Integrated mobility terminal for satellite communications
An integrated mobility terminal may include a modem to modulate/demodulate digital data to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal; an RF Conversion Module (RCM) to communicate between the IF signal a Radio Frequency (RF) signal for satellite communications; a Beam Forming Array (BFA) to transceive the RF signal and a Common Control Module (CCM) to manage the modem, the RCM and the BFA. The integrated mobility terminal may include a chassis to house the modem, the RCM, the BFA and the CCM, wherein the chassis is of an integrated-unitary construction.
1 . An integrated mobility terminal comprising:
a modem to modulate/demodulate digital data to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal;
an RF Conversion Module (RCM) to communicate between the IF signal a Radio Frequency (RF) signal for satellite communications;
a Beam Forming Array (BFA) to transceive the RF signal, wherein the BFA comprises an electrically steerable antenna to track the RF signal;
a Common Control Module (CCM) to manage the modem, the RCM and the BFA; and
a chassis to house the modem, the RCM, the BFA and the CCM,
wherein the chassis is of an integrated-unitary construction disposed in an outside environment of an aircraft.
2 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising a power supply unit.
3 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide a geographic location of the integrated mobility terminal.
4 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 3 , wherein the GNSS comprises a Global Positioning System (GPS) providing time, frequency and geographic location information.
5 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), wherein the AHRS provides roll, pitch and yaw measurements needed to properly point the BFA to a satellite.
6 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 5 , wherein the AHRS is self-aligning and a disposition of the integrated mobility terminal on the aircraft is agnostic as to an attitude of the aircraft.
7 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising a data port configured to communicate via digital packets.
8 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising an ethernet port configured to communicate via digital packets.
9 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising a radome forming an exterior wall of the integrated mobility terminal, wherein the radome is disposed above the BFA.
10 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , further comprising a polarizer disposed above the BFA.
11 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 1 , wherein the BFA has an operational range including 10.7 to 12.7 GHz for reception, the BFA has an operational range including 14 to 14.5 GHz for transmission, the BFA has a field of view from 45 to 90 degrees elevation and 360 degrees in azimuth.
12 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 11 , further comprising an AHRS and a GNSS.
13 . An integrated mobility terminal comprising:
a modem to modulate/demodulate digital data to an intermediate frequency (IF) signal;
an RF Conversion Module (RCM) to communicate between the IF signal a Radio Frequency (RF) signal for satellite communications;
a Beam Forming Array (BFA) to transceive the RF signal, wherein the BFA comprises an electrically steerable antenna to track the RF signal:
a Common Control Module (CCM) to manage the modem, the RCM and the BFA; and
an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS), wherein the AHRS provides roll, pitch and yaw measurements needed to properly point the BFA to a satellite,
wherein the AHRS is self-aligning and a disposition of the integrated mobility terminal on an outside environment of an aircraft is agnostic as to an attitude of the aircraft.
14 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , further comprising a power supply unit.
15 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , further comprising a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) to provide a geographic location of the integrated mobility terminal.
16 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , further comprising a data port configured to communicate via digital packets.
17 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , further comprising a radome forming an exterior wall of the integrated mobility terminal, wherein the radome is disposed above the BFA.
18 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , further comprising a polarizer disposed above the BFA.
19 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , wherein the BFA has an operational range including 10.7 to 12.7 GHz for reception, the BFA has an operational range including 14 to 14.5 GHz for transmission, the BFA has a field of view from 45 to 90 degrees elevation and 360 degrees in azimuth.
20 . The integrated mobility terminal of claim 13 , wherein the chassis is of an integrated-unitary construction.