EP0992080A1 - Antenna with high scanning capacity - Google Patents

Antenna with high scanning capacity

Info

Publication number
EP0992080A1
EP0992080A1 EP98933717A EP98933717A EP0992080A1 EP 0992080 A1 EP0992080 A1 EP 0992080A1 EP 98933717 A EP98933717 A EP 98933717A EP 98933717 A EP98933717 A EP 98933717A EP 0992080 A1 EP0992080 A1 EP 0992080A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
reflector
antenna
radiating elements
antenna according
satellite
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP98933717A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0992080B1 (en
Inventor
Régis Lenormand
Frédéric Croq
Frédéric Magnin
Philippe Voisin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Alcatel CIT SA
Alcatel Lucent SAS
Original Assignee
Alcatel CIT SA
Alcatel SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Alcatel CIT SA, Alcatel SA filed Critical Alcatel CIT SA
Publication of EP0992080A1 publication Critical patent/EP0992080A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0992080B1 publication Critical patent/EP0992080B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q25/00—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns
    • H01Q25/007—Antennas or antenna systems providing at least two radiating patterns using two or more primary active elements in the focal region of a focusing device
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q19/00—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic
    • H01Q19/10—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces
    • H01Q19/18—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces having two or more spaced reflecting surfaces
    • H01Q19/19—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces having two or more spaced reflecting surfaces comprising one main concave reflecting surface associated with an auxiliary reflecting surface
    • H01Q19/192—Combinations of primary active antenna elements and units with secondary devices, e.g. with quasi-optical devices, for giving the antenna a desired directional characteristic using reflecting surfaces having two or more spaced reflecting surfaces comprising one main concave reflecting surface associated with an auxiliary reflecting surface with dual offset reflectors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an antenna with high scanning capacity. It relates more particularly to an antenna which is intended for a telecommunications system, in particular by satellite. For various applications, there is often a need for antennas intended to receive signals from a mobile source and / or transmit signals to a mobile receiver (or target). In order to make such transmit and / or receive antennas, most often active antennas made up of stationary radiating elements are used but the direction of the radiation diagram can be varied by varying the phase of the signals supplying the radiating elements. .
  • This technique does not make it possible to obtain satisfactory radiation patterns for large deflection angles, that is to say for directions deviating significantly from the average direction of emission and / or reception.
  • the tracking of a source or a receiver can also be carried out using a conventional antenna, a motor controlling the movement of this antenna.
  • This type of antenna with mechanically mobile and motor elements is not suitable for all applications. In particular, for space applications it is preferable to avoid, for reasons of reliability, size and weight, the use of such an antenna.
  • the invention overcomes these drawbacks. It allows the creation of an antenna with high scanning capacity with a radiation pattern satisfactory for large deflection angles and which does not use moving parts.
  • the antenna according to the invention comprises a set of static radiating elements controlled to carry out scanning and reflective means for amplifying the scanning angle provided by the radiating elements.
  • the reflector means comprise two reflectors having a common focus, the first reflector receiving the beam emitted by the set of radiating elements and the second reflector receiving the beam reflected by the first reflector.
  • the focal distance of the first reflector is greater than the focal distance of the second reflector so that the beam exiting from the antenna has an inclination with respect to a predetermined direction which is greater than the inclination ⁇ , with respect to at the given direction, of the beam emitted by the radiating elements.
  • the angle of the scanning carried out by the radiating elements can be reduced in proportion to the amplification carried out by the reflecting means.
  • the radiating elements are not used for too large deflection angles.
  • the constraints imposed on radiating elements which must scan at a reduced angle are much less severe.
  • the dimensions of the assembly are less limited, which allows a pitch, that is to say a distance between two adjacent radiating elements, of a value sufficient to avoid the lobes of networks without compromising the propagation of the radiation.
  • the reflecting means are in fact analogous to those usually used, for example in break-out antennas. grain, to increase the beam size.
  • the reflecting means are used in reverse of the usual use. Indeed, in a Cassegrain antenna, an increase in the size of the beam corresponds to a decrease in the scanning angle.
  • each reflector comprises, for example, a paraboloid.
  • the gain of the scanning amplification depends on the ratio between the focal distances of the two reflectors. This ratio is, for example, four.
  • the reflectors are arranged so that the output beam is not obscured, even partially, by the first reflector, that is to say the reflector directly receiving the beam from the radiating elements.
  • a preferred application of the invention relates to an antenna for communication with a plurality of sources or receivers located in a wide area, the communication having to remain confined in the area despite the change in position of the antenna relative to the area. This problem arises in particular in a telecommunications system with a network of low-orbit satellites. Such a system has already been proposed for high-speed communication between stations or land mobiles located in a determined geographical area with an extent of several hundred kilometers. The satellites have an altitude which is between 1000 and 1500 km.
  • each satellite has groups of receive and transmit antennas, each group being dedicated to a given area.
  • the receiving antennas receive the signals from a station in the area and the antennas retransmit the received signals to another station in the same area.
  • the antennas of a group remain constantly oriented towards the area, as long as it remains in the field of vision of the satellite. So, for a satellite, a region of the earth is divided into n areas and when it moves over it of a region, to each zone is assigned a group of transmitting and receiving antennas which remain constantly oriented towards this zone.
  • the radiation pattern has a variable shape depending on the relative position of the satellite with respect to the area.
  • the antenna sees the zone in the form of a circle when the satellite is at the nadir of this zone; on the other hand when the satellite moves away from this position the antenna sees the zone in the form of an ellipse all the more flattened as it approaches the horizon.
  • an antenna according to the invention in which the reflectors are paraboloids makes it possible to adapt the ground trace of the diagram to the relative position of the antenna with respect to the area, without having to modify the radiation diagram provided by the radiating elements.
  • the antenna has a significant gain when the satellite is close to the horizon relative to the area.
  • the distance from the satellite to the area is the most important; thus the increase in gain compensates for the increase in distance, which is favorable for maintaining communications.
  • two antennas of the type mentioned above are provided, each antenna being used for an even more reduced scanning.
  • An antenna according to the invention can be used to follow several zones, the radiating elements being able to receive, or transmit, signals from or to several zones.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a telecommunications system between stations or land mobiles using a satellite system
