JP2002016423A - Antenna system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the load of a mechanism system in the direction control of an antenna by simultaneously turning two antennas from a receiving point toward two targets of communications in different directions and facilitating the capture and search of the communication targets. SOLUTION: This system is provided with: a first rotating mechanism capable of turning a first antenna in a first rotating direction with a first axial line as a center; a second rotating mechanism capable of rotating a second antenna in the first rotating direction with the same axial line as the first axial line or second axial line extended parallel as a center; an elevation angle control mechanism for supporting the first and second rotating mechanisms with a third axial line as a center so as to turn the mechanisms in the second rotating direction; and an azimuth angle control mechanism for supporting the elevation angle control mechanism with a fourth axial line as a center so as to turn the mechanism in the third rotating direction. The first rotating mechanisms is provided in a first area partitioned by a plane parallel to the fourth axial line and including the third axial line, the second rotating mechanism is provided in a second area on the opposite side of the first area, and at least one of antennas is a phased array antenna.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an antenna system suitable for a communication system using non-geostationary satellites such as low-orbit satellites.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a communication system intended for communication with a plurality of non-geostationary satellites or the like is supported by using a plurality of parabolic antennas shown in FIG. 15 having an elevation adjustment mechanism and a horizontal azimuth adjustment mechanism. I was

In FIG. 15, reference numeral 101 denotes an elevation adjustment mechanism,
102 is an azimuth adjustment mechanism, 103 is a support, 104 and 10
4a is a parabolic antenna, 105 is a turntable.

However, when using a plurality of antennas,
In addition to simply taking a place, depending on the direction of the communication target and the positional relationship between the antennas, there has been a problem that the antennas may interfere with each other in communication.

To solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 16, two antenna systems 100 shown in FIG.
5 and turn the turntable 105 to rotate the antenna 10
There has been proposed an antenna system configured so that the 4a and 104b do not interfere with each other.

However, in the configuration of the antenna system as shown in FIG. 16, five movable adjustment units are required for adjusting the directions of the antennas 104a and 104b. The control of the azimuth X) is complicated.

To solve this problem, the applicant has filed Japanese Patent Application No. Hei.
The following antenna system was proposed in Japanese Patent No. 1-036780 (Title of Invention "Antenna System", filing date: February 16, 1999).

That is, as shown in FIG. 17, the proposed antenna system includes a first rotating mechanism provided with a first antenna 1c so as to be rotatable in a first rotational direction Z about a first axis O1. 5Ac, and a second rotation mechanism 5Ad for providing a second antenna 1d rotatably in a first rotation direction Z about a second axis O2 extending on the same axis as or parallel to the first axis O1. The first and second rotation mechanisms 5Ac and 5Ad are commonly rotated in the second rotation direction Y around a third axis O3 which is different from the first and second axes O1 and O2. An elevation adjustment mechanism 5c movably supported, and a fourth axis different from the first and third axes O1 and O3.
An azimuth adjustment mechanism 9 that supports the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 5c so as to be rotatable in a third rotation direction X about the axis O4 of the first axis, and the third axis is parallel to the fourth axis O4. O3
The first region A1 partitioned by a plane including
And a second rotating mechanism 5Ad is provided in a second area A2 opposite to the first area A1.

That is, the above-mentioned antenna system (hereinafter, referred to as the antenna system)
"Butterfly antennas") are each antenna 1
The movable part (antenna 1c,
Rotation mechanism 5A for arm 3c, 3d to which 1d is attached
c, 5Ad) and mechanisms 5c, 7c for commonly adjusting the direction (azimuth angle θ, elevation angle φ) of the arms 3c, 3d to which the antennas 1c, 1d are attached, and the arm 3c to attach the antennas 1c, 1d. , 3d, the antennas 1c, 1d can be directed simultaneously to two communication targets in different directions from the receiving point by a simple mechanism.

