JPS63226101A - On-vehicle antenna system for stationary satellite tracing - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To always direct the antenna to a stationary satellite in the sky by controlling the supply of compressed air to nozzles being components of 1st-3rd nozzle sets based on a signal from a sensing means detecting the direction of the antenna. CONSTITUTION:A signal (d) outputted from a detection means 23 comprising an azimuth sensor and a vertical sensor is inputted to a controller 24 controlling the switching of a solenoid provided on the way of the path of compressed air to nozzles 14, 15, 19-22 being components of the 1st-3rd nozzle sets 16-17. The controller 24, based to the signal (d) sent from the detecting means 23, opens a solenoid leading to a proper nozzle in the 6 nozzles to allow the nozzle to jet compressed air thereby obtaining the reaction of the jet air. It turns or rocks an antenna supporting frame 7 in a proper direction thereby directing the antenna 8 fixed to one end of the antenna supporting frame 7 toward the stationary satellite in the sky at all times. Thus, the radio wave transmission/ reception is ensured.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] 89 Purpose of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The in-vehicle antenna device for tracking geostationary satellites according to the present invention is dispatched at the time of disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons, and utilizes geostationary satellites present in the sky. The antenna is installed in a radio vehicle that performs various communications using the antenna, and is used to control the attitude of the antenna so that it always faces the geostationary satellite even when the radio vehicle is moving.

(Prior art) In the event of a disaster such as an earthquake or typhoon, radio communication is used or geostationary satellites launched into the sky are used as a means of communication between the site and countermeasures. It is becoming more and more common to enable clear communication between distant locations.

When performing wireless communication using such a geostationary satellite, it is necessary to correctly point an antenna (usually a parabolic antenna) toward a predetermined geostationary satellite. If anything,
Currently, there are many geostationary satellites being launched into the sky, and even if the direction of the antenna is slightly shifted (about 5 degrees), the antenna must be facing the direction of the satellite next to the geostationary satellite. This would make radio communication using geostationary satellites impossible.

For this reason, conventionally, the antenna carried to the site was driven by a motor through a gear to point it at the geostationary satellite.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, as mentioned above, when directing the antenna to a geostationary satellite by driving it through a gear, it takes some time to change the direction of the antenna. When carrying an antenna on a car and heading to the site, it was not possible to use the antenna to perform wireless communication while driving.

In other words, while a car is driving, the direction of the car constantly changes as it changes course, and when driving on rough roads, the direction of the antenna changes drastically due to repeated rolling and pitching. In the case of the conventional antenna drive system J, which uses a motor and gears, it is almost impossible to keep the antenna facing the geostationary satellite at all times in response to such violent movements.

For this reason, until now, geostationary satellite tracking antenna devices that can communicate even while the vehicle is in motion have not been put to practical use.

The in-vehicle antenna device for tracking geostationary satellites of the present invention solves the above-mentioned disadvantages.

b4 Configuration of the Invention (Means for Solving the Problem) The in-vehicle antenna device for tracking geostationary satellites of the present invention has a universal joint (
Since power does not need to be transmitted, spherical joints can also be used. ) supports the middle part of the antenna support frame.

By fixing the antenna to one end of this antenna support frame and fixing a balance weight to the other side, the center of gravity of the antenna support frame and the parts including the antenna and balance weight fixed to this antenna support frame can be adjusted as described above. It is aligned with the center of the universal joint.

Also, in the middle part of the antenna support frame, a first nozzle set consisting of a pair of nozzles rotates the antenna support frame in the twisting direction by selectively injecting compressed air in opposite directions. At the end of the support frame, there is also a second nozzle set that selectively injects compressed air in the opposite direction to rotate the antenna support frame in a swinging direction about the horizontal axis. A third set of nozzles is provided that rotates the antenna support frame about the vertical support axis by selectively injecting compressed air.

Furthermore, the antenna support frame is provided with a detection means for detecting the orientation of the antenna fixed to one end of the antenna support frame, and the signal output from the detection means is used to configure the first to third nozzle groups. Human power is applied to a controller that controls the opening and closing of a solenoid valve installed in the middle of the compressed air flow path to the nozzle.

This controller opens a solenoid valve leading to a suitable nozzle based on the signal sent from the detection means, injects compressed air from this nozzle, and rotates or oscillates the antenna support frame in a suitable direction. the antenna so that it always points toward the geostationary satellite in the sky.

(Function) The function of the in-vehicle antenna device for tracking geostationary satellites of the present invention, which is composed of 41 antennas as described above, is as follows.

