JPH11239015A - Antenna azimuth angle adjusting method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and securely sets the azimuth angle of an antenna to a target satellite and to receive a signal from the satellite by adjusting the shadow of a marker, formed with the sunshine when the antenna is directed to the satellite on a map printed on the antenna surface, to the presence place. SOLUTION: The setting is done at noon when the sun 100 comes almost to the south. The antenna 31 is slanted to the sky first so that the sunshine 100 impinges on a marker means 33. To perform reception in Osaka from, for example, the satellite JCSAT#3, the marker means 33 is directed to the sky so that the shadow of the sunshine 100 comes almost to Osaka on the map on the surface of the antenna 31. Thus, the shadow of the sunshine 100 positioned to the true south is adjusted on the map and then the antenna 31 appears to be slanted from the true north by the azimuth angle to the satellite 35, so that the azimuth angle of the target satellite is considered to be specified. Then the tilt angle is set to a given graduation after the azimuth angle adjustment and then adjustment is carried out while the signal is actually received.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the azimuth of an antenna such as a satellite receiving antenna.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Antennas are generally adjusted by using a signal strength meter or other measuring equipment to measure the amplitude of a signal directly received by the antenna. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mechanical configuration of a conventional satellite (satellite) television receiving system and a plan view of an antenna structure described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-336677.
Is a flowchart for explaining a method and a device for manually arranging the antenna structures shown in FIG. 13, and FIG. 15 shows an electronic circuit of a conventional satellite television system having the antenna structure alignment device shown in FIG. It is a block diagram. In the figure, 1 is a transmitter, 3 is a satellite (hereinafter referred to as satellite), 5 is an antenna structure, 7 is a dish-shaped antenna provided on the antenna structure 5 (hereinafter referred to as antenna), and 9 is A frequency converter provided on the antenna structure 5 for performing frequency conversion; 11 is a pole (post); 12 is an adjustable mounting fixture necessary for installing the antenna structure 5 on the pole 11;
3 is a house on which the pole 11 is mounted, 15 is a coaxial cable, 17 is a satellite broadcast receiver for receiving a television signal from the antenna structure 5 via the coaxial cable 15, 19 is a television receiver, and 21 is a television receiver 19. A display screen 23 is provided for displaying images, and a speaker system 23 is provided on the television receiver 19 and outputs sound.

An analog video signal source 301 is provided in the transmitter 1 and generates an analog video signal, an analog audio signal source 303 is provided in the transmitter 1 and generates an analog audio signal, and 305 is an output of the analog video signal source 301. A video ADC 307 for converting a signal into a digital video signal is an analog audio signal source 303.
An audio ADC 309 for converting the output signal of the digital audio signal into a digital audio signal; an MPEG encoder 309 for compressing and encoding the digital video signal and the audio signal converted by the video ADC 305 and the audio ADC 309; Is a forward error correction (FEC) encoder, 313 is a QPSK modulator that modulates a carrier with the output signal of the forward error correction (FEC) encoder 311, 317 is a tuner, 319 is a demodulator of the output (intermediate frequency signal) of the tuner 317. A QPSK demodulator, 321 is an FEC decoder, 323 is a transport unit, and 325 is an M that decodes an output from the transport unit 323 to an MPEG digital video signal. EG video decoder, MPEG audio decoder for decoding an output of the transport unit 323 into a digital audio signal of the MPEG system 327, 329 a video DA converter, 331 audio DA converter, 335 TV modulator, 33
7 is a microprocessor, 338 is a ROM, and 341 is an on-screen display (OSD) unit.

In a satellite (satellite) television system as shown in FIG. 13, a transmitter 1 transmits a television signal containing a video component and an audio component to a satellite 3 driven by a stationary earth. The satellite 3 receives the television signal transmitted from the transmitter 1 and transmits the television signal again toward the earth.

The satellite 3 has a large number of values (for example, 24
) Transponders receive and transmit television information. In this system, television information is transmitted in a format compressed according to a digital compression standard such as MPEG. This MPEG
Is a video expert group (Motion Pictur
es Expert Group), which is an international standard for the coded display format of moving images and related audio information. In order to obtain this digital information, a carrier is modulated by a digital modulation method known in the digital transmission field, for example, as QPSK (four phase shift keying) modulation. Each of the transponders transmits a high or low data rate at a respective carrier frequency.

[0006] The television signal transmitted from the satellite 3 is received by the antenna structure 5, that is, the “outdoor unit”. The antenna structure 5 includes an antenna 7
And a frequency converter (converter) 9. The antenna 7 focuses the television signal transmitted from the satellite 3 on the frequency converter 9,
The converter 9 is called a “block converter” because it converts all the received frequency bands of the television frequency as blocks. The antenna structure 5 is set on a pole (post) 11 by an adjustable mounting fixture 12. In the drawing, the pole 11 is shown apart from the house 13, but is actually attached to the house 13.