[0010]

However, in the butterfly antenna, the two antennas 1c and 1d are connected to the arms 3c and 3d.
The structure can be simplified by sharing the direction (azimuth angle θ, elevation angle φ) adjusting mechanism 5c, 7c in the direction d, but the individual antennas can be independently adjusted in direction because of rotation around the axes O1 and O2. Only in the direction. For this reason, there has been a problem that, even when the direction of the antenna is slightly adjusted at the time of supplementing and tracking the satellite, except for the rotation direction about the axes O1 and O2, it is necessary to move the entire antenna system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention uses a phased array antenna capable of changing the directivity of an antenna by an electric operation, thereby reducing the load for driving the antenna when tracking a satellite. With the goal.

[0012]

An antenna system according to a first invention comprises a first antenna, a second antenna,
A first rotation mechanism for providing a first antenna rotatably in a first rotation direction about a first axis; and a second axis extending coaxially with or parallel to the first axis. A second rotation mechanism for rotatably providing a second antenna in a first rotation direction; and a first and a second rotation mechanism centered on a third axis different from the first and second axes. An elevation adjustment mechanism that supports the second rotation mechanism in a common manner so as to be rotatable in a second rotation direction, and the elevation angle adjustment mechanism that centers on a fourth axis different from the first and third axes. And an azimuth adjustment mechanism for supporting the third rotatively in a third rotational direction.
The first rotation mechanism is provided in a first area parallel to the axis of the first axis and partitioned by a plane including the third axis.
A second rotation mechanism is provided in a second area opposite to the area
At least one of the first and second antennas is a phased array antenna capable of electrically changing antenna characteristics.

An antenna system according to a second aspect of the present invention is to electrically change the direction of the directivity (main lobe) of the phased array antenna with respect to a direction parallel to the first and second axes. It is characterized by.

An antenna system according to a third aspect of the present invention is to electrically change the direction of the directivity (main lobe) of the phased array antenna with respect to a direction perpendicular to the first and second axes. It is characterized by.

In the antenna system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the directivity (main lobe) of the phased array antenna is fixed, and the directivity is sharply changed and the dullness (the magnitude of the half-value angle) is electrically changed. It is characterized by making it.

[0016]

(Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 shows Embodiment 1
It is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of. FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which the antennas 1c and 1d of the antenna system in FIG. 17 are replaced with phased array antennas 1e and 1f.

In FIG. 1, similarly to FIG. 17, the first and second antennas 1e and 1f are provided with adjusting mechanisms 5c and 7c for the directions (azimuth angle θ and elevation angle φ) of the arms 3c and 3d to which the antennas are attached. While sharing, each antenna 1c, 1d
Independently has another movable part (rotation mechanism about the axis of the arm) 5Ac, 5Ad. The setting of the axis of the arms is the same as in FIG.

That is, also in the antenna system according to the first embodiment, the antenna 1e has the first rotation mechanism 5 rotatable in the first rotation direction Z about the first axis O1.
Ac, the antenna 1f is provided on a second rotation mechanism 5Ad that is rotatable in a rotation direction Z about a second axis O2 extending on the same axis as or parallel to the first axis O1. The first and second rotation mechanisms 5Ac and 5Ad are supported so as to be rotatable in the second rotation direction Y in common about a third axis O3 which is different from the second axes O1 and O2. And the elevation angle adjustment mechanism 5c is rotatable in a third rotation direction X about a fourth axis O4 that is different from the first and third axes O1 and O3. And a supporting azimuth adjusting mechanism 9. Also, the first
The rotation mechanism 5Ac of the first region A is parallel to the fourth axis O4 and is partitioned by a plane including the third axis O3.
1 and the second rotation mechanism 5Ad is provided in a second area A2 opposite to the first area A1.

In the above antenna system (hereinafter, referred to as "butterfly antenna"), each antenna is simultaneously in a different direction from the receiving point without interfering with each other, similarly to the previously proposed butterfly antenna system. 2
The antenna can be aimed at one communication target.