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a telecommunications system
  • FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram of an antenna according to the invention
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram for a variant
  • FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the region which the antenna shown in FIG. 4 can cover
  • FIG. 6 is a diagram showing two associated antennas to cover all the areas represented in FIG. 6, and the Figure 7 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment using associated antennas.
  • the example of antenna which will be described is intended for a telecommunication system using a constellation of satellites with low orbit, approximately 1300 km above the surface 10 of the earth.
  • the system must establish communications between users 12, 14, 16 (FIG. 1) and one or more connection station (s) 20 to which service providers such as databases are connected. Communications are also established between users via the connection station 20. These communications are carried out by means of a satellite 22.
  • the satellite 22 sees a region 24 of the earth (FIG. 2) and this region is divided into zones 26 ⁇ _, 262 - .. 26 n .
  • Each zone 26 ⁇ has the shape of a circle with a diameter of about 700 km.
  • Each region 24 is delimited by a cone 70 (FIG. 1) centered on the satellite and an apex angle determined by the altitude of the satellite. A region is thus the part of the earth visible from the satellite. When the satellite altitude is 1300 km, the apex angle is about 110 °.
  • the communication between zones is carried out using terrestrial means, for example using cables arranged between the connection stations of the various zones forming part of the same region or of different regions.
  • the number and arrangement of satellites are such that at any given moment, an area 26j_ sees two or three satellites. In this way, when a zone 26 ⁇ leaves the field of vision of the satellite allocated to communications in this zone, there remains a satellite to take over and the switching from one satellite to the other takes place instantaneously.
  • the antennas according to the invention are, during the movement of the satellite over a region 24, always pointed towards the same zone or the same set of zones. They must therefore have a strong sweeping or depointing capacity.
  • the antenna includes ( Figure 3) a panel
  • a beam 32 emitted by the panel 30 is directed towards a first reflector 34 having the shape of a paraboloid with circular cutout.
  • This reflector is an element of a fictitious surface 36 whose axis 38, on which the hearth 40 is located, is distant from the reflector 34.
  • the axis 38 is perpendicular to the plane of the panel 30.
  • the beam 42 reflected by the reflector 34 is directed towards a second reflector 44 arranged opposite the axis 38 with respect to the reflector 34 and to the panel 30.
  • This reflector 44 is also an element of a fictitious surface 46, which in the plane of FIG. 3, is a parabola with the same focus 40 as the parabola 36 and with the same axis 38.
  • the surface 46 is also a paraboloid.
  • the concavity of the reflector 44 is turned towards the concavity of the reflector 34.
  • the focal distance of the reflector 44 is for example four times less than the focal distance of the reflector 34.
  • the axis 38 does not form an intersection with the reflectors 34 and 44.
  • the edge 44 ⁇ _ of the reflector 44 closest to the axis 38 is at a distance from the axis substantially less than the distance from the corresponding edge 34 ] _ of the reflector 34 to the axis 38.
  • the network 30 has a general external shape of a circle with a diameter of 30 cm
  • Each of the reflectors is cut in a circle.
  • the diameter of the circle limiting the reflector 34 is, in this example, of the order of 28 ⁇ , while the diameter of the circle limiting the reflector 44 is of the order of 30 ⁇ .
  • the distance between the edge 34 ] _ of the axis 38 is 24 ⁇ and the distance between the edge 44 ] _ of the reflector 44 and the axis 38 is 4 ⁇ .
  • the beam 32g reflected by the reflector 34 converges at a point 50 close to the focal point 40 and the beam 327 reflected by the reflector 44 is inclined by an angle which is about n times the angle ⁇ , n being the ratio of the focal distance f of the reflector 34 to the focal distance f of the reflector 44. In the example, this ratio between the focal distances being four, the beam 32 is therefore inclined at an angle 40 relative to the axis 38.
  • the beam 32 ⁇ _o is reflected in a beam 32 ⁇ _ ⁇ _ by the reflector 34 and the latter converges at a point 52 distant from the focal point 40.
  • the beam 32 ] _ ⁇ _ is reflected by the reflector 44 in a beam 32 ] _2-
  • the beam 32 also of azimuth 90 °, is inclined by 18 ° relative to axis 38. This value corresponds well to 4 ⁇ .
  • the beam 32 ⁇ _2 has an inclination of 38 ° relative to the axis 38, which is substantially less than four times the inclination of the beam 32; ] _o- The azimuth of the beam 32 ⁇ 2 is also 90 °.
  • the beam emitted by the network 30 can scan an angle ⁇ between 4.5 ° and -14 °.
  • These limits are imposed, first of all, by the geoma- sorts because the beam reflected by the reflector 34 must reach the reflector 44 and, in addition, the beam reflected by the reflector 44 must not be obscured by the reflector 34.
  • the radiation performance of the beams converging forward ( in the direction of the outgoing beam) of the focal point 40 also limit the scanning because, for these inclined beams, it moves away from the nominal operation.
  • FIG. 4 relates to a variant of FIG. 3 in which the reflector 44 ′ has a generally ovoid shape, that is to say more elongated in one direction than in the orthogonal direction, and the reflector 34 ′ presents, as the reflector 34, a circular cut.
  • the reflector 44 has its largest dimension in the plane of symmetry which is perpendicular to the axis 38 common to the two paraboloids. In this example, this largest dimension is approximately 48 ⁇ .
  • the deflection of the beam emitted by the network 30 can be varied from + 4 ° to -14 ° in the plane containing the center of the network 30 and the axis 38 and from + 15 ° to -15 ° in the plane of symmetry.
  • the antenna does not make it possible to cover the entire region seen by the satellite, but the fraction 80 of this region which is hatched in FIG. 5.
  • This fraction 80 represents approximately 60% of the region.
  • a pair of antennas arranged as shown in FIG. 6.
  • an antenna 90 transmits favorably towards the West, while an antenna 92 transmits in a privileged way towards the East.
  • the two antennas 90 and 92 are integral with a planar support 94, the normal of which 96 is directed towards the center of the earth. In other words, the axis 96 is always pointed towards the point 100 in FIG. 5.
  • the antennas 90 and 92 emit towards regions symmetrical with respect to the axis 102 (FIG. 5). Thus the antenna 90 emits towards the region 80 while the antenna 92 emits towards the symmetrical region of this region 80 with respect to the axis 102.
  • the axis 38_ of the antenna 90 is, with respect to the axis 96 inclined in such a way that it is directed towards a zone 26p (FIG. 5) corresponding substantially to the center of the region 80.
  • the axis 382 of the antenna 92 is inclined symmetrically.
  • the same network of radiating elements 30 can be used to emit several beams.
  • the same network 30 associated with reflectors 34 and 44 or 34 'and 44' can be used to transmit to several zones or to receive signals from several zones.
  • the same support 94 carries two pairs of antennas 90 ⁇ , 92] _ and 9 ⁇ 2, 922-
  • Each antenna for example that of reference 92 ⁇ , comprises two panels of radiating elements, the one 30 ] _ for transmission, and the other 3O2 for reception.
  • the gain is greater at the edge of region 24 than at nadir.
  • the region limits correspond to the most important inclinations for which the concerned area of the exit reflector (or radiating aperture) is the most important and therefore for which the resolution is the most important.
  • This property appears in FIG. 3 where it can be seen that on the reflector 44 the beam 32 ⁇ _2 corresponds to a larger area than the beam 323. In this way, for the most inclined zones which are the most distant, the increase gain compensates for the increase in distance.
  • the shape of the ground trace adapts to the target area.