[0007] The television signal generated by the block converter 9 is transmitted via a coaxial cable 15 to a satellite broadcast receiver 17 installed in the house 13.
This satellite broadcast receiver 17 is also called an “outdoor unit”. The satellite broadcast receiver 17 is coupled to the satellite broadcast receiver 17 by performing tuning, demodulation, and other processing on the received television signal, as described below with reference to FIG. Signal formats (eg, NTSC, PAL, SECA) suitable for processing by a normal television receiver 19
M) to generate video and audio signals.
In response to the video signal, the television receiver 19 generates an image on the display screen 21. Further, the speaker system 23 generates an audible response in response to the audio signal. Here, actually, one or more audio channels, for example, channels for reproducing stereo sound can be provided as shown by the speakers 23a and 23b. These speakers 23a and 23b can be incorporated into the television receiver 19 as shown, or can be separated from the television receiver 19.

In order to obtain the best picture and voice response, it is necessary to place the antenna 7 in a position where the television signal transmitted by the satellite 3 can be received.
The satellite 3 exists at a specific position in the geostationary earth orbit. Such a positioning operation includes an operation of accurately aligning the central axis 7A of the antenna 7 toward the satellite 3. As the positioning operation, “elevation angle” adjustment and “azimuth angle” adjustment are required.

[0009] As shown in FIG.
Is the angle of the central axis 7A with respect to the horizontal in the vertical plane, and as shown in FIG. 13B, the azimuth of the antenna 7 is the central axis 7A with respect to the true north direction in the horizontal plane. Angle. To align the antenna 7, the adjustable mounting fixture 12 is adjustable for both elevation and azimuth.

When the antenna structure 5 is installed, the elevation angle can be adjusted with a sufficient precision as follows. That is,
The elevation angle can be adjusted by setting the elevation angle based on the protractor portion 12a of the adjustable mounting fixture 12 according to the latitude of the receiving position. Once the elevation angle is set, the azimuth angle is roughly set as follows. That is, in general, the antenna structure 5 is directed toward the satellite 3 based on the latitude of the reception position. Tables displaying elevation and azimuth angles for various latitudes and mild degrees are included in the user manual provided with the satellite broadcast receiver 17. This elevation angle is calculated using a protractor 12a.
It can be relatively accurately aligned. The reason is that the carpenter label, that is, Plum Lin, is such that the pole 11 is perpendicular to the horizontal line.
This is because it can be easily installed using e). But,
Accurate azimuth alignment is even more difficult. The reason is that the direction of true north cannot be easily determined.

To simplify such an azimuth alignment procedure, an audible antenna adjuster constructed in accordance with one aspect of the present invention is included in satellite broadcast receiver 17. 14 and 15 for details of this device.
This will be described with reference to FIG. At present, when the audible alignment device is activated, the azimuth position can only be within a limited range, for example, within a range of 5 degrees, from the speakers 23a and 23b, if not within a fixed range. Continuous tones are no longer generated (ie, muted). The audible alignment device can also generate a tone burst or beep. This tone burst is generated each time the tuning / demodulation unit of the satellite receiver 17 completes the search algorithm without finding the tuning frequency and data rate for the selected transponder, ie, the digitally encoded information of the received signal. Is generated each time the search algorithm is completed without finding a tuning frequency and data rate that allows for error correction in. Although the carrier frequency in each transponder is known, such a search is performed because the block converter 9 tends to cause a frequency error of, for example, about several MHz, and furthermore, because the transmission data rate cannot be known in advance. An algorithm is required.

Next, an antenna alignment method for receiving a satellite signal in an optimal or nearly optimal state according to one aspect of the present invention will be described below. Basically, it relates to the operation of the electronic configuration of the satellite broadcast receiver 17 shown in FIG. 15, but in the following description, it is better to refer to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The antenna alignment operation is initiated by a user, for example, by selecting a corresponding menu item from a menu. This menu is displayed on the display screen 21 of the television receiver 19 in response to the video signal reproduced by the satellite receiver 17. The tuner 317 and demodulation 319 unit of the satellite receiver 17 then initiates a search algorithm to identify the particular transponder's tuning frequency and data rate. During the execution of this search algorithm, a tuning operation is performed by a number of frequencies near the nominal frequency for the selected transponder. It is generated by a tuner 317 and a demodulator 319, as described below with reference to FIG. “Demodulator lock”
If the signal assumes a logic state "1", proper tuning is indicated. If the tuning operation is performed properly, the error status of the digitally encoded information contained in the received signal is examined at two possible transmission data rates to determine whether error correction is possible. If proper tuning or error correction is not possible under a particular search frequency, these tuning and error correction states are checked under the next search frequency. Such processing continues until all search frequencies have been evaluated. At the completion of this,
In cases where proper tuning or error correction is not possible under any of the search frequencies, a tone burst, or beep, is generated so that the antenna 7 is within the limited azimuthal range required for proper reception. Notify users that they are not. On the other hand, if proper tuning operation is achieved and error correction is enabled at any of the search frequencies, a continuous tone will be generated by the alignment device to allow antenna 7 to be properly received. Inform the user that they are within the required limited azimuth range.