In the butterfly antenna system, the individual antennas 1e, 1f in the present embodiment
Is a phased array antenna whose beam directing direction is electronically movable in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2.
By adjusting the phase of the antenna element, it is possible to electronically adjust the directivity of the beam of each antenna.
Therefore, only by adjusting the individual antennas, it is possible to capture the communication target and adjust the direction of the beam of the antenna.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing another example of the structure according to the first embodiment. In the configuration of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the first arm 3c and the second arm 3d for attaching the antenna are arranged such that the axes O1 and O2 coincide with each other.
It is attached to the column 7c via an elevation angle adjusting mechanism 5c that changes the elevation angle Y of the arms. FIG. 2 shows that the positions of the arms 3c and 3d in FIG. 1 have been changed.
d is arranged so that the axes O1 and O2 do not coincide. That is, the arms 3c, 3 supported by the elevation adjustment mechanism 5b
d is provided at a position symmetrical with respect to the intersection C1 between the axis O3 and the axis O4 so that the axes O1 and O2 are parallel (in the same direction).

Also in FIG. 2, the antenna 1f is provided on a second rotation mechanism 5Ad that can rotate in the rotation direction Z about a second axis O2 extending on the same axis as or parallel to the first axis O1, Further, the first rotation mechanism 5Ac is provided in a first area A1 which is parallel to the fourth axis O4 and is separated by a plane including the third axis O3, and the second rotation mechanism 5Ad is provided in the first area A1. A second area A2 opposite to the area A1
1 is the same as FIG.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic diagrams showing the phased array antenna and the directivity relationship of the beam thereof.
1) and (c1) are plan views, (a2), (b2), and (c).
2) is a side view of (a1), (b1), and (c1). The directional direction of the beam of the antenna 1f is a direction parallel to the axis O1, for example, from the directional direction D1c8 to the directional direction D1.
Adjustable to c7.

FIGS. 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams of the operation of the first embodiment, in which (a1), (b1), (c1-1), (c2-1),
(C3-1) and (d1) are front views, (a2) and (b)
2), (c1-2), (c2-2), (c3-2), (d
2) are (a1), (b1), (c1-1), (c
2-1), (c3-1), and (d1) are side views.

FIGS. 4 (a1) and 4 (a2) are schematic diagrams showing operations when mechanically adjusting the directivity of the beam of the antenna 1f in a direction perpendicular to the axes O1 and O2. At the time of the adjustment, it is possible to adjust in the rotation direction about the axis O2, that is, to adjust the beam directing direction B1d1 of the antenna 1f by the rotation mechanism 5Ad about the axis O2. At this time, the other antenna 1e can maintain a desired direction without changing the directivity B1c0 of the beam.

On the other hand, FIGS. 4 (b1) and 4 (b2) are schematic diagrams showing the operation in the case where the beam directing direction of the antenna 1f is mechanically adjusted in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2.
At the time of the adjustment, adjustment in the rotation direction about the axis O3, that is, the rotation mechanism 5c (horizontal,
In the case of vertical mixing, it is possible to adjust the beam directivity B1d2 of the antenna 1f by the rotating mechanism 5c, 5Ad). However, when the direction is adjusted by the rotation mechanism 5c, the beam directing direction B1c0 of the antenna 1e is also changed to the beam directing direction B1c1 at the same time, so that the antenna 1e cannot always keep track of a certain communication target. It will be possible. Therefore, in order to track each communication target simultaneously with each antenna, it is necessary to operate the entire antenna system by each rotation mechanism around each axis O1, O2, O3, O4.
An example is shown below.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an operation in which the directivity of the beam of the antenna 1f is mechanically adjusted in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2, and the entire operation is performed.

(C-1) and (c1-2) show the initial state in which the antenna has completed capturing the communication target. Antenna 1
The pointing directions B1d0 and B1c0 of f are both directed to the communication target located at the zenith. Here, when the communication target of the antenna 1f is shifted in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2, first, in order to adjust the direction again, first, FIG. 5 (c2-1) and (c2-1).
As shown in 2), it is necessary to rotate the antenna 1f by 90 ° in the rotation direction about the axis O4. Next, FIG.
As shown in (c3-1), the directional direction B1d0 of the beam of the antenna 1f is rotationally adjusted in a rotation direction about the axis O2, and is directed to the communication target direction B1d3. This series of operations makes it possible to capture the communication target.

At this time, the antenna 1e can always keep track of a fixed communication target, but the adjustment of the antenna 1f for capturing the communication target requires the operation of the entire system.