When a radio vehicle carrying an antenna device is running, if the direction of travel of the radio vehicle changes, or if rolling or pitching occurs, the direction of the antenna support frame with the antenna fixed to one end may change, or Or, rolling or pitching of the antenna support frame will not cause the antenna to deviate from the geostationary satellite.

The reason is that the vertical support shaft, whose upper end supports an antenna support frame with an antenna fixed to one end, is rotatable in the torsional direction, and the antenna support attached to the upper end of this vertical support shaft via a universal joint. The center of gravity of the frame and the parts fixed to it coincides with the center of the universal joint, and the inertia of the antenna support frame including the antenna and balance weight is
s.

~100 kg or more. ) is sufficiently large, so
Even if the direction of the wireless vehicle carrying the antenna device suddenly changes, or if rolling or pitching occurs due to driving on rough roads, the antenna support frame should maintain its same position due to its large inertial mass. The relative displacement between the antenna support frame and the radio vehicle is compensated for by rotating the vertical support shaft or displacing the universal joint.

Friction in the bearings and universal joints that support the vertical support shaft, stress caused by deformation of the conductor wires and compressed air supply tubes that send signals from the detection means to the controller, and even the antenna and antenna support frame. If the antenna support frame is displaced due to wind hitting the antenna or an unavoidable and slight shift in the center of gravity, and the direction of the antenna is shifted from the geostationary satellite, the detection means attached to the antenna support frame sends a signal to the controller. A deviation occurs between the direction of the antenna indicated by and the position of the geostationary satellite that has been manually input by the controller in advance.

The controller that detects this kind of deviation will control the solenoid valve in the compressed air flow path leading to the appropriate nozzle among the multiple nozzles that make up the first to third nozzle groups, depending on the direction and size of the deviation. is opened for an appropriate amount of time depending on the size of the deviation.

When the solenoid valve is opened, compressed air is ejected from the nozzle, and the antenna support frame to which this nozzle is fixed rotates or swings in the opposite direction to the direction in which the compressed air is ejected, and is fixed to the end of the antenna support frame. Aim the antenna at a geostationary satellite in the sky.

(Example) Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail by explaining the illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the overall configuration of the antenna device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a universal joint that connects a vertical shaft and an antenna support frame, and FIG. 3 is a first nozzle. Figure 4 is a plan view of section A in Figure 1 showing the set, Figure 4 is a view of section A in Figure 1 seen from the right, and Figure 5 is section 8 of Figure 1 showing the second to third nozzle sets. This is a diagram seen from the right side.

A vertical support shaft 3 inserted into the inside of a support tube 2 provided at the top of a base 1 fixed on the roof of a radio vehicle, etc., can freely rotate in a torsional direction by a radial bearing 4 and a thrust bearing 5. It is said that

By connecting the middle part of the antenna support frame 7 to the upper end of such a vertical support shaft 3 via, for example, a universal joint 6 as shown in FIG. It is also supported so that it can swing freely.

The antenna 8 is fixed above one end of the antenna support frame 7 which is swingably supported on the upper end of the vertical support shaft 3, and as the antenna support frame 7 swings, the antenna 8
The direction can be changed freely.

By fixing a balance weight 10 to a support arm 9 provided at the lower side of the antenna support frame 7, the center of gravity of the antenna support frame 7, to which various parts such as the antenna 8, balance weight 10, and a plurality of nozzles to be described later are fixed, can be adjusted. at the center of the universal joint 6 (as shown in FIG. 2, if the universal joint 6 has two rotation center axes 11 and 12 that are orthogonal to each other, the intersection of both rotation center axes 11 and 12). It is matched.

Further, at the tip of the support arm 13 that protrudes to the side of the middle part of the antenna support frame 7 as shown in FIGS. Fixed. The jet ports of the pair of upper and lower nozzles 14.15 that constitute this first nozzle set 16 are opened in opposite directions to each other, and by selectively jetting compressed air from either of the jet ports, this The antenna support frame 7 is configured to be rotated in a twisting direction about the rotation support shaft 11 of the universal joint 6.

On the other hand, second and third nozzle sets 17 and 18 are fixed to the opposite end of the antenna support frame 7 from the antenna 8. Of these, the second nozzle set 17 is composed of a pair of upper and lower nozzles 19 and 20 whose jet ports are opened in the opposite direction. By injecting compressed air, the antenna support frame 7 is rotated in a direction in which it swings about the horizontal 1F111 (rotation center axis 12 of the flexible fiber arm 6).

A third nozzle set 18 fixed to the opposite end of the antenna support frame 7 in the same manner as the second nozzle set 17 is composed of nozzles 21 and 22 that open in left and right opposite directions, respectively. The support frame 7 is configured to be rotated about the vertical support shaft 3 by selectively injecting compressed air from the outlet of one of the nozzles 21 (or 22).