When a beep is generated, the user rotates the antenna assembly 5 around the pole 11 by a small angle, for example, 3 degrees, according to the instruction in the operation manual attached to the satellite broadcast receiver 17. Preferably, the antenna assembly 5 is rotated once every other beep. This allows the tuning algorithm to be completed before the antenna structure 5 is moved again. (According to one example, the complete cycle of the tuning algorithm in which all search frequencies are searched is 3
~ 5 seconds). The user repeatedly rotates the antenna structure 5 by a small angle (3 degrees) (every other beep sound is generated) until a continuous sound is generated. The generation of such a continuous tone completes the coarse adjustment portion of the antenna alignment procedure and indicates the start of the fine adjustment portion.

Once a continuous sound is generated, the user is instructed to continue rotating the antenna structure 5 until the continuous sound is no longer generated again (ie, until the sound is muted). , Each antenna azimuth position is marked as the first boundary position. Thereafter, the user is instructed to reverse the direction of rotation and rotate the antenna structure 5 in a new direction beyond the first boundary. In this way, a continuous sound is generated again. The user
It is instructed to continue rotating the antenna structure 5 until the continuous sound is muted, and to mark each antenna position as a second boundary position. Once these two boundary positions have been determined, the user can rotate the antenna structure 5 to an intermediate position between these boundary positions and set the azimuth for best or near optimal reception conditions. Be instructed. It has been found that a very satisfactory reception is achieved with this centering procedure. In this antenna alignment operation mode, for example, the process ends by removing the antenna alignment menu displayed on the screen 21 of the television receiver 19.

An audible antenna alignment device built in the satellite broadcast receiver 17 for generating an audible tone used in the above-described antenna alignment method will be described below with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 15, an analog video signal source 301 and an analog audio signal source 3
03, and AD converters (ADCs) 305 and 307, which convert analog signals into corresponding digital signals. Converter 30
9 compresses and encodes the digital video signal and the audio signal according to a predetermined standard system such as MPEG. The encoded signal is in the form of a series of packets, ie, a stream of packets, corresponding to each video or audio component. The type of this packet is identified by a header code. Packets representing control and other data can also be added to this data stream.

The forward error correction (FEC) encoder 311 adds correction data to the packet generated by the
Error correction due to noise in the transmission path to the satellite 3 is enabled. Learned Viterbi (Viter
bi) and Reed-Solomo
Preferably, n) type forward error correction coding is used. QPSK modulator 313
A carrier (carrier) is modulated by an output signal of the FEC encoder 311. This modulated carrier is transmitted to satellite 3 by "uplink" unit 315.

The satellite broadcast receiver 17 is provided with a tuner 317 having a local oscillator and a mixer (not shown), so that an appropriate carrier signal is selected from a plurality of signals received from the antenna structure 5. At the same time, the frequency of the selected carrier is converted to a lower frequency to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) signal. This intermediate frequency signal is
The signal is demodulated by the QPSK demodulator 319 to generate a demodulated digital signal. FEC decoder 32
1 decodes the error correction data contained in the demodulated digital signal, and corrects a demodulated packet representing video, audio and other information based on the error correction data. For example, the FEC encoder 311 of the transmitter 1 can operate according to the Viterbi and Reed-Solomon error correction algorithm. These tuners 317, QPSK demodulator 319 and FEC decoder 321 are available from Comstream, Inc. of San Diego, California or Hughes of Germantown, MD.
Included in a unit available from Networks Systems.

The transport unit 323 is a demultiplexer, and transmits a video packet of an error-corrected signal to the video decoder 325, an audio packet to the audio decoder 327, and a data bus according to the header information included in each packet. Send through. The video decoder 325 decodes and decompresses the video packet and sends the resulting digital video signal to a DA converter (DAC) 329 to convert it to a baseband analog video signal.
The audio decoder 327 decodes and decompresses the video packet and sends the resulting digital audio signal to the DA converter 331 to convert it into a baseband analog audio signal. These baseband analog video signals and audio signals are respectively transmitted via a baseband connection unit.
It is coupled to a television receiver 9. These baseband analog video and audio signals are also provided to modulator 335. This modulator 335
Has developed the NTSC, PAL, SE to allow connection to television receivers without baseband inputs.
The carrier is modulated with the analog signal according to a conventional television standard such as CAM.