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  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)

Abstract

The invention concerns an antenna with high scanning capacity, comprising a panel of static radiating elements (30) controlled to emit in variable directions relative to a direction (38) perpendicular to the panel plane. Reflectors (34, 44) amplify the scanning operated by the panel (30) of radiating elements. Said reflectors (34, 44) are for example paraboloid segments with a common axis (38) and a common focus (40).

Description

ANTENNE A FORTE CAPACITE DE BALAYAGE ANTENNA WITH HIGH SCANNING CAPACITY
La présente invention est relative à une antenne à forte capacité de balayage. Elle concerne plus particulièrement une antenne qui est destinée à un système de télécommunication, notamment par satellites. Pour diverses applications, on a souvent besoin d'antennes destinées à recevoir des signaux d'une source mobile et/ou émettre des signaux vers un récepteur (ou cible) mobile. Pour réaliser de telles antennes d'émission et/ou de réception on utilise le plus souvent des antennes actives constituées d'éléments rayonnants immobiles mais dont on peut faire varier la direction du diagramme de rayonnement en faisant varier la phase des signaux alimentant les éléments rayonnants.The present invention relates to an antenna with high scanning capacity. It relates more particularly to an antenna which is intended for a telecommunications system, in particular by satellite. For various applications, there is often a need for antennas intended to receive signals from a mobile source and / or transmit signals to a mobile receiver (or target). In order to make such transmit and / or receive antennas, most often active antennas made up of stationary radiating elements are used but the direction of the radiation diagram can be varied by varying the phase of the signals supplying the radiating elements. .
Cette technique ne permet pas d'obtenir des diagrammes de rayonnement satisfaisants pour les angles de dépointage importants, c'est-à-dire pour les directions s 'écartant de façon notable de la direction moyenne d'émission et/ou de réception.This technique does not make it possible to obtain satisfactory radiation patterns for large deflection angles, that is to say for directions deviating significantly from the average direction of emission and / or reception.
Le suivi d'une source ou d'un récepteur peut également être effectué à l'aide d'une antenne conventionnelle, un moteur commandant le déplacement de cette antenne. Ce type d'antenne à éléments mécaniquement mobiles et à moteur ne convient pas pour toutes les applications. En particulier, pour les applications spatiales il est préférable d'éviter, pour des raisons de fiabilité, d'encombrement et de poids, l'utilisation d'une telle antenne .The tracking of a source or a receiver can also be carried out using a conventional antenna, a motor controlling the movement of this antenna. This type of antenna with mechanically mobile and motor elements is not suitable for all applications. In particular, for space applications it is preferable to avoid, for reasons of reliability, size and weight, the use of such an antenna.
L'invention remédie à ces inconvénients. Elle permet la réalisation d'une antenne à forte capacité de balayage avec un diagramme de rayonnement satisfaisant pour les angles de dépointage importants et qui ne fait pas appel à des organes mobiles .The invention overcomes these drawbacks. It allows the creation of an antenna with high scanning capacity with a radiation pattern satisfactory for large deflection angles and which does not use moving parts.
L'antenne conforme à l'invention comporte un ensemble d'éléments rayonnants statiques commandés pour réaliser un bala- yage et des moyens réflecteurs pour amplifier l'angle de balayage fourni par les éléments rayonnants . Les moyens réflecteur comportent deux réflecteurs présentant un foyer commun le premier réflecteur recevant le faisceau émis par l'ensemble d'éléments rayonnants et le deuxième réflecteur recevant le faisceau réfléchi par le premier réflecteur.The antenna according to the invention comprises a set of static radiating elements controlled to carry out scanning and reflective means for amplifying the scanning angle provided by the radiating elements. The reflector means comprise two reflectors having a common focus, the first reflector receiving the beam emitted by the set of radiating elements and the second reflector receiving the beam reflected by the first reflector.
Selon 1 ' invention la distance focale du premier réflecteur est supérieure à la distance focale du deuxième réflecteur de telle sorte que le faisceau sortant de 1 ' antenne présente une inclinaison par rapport à une direction prédéterminée qui est supérieure à l'inclinaison Θ, par rapport à la direction donnée, du faisceau émis par les éléments rayonnants .According to the invention the focal distance of the first reflector is greater than the focal distance of the second reflector so that the beam exiting from the antenna has an inclination with respect to a predetermined direction which is greater than the inclination Θ, with respect to at the given direction, of the beam emitted by the radiating elements.
Ainsi 1 ' angle du balayage effectué par les éléments rayonnants peut être réduit en proportion de 1 ' amplification réalisée par les moyens réflecteurs. De cette manière, les éléments rayonnants ne sont pas utilisés pour des angles de dépointage trop importants. En outre les contraintes imposées à des éléments rayonnants devant effectuer un balayage selon un angle réduit, sont beaucoup moins sévères. En particulier, les dimensions de l'ensemble sont moins limitées, ce qui permet un pas, c'est-à-dire une distance entre deux éléments rayonnants adjacents, d'une valeur suffisante pour éviter les lobes de réseaux sans compromettre la propagation du rayonnement.Thus the angle of the scanning carried out by the radiating elements can be reduced in proportion to the amplification carried out by the reflecting means. In this way, the radiating elements are not used for too large deflection angles. In addition, the constraints imposed on radiating elements which must scan at a reduced angle are much less severe. In particular, the dimensions of the assembly are less limited, which allows a pitch, that is to say a distance between two adjacent radiating elements, of a value sufficient to avoid the lobes of networks without compromising the propagation of the radiation.
Les moyens réflecteurs sont en fait analogues à ceux habituellement utilisés, par exemple dans les antennes Casse- grain, pour augmenter la taille du faisceau. Toutefois avec 1 ' invention les moyens réflecteurs sont utilisés à 1 ' inverse de l'usage habituel. En effet, dans une antenne Cassegrain, une augmentation de la taille du faisceau correspond à une diminution de 1 ' angle de balayage.The reflecting means are in fact analogous to those usually used, for example in break-out antennas. grain, to increase the beam size. However with the invention the reflecting means are used in reverse of the usual use. Indeed, in a Cassegrain antenna, an increase in the size of the beam corresponds to a decrease in the scanning angle.
Dans une réalisation, chaque réflecteurs comporte, par exemple, un paraboloïde. Le gain de l'amplification en balayage dépend du rapport entre les distances focales des deux réflecteurs . Ce rapport est, par exemple, de quatre.In one embodiment, each reflector comprises, for example, a paraboloid. The gain of the scanning amplification depends on the ratio between the focal distances of the two reflectors. This ratio is, for example, four.
Les réflecteurs sont disposés de façon telle que le faisceau de sortie ne soit pas occulté, même partiellement, par le premier réflecteur, c'est-à-dire le réflecteur recevant directement le faisceau provenant des éléments rayonnants . Une application préférée de l'invention concerne une antenne pour la communication avec une pluralité de sources ou récepteurs se trouvant dans une zone étendue, la communication devant rester confinée dans la zone malgré le changement de position de 1 ' antenne par rapport à la zone . Ce problème se pose en particulier dans un système de télécommunication à réseau de satellites à orbite basse. Un tel système a déjà été proposé pour la communication à haut débit entre stations ou mobiles terrestres se trouvant dans une zone géographique déterminée d'une étendue de plusieurs centaines de kilomètres. Les satellites ont une altitude qui se situe entre 1000 et 1500 km.The reflectors are arranged so that the output beam is not obscured, even partially, by the first reflector, that is to say the reflector directly receiving the beam from the radiating elements. A preferred application of the invention relates to an antenna for communication with a plurality of sources or receivers located in a wide area, the communication having to remain confined in the area despite the change in position of the antenna relative to the area. This problem arises in particular in a telecommunications system with a network of low-orbit satellites. Such a system has already been proposed for high-speed communication between stations or land mobiles located in a determined geographical area with an extent of several hundred kilometers. The satellites have an altitude which is between 1000 and 1500 km.
