; and
the first feed and the second feed point towards the reflector in directions away the centerline.
5. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the second feed group further comprises a third feed fixedly attached to the second feed, the third feed oriented relative to the reflector to define a third beam pointed in a third direction.
6. The multi-beam antenna of claim 5 , wherein the second feed group includes a single casting element containing the second feed and the third feed.
7. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first feed is operable over a first frequency band, and the second feed is operable over a second frequency band different than the first frequency band.
8. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first beam provides communication with a first geostationary satellite via the first feed, and the second beam provides communication with a second geostationary satellite via the second feed.
9. The multi-beam antenna of claim 8 , wherein the first geostationary satellite and the second geostationary satellite are non-collocated.
10. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein an angular separation between the first direction and the second direction is at least 15 degrees.
11. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , further comprising a transceiver coupled to the first feed group.
12. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , further comprising a receiver coupled to the second feed group.
13. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the fixed attachment mechanism comprises a support boom fixedly attaching the first feed group to the reflector.
14. The multi-beam antenna of claim 13 , wherein the first feed group is fixedly attached to the support boom via one or more male-female fitting elements.
15. The multi-beam antenna of claim 13 , wherein the second feed group is adjustably attached to the support boom via the adjustable attachment mechanism.
16. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism provides at least one degree of freedom for adjusting the position of the second feed group relative to the reflector.
17. The multi-beam antenna of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism provides a single degree of freedom for adjusting the position of the second feed group relative to the reflector.
18. The multi-beam antenna of claim 17 , wherein the single degree of freedom is movement of the second feed group along a line.
19. The multi-beam antenna of claim 16 , wherein the adjustable attachment mechanism provides two degrees of freedom for adjusting the position of the second feed group relative to the reflector.
20. The multi-beam antenna of claim 1 , wherein the first feed and the second feed point directly at the reflector.