The microprocessor 337 supplies the frequency selection control data of the local oscillator to the tuner 317, and also outputs “demodulator lock” data and “signal quality” data from the demodulator 319 and “block error” data from the FEC decoder 321. "Receive the data. Also, the microprocessor 337 operates interactively with the transport unit 323 to influence the transmission path of the data packet. This microprocessor 3
The above-described tone and tone burst are generated at the time of the alignment operation of the antenna structure 5 using the ROM 339 associated with the antenna 37. Hereinafter, this will be described in detail.

The QPSK demodulator 319 is provided with a phase lock loop (not shown). The operation of this loop is locked to the frequency of the intermediate frequency signal, and the digital data modulated with the intermediate frequency signal is demodulated. I do.
As long as a tuned carrier exists, the QPSK demodulator 319 can demodulate this intermediate frequency signal regardless of the number of errors contained in the digital data. The demodulator 319 generates a 1-bit "demodulator" lock signal. This lock signal assumes a logic "1" state, for example, when the demodulator operation is successfully completed. Further, the demodulator 319 controls the SN of the received signal.
Generate a "signal quality" signal representing the ratio.

The FEC decoder 321 can correct only a predetermined number of errors per block data. For example, the FEC decoder 321 can correct only an 8-byte error in a 146-byte packet, and 16 bytes of these 146 bytes are used for error correction encoding. The FEC decoder 321 generates a 1-bit "block error" signal. This block error signal takes a first logical state, for example, a "0" state when error correction is possible, and a second logical state when error correction is impossible.
, For example, "1" state. This block error signal can be changed together with each block of digital data.

The operation of the microprocessor 337 in response to the "demodulator lock" signal and the "block error" signal during operation in the analog alignment mode described above will now be described. Here, reference is made to the flowchart shown in FIG. This flowchart discloses an antenna alignment subroutine stored in the memory section of the microprocessor 337. When the operation of the antenna alignment mode is started, a predetermined carrier frequency is selected for tuning. Thereafter, the microprocessor 337 monitors the state of the "demodulator lock" signal. This "demodulator lock"
When the signal assumes a logical "0" state, indicating that demodulation cannot be performed at the current search frequency, the microprocessor 337 selects the next search frequency or, alternatively, all search frequencies have already been searched. If so, a tone burst, ie, a beep sound is generated. If this "demodulator lock" signal assumes a logical "1" state, i.e., indicates that demodulation has been successfully completed by demodulator 319, microprocessor 337 examines the "block error" signal. , Determine whether error correction is possible.

First, check for error conditions at low data rates. If error correction is not possible at lower data rates, check for error conditions at higher data rates. For each of these data rates, microprocessor 337 repeatedly samples the "block error" signal. The reason is that this "block error" signal changes with each block of digital data. If the "block error" signal assumes a logical "1" state for a predetermined number of samples for both data rates, i.e., error correction is not possible, the microprocessor 337 determines the next search frequency. Is selected, or when the search for all search frequencies is completed, a tone burst, that is, a beep sound is generated. On the other hand, when the "block error" signal assumes a logical "0" state for a predetermined number of samples, that is, when error correction is possible, the microprocessor 337 generates a continuous tone.

The audible tone burst and continuous tone are:
For example, the signal is generated by a dedicated circuit having an oscillator coupled to the output terminal of the DA converter 331 for audio signals. However, such dedicated circuitry adds complexity and consequently increases the cost of the satellite receiver 17. In order to avoid such an increase in complexity and cost, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the already existing configuration can be advantageously used twice. A method for generating an audible tone in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15 will be described below.

Specific memory locations in ROM 339 store digital data encoded to represent audible tones. This tone data is desirably stored as packets in the same compression format as the transmitted audio packets, for example, according to the MPEG audio standard. To generate a continuous audible tone, microprocessor 337 stores tone data packets in ROM 339.
From the tone data memory location and transfer it to the audio data memory location of the RAM (not shown) associated with the transport unit 323. Typically, this RAM stores packets consisting of the data stream of the transferred signal,
Used to temporarily store in each memory location according to the type of information they represent. The audio memory location of the transport RAM where the tone data packet is stored is the same as the memory location where the transferred audio packet is stored. During this process, the microprocessor 337 discards the transferred audio data packets by preventing these data packets from going to the audio memory location of the RAM.

The tone data packet stored in the RAM is transferred to the audio decoder 327 via the data bus in the same manner as the transferred audio data packet. This ton data packet is decompressed by the audio decoder 327 in the same manner as any of the transferred audio data packets. The digital audio signal decompressed in this way is converted into an analog signal by the DA converter 331. This analog signal is supplied to speakers 23a and 23b, and a continuous audible sound is generated.

To generate a tone burst or beep, microprocessor 337 converts tone data packets to audio decoder 32 in the same manner as described above.
Transfer to 7. However, the microprocessor 327
Generate a muting control signal.