Dans ce système, chaque satellite comporte des groupes d'antennes de réception et d'émission, chaque groupe étant dédié à une zone donnée. Dans chaque groupe les antennes de réception reçoivent les signaux provenant d'une station dans la zone et les antennes réémettent les signaux reçus vers une autre station dans la même zone. Les antennes d'un groupe restent constamment orientées vers la zone, tant que celle-ci reste dans le champ de vision du satellite. Ainsi, pour un satellite, une région de la terre est divisée en n zones et quand il se déplace au-dessus d'une région, à chaque zone est affecté un groupe d'antennes d'émission et de réception qui restent constamment orientées vers cette zone.In this system, each satellite has groups of receive and transmit antennas, each group being dedicated to a given area. In each group the receiving antennas receive the signals from a station in the area and the antennas retransmit the received signals to another station in the same area. The antennas of a group remain constantly oriented towards the area, as long as it remains in the field of vision of the satellite. So, for a satellite, a region of the earth is divided into n areas and when it moves over it of a region, to each zone is assigned a group of transmitting and receiving antennas which remain constantly oriented towards this zone.
De cette manière, pendant le déplacement - par exemple d'une durée d'une vingtaine de minutes - du satellite au-dessus d'une région, un seul groupe d'antennes d'émission et de réception étant affecté à la zone, on évite des commutations d'une antenne à une autre qui pourraient être dommageables à la rapidité ou la qualité de la communication. Par ailleurs, la basse altitude des satellites minimise les temps de propagation, ce qui est favorable à des communications de type interactif, notamment pour des applications dites multimédias .In this way, during the movement - for example of a duration of around twenty minutes - of the satellite over a region, a single group of transmit and receive antennas being assigned to the area, avoids switching from one antenna to another which could be harmful to the speed or quality of communication. Furthermore, the low altitude of the satellites minimizes the propagation times, which is favorable for communications of the interactive type, in particular for so-called multimedia applications.
On comprend qu ' avec ce système de télécommunication il est préférable qu'une antenne destinée à une zone ne puisse être perturbée par les signaux provenant d'une autre zone ou qu'elle ne perturbe pas d' autres zones . En outre le diagramme de rayonnement présente une forme variable en fonction de la position relative du satellite par rapport à la zone. Quand les zones sont, sur la terre, toutes circulaires, 1 ' antenne voit la zone sous la forme d'un cercle quand le satellite est au nadir de cette zone ; par contre quand le satellite s ' éloigne de cette position l'antenne voit la zone sous la forme d'une ellipse d'autant plus aplatie qu'il se rapproche de l'horizon. On a constaté qu'une antenne conforme à l'invention dans laquelle les réflecteurs sont des paraboloïdes permet d'adapter la trace au sol du diagramme à la position relative de l'antenne par rapport à la zone, sans qu'on ait à modifier le diagramme de rayonnement fourni par les éléments rayonnants. En outre, 1 ' antenne présente un gain important quand le satellite se trouve proche de 1 ' horizon par rapport à la zone. Or, dans ce cas, la distance du satellite à la zone est la plus importante ; ainsi 1 ' augmentation du gain compense l'augmentation de distance, ce qui est favorable au maintien des communications . Pour le suivi d'une zone, dans une réalisation, on prévoit deux antennes du type mentionné ci-dessus, chaque antenne étant utilisée pour un balayage encore plus réduit .It is understood that with this telecommunication system it is preferable that an antenna intended for a zone cannot be disturbed by the signals coming from another zone or that it does not disturb other zones. In addition, the radiation pattern has a variable shape depending on the relative position of the satellite with respect to the area. When the zones are, on earth, all circular, the antenna sees the zone in the form of a circle when the satellite is at the nadir of this zone; on the other hand when the satellite moves away from this position the antenna sees the zone in the form of an ellipse all the more flattened as it approaches the horizon. It has been observed that an antenna according to the invention in which the reflectors are paraboloids makes it possible to adapt the ground trace of the diagram to the relative position of the antenna with respect to the area, without having to modify the radiation diagram provided by the radiating elements. In addition, the antenna has a significant gain when the satellite is close to the horizon relative to the area. However, in this case, the distance from the satellite to the area is the most important; thus the increase in gain compensates for the increase in distance, which is favorable for maintaining communications. For the monitoring of an area, in one embodiment, two antennas of the type mentioned above are provided, each antenna being used for an even more reduced scanning.
Une antenne selon 1 ' invention peut être utilisée pour suivre plusieurs zones, les éléments rayonnants pouvant recevoir, ou émettre, des signaux de, ou vers, plusieurs zones.An antenna according to the invention can be used to follow several zones, the radiating elements being able to receive, or transmit, signals from or to several zones.
D'autres caractéristiques et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront avec la description de certains de ses modes de réalisation, celle-ci étant effectuée en se référant aux dessins ci-annexés sur lesquels : la figure 1 est un schéma montrant un système de télécommunication entre stations ou mobiles terrestres faisant appel à un système de satellites, la figure 2 est un schéma illustrant un système de télécommunication, la figure 3 est un schéma en coupe d'une antenne conforme à l'invention, la figure 4 est un schéma en coupe pour une variante, la figure 5 est un schéma montrant la région que peut couvrir l'antenne représentée sur la figure 4, la figure 6 est un schéma montrant deux antennes associées pour couvrir 1 ' ensemble des zones représentées sur la figure 6 , et la figure 7 est un schéma en perspective d'une réali- sation faisant appel à des antennes associées.Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear with the description of some of its embodiments, this being carried out with reference to the appended drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a telecommunications system between stations or land mobiles using a satellite system, FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a telecommunications system, FIG. 3 is a sectional diagram of an antenna according to the invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram for a variant, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the region which the antenna shown in FIG. 4 can cover, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing two associated antennas to cover all the areas represented in FIG. 6, and the Figure 7 is a perspective diagram of an embodiment using associated antennas.