Furthermore, the antenna support frame 7 has this antenna support frame 7.
In order to detect the direction of the antenna 8 fixed to one end, a detection means 23 having a built-in azimuth sensor and a vertical sensor is fixed. The orientation sensor detects the horizontal orientation of the antenna 8 (north, south, east, and west), and can detect the difference between the previously known direction of the geostationary satellite and the direction of the antenna 8. I have to. As this azimuth sensor, various conventionally known devices for detecting north, south, east, and west can be employed, such as an azimuth gyro or a geomagnetic azimuth sensor.

Further, the vertical sensor detects the vertical direction of the antenna 8, so that if the elevation angle of the antenna 8 and the height position of the geostationary satellite deviate, this deviation can be detected. As this vertical sensor, various conventionally known devices such as a bar decal gyro, a spirit level, etc. that detect the inclined side or the horizontal state of the antenna support frame 7 can be employed.

Furthermore, a geostationary satellite is stationary approximately 36,000 km above the equator, and the direction of the geostationary satellite as seen from the radio vehicle varies depending on the position (longitude, latitude, altitude) of the radio vehicle (from several tens of kilometers to a hundred kilometers in the horizontal direction). (In the case of a vehicle-mounted antenna, vertical deviation (altitude difference) cannot be a problem in practice.) Even if it moves, it will not change to the extent that it will require support for satellite communication.
By controlling the direction of the antenna 8 based on the signal from the detection means 23 consisting of the above-mentioned azimuth sensor and vertical sensor, it is possible to carry out sufficiently practical communication.

However, in order to reliably point the antenna 8 toward the geostationary satellite and obtain better communication conditions, the antenna 8 must be oriented as shown in Figure 6.
A signal port representing the amplification factor by an automatic gain controller (hereinafter referred to as AGC) provided in a circuit to send the captured radio waves to a radio receiver is manually inputted to a controller 24 (described later) that controls the attitude of the antenna 8. The attitude of the antenna 8 is always controlled so that the above amplification factor becomes smaller.
It is possible to always keep the satellite facing the geostationary satellite.

As mentioned above, the signal C output from the detection means 23 consisting of an azimuth sensor and a vertical sensor is transmitted to the nozzles 14, 15, 19-22 constituting the first to third nozzle sets 16-17.
A controller 24 (see Fig. 6) controls the opening and closing of a solenoid valve (in reality, the solenoid valve is built in a part near the injection port of each nozzle) installed in the middle of the flow path of compressed air to the (See the block diagram shown.)

Based on the signal sent from the detection means 23, the controller 24 opens a solenoid valve leading to a suitable nozzle among the six nozzles, injects compressed air from this nozzle, and As a reaction, the antenna support frame 7 is rotated or swung in an appropriate direction, so that the antenna 8 fixed to one end of the antenna support frame 7 is always directed toward the geostationary satellite in the sky.

Next, regarding the operation of the in-vehicle antenna device for geostationary satellite tracking of the present invention configured as described above, the block diagram of FIG. 6 and the flowchart of FIG. 7 are added to the above-mentioned FIGS. 1 to 5. I will explain.

When a wireless vehicle equipped with the antenna device of the present invention is running, the direction of travel of the wireless vehicle may change, or rolling or pitching may occur due to driving on rough roads. The direction of the antenna support frame 7 to which the antenna 8 is fixed at one end does not change due to rolling or pitching, or the direction of the antenna 8 does not deviate from the stationary satellite due to rolling or pitching of the support frame 7.

The reason why the attitude of the antenna support frame 7, to which the antenna 8 is fixed at one end, does not change even when the radio vehicle changes its course or when rolling or pitching occurs is as follows.

That is, the vertical support shaft 3 supporting the antenna support frame 7 at its upper end is rotatable in the torsional direction, and the antenna support frame 7 attached to the upper end of the vertical support shaft 3 via the universal joint 6 The center of gravity is the center of the universal joint 6, that is, this universal joint 6
It coincides with the intersection of the rotation center axes 11 and 12 that constitute the . For this reason, the antenna support frame 7 tends to maintain its position unless external force is applied. Moreover, since the inertial mass of the antenna support frame 7 including the antenna 8 and the balance weight 10 is sufficiently large at 50 to 100 kg or more, the tendency of the antenna support frame 7 to maintain the same posture becomes remarkable. Even if the direction of the radio vehicle equipped with the antenna device of the present invention suddenly changes, or if rolling or pitching occurs due to driving on a rough road, the antenna support frame 7 will remain unchanged due to its large inertial mass. Maintain good posture.