Alternatively, these tone bursts and continuous tones can be generated by the following method. To generate a tone burst, microprocessor 337 reads a tone data packet from a tone data memory location in ROM 339 and transfers the tone data packet to decoder 327 via transport unit 322 in the manner described above. The microprocessor 33 generates a continuous tone.
7 cyclically reads tone data packets from the tone data memory location in ROM 339 and forwards these packets to decoder 327. In essence, this allows a substantially continuous generation of adjacent tone bursts to be generated.

As mentioned above, the demodulator 319
Generates a "signal quality" signal representing the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the received signal. This SNR signal is in the form of digital data. This SNR signal is coupled to a microprocessor 337 and converted to a graphics control signal. This graphics control signal is suitable for displaying signal quality graphics on the screen 21 of the television receiver 19. This graphics control signal is transmitted to the on-screen display (OS
D) Graphics coupled to the unit 341 and representing the video signal are provided to the television receiver 19. The signal quality graphics take the form of triangles, which increase as signal quality improves. These signal quality graphics assist the user in adjusting one or both of the elevation and azimuth positions to achieve optimal conditions. The user can select characteristics of the signal quality graphics via the antenna alignment menu described above.

[0032]

One method of adjusting the antenna is to use a signal strength meter or other measuring equipment to measure the amplitude of the signal received directly at the antenna.
However, usually, few consumers use the signal strength meter, and it is inconvenient to carry it depending on the installation location. Thus, most consumers have to rely on trial and error to adjust the antenna appropriately and then adjust the antenna again while viewing the image generated on the screen of the associated television receiver.

The conventional antenna alignment apparatus and method described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-336677 are designed to solve some of the above problems, and the antenna adjustment range is determined by the presence or absence of continuous sound. It is not necessary to use a signal strength meter because the azimuth boundary position is determined and adjusted in accordance with the center position. However, a geosynchronous satellite orbit (about 36,000 km above the equator)
In m), many satellites have been launched, and the directivity of the antenna is set narrow in order to match the target satellite from among them. For this reason, it is difficult to point the antenna to the target satellite from many satellites and first capture the signal from the target satellite. In some cases, there is a problem that the target signal is not obtained because the target is tuned to another nearby satellite.

Even when the designated azimuth angle is set by using a azimuth magnet or the like, since the azimuth magnet itself is not attached to the antenna, there is no target mark at the time of actual azimuth adjustment, and an error of several degrees occurs. However, it is difficult to adjust the azimuth angle due to problems such as a deviation in the indicated azimuth due to a magnetic body such as a mounting bracket.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an antenna for easily and surely adjusting the azimuth of an antenna to a target satellite so as to receive a signal from the satellite. It is an object of the present invention to provide an azimuth adjustment method.

[0036]

According to the antenna azimuth adjustment method of the present invention, a map imaged (printed) on a surface of an antenna and marker means for shading the map of the antenna with sunlight are provided. The antenna azimuth is adjusted by adjusting the shade of sunlight when the camera is directed toward the satellite to the current location.

Further, a plurality of lines indicating the longitude of the installation location are printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna.

The present invention is characterized in that a map and a plurality of lines printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna and marker means for shading the surface of the antenna by sunlight are provided.

Further, a plurality of images (printed) are displayed (printed) on the surface of the antenna in order to correspond a plurality of lines indicating a map and time indicating a plurality of satellites to a plurality of satellites.

Further, a plurality of marker means are provided on the surface of the antenna for shading with sunlight so as to correspond to a plurality of satellites.

Further, a plurality of lines indicating the time of image printing (printing) and a transparent sheet on which a map is imaged (printed) are provided on the surface of the antenna.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a transparent sheet is provided on the surface of the antenna, in which more than twice the number of lines printed (printed) are printed (printed).

Further, a marker means is attached to the block frequency converter.

Further, the marker means can be detached from the block frequency converter.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the support of the marker means is vertically expandable and contractible.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the marker means can be extended and retracted back and forth.

[0047]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an antenna azimuth adjustment method according to an embodiment of the present invention, at noon when sunlight is located almost south, an antenna provided with marker means, for example, a marker means having a hole, is connected to the satellite in the direction of the satellite. , And by shading near the current location in the map imaged on the antenna surface by the marker means, the azimuth with respect to the target satellite to be adjusted can be specified.

Further, a plurality of lines indicating the longitude of the installation location of the antenna are printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna, and the shade of sunlight by the marker means is dropped on the line indicating the longitude corresponding to a specific time. The azimuth angle of the target satellite to be adjusted can be specified.

Further, a map and a plurality of vertical lines indicating time are printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna, and the position of the shade of the sunlight dropped by the marker means is adjusted to the vertical line corresponding to the installation time to obtain the sunlight. The azimuth with respect to the target satellite to be adjusted can be specified other than the time when is located just south.

Also, a plurality of vertical lines indicating time are printed (printed) on the antenna surface, and the current location in the transparent sheet on which the map is printed (printed) is pasted on the antenna installation time line, and the marker is marked. By shading off the sunlight by the means, the azimuth with respect to the target satellite to be adjusted can be determined.