FIGS. 4 (d1) and 4 (d2) are schematic diagrams showing the operation in the case where the beam directing direction of the antenna 1f is electronically adjusted in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2. As described with reference to FIG. 3, in the first embodiment, the individual antennas 1e and 1f are phased array antennas whose beam directing directions can be electronically movable in directions parallel to the axes O1 and O2. By adjusting the phase,
It is possible to electronically adjust the direction B1d3 of the beam of the antenna. At this time, the antenna 1e does not change the directivity direction B1c0 of the beam, and the antenna 1e can track and hold a certain communication target.

As shown in the first embodiment, when the directions of the individual antennas are adjusted, the whole antenna does not rotate in a slight direction adjustment other than the rotation directions about the axes O1 and O2. Since only the antenna that needs direction adjustment moves, the driving load can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire antenna is moved.

As shown in FIG. 6, the phased array antenna may be a phased array antenna that can electronically move the beam direction in directions parallel to and perpendicular to the axes O1 and O2. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between the phased array antenna and the directivity of the beam, (d1) is a plan view, and (d2) is a side view of (d1). The direction of the beam of the antenna 1f is a direction that is a combination of a direction parallel to the axis O1 and a direction perpendicular to the axis O1, for example, from the direction D1c0 to the directions D1c6, D1c7, D1c.
8, D1c9 can be adjusted. That is, the axis O1,
Not only when the direction parallel to O2 can be adjusted, but also when the beam directing direction can be electronically adjusted in the direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2 and in the direction perpendicular thereto, similarly, the direction of each antenna In the case where the entire antenna is moved in order to move only the antenna that needs direction adjustment without rotating the entire antenna in a slight direction adjustment other than the rotation direction around the axes O1 and O2 when adjusting , The driving load can be reduced.

Here, the phased array antenna is composed of a plurality of antenna elements, and a variable phase shifter is connected to each of the antenna elements to control the excitation phase of each antenna element, so that the antenna element is planarly arranged in an arbitrary direction. Shows an antenna that can perform beam scanning.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the direction adjustment control system of the antenna system. The direction adjustment control system of the antenna system includes a track information memory 11 and an installation position information memory 1 for enabling control of the antenna direction.
3, real-time clock 15, elevation / azimuth calculation unit 1
7, a rotation angle calculator 19 for each axis, a pulse generator 21, an antenna driver 23, and a phase amount calculator / controller 25.

The orbit information memory 11 is a memory as a storage unit for storing orbit information of each satellite.

The installation position information memory 13 is a memory as a storage unit that stores information on the position where the antenna is installed.

The real-time clock 15 is a clock from which time information can be read from other blocks.

The elevation / azimuth calculation unit 17 calculates the elevation of the satellite at the specified time as viewed from the antenna installation position based on various data in the orbit information memory 11, the installation position information memory 13, and the real-time clock 15. This is a calculation unit that indicates an azimuth. The calculation result is obtained by calculating the rotation angle of each axis 19,
And output to the phase amount calculation / control unit.

Based on the elevation data and the azimuth data of the satellite position obtained by the elevation / azimuth computation unit 17, the rotation angle computing unit 19 of each axis directs the antenna in the direction of the satellite (the axes O1, O2). , O3 and O4) rotating mechanism 5
Ac, 5Ad, an elevation angle adjustment mechanism 5c, and a processing unit that calculates an angle by which the turntable 9 is rotated.

The pulse generator 21 generates a pulse to be sent to a motor for controlling each axis based on the rotation angle data of each axis obtained by the rotation angle calculator 19 for each axis.

The antenna driving section 23 includes a pulse generating section 21
This is a drive unit that drives each axis motor based on the pulse data from.

The antenna elements 31 are the respective antenna elements constituting the phased array antennas 1e and 1f.

The phase shifter 29 is a phase shifter that changes the amount of phase shift of a reception signal from the antenna element 31 or a transmission signal supplied to the antenna element 31.

The divider / combiner 27 is a divider / combiner for distributing a signal to be supplied to the antenna element 31.

The phase amount calculator / controller 25 calculates a phase amount necessary for adjusting the phase of the antenna element 31 of the phased array antenna, and according to the calculated phase amount, a beam directing direction of the phased array antenna. Is a calculation / control unit that controls so as to change the angle to a desired angle.