Since the antenna support frame 7 maintains the same attitude even though the attitude of the radio vehicle changes, the antenna support frame 7 and the radio vehicle are displaced relative to each other, but this displacement is caused by the rotation of the vertical support shaft 3. This is compensated by the displacement of the universal joint 6.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frictional resistance of the slip ring is applied to the vertical rotation axis so that the vertical support shaft 3 can be rotated with extremely light force when the antenna support frame 7 and the radio vehicle are displaced relative to each other. A mechanism is attached to prevent rotational resistance.

That is, between the part fixed to the body of the radio vehicle and the vertical rotating shaft 3, there is an air pipe for sending compressed air from a compressed air source to the plurality of nozzles, a detecting means 23, and a solenoid of a solenoid valve that is energized. It is necessary to provide a slip ring 25 to connect a power cord for the sensor or a cord for sending a signal from the detection means 23 to the controller 24, but the rotational resistance of this slip ring 25 prevents the compressed air from sagging. If no countermeasures are taken, the rotational resistance of the vertical support shaft 3 will increase, and the attitude of the antenna support frame 7 will change somewhat in response to changes in the attitude of the radio vehicle. Change is inevitable.

Therefore, in the illustrated embodiment, the slip ring 25
The connection port provided at the top end of the slip ring 25 and the connection port provided at the bottom end of the rotation support shaft 3 are connected flexibly, without directly connecting the top of the slip ring 25 and the bottom end of the rotation support shaft 3. They are connected by a conductive wire and a tube 26. A gear 28 rotatably driven by a motor 27 is mounted on the upper end of the slip ring 25, and an angular displacement detector is disposed between the upper surface of the gear 28 and a detection plate 29 fixed to the lower end of the rotation support shaft 3. 30 are provided for each. The gear 28 is fixed to the connection port at the upper end of the slip ring 25 so that rotating it rotates the connection port at the upper end of the slip ring 25. When the gear 28 is rotated by the motor 27, slippage occurs. The ring 25 is constructed so that the connecting portion at the upper end thereof rotates. The angular displacement detector 30 starts the motor 27 when the amount of displacement between the rotation support shaft 3 and the gear 28 becomes large and the amount of twisting of the conducting wire and the tube 26 increases. The gear 28 is rotated in a direction that corrects.

By connecting the slip ring and the rotational support shaft in this way, the force required to rotate the rotational support shaft 3 is reduced by the rotational resistance of the radial bearing 4 and the thrust bearing 5, and a small amount of force required to rotate the rotational support shaft 3. The rotation support shaft 3 can be rotated with a light force as it only requires a small amount of twisting.
To effectively prevent displacement of a radio vehicle from stopping and falling on an antenna support frame 7.

In order to allow the antenna support frame 7 to move freely, it is effective to use air bearings for each bearing 4.5 and the bearing portion of the universal joint 6.

As the relative displacement between the radio vehicle and the antenna support frame 7 is repeated many times, rotational resistance of the radial bearing 4, thrust bearing 5, and universal joint 6 that support the vertical support shaft 3 and twisting of the conductor and tube 26 occur. In addition, the stress generated by wind blowing against the antenna 8 and the antenna support frame 7 (in the illustrated embodiment, the antenna 8 is covered by a windbreak plate 31, but there is a slight draft or wind that occurs inside the windbreak plate 31). It is unavoidable that airflow occurs near the antenna support frame 7 due to convection.) The antenna support frame 7 is displaced, and the direction of the antenna 8 supported by the antenna support frame 7 is shifted from the geostationary satellite. In this case, a deviation occurs between the signal sent from the detection means 23 attached to the antenna support frame 7 to the controller 24 and the signal representing the position of the geostationary satellite stored in the controller 24 in advance.

The controller 24, which receives a signal that deviates from the previously stored signal, determines the direction and magnitude of the deviation, and selects the first to third signals according to the direction and magnitude of the deviation. A solenoid valve in the compressed air flow path leading to a suitable nozzle among the plurality of nozzles constituting the nozzle sets 16 to 18 is opened for an appropriate period of time depending on the magnitude of the deviation.

For example, if the angle of elevation of the antenna 8 becomes too small and the antenna 8 points toward the lower side of the geostationary satellite, the controller 24 selects one of the two nozzles 19 and 20 that constitute the second nozzle set 17.
A solenoid valve in the middle of the flow path leading to the upper nozzle 19 is opened, and compressed air is injected from this nozzle 19. This injection causes the antenna support frame 7 to rotate in the direction of arrow a in FIG. 1, and the angle of elevation of the antenna 8 increases.