Further, by mapping (printing) a map and a plurality of lines indicating time on the surface of the antenna, it is possible to correspond to a plurality of satellites.

Further, by providing a plurality of marker means on the surface of the antenna for shading with sunlight, it is possible to correspond to a plurality of satellites.

Further, by overlaying a transparent sheet on which more than twice the number of vertical lines printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna is printed (printed) and shaded by marker means,
The azimuth corresponding to the target satellite to be adjusted at finer time and longitude intervals can be specified.

Also, by attaching the marker means to the block frequency converter attached to the antenna, shadows are dropped on the surface of the antenna.

After the marker means is adjusted, it can be removed from the block frequency converter.

Further, the column of the marker means can be expanded and contracted in the vertical direction.

The support of the marker means can be extended and contracted in the front-rear direction.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an antenna of the antenna azimuth adjustment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 31 is a dish-shaped antenna such as a digital CS broadcast receiver, 32 is a block frequency converter, 33 is marker means for shading on the antenna surface due to sunlight, and 34 is an image (print) on the antenna 31 surface. This is a map. For example, the marker means 33 may be a member made of rubber, sponge, plastic, or the like, or a member formed by drilling a wire or the like into a circular shape, as long as the shade indicates the position.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a method of adjusting the azimuth of the antenna according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 35
Is a satellite launched into a geosynchronous satellite orbit over the equator, 1
00 is sunlight.

[0060]

[Table 1]

Table 1 above is a table showing the azimuth angles of the main installation areas of JCSAT3 located, for example, at 128 degrees east longitude, and the azimuth angles of each city represent angles from true north. Asahikawa, Sendai, and Mito have the widest angles from true north, and Naha has the narrowest angles.

In the antenna azimuth adjustment method configured as described above, the setting is performed at noon time when the sunlight 100 is almost south. First, the antenna 31 is tilted upward so that the marker means 33 is exposed to sunlight. For example, JCSAT
When the satellite of No. 3 is received in Osaka, the antenna 31
The marker means 33 is turned to the sky so that the shade of the sunlight 100 comes near the map on the surface, that is, near Osaka. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example in which the shade of sunlight is dropped according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the shade is adjusted near Osaka. It is lit near Osaka. Also, to make it easy to fit on the map,
You may enter a representative place name. By adjusting the shade of Nikko 100 located just south on the map in this way, Table 1
This is equivalent to tilting the antenna by the azimuth angle from true north to the satellite, as shown in FIG. After the azimuth adjustment, the tilt angle is set to a predetermined scale, fine adjustment is performed while actually receiving a signal, and the antenna setting is completed.

Here, the sun goes south at noon Japan time only on the meridian (135 degrees east longitude). In regions with different longitudes, the sun goes south for 24 hours / 360 degrees, that is, 4 minutes every 1 degree latitude. Antenna 31
The map on the surface is modified and written at that rate.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 4 shows an example of an antenna according to the antenna azimuth adjustment method according to the second embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 36 denotes a plurality of lines indicating longitude, and line A indicates 135 degrees east longitude. In the antenna azimuth adjustment method configured as described above, the antenna 31 is tilted upward by the marker means 33 so that the shade of sunlight hits the reflector of the antenna. For example, when the current location is Osaka, the adjustment is performed so that the shade of sunlight 100 is on the line indicating the longitude of Osaka of the line 36 drawn on the surface of the antenna 31. In this way, by setting the shade of sunlight 100 located almost in the south on the line indicating the longitude, it is equivalent to tilting the antenna by the azimuth from true north to the satellite shown in Table 1, and the azimuth with respect to the target satellite That is, After the azimuth adjustment, the tilt angle is set to a predetermined scale, fine adjustment is performed while actually receiving a signal, and the antenna setting is completed.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna according to the antenna azimuth adjustment method according to the third embodiment. In the figure, 34 is a map, and 37 is a vertical line indicating time. For example, the interval between the vertical lines 37 indicates the amount of azimuth deviation every hour when the sunlight 100 moves. First, the antenna 31 is turned to the sky so that the shade of the marker means 33 due to sunlight 100 hits the reflector of the antenna. For example, when adjusting at 1:00 pm, the azimuth angle is shifted by one hour from noon as shown in FIG. 6, so that the light of sunlight 100 passing through the hole of the marker means 33 is shifted on the line shifted by one hour from the current location. Adjust so that it hits. Therefore, if the antenna 31 is tilted so that light shines on a vertical line in one row from the current location, the azimuth angle with respect to the target satellite is specified.
After the azimuth adjustment, the tilt angle is set to a predetermined scale, fine adjustment is performed while actually receiving a signal, and the antenna setting is completed.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the antenna azimuth adjustment method according to the fourth embodiment. In the figure, 37 is a vertical line indicating time, and 38 is a transparent sheet on which a map is printed (printed). In the antenna azimuth adjustment method configured as described above, first, a transparent sheet 38 is attached so as to overlap the current location on a vertical line 37 corresponding to the time at which the antenna 31 is installed. The antenna 31 to which the transparent seal 38 is attached is tilted to the sky, and the marker means 33 is adjusted so that the vertical line 37 indicating the time and the current location in the attached map overlap each other. Thus, the azimuth with respect to the target satellite is specified. After the azimuth adjustment, the tilt angle is set to a predetermined scale, fine adjustment is performed while actually receiving a signal, and the antenna setting is completed.

