公开(公告)号：US09666948B1

公开(公告)日：2017-05-30

申请号：US15013561

申请日：2016-02-02

Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Inventor： Sudhakar K. Rao ,  Sebong Chun

IPC: H01Q21/00 ,  H01Q11/08 ,  H01Q1/36 ,  H01Q21/06 ,  H01Q21/28 ,  H01Q1/28

CPC classification number: H01Q11/08 ,  H01Q1/288 ,  H01Q1/362 ,  H01Q21/061 ,  H01Q21/28

Abstract: An inter-satellite cross-link antenna for a communications satellite in a constellation of satellites in earth orbit. The complete cross-link system is an array of eight quadrifilar helix antennas with a new design which is eight times smaller than previous designs, and has superior inter-satellite communications performance. The quadrifilar helix antenna is designed with a length, diameter, helix pitch angle and ground plate connectivity which is matched to the UHF inter-satellite communication frequency to provided a toroidal radiation pattern with high signal strength in a direction normal to the antenna axis and very low signal strength in an axial direction. The array of eight quadrifilar helix antennas does not require interleaving with the L-band GPS antenna aperture on the satellite, and does not block or interfere with the earth-directed GPS signals.

公开(公告)号：US20160365630A1

公开(公告)日：2016-12-15

申请号：US14739540

申请日：2015-06-15

Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Inventor： SUDHAKAR K. RAO ,  Daniel H. Roper ,  Alan M. Taft ,  Sebong Chun ,  Christopher S. Brown ,  Mansoor K. Siddique

IPC: H01Q3/20 ,  H01Q19/13

CPC classification number: H01Q3/20 ,  H01Q1/288 ,  H01Q3/06 ,  H01Q19/132 ,  H01Q19/134 ,  H01Q19/193

Abstract: A dual-reflector inter-satellite link (ISL) subsystem, for a communications satellite in a constellation of satellites in low earth orbit or medium earth orbit, is disclosed. The ISL subsystem includes a main antenna reflector which uses a single-axis gimbal to steer the main reflector only in the elevation plane. An antenna subreflector, a horn and RF feed circuitry are stationary with respect to the host satellite. The main reflector has a super-elliptical design which provides a beam shape which requires no steering in the azimuth plane, while meeting ISL signal strength requirements. By steering the main reflector only, and only in the elevation plane, the disclosed ISL subsystem delivers significantly lower size, mass, complexity and cost, and significantly greater reliability, than traditional ISL systems.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种用于低地球轨道或中等轨道卫星星座中的通信卫星的双反射器卫星间链路（ISL）子系统。 ISL子系统包括主天线反射器，其使用单轴万向架仅在仰角平面中引导主反射器。 天线子反射器，喇叭和RF馈电电路相对于主卫星是固定的。 主反射器具有超椭圆形设计，其提供了在方位平面中不需要转向的梁形状，同时满足ISL信号强度要求。 通过仅转向主反射器，仅在高程平面上，与传统的ISL系统相比，所公开的ISL子系统显着降低了尺寸，质量，复杂性和成本，并显着提高了可靠性。

公开(公告)号：US09590299B2

公开(公告)日：2017-03-07

申请号：US14739540

申请日：2015-06-15

Applicant: NORTHROP GRUMMAN SYSTEMS CORPORATION

Inventor： Sudhakar K. Rao ,  Daniel H. Roper ,  Alan M. Taft ,  Sebong Chun ,  Christopher S. Brown ,  Mansoor K. Siddique

IPC: H01Q3/12 ,  H01Q3/20 ,  H01Q19/13 ,  H01Q1/28 ,  H01Q3/06 ,  H01Q19/19

CPC classification number: H01Q3/20 ,  H01Q1/288 ,  H01Q3/06 ,  H01Q19/132 ,  H01Q19/134 ,  H01Q19/193

Abstract: A dual-reflector inter-satellite link (ISL) subsystem, for a communications satellite in a constellation of satellites in low earth orbit or medium earth orbit. The ISL subsystem includes a main antenna reflector which uses a single-axis gimbal to steer the main reflector only in the elevation plane. An antenna subreflector, a horn and RF feed circuitry are stationary with respect to the host satellite. The main reflector has a super-elliptical design which provides a beam shape which requires no steering in the azimuth plane, while meeting ISL signal strength requirements. By steering the main reflector only, and only in the elevation plane, the disclosed ISL subsystem delivers significantly lower size, mass, complexity and cost, and significantly greater reliability, than traditional ISL systems.