L'exemple d'antenne que l'on va décrire est destiné à un système de télécommunication faisant appel à une constellation de satellites à orbite basse, environ 1300 km au- dessus de la surface 10 de la terre. Le système doit établir des communications entre des utilisateurs 12, 14, 16 (figure 1) et une, ou plusieurs, station (s) de connexion 20 à laquelle sont connectés des fournisseurs de services tels que des bases de données. Les communications sont également établies entre les utilisateurs par 1 ' in- termédiaire de la station de connexion 20. Ces communications sont réalisées par 1 ' intermédiaire d'un satellite 22.The example of antenna which will be described is intended for a telecommunication system using a constellation of satellites with low orbit, approximately 1300 km above the surface 10 of the earth. The system must establish communications between users 12, 14, 16 (FIG. 1) and one or more connection station (s) 20 to which service providers such as databases are connected. Communications are also established between users via the connection station 20. These communications are carried out by means of a satellite 22.
Dans le système, à chaque instant, le satellite 22 voit une région 24 de la terre (figure 2) et cette région est divisée en zones 26η_, 262-..26n.In the system, at all times, the satellite 22 sees a region 24 of the earth (FIG. 2) and this region is divided into zones 26η_, 262 - .. 26 n .
Chaque zone 26^ a la forme d'un cercle d'un diamètre d'environ 700 km. Chaque région 24 est délimitée par un cône 70 (figure 1) centré sur le satellite et d'un angle au sommet déterminé par 1 ' altitude du satellite . Une région est ainsi la partie de la terre visible depuis le satellite. Quand l'altitude du satellite est de 1300 km, l'angle au sommet est de 110° environ.Each zone 26 ^ has the shape of a circle with a diameter of about 700 km. Each region 24 is delimited by a cone 70 (FIG. 1) centered on the satellite and an apex angle determined by the altitude of the satellite. A region is thus the part of the earth visible from the satellite. When the satellite altitude is 1300 km, the apex angle is about 110 °.
La communication entre zones est effectuée à 1 ' aide de moyens terrestres, par exemple à 1 ' aide de câbles disposés entre les stations de connexion des diverses zones faisant partie d'une même région ou de régions différentes.The communication between zones is carried out using terrestrial means, for example using cables arranged between the connection stations of the various zones forming part of the same region or of different regions.
Le nombre et la disposition des satellites sont tels qu'à chaque instant, une zone 26j_ voit deux ou trois satellites. De cette manière, quand une zone 26^ sort du champ de vision du satellite affecté aux communications dans cette zone, il reste un satellite pour prendre le relais et la commutation d'un satellite à 1 ' autre s ' effectue de façon instantanée .The number and arrangement of satellites are such that at any given moment, an area 26j_ sees two or three satellites. In this way, when a zone 26 ^ leaves the field of vision of the satellite allocated to communications in this zone, there remains a satellite to take over and the switching from one satellite to the other takes place instantaneously.
Toutefois une telle commutation n'intervient que toutes les vingt minutes environ. En pratique cette commutation se produit quand, pour la zone 26-j_ en question, l'élévation du satellite descend en dessous de 10°.However, such switching occurs only about every twenty minutes. In practice this switching occurs when, for the zone 26-j_ in question, the elevation of the satellite drops below 10 °.
Les antennes selon l'invention sont, au cours du déplacement du satellite au-dessus d'une région 24, toujours pointées vers la même zone ou un même ensemble de zones . Elles doivent donc présenter une forte capacité de balayage ou dépointage .The antennas according to the invention are, during the movement of the satellite over a region 24, always pointed towards the same zone or the same set of zones. They must therefore have a strong sweeping or depointing capacity.
A cet effet, l'antenne comprend (figure 3) un panneauFor this purpose, the antenna includes (Figure 3) a panel
30 d'éléments rayonnants associé à un réseau formateur de faisceau (non montré) de commande de la phase des signaux appli- qués aux éléments rayonnants. Un faisceau 32 émis par le panneau 30 est dirigé vers un premier réflecteur 34 ayant la forme d'un paraboloide à découpe circulaire. Ce réflecteur est un élément d'une surface fictive 36 dont l'axe 38, sur lequel se trouve le foyer 40, est éloigné du réflecteur 34. L'axe 38 est perpendiculaire au plan du panneau 30.30 of radiating elements associated with a beam forming network (not shown) for controlling the phase of the signals applied to the radiating elements. A beam 32 emitted by the panel 30 is directed towards a first reflector 34 having the shape of a paraboloid with circular cutout. This reflector is an element of a fictitious surface 36 whose axis 38, on which the hearth 40 is located, is distant from the reflector 34. The axis 38 is perpendicular to the plane of the panel 30.
Le faisceau 42 réfléchi par le réflecteur 34 est dirigé vers un second réflecteur 44 disposé à 1 ' opposé de 1 ' axe 38 par rapport au réflecteur 34 et au panneau 30. Ce réflecteur 44 est également un élément d'une surface fictive 46, qui dans le plan de la figure 3, est une parabole de même foyer 40 que la parabole 36 et de même axe 38. La surface 46 est également un paraboloide .The beam 42 reflected by the reflector 34 is directed towards a second reflector 44 arranged opposite the axis 38 with respect to the reflector 34 and to the panel 30. This reflector 44 is also an element of a fictitious surface 46, which in the plane of FIG. 3, is a parabola with the same focus 40 as the parabola 36 and with the same axis 38. The surface 46 is also a paraboloid.
La concavité du réflecteur 44 est tournée vers la concavité du réflecteur 34. La distance focale du réflecteur 44 est par exemple quatre fois plus faible que la distance focale du réflecteur 34. L'axe 38 ne forme pas d'intersection avec les réflecteurs 34 et 44. Le bord 44^_ du réflecteur 44 le plus proche de l'axe 38 est à une distance de l'axe sensiblement plus faible que la distance du bord 34]_ correspondant du réflecteur 34 à l'axe 38.The concavity of the reflector 44 is turned towards the concavity of the reflector 34. The focal distance of the reflector 44 is for example four times less than the focal distance of the reflector 34. The axis 38 does not form an intersection with the reflectors 34 and 44. The edge 44 ^ _ of the reflector 44 closest to the axis 38 is at a distance from the axis substantially less than the distance from the corresponding edge 34 ] _ of the reflector 34 to the axis 38.
Dans l'exemple représenté sur la figure 3 le réseau 30 a une forme extérieure générale d'un cercle de diamètre 30 cmIn the example shown in Figure 3 the network 30 has a general external shape of a circle with a diameter of 30 cm
(ou 12 λ) environ avec 37 éléments rayonnants séparés les uns des autres de 42 mm, soit 1,7 λ, λ étant la longueur d'onde du rayonnement .(or 12 λ) approximately with 37 radiating elements separated from each other by 42 mm, or 1.7 λ, λ being the wavelength of the radiation.
Chacun des réflecteurs est découpé selon un cercle. Le diamètre du cercle limitant le réflecteur 34 est, dans cet exemple, de l'ordre de 28 λ, tandis que le diamètre du cercle limi- tant le réflecteur 44 est de l'ordre de 30 λ. La distance séparant le bord 34]_ de l'axe 38 est de 24 λ et la distance entre le bord 44]_ du réflecteur 44 et l'axe 38 est de 4 λ.Each of the reflectors is cut in a circle. The diameter of the circle limiting the reflector 34 is, in this example, of the order of 28 λ, while the diameter of the circle limiting the reflector 44 is of the order of 30 λ. The distance between the edge 34 ] _ of the axis 38 is 24 λ and the distance between the edge 44 ] _ of the reflector 44 and the axis 38 is 4 λ.
Lorsque le réseau 30 émet un faisceau d'ondes 32! parallèle à l'axe 38, c'est-à-dire perpendiculaire à son plan, ce faisceau est réfléchi par le réflecteur 34 de façon telle qu'il soit focalisé au foyer 40. Dans ces conditions le réflecteur 44 renvoie ce faisceau 322 parallèlement à l'axe 38 comme représenté par le faisceau 323.When the network 30 emits a wave beam 32! parallel to the axis 38, that is to say perpendicular to its plane, this beam is reflected by the reflector 34 in such a way that it be focused at the focal point 40. Under these conditions the reflector 44 returns this beam 322 parallel to the axis 38 as represented by the beam 323.