Based on the information of the elevation / azimuth calculation unit 17 of the direction adjustment control system of the antenna system, the rotation angle calculation unit 19 of each axis controls the antenna driving unit 23 to move the phased array antenna to the azimuth direction of the communication object and Adjust so that it faces in the elevation direction. Further, the phase amount calculation / control unit 25
Electronically controls the phase of the antenna elements of the phased array antenna to precisely adjust the beam direction in the azimuth and elevation directions of the phased array antenna, so that the beam of the phased array antenna can be correctly adjusted to the direction of the communication target. Can be pointed.

As described above, by switching the control of the antenna drive unit 23 and the phase amount calculation / control unit 25 of the direction adjustment control system of the antenna system, the beam of the phased array antenna can be correctly directed to the direction of the communication target. Alternatively, the beam of the phased array antenna can be directed more smoothly by the interlocking control of both.

In the following Embodiments 2 to 6, such a direction adjustment control system is used, and the phased array antenna is used as a communication target by mechanical drive control and electrical control of antenna directivity. Are adjusted to face the azimuth direction and the elevation angle direction.

(Embodiment 2) FIGS. 8A and 8B show an antenna unit of Embodiment 2, wherein FIG. 8A shows an antenna after mechanical direction adjustment, and FIG. 8B shows an antenna after electronic direction adjustment. The figure is shown.

In the butterfly antenna system, the axis O is adjusted by adjusting the phase of the antenna element.
Electronic adjustment of the directivity direction of the beam of each antenna in the direction horizontal and perpendicular to 1 and O2, and the mechanical antenna direction by the rotating mechanisms 5Ac and 5Ad supported rotatably around the axes O1 and O2. In cooperation with the above adjustment, the antenna is formed such that the directivity of the beam of the antenna can be adjusted to the communication target only by adjusting the operation of each antenna.

The phased array antenna adjusts the beam directivity direction, that is, the beam directivity direction moves away from the center of the beam, that is, the normal vector of the phased array antenna. A decrease in gain occurs due to, for example, a decrease in the projected area in the directional direction. Therefore, it is advantageous that the adjustment angle of the beam directing direction is smaller in order to prevent a gain reduction.

Accordingly, when a mechanical direction adjusting mechanism and an electronic direction adjusting mechanism are combined, for example, as shown in FIG.
The rotation in the rotation directions about O2, O3, and O4 is roughly adjusted, and the direction B1d2 of the antenna is directed toward the communication target.
Accordingly, when the phased array antenna electronically adjusts its directional direction, the directional direction adjustment angle can be reduced, and thereafter, the electronic directional adjustment mechanism that can perform accurate control without lowering the gain. Thus, it is possible to easily direct the directional direction B1d3 of the antenna beam to the communication target with high accuracy.

By combining the mechanical direction adjusting mechanism and the electronic direction adjusting mechanism as shown in the second embodiment, the direction can be easily and accurately adjusted.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 9 shows an antenna section of Embodiment 3 in which (a1), (b1),
(C1) is a plan view, and (a2), (b2), and (c2) are side views of (a1), (b1), and (c1), respectively.

In the butterfly antenna system, the shape of the beam width of each individual antenna can be electronically adjusted in a direction perpendicular to the rotation center axes O1 and O2,
Further, since the phased array antenna is capable of electronically moving the beam directing direction in a direction parallel to the rotation center axes O1 and O2, by adjusting the phase of each antenna element, the beam shape and the directing direction of the antenna are adjusted. Can be adjusted. Further, the antenna is formed so that the directivity of the beam of the antenna can be adjusted to the communication target only by adjusting the operation of each antenna.

Therefore, in order to grasp the actual position of the satellite in advance, the beam shape of one of the antennas used as a communication antenna, for example, the antenna 1e is electronically changed in the direction perpendicular to the rotation center axis O1. A beam shape D1c3 having a wide width, and the beam pointing direction is electronically movable in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis O1, and scanning is performed between the beam pointing directions D1c2, D1c3, and D1c4 as shown in FIG. Thus, it becomes possible to receive a signal from a new satellite. Alternatively, it is possible to receive a signal from a new satellite by cooperating with the mechanical adjustment of the antenna direction by the rotation mechanism 5Ac rotatably supported about the axis O1. Therefore, it is possible to use the phased array antenna as a satellite acquisition / tracking antenna.