Abstract translation: 用于低地球轨道或中等轨道卫星星座中的通信卫星的双反射器卫星间链路（ISL）子系统。 ISL子系统包括主天线反射器，其使用单轴万向架仅在仰角平面中引导主反射器。 天线子反射器，喇叭和RF馈电电路相对于主卫星是固定的。 主反射器具有超椭圆形设计，其提供了在方位平面中不需要转向的梁形状，同时满足ISL信号强度要求。 通过仅转向主反射器，仅在高程平面上，与传统的ISL系统相比，所公开的ISL子系统显着降低了尺寸，质量，复杂性和成本，并显着提高了可靠性。

公开(公告)号：US09246234B2

公开(公告)日：2016-01-26

申请号：US14034688

申请日：2013-09-24

Applicant: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Inventor： Sudhakar K. Rao ,  Sebong Chun

IPC: H01Q19/19 ,  H01Q1/28 ,  H01Q5/55

CPC classification number: H01Q19/193 ,  H01Q1/28 ,  H01Q5/55 ,  H01Q19/19

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an antenna in accordance with the present invention utilizes a sub-reflector and a main reflector with each of them having its own focal-ring type geometry. The antenna cooperates with a signal transmission feed disposed at the center of the antenna axis between the first and main reflectors to emit radio signals towards the sub-reflector. The sub-reflector reflects radio waves towards a main reflector which in turn reflects the radio waves to form the beam pattern emitted by the antenna. The reflecting surface of the sub-reflector is formed by a portion of an axially-displaced ellipse rotated about the antenna axis. The reflecting surface of the main reflector is defined by a section of a parabola rotated about the antenna axis to form a reflecting surface that concavely slopes away from the antenna axis. An embodiment of the antenna provides a wide coverage conical beam with selectable beam peaks that operate over a 2.25:1 frequency band range and provides substantially iso-flux beam density.

Abstract translation: 根据本发明的天线的示例性实施例利用子反射器和主反射器，其中每个具有其自身的焦环型几何形状。 天线与设置在第一和反射器之间的天线轴的中心的信号传输馈送协作，以向子反射器发射无线电信号。 副反射器朝向主反射器反射无线电波，该主反射器又反射无线电波以形成由天线发射的波束图案。 副反射器的反射表面由围绕天线轴线旋转的轴向移位的椭圆的一部分形成。 主反射器的反射表面由围绕天线轴线旋转的抛物线的一部分限定，以形成远离天线轴线凹陷地倾斜的反射表面。 天线的一个实施例提供具有可选波束峰值的宽覆盖圆锥形波束，其在2.25：1频带范围内工作，并提供基本上等磁通量的光束密度。

公开(公告)号：US20150084821A1

公开(公告)日：2015-03-26

申请号：US14034688

申请日：2013-09-24

Applicant: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation

Inventor： Sudhakar K. Rao ,  Sebong Chun

IPC: H01Q19/19

CPC classification number: H01Q19/193 ,  H01Q1/28 ,  H01Q5/55 ,  H01Q19/19

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of an antenna in accordance with the present invention utilizes a sub-reflector and a main reflector with each of them having its own focal-ring type geometry. The antenna cooperates with a signal transmission feed disposed at the center of the antenna axis between the first and main reflectors to emit radio signals towards the sub-reflector. The sub-reflector reflects radio waves towards a main reflector which in turn reflects the radio waves to form the beam pattern emitted by the antenna. The reflecting surface of the sub-reflector is formed by a portion of an axially-displaced ellipse rotated about the antenna axis. The reflecting surface of the main reflector is defined by a section of a parabola rotated about the antenna axis to form a reflecting surface that concavely slopes away from the antenna axis. An embodiment of the antenna provides a wide coverage conical beam with selectable beam peaks that operate over a 2.25:1 frequency band range and provides substantially iso-flux beam density.

Abstract translation: 根据本发明的天线的示例性实施例利用子反射器和主反射器，其中每个具有其自身的焦环型几何形状。 天线与设置在第一和反射器之间的天线轴的中心的信号传输馈送协作，以向子反射器发射无线电信号。 副反射器朝向主反射器反射无线电波，该主反射器又反射无线电波以形成由天线发射的波束图案。 副反射器的反射表面由围绕天线轴线旋转的轴向移位的椭圆的一部分形成。 主反射器的反射表面由围绕天线轴线旋转的抛物面的一部分限定，以形成远离天线轴线凹陷的反射表面。 天线的一个实施例提供具有可选波束峰值的宽覆盖圆锥形波束，其在2.25：1频带范围内工作，并提供基本上等磁通量的光束密度。