Quand le réseau 30 émet un faisceau 325 incliné d'un angle Θ relativement faible par rapport à l'axe 38, le faisceau 32g réfléchi par le réflecteur 34 converge en un point 50 proche du foyer 40 et le faisceau 327 réfléchi par le réflecteur 44 est incliné d'un angle qui est d'environ n fois l'angle Θ, n étant le rapport de la distance focale f du réflecteur 34 à la distance focale f du réflecteur 44. Dans l'exemple, ce rapport entre les distances focales étant de quatre, le faisceau 32 est donc incliné d'un angle 40 par rapport à l'axe 38.When the network 30 emits a beam 325 inclined at a relatively small angle faible relative to the axis 38, the beam 32g reflected by the reflector 34 converges at a point 50 close to the focal point 40 and the beam 327 reflected by the reflector 44 is inclined by an angle which is about n times the angle Θ, n being the ratio of the focal distance f of the reflector 34 to the focal distance f of the reflector 44. In the example, this ratio between the focal distances being four, the beam 32 is therefore inclined at an angle 40 relative to the axis 38.
Cette amplification dans le rapport des distances focales ne se vérifie cependant pas pour des faisceaux 32T_Q, émis par le réseau 30, qui présentent un angle d'inclinaison important par rapport à l'axe 38.This amplification in the ratio of focal lengths is however not verified for beams 32 T _ Q , emitted by the network 30, which have a large angle of inclination relative to the axis 38.
On voit ainsi sur la figure 3 que le faisceau 32η_o est réfléchi en un faisceau 32η_τ_ par le réflecteur 34 et ce dernier converge en un point 52 éloigné du foyer 40. Le faisceau 32]_η_ est réfléchi par le réflecteur 44 selon un faisceau 32]_2-It can thus be seen in FIG. 3 that the beam 32η_o is reflected in a beam 32η_τ_ by the reflector 34 and the latter converges at a point 52 distant from the focal point 40. The beam 32 ] _η_ is reflected by the reflector 44 in a beam 32 ] _2-
Par exemple, pour un faisceau d'azimut φ = 90° et d'inclinaison Θ de 4,5° par rapport à l'axe 38, c'est-à-dire par rapport à la normale au plan du réseau 30, le faisceau 32 , également d'azimut 90°, est incliné de 18° par rapport à l'axe 38. Cette valeur correspond bien à 4©.For example, for a beam of azimuth φ = 90 ° and inclination Θ of 4.5 ° relative to the axis 38, that is to say relative to the normal to the plane of the network 30, the beam 32, also of azimuth 90 °, is inclined by 18 ° relative to axis 38. This value corresponds well to 4 ©.
Par contre, pour une inclinaison, ou dépointage, de -14° (faisceau 32IQ) # également avec un azimut de 90°, on constate que le faisceau 32η_2 présente une inclinaison de 38° par rapport à l'axe 38, ce qui est sensiblement inférieur au quadruple de l'inclinaison du faisceau 32;]_o- L'azimut du faisceau 32^2 est également de 90°.On the other hand, for an inclination, or depointing, of -14 ° (beam 32IQ) # also with an azimuth of 90 °, it is noted that the beam 32η_2 has an inclination of 38 ° relative to the axis 38, which is substantially less than four times the inclination of the beam 32; ] _o- The azimuth of the beam 32 ^ 2 is also 90 °.
Dans l'exemple, pour un azimut de 90°, le faisceau émis par le réseau 30 peut balayer un angle Θ compris entre 4,5° et -14°. Ces limites sont imposées, en premier lieu, par la géomé- trie car le faisceau réfléchi par le réflecteur 34 doit atteindre le réflecteur 44 et, en outre, le faisceau réfléchi par le réflecteur 44 ne doit pas être occulté par le réflecteur 34. En second lieu, les performances de rayonnement des faisceaux convergeant en avant (dans le sens du faisceau sortant) du foyer 40 limitent aussi le balayage car, pour ces faisceaux inclinés, on s'éloigne du fonctionnement nominal.In the example, for an azimuth of 90 °, the beam emitted by the network 30 can scan an angle Θ between 4.5 ° and -14 °. These limits are imposed, first of all, by the geoma- sorts because the beam reflected by the reflector 34 must reach the reflector 44 and, in addition, the beam reflected by the reflector 44 must not be obscured by the reflector 34. Second, the radiation performance of the beams converging forward ( in the direction of the outgoing beam) of the focal point 40 also limit the scanning because, for these inclined beams, it moves away from the nominal operation.
La figure 4 se rapporte à une variante de la figure 3 dans laquelle le réflecteur 44 ' présente une forme générale ovoïde, c'est-à-dire plus allongée dans une direction que dans la direction orthogonale, et le réflecteur 34' présente, comme le réflecteur 34, une découpe circulaire.FIG. 4 relates to a variant of FIG. 3 in which the reflector 44 ′ has a generally ovoid shape, that is to say more elongated in one direction than in the orthogonal direction, and the reflector 34 ′ presents, as the reflector 34, a circular cut.
Le réflecteur 44 ' présente sa plus grande dimension dans le plan de symétrie qui est perpendiculaire à l'axe 38 commun aux deux paraboloïdes. Dans cet exemple cette plus grande dimension est de 48 λ environ.The reflector 44 'has its largest dimension in the plane of symmetry which is perpendicular to the axis 38 common to the two paraboloids. In this example, this largest dimension is approximately 48 λ.
Pour le reste les caractéristiques sont les mêmes que dans le cas de la figure 3.For the rest the characteristics are the same as in the case of FIG. 3.
Avec la géométrie représentée sur la figure 4 on obtient, pour un azimut de 90°, les mêmes performances que 1 ' antenne représentée sur la figure 3.With the geometry shown in FIG. 4, the same performance is obtained for an azimuth of 90 ° as the antenna shown in FIG. 3.
Pour un faisceau émis par le réseau 30 d'azimut 0° on constate, pour une inclinaison Θ = -5° par rapport à l'axe 38, que le faisceau sortant est incliné de -20° avec un azimut de 2,3°. Pour un dépointage Θ = -15° et également un azimut de 0°, le dépointage du faisceau sortant est de -45° avec un angle d'azimut de 31,5°.For a beam emitted by the network 30 of azimuth 0 ° it is noted, for an inclination Θ = -5 ° relative to the axis 38, that the outgoing beam is inclined by -20 ° with an azimuth of 2.3 ° . For a deflection Θ = -15 ° and also an azimuth of 0 °, the deflection of the outgoing beam is -45 ° with an azimuth angle of 31.5 °.
Avec ce réflecteur pour un azimut de 90° on peut faire varier le dépointage du faisceau émis par le réseau 30 de +4° à -14° dans le plan contenant le centre du réseau 30 et l'axe 38 et de +15° à -15° dans le plan de symétrie.With this reflector for an azimuth of 90 °, the deflection of the beam emitted by the network 30 can be varied from + 4 ° to -14 ° in the plane containing the center of the network 30 and the axis 38 and from + 15 ° to -15 ° in the plane of symmetry.
Avec de tels dépointages 1 ' antenne ne permet pas de couvrir 1 ' intégralité de la région vue par le satellite mais la fraction 80 de cette région qui est hachurée sur la figure 5. Cette fraction 80 représente environ 60% de la région. Pour pouvoir couvrir l'intégralité de la région, on fait appel à un couple d'antennes arrangé comme représenté sur la figure 6. Dans cet exemple, une antenne 90 émet de façon privilégiée vers l'Ouest, tandis qu'une antenne 92 émet de façon privilégiée vers 1 ' Est .With such depointings, the antenna does not make it possible to cover the entire region seen by the satellite, but the fraction 80 of this region which is hatched in FIG. 5. This fraction 80 represents approximately 60% of the region. To be able to cover the entire region, use is made of a pair of antennas arranged as shown in FIG. 6. In this example, an antenna 90 transmits favorably towards the West, while an antenna 92 transmits in a privileged way towards the East.
Les deux antennes 90 et 92 sont solidaires d'un support plan 94 dont la normale 96 est dirigée vers le centre de la terre. Autrement dit l'axe 96 est toujours pointé vers le point 100 sur la figure 5. Les antennes 90 et 92 émettent vers des régions symétriques par rapport à l'axe 102 (Figure 5). Ainsi l'antenne 90 émet vers la région 80 tandis que l'antenne 92 émet vers la région symétrique de cette région 80 par rapport à l'axe 102. L'axe 38_ de l'antenne 90 est, par rapport, à l'axe 96 incliné de façon telle qu'il soit dirigé vers une zone 26p (figure 5) correspondant sensiblement au centre de la région 80. Bien entendu l'axe 382 de l'antenne 92 est incliné de façon symétrique .The two antennas 90 and 92 are integral with a planar support 94, the normal of which 96 is directed towards the center of the earth. In other words, the axis 96 is always pointed towards the point 100 in FIG. 5. The antennas 90 and 92 emit towards regions symmetrical with respect to the axis 102 (FIG. 5). Thus the antenna 90 emits towards the region 80 while the antenna 92 emits towards the symmetrical region of this region 80 with respect to the axis 102. The axis 38_ of the antenna 90 is, with respect to the axis 96 inclined in such a way that it is directed towards a zone 26p (FIG. 5) corresponding substantially to the center of the region 80. Of course, the axis 382 of the antenna 92 is inclined symmetrically.