Embodiment 5 It should be noted that the first to the first embodiments
In FIG. 4, the azimuth angle of only the first satellite can be adjusted on the surface of the antenna 31. However, as shown in FIG. By adding a (printed) map 42 or the like, a Direc from another satellite having a different azimuth, for example, JCSAT3 (128 ° E) broadcasting PerfecTV.
Super Bird C broadcasting TV (144 degrees east longitude)
The azimuth angle can be adjusted by adjusting the target map 34 and the map 42 so as to eliminate the shadow of the marker means 33 in the same manner as described above, when switching to the use and switching to the opposite.

Embodiment 6 FIG. In the fifth embodiment, the map 42 printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna 31 corresponding to the azimuth of the second satellite is added as shown in FIG. Thus, the azimuth can be adjusted for a plurality of satellites by adjusting the map 34 so that the shade of the plurality of marker means 43 corresponding to each satellite is cast.

Embodiment 7 Embodiment 2 above
In FIG. 4, the line 36 indicating the longitude and the vertical line 37 indicating the time are formed (printed) on the surface of the antenna 31. However, as shown in FIG. The azimuth adjustment at finer longitudes and time intervals can be performed by overlapping the transmissive sheets thus set at the time of adjustment.

Embodiment 8 FIG. In addition, the first embodiment
By attaching and fixing the marker means 33 and the marker means 43 provided in 7 on the block frequency converter 32, the azimuth angle with respect to the target satellite can be specified without extending the arm on the surface of the antenna 31 and without blurring.

Embodiment 9 FIG. Further, the first embodiment
In Nos. To 8, the marker means 33 or the marker means 43 is mounted on the block frequency converter 32, but the marker means 33 or the marker means 43 can be removed. As a result, unnecessary components can be eliminated from the front surface of the antenna 31 after the adjustment. Embodiment 6 May be replaced with another marker corresponding to the azimuth of the other satellite.

Embodiment 10 FIG. Examples 1 to 9 above
In the above description, the adjustment method in the case where the length of the support of the marker means 33 or the marker means 43 is fixed is shown. However, as shown in FIG. Thus, the adjustment can be made in accordance with the level of the longitude of the sunlight 100 that varies depending on the season. For example, in summer when the position of sunlight 100 is highest, the support 40 of the marker means 33 or 43 is extended to the maximum length, and in winter when the position of sunlight 100 is lowest, the support 40 is shortened to the minimum length and the target satellite is reduced. The azimuth with respect to is specified. Thus, the azimuth angle can be adjusted while adjusting the support post 40 after the tilt angle adjustment, and it can be confirmed whether or not the azimuth angle has shifted after the adjustment.

Embodiment 11 FIG. Embodiments 1 to 10 above
In the above, the length of the marker means 33 or the marker means 43 is configured to be fixed or expandable in the up and down direction. However, as shown in FIG. That is, the distance between the marker means 33 or the marker means 43 and the antenna 31 becomes longer, and the size of the map that can be imaged (printed) on the antenna 31 can be enlarged, so that the position where the shadow is dropped can be more specifically limited. At the same time, the adjustment becomes easy.

[0074]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

Drawing (printing) a map on the surface of the antenna
The azimuth angle with respect to the target satellite can be specified by adjusting the shade of sunlight to the current location in the map at noon by the marker means at noon.

Also, a line indicating the longitude is printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna, and the marker means adjusts at noon so that the shade of sunlight falls on the line corresponding to the longitude of the current location. Can be specified.

Further, a map and a plurality of lines indicating time are printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna, and the shade of the sunlight by the marker means is combined with the map at the installation time, and the difference from the specific time is determined by the time. By correcting with the line shown, the azimuth angle with respect to the target satellite can be specified even in a time zone other than noon.

Further, a plurality of lines indicating time are displayed (printed).
Attach a transparent sheet on which a map is printed (printed) onto the corresponding line according to the installation time on the antenna surface, and drop the shade of sunlight at the current location, at times other than noon The azimuth with respect to the target satellite can be specified without correcting the difference in the band.

Further, by printing (printing) a plurality of maps and the like on the antenna surface, the azimuth of the plurality of satellites can be adjusted, and the satellites to be received can be easily switched.

Similarly, by having a plurality of markers, the azimuth of a plurality of satellites can be adjusted, and the satellite to be received can be easily switched.