In other words, the beam is formed to have a wide directivity for facilitating the capture and search of the satellite, and the beam is scanned perpendicularly to the wide width direction of the beam to capture and search the satellite.

As shown in the third embodiment, in order to grasp the actual position of the satellite in advance, the communication antenna is used as a satellite acquisition / tracking antenna and has a higher directivity than the communication antenna. By using the antenna with a weak antenna characteristic, each antenna can operate independently as an antenna for satellite acquisition / tracking. Therefore, the entire antenna does not rotate, and only the antenna that needs direction adjustment for satellite acquisition / tracking moves. Therefore, the driving load can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire antenna is moved.

As shown by D1c5 in FIG. 10, the shape of the beam width of each antenna can be electronically adjusted in a direction parallel to the rotation center axes O1 and O2, and the rotation center axes O1 and O2 can be adjusted. A phased array antenna in which the beam directing direction is electronically movable in a direction perpendicular to O2 may be used. In FIG. 10, (d1) is a plan view,
(D2) is a side view of (d1).

(Embodiment 4) In the antenna section shown in FIG. 9, the individual antennas form beams having a wide width in a direction perpendicular to the axes O1 and O2, and extend in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2. The beam directing direction is an electronically movable phased array antenna. Therefore, the axes O1, O2
Even if the mechanical rotation in the rotation direction about the center is roughly adjusted, by further adjusting the phase of the antenna element,
The direction of the beam of the antenna is electronically changed to the axes O1, O2.
, And the direction of the beam of the antenna can be accurately directed to the communication target. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the adjustment of the beam direction.

In the antenna section shown in FIG. 10, the antenna forms a beam having a wide width in a direction parallel to the axes O1 and O2, and the direction of the beam is electronically movable in a direction perpendicular to the axes O1 and O2. Phased array antenna. Therefore, even if the mechanical rotation in the rotational direction about the axis O3 is roughly adjusted, the phase of the antenna element is further adjusted to electronically change the directivity of the antenna beam to the axes O1 and O2. Control can be performed in a vertical direction with high accuracy, and the direction of the beam of the antenna can be accurately directed to the communication target. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the adjustment of the beam direction.

(Embodiment 5) FIG. 11 explains Embodiment 5 and shows a series of antenna operation diagrams in which mechanical direction control and electronic direction control are combined. FIG.
(A1) is an antenna unit diagram before operation. FIG.
2) is an antenna section after mechanical direction control, and (a3) is
It is an antenna part figure after electronic direction control.

In the butterfly antenna system, when each of the antennas is a phased array antenna whose beam directing direction can be electronically moved only in a direction perpendicular to the axes O1 and O2, the phase of the antenna element is adjusted. Thereby, it is possible to electronically adjust the directivity of each antenna beam in a direction perpendicular to the axes O1 and O2.

As shown in FIG. 11 (a1), the directional direction B
When the direction of the antenna 1f facing 1d0 is adjusted in the directivity direction B1d3 where the communication target is located, first, FIG.
As shown in 2), the rotation mechanism 5A about the axis O2
The directional direction B1d0 of the antenna 1f is adjusted to the directional direction B1d3 by the mechanical direction control by d. At this time, the communication target direction B1d3 depends on the mechanical accuracy of the rotation mechanism.
Even if the directional direction B1d1 of the antenna 1f after the mechanical control is deviated, the directional direction B1d1 of the antenna 1f is adjusted by the electronic control as shown in FIG.
Can be easily adjusted to the directional direction B1d3.