Il est à noter que le même réseau d'éléments rayonnants 30 peut être utilisé pour émettre plusieurs faisceaux. Autrement dit le même réseau 30 associé aux réflecteurs 34 et 44 ou 34 ' et 44 ' , peut être utilisé pour émettre vers plusieurs zones ou recevoir des signaux de plusieurs zones. Dans l'exemple représenté sur la figure 7 un même support 94 porte deux couples d'antennes 90ι, 92]_ et 9Û2, 922- Chaque antenne, par exemple celle de référence 92^, comprend deux panneaux d'éléments rayonnants, l'un 30]_ pour l'émission, et l'autre 3O2 pour la réception. Quel que soit le mode de réalisation on constate que le gain est plus important en limite de région 24 qu'au nadir. En effet, les limites de région correspondent aux inclinaisons les plus importantes pour lesquelles l'aire concernée du réflecteur de sortie (ou ouverture rayonnante) est la plus importante et donc pour lesquelles la résolution est la plus importante . Cette propriété apparaît sur la figure 3 où 1 ' on voit que sur le réflecteur 44 le faisceau 32τ_2 correspond à une aire plus importante que le faisceau 323. De cette manière, pour les zones les plus inclinées qui sont les plus éloignées, 1 ' augmentation du gain compense 1 ' augmentation de distance .It should be noted that the same network of radiating elements 30 can be used to emit several beams. In other words the same network 30 associated with reflectors 34 and 44 or 34 'and 44', can be used to transmit to several zones or to receive signals from several zones. In the example shown in Figure 7 the same support 94 carries two pairs of antennas 90ι, 92] _ and 9Û2, 922- Each antenna, for example that of reference 92 ^, comprises two panels of radiating elements, the one 30 ] _ for transmission, and the other 3O2 for reception. Whatever the embodiment, it can be seen that the gain is greater at the edge of region 24 than at nadir. Indeed, the region limits correspond to the most important inclinations for which the concerned area of the exit reflector (or radiating aperture) is the most important and therefore for which the resolution is the most important. This property appears in FIG. 3 where it can be seen that on the reflector 44 the beam 32τ_2 corresponds to a larger area than the beam 323. In this way, for the most inclined zones which are the most distant, the increase gain compensates for the increase in distance.
Par ailleurs on a aussi constaté que la forme de la trace au sol s ' adapte à la zone visée . Furthermore, it has also been found that the shape of the ground trace adapts to the target area.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Antenne comprenant un ensemble (30 ; 30]_, 3O2) d'éléments rayonnants statiques commandé pour émettre un faisceau dans des directions variables par rapport à une direction centrale donnée, et des moyens réflecteurs (34, 44 ; 34', 44') comportant deux réflecteurs (34, 44 ; 34', 44') présentant un foyer commun (40), le premier réflecteur (34, 44) recevant le faisceau émis par l'ensemble d'éléments rayonnants et le deuxième réflecteur (34', 44') recevant le faisceau réfléchi par le premier réflecteur, caractérisée en ce la distance focale du premier réflecteur (34, 44) est supérieure à la distance focale du deuxième réflecteur (34', 44') de telle sorte que le faisceau sortant de 1 ' antenne présente une inclinaison par rapport à une direction prédéterminée (38) qui est supérieure à l'inclinaison Θ, par rapport à la direction donnée (38) , du faisceau émis par les éléments rayonnants (30) .1. Antenna comprising a set (30; 30] _, 3O2) of static radiating elements controlled to emit a beam in variable directions relative to a given central direction, and reflecting means (34, 44; 34 ', 44 ') comprising two reflectors (34, 44; 34', 44 ') having a common focus (40), the first reflector (34, 44) receiving the beam emitted by the set of radiating elements and the second reflector (34 ', 44') receiving the beam reflected by the first reflector, characterized in that the focal distance of the first reflector (34, 44) is greater than the focal distance of the second reflector (34 ', 44') so that the beam exiting the antenna has an inclination relative to a predetermined direction (38) which is greater than the inclination Θ, relative to the given direction (38), of the beam emitted by the radiating elements (30).
2. Antenne selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que chacun des réflecteurs (34, 44 ; 34', 44') est un segment de paraboloide.2. Antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the reflectors (34, 44; 34 ', 44') is a paraboloid segment.
3. Antenne selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que les deux réflecteurs présentent un axe commun (38) .3. Antenna according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two reflectors have a common axis (38).
4. Antenne selon la revendication 3 , caractérisée en ce que l'axe commun (38) est dans la direction centrale.4. Antenna according to claim 3, characterized in that the common axis (38) is in the central direction.
5. Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4 , caractérisée en ce qu' au moins un réflecteur est délimité par un bord ou découpe sensiblement circulaire.5. An antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that at least one reflector is delimited by a substantially circular edge or cut.
6. Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 , caractérisée en ce qu ' au moins un réflecteur est délimité par un bord ou découpe de forme allongée.6. Antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least one reflector is delimited by an edge or cut of elongated shape.
7. Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que l'ensemble (30) d'éléments rayonnants est commandé pour rayonner simultanément vers plusieurs zones distinctes (26τ_, 262 ...)•7. Antenna according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the assembly (30) of radiating elements is controlled to radiate simultaneously towards several distinct zones (26τ_, 262 ...) •
8. Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle est orientée de façon telle que pour les directions de pointage correspondant aux cibles (26) les plus éloignées, l'ouverture rayonnante est plus importante que pour des cibles plus proches.8. An antenna according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is oriented so such that for the pointing directions corresponding to the most distant targets (26), the radiating opening is greater than for closer targets.
9. Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un ensemble d'éléments rayonnants (30^) pour l'émission et un ensemble d'éléments rayonnants (3O2) pour la réception qui sont associés aux mêmes moyens réflecteurs .9. An antenna according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a set of radiating elements (30 ^) for transmission and a set of radiating elements (3O2) for reception which are associated with same reflecting means.
10. Ensemble d'au moins deux antennes dont chacune est selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les éléments rayonnants et les moyens réflecteurs des deux antennes sont symétriques par rapport à un axe10. Set of at least two antennas, each of which is according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the radiating elements and the reflecting means of the two antennas are symmetrical with respect to an axis
(96) constituant un axe de visée centrale de l'antenne.(96) constituting a central line of sight of the antenna.
11. Application d'une antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes à un système de télécommunication par satellites tournant autour de la terre, l'antenne, montée à bord d'un satellite, étant commandée de façon telle qu'elle vise toujours la même zone (26j_) au cours du déplacement du satellite au-dessus d'une région (24) divisée en une pluralité de zones sensiblement de mêmes formes et de mêmes dimensions. 11. Application of an antenna according to any one of the preceding claims to a satellite telecommunications system rotating around the earth, the antenna, mounted on board a satellite, being controlled in such a way that it always aims the same area (26j_) during the movement of the satellite over a region (24) divided into a plurality of areas of substantially the same shape and size.
EP98933717A 1997-06-26 1998-06-25 Antenna with high scanning capacity Expired - Lifetime EP0992080B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9708011A FR2765404B1 (en) 1997-06-26 1997-06-26 ANTENNA WITH HIGH SCANNING CAPACITY
FR9708011 1997-06-26
PCT/FR1998/001345 WO1999000870A1 (en) 1997-06-26 1998-06-25 Antenna with high scanning capacity