Further, by attaching a transparent sheet on which lines more than twice the lines indicating the longitude and the time are printed (printed) on the surface of the antenna, the interval between the installation time and the longitude lines can be reduced. Can be easily adjusted.

Further, since the marker means is mounted on the block frequency converter, it is not necessary to provide a special support means for the marker means on the front surface of the antenna during the adjustment. Can be reduced.

Further, since the marker means is configured to be detachable from the block frequency converter, unnecessary objects can be removed after the adjustment, so that the weight can be reduced and the influence of wind and radio waves can be prevented, and the cause of a decrease in reception level can be prevented.

Also, since the strut of the marker means is configured to be able to expand and contract in the vertical direction, it is possible to accurately specify the azimuth angle with respect to the target satellite even in sunlight having a height difference depending on the season, The azimuth can be confirmed even after the adjustment.

Furthermore, since the support of the marker means is configured to be able to expand and contract in the front-rear direction, the more the front is extended, the greater the number of lines indicating the map and time on the surface of the antenna during adjustment (printing). , The current location can be adjusted more accurately. Therefore, the azimuth angle with respect to the target satellite can be specified more accurately.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna in an antenna azimuth adjustment method according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an antenna azimuth adjustment method according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the shade of sunlight is dropped according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna of an antenna azimuth adjustment device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna of an antenna azimuth adjustment device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a method for adjusting the azimuth of an antenna according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna in an antenna azimuth angle adjusting method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna in an antenna azimuth angle adjusting method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an antenna in an antenna azimuth angle adjusting method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an antenna in an antenna azimuth adjustment method according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a marker unit according to Embodiment 10 of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a marker unit according to Embodiment 11 of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a mechanical configuration of a conventional satellite television receiving system and a plan view of an antenna structure.

14 is a flowchart illustrating a method and an apparatus for manually aligning the antenna structure illustrated in FIG. 11;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing an electronic circuit of a conventional satellite television receiving system.

[Explanation of symbols]

31 antenna, 32 block frequency converter, 3
3 Marker means, 34 maps, 35 satellites, 36 lines indicating longitude, 37 lines indicating hours, 38 sheets showing (printing) a transparent sheet, 39 vertical lines showing (printing)
40, a vertically extensible strut, 41 a longitudinally extensible strut, 42 a second map, 43 a plurality of marker means, 100 sunlight.

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An antenna having a dish-shaped reflector, a map showing the installation location of the antenna imaged (printed) on the surface of the reflector, and a marker means for shading the map of the antenna by sunlight. And adjusting the azimuth of the satellite launched into geostationary satellite orbit by matching the marker and the map at a specific time. 2. An antenna having a dish-shaped reflector, a plurality of lines indicating the longitude of the installation location of the antenna imaged (printed) on the surface of the reflector, and a plurality of lines indicating the longitude of the antenna by sunlight. Marker means to cast a shadow on the line of, and adjust the azimuth angle to the satellite launched into geostationary satellite orbit by matching the marker and the line indicating the longitude of the installation location at a specific time Antenna azimuth angle adjustment method. 3. An antenna having a dish-shaped reflector, a map showing the installation location of the antenna imaged (printed) on the surface of the reflector, a line indicating time, and sunlight displaying the antenna on a map of the antenna. Adjusting the azimuth angle of a satellite launched into a geosynchronous satellite orbit by combining a marker and a map at the installation time and correcting the difference from a specific time with a line indicating time. A method for adjusting the azimuth of an antenna. 4. An antenna having a dish-shaped reflector, a map indicating an installation location, and image formation (printing) on the surface of the reflector.
A line indicating the installation time of the antenna, and a marker means for shading the map of the antenna by sunlight by sunlight, and attached to the line indicating the time of installing the map at the installation time, and attached with a marker. An azimuth adjustment method for an antenna, comprising adjusting an azimuth of a satellite launched into a geosynchronous satellite orbit by matching an installation location indicated by a map. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a map or a vertical line indicating a plurality of images (printed) indicating the installation location on the surface of the dish-shaped antenna so as to correspond to a plurality of satellites. The antenna azimuth adjustment method according to claim 4. 6. The antenna azimuth adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of marker means are provided so that the marker means can correspond to a plurality of satellites. 7. A transmissive sheet on which the number of vertical lines imaged (printed) on the surface of the dish-shaped antenna is twice or more the number of vertical lines imaged (printed). An antenna azimuth adjustment method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. 8. The antenna azimuth adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein said marker means is attached to a block frequency converter attached to the antenna. 9. A structure according to claim 1, wherein said marker means is detachable after the adjustment is completed.
An antenna azimuth adjustment method according to claim 8. 10. The antenna azimuth adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein said marker means is movable in a vertical direction. 11. The antenna azimuth adjustment method according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the surface of the dish-shaped antenna and the marker means is made expandable.