FIG. 12 shows a series of operation diagrams of the antenna in the case where the mechanical and electronic control is continuously performed. In the case of operating continuously, the center of the beam, which is the direction of the antenna, that is, the normal direction Vn1 of the antenna is mechanically controlled by canceling the movement amount by the mechanical control and the movement amount by the electronic control. Simultaneously with the movement, it is possible to electronically adjust the directivity of the beam of the antenna, and to always accurately and accurately direct the direction of the communication target B1d0.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 12 (a1) and (a2), when the rotation mechanism 5Ad about the axis O2 is mechanically moved by the angle α1, the direction electronically perpendicular to the axis O2, In the direction of rotation about the axis O2,
By moving the angle −α1, which is a movement amount that cancels out the mechanical movement amount, the communication target is tracked without changing the directivity direction B1d0 of the antenna when the normal direction of the antenna is moved in the direction Vn1. I can do it. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 12A3, when the antenna is mechanically moved by the angle α2, the antenna is moved electronically by the angle −α2, so that the normal direction of the antenna is moved in the direction Vn2. Without changing the directional direction B1d0 of the antenna,
The communication target can be tracked with high accuracy.

By combining the mechanical direction control and the electronic direction control as shown in the fifth embodiment, the direction can be easily and accurately adjusted.

In the butterfly antenna system, the individual antennas may be phased array antennas in which the beam directing direction can be moved electronically only in the direction horizontal to the axes O1 and O2, or in the horizontal and vertical directions. Similarly, by controlling the movement amount by the mechanical control and the movement amount by the electronic control to cancel each other, the center of the beam, which is the direction of the antenna, that is, the normal direction of the antenna is simultaneously moved. It is possible to electronically adjust the directional direction of the beam and to always accurately and accurately direct it to the direction of the communication target, and to easily and accurately adjust the direction.

(Embodiment 6) FIGS. 13 and 14 show the antenna section of Embodiment 6 in which (a1), (b)
1), (c1), (d1) and (e1) are plan views, and (a)
2), (b2), (c2), (d2), and (e2) show side views of (a1), (b1), (c1), (d1), and (e1), respectively.

In the butterfly antenna system, each antenna is capable of electronically adjusting the shape of the beam width in a direction parallel to and / or perpendicular to the rotation center axes O1 and O2, and the rotation center axis. O1, O
2 is a phased array antenna whose beam directing direction is electronically movable in a direction parallel to and / or perpendicular to the antenna 2. Therefore, by adjusting the phase of each antenna element, the beam shape and the directing direction of the antenna are adjusted. Can be adjusted.

Therefore, in order to grasp the actual position of the satellite in advance, the beam shape of one of the antennas used as a communication antenna, for example, the antenna 1e, is electronically changed in a direction parallel to the rotation center axis O1. And / or by making the beam shape D1c0 wide in the vertical direction, it becomes possible to use it as an antenna for satellite acquisition / tracking.

That is, the beam shape has a wide directivity in order to facilitate the acquisition and search of the satellite.

By adjusting the phases of the individual antenna elements, it is possible to adjust the directional direction of the beam of the antenna 1e, and to electronically adjust the directional direction of the beam, as shown in FIGS. 13 (a1) and 13 (b1). ), (C1), (a2), (b)
As shown in (2) and (c2), a signal from a new satellite is received by scanning the beam, for example, between the beam directing directions D1c6, D1c7, D1c8, and D1c9. Alternatively, it is possible to receive a signal from a new satellite by cooperating with a mechanical adjustment of the antenna direction by a rotating mechanism 5Ac rotatably supported about the axis O1.

FIGS. 14 (d1), (e1), (d)
2) As shown in (e2), after capturing the communication target in the state of the beam shape D1c0 having a wide directivity, the phase of each antenna element is adjusted, and the beam shape is narrowed electronically. By adjusting the characteristic to D1c1, the antenna gain is adjusted to have a shape that can be used as a communication antenna capable of communicating with a communication target.

As shown in the sixth embodiment, in order to grasp the actual position of the satellite in advance, the communication antenna is used as a satellite acquisition / tracking antenna. By using the antenna with a weak antenna characteristic, each antenna can operate independently as an antenna for satellite acquisition / tracking. Therefore, the entire antenna does not rotate, and only the antenna which needs direction adjustment for satellite acquisition / tracking moves. Therefore, the driving load can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire antenna is moved. The beam shape is electronically adjusted to a narrow directivity while maintaining the direction of the communication target captured during the satellite acquisition / tracking antenna in the state of the beam shape, and the adjustment is easily and quickly performed as a communication antenna. This makes it possible to easily perform the antenna direction control.