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0992080A1 true EP0992080A1 (en) 2000-04-12
EP0992080B1 EP0992080B1 (en) 2002-01-30

Family

ID=9508477

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98933717A Expired - Lifetime EP0992080B1 (en) 1997-06-26 1998-06-25 Antenna with high scanning capacity

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US6172649B1 (en)
EP (1) EP0992080B1 (en)
AU (1) AU8344098A (en)
CA (1) CA2289007C (en)
DE (1) DE69803671T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2169919T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2765404B1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999000870A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2835356B1 (en) * 2002-01-31 2005-09-30 Cit Alcatel RECEPTION ANTENNA FOR MULTIFACEAL COVERAGE

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3914768A (en) * 1974-01-31 1975-10-21 Bell Telephone Labor Inc Multiple-beam Cassegrainian antenna
US4203105A (en) * 1978-05-17 1980-05-13 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Scanable antenna arrangements capable of producing a large image of a small array with minimal aberrations
US4236161A (en) * 1978-09-18 1980-11-25 Bell Telephone Laboratories, Incorporated Array feed for offset satellite antenna
US4595929A (en) * 1982-04-13 1986-06-17 Communications Satellite Corporation Scheme for aberration correction in scanning or multiple beam confocal antenna system
US4755826A (en) * 1983-01-10 1988-07-05 The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy Bicollimated offset Gregorian dual reflector antenna system
US5576721A (en) * 1993-03-31 1996-11-19 Space Systems/Loral, Inc. Composite multi-beam and shaped beam antenna system
US5621415A (en) * 1994-11-15 1997-04-15 Teledesic Corporation Linear cell satellite system
US5790077A (en) * 1996-10-17 1998-08-04 Space Systems/Loral, Inc. Antenna geometry for shaped dual reflector antenna

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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Title
See references of WO9900870A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2765404B1 (en) 1999-09-24
CA2289007C (en) 2005-08-23
EP0992080B1 (en) 2002-01-30
AU8344098A (en) 1999-01-19
CA2289007A1 (en) 1999-01-07
ES2169919T3 (en) 2002-07-16
FR2765404A1 (en) 1998-12-31
DE69803671T2 (en) 2002-09-12
DE69803671D1 (en) 2002-03-14
WO1999000870A1 (en) 1999-01-07
US6172649B1 (en) 2001-01-09

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