[0076]

As described above, in the antenna system of the present invention, in the butterfly antenna system,
By using a phased array antenna that can change the directivity of the antenna by electrical operation, the whole antenna does not rotate and only the antenna that needs direction adjustment moves, so compared to moving the whole antenna As a result, the driving load can be reduced.

In order to grasp the actual position of the satellite in advance, the communication antenna is used as a satellite acquisition / tracking antenna.
By using the antenna with less directivity than the antenna for communication, each antenna can operate independently as an antenna for satellite acquisition / tracking. Therefore, the entire antenna does not rotate, and only the antenna that needs direction adjustment for satellite acquisition / tracking moves. Therefore, the driving load can be reduced as compared with the case where the entire antenna is moved.

Also, while maintaining the direction of the communication target captured by the satellite capturing / tracking antenna in the state of the beam shape having a wide directivity, the beam shape is electronically adjusted to a narrow directivity to perform communication. It is possible to easily and quickly adjust the antenna for use as an antenna for antenna direction control.

Further, by combining the mechanical direction adjusting mechanism and the electronic direction adjusting mechanism, it is possible to easily and accurately adjust the direction or simplify the adjustment of the beam directing direction. There are various effects.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first embodiment of an antenna system according to the present invention.
FIG.

FIG. 2 is a first embodiment of an antenna system according to the present invention;
It is a perspective view which shows the other example of a structure in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a first embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a phased array antenna and a beam directivity direction in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a first embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention;
It is a schematic diagram explaining the operation in.

FIG. 5 is a first embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention;
It is a schematic diagram explaining other operation in.

FIG. 6 is a first embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a phased array antenna and its beam directivity in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a direction adjustment control system of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a second embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an antenna unit in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an antenna unit according to Embodiments 3 and 4 of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the antenna unit in the third and fourth embodiments of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an antenna operation in an antenna system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another antenna operation in the fifth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an antenna unit according to a sixth embodiment of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of another antenna unit in Embodiment 6 of the antenna system according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a conventional antenna system.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a conventional parabolic antenna system.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of the antenna system proposed earlier.

[Explanation of symbols]

1c first antenna, 1d second antenna, 1e, 1f phased array antenna, 3c first arm, 3d second arm, 5b, 5c elevation adjustment mechanism, 5Ac first rotation mechanism, 5Ad second rotation Mechanism, 7b, 7c column, B1ci, B1di beam direction of phased array antenna, D1ci beam of phased array antenna, Vn, Vn1, Vn2 normal direction of phased array antenna

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5J021 AA02 AA06 AA13 CA06 DB02 DB03 EA04 FA05 FA14 FA15 FA16 FA20 FA32 GA02 GA08 HA05 HA07 HA10

Claims (4)

[Claims] A first antenna, a second antenna, a first rotation mechanism provided with the first antenna so as to be rotatable in a first rotation direction about a first axis, A second rotation mechanism for rotatably rotating a second antenna in a first rotation direction about a second axis extending on the same axis as or parallel to the first axis, and different from the first and second axes. An elevation angle adjustment mechanism that supports the first and second rotation mechanisms in a rotatable manner in a second rotation direction about a third axis that is an inclined axis, and the first and third axes. An azimuth adjustment mechanism that supports the elevation adjustment mechanism so as to be rotatable in a third rotation direction about a fourth axis that is a different axis, and a third axis that is parallel to the fourth axis and The first rotation mechanism is provided in a first area partitioned by a plane including the axis of A second rotary mechanism provided in the second area, the first antenna system, characterized in that at least one of the second antenna, and an electrically phased array antenna to change the characteristics of the antenna. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the directivity (main lobe) of the phased array antenna is electrically changed with respect to a direction parallel to the first and second axes. 2. The antenna system according to 1. 3. The phased array antenna according to claim 1, wherein the direction of the directivity (main lobe) of the phased array antenna is electrically changed with respect to a direction perpendicular to the first and second axes. 2. The antenna system according to 1. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the directivity (main lobe) of the phased array antenna is fixed, and the directivity is sharply or dull (the half-value angle) is electrically changed. The antenna system according to claim 1.