Even if the antenna 8 is shifted in other directions, 3 sets 6
Compressed air is ejected from one to three appropriate nozzles among the nozzles, swinging or rotating the antenna support frame 7,
Aim antenna 8 at the geostationary satellite.

As described above, the antenna 8 can be directed toward the geostationary satellite by the signal indicating the direction of the antenna 8 from the detection means 23, and it is possible to perform practically sufficient wireless communication using this geostationary satellite. I can do it. However, in the case of a detection means mounted on a vehicle-mounted antenna, there is a limit to its accuracy due to miniaturization or cost constraints, and if the wireless vehicle is moved, it may pose a practical problem as mentioned above. However, it is not possible to correct errors that occur as a result of movement, and it may not always be possible to obtain the best communication conditions.

In order to solve such problems, in the illustrated embodiment,
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the AG automatically changes the amplification factor of the received radio waves received by the antenna 8 and sends them to the receiver 32.
A solenoid valve that inputs a signal port representing the amplification factor of C33 to a controller 24 that controls the supply of compressed air to each nozzle, and controls the supply of compressed air to each nozzle so that the above amplification factor is always small. By opening and closing the antenna 8, the antenna 8 is surely directed toward the geostationary satellite.

When the antenna 8 is directed toward the geostationary satellite due to the amplification factor of the AGC, even if the antenna 8 is not exactly directed toward the geostationary satellite, the only thing that can be seen is that it is not facing the geostationary satellite. I don't know the direction. Therefore, when directing the antenna 8 toward a geostationary satellite based on the AGC amplification factor, the antenna 8
The direction of the antenna 8 is changed little by little, and the direction of the antenna 8 is changed by trial and error while observing the change in the amplification factor accompanying this change.

However, this adjustment is made constantly and minutely, so once the antenna 8 captures the radio waves from the geostationary satellite, it can always be pointed accurately at the geostationary satellite. During this period, the radio waves from the geostationary satellite were interrupted due to entering the shadow of the mountains, etc., and the antenna 8 due to the amplification factor of AGC.
While the attitude control cannot be performed, the attitude of the antenna 8 is controlled by the signal from the detection means 23 so that communication can be resumed immediately after the wireless vehicle moves to a place where radio waves can reach.

C1 Effects of the Invention The in-vehicle antenna device for tracking geostationary satellites is configured and operates as described above, so it is possible to reliably transmit and receive radio waves between the radio installed in a moving vehicle and the geostationary satellite, thereby preventing disasters. It plays a major role in securing urgent communications such as communicating countermeasures.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing the mechanical device part of the antenna device of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of a universal joint that connects a vertical shaft and a support frame, and FIG. 3 is a first nozzle. FIG. 4 is a plan view of section A in FIG. 1 showing the set, FIG. 4 is a view of section A in FIG. 1 viewed from the right, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of section A in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the attitude control device portion of the antenna, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of this attitude control device. 1. Base, 2. Support cylinder, 3: Vertical support shaft, 4 Nirasial bearing, 5 Nilus thrust bearing, 6: Universal joint, 7: Antenna support frame, 8: Antenna, 9: Support arm, 10: Balance weight, 11 .12: Rotation center axis, 13: Support arm, 14
．． 15: Nozzle, 16: First nozzle group, 17: Second nozzle group, 18: Third nozzle group, 19.20.21.
22: nozzle, 23: detection means, 24: controller, 25 Nissuri spring, 26: conductor and tube, 27: motor, 28: gear, 29: detection plate, 30: angular displacement detector,
31. Windbreak plate, 32: Receiver, 33 - AGC.

Claims (1)

[Claims] The middle part of the antenna support frame is attached via a universal joint to the upper end of the vertical support shaft that can freely rotate in the twisting direction, and the antenna is fixed to one end of this antenna support frame and the balance weight is fixed to the other side. By aligning the center of gravity of the antenna support frame with the center of the universal joint, compressed air is selectively injected in the opposite direction into the middle part of the antenna support frame, thereby twisting the antenna support frame. A first nozzle set consisting of a pair of rotating nozzles is selectively injected with compressed air in opposite directions at the end of the antenna support frame, so that the antenna support frame is rotated about the horizontal axis. A second nozzle set that rotates in the swinging direction, and a third nozzle set that rotates the antenna support frame about the vertical support axis by selectively injecting compressed air. A detection means for detecting the direction of the antenna fixed to one end of the frame is provided, and the first to third nozzle groups are configured based on the signal output from the detection means and the signal sent from the detection means. Open the solenoid valve leading to a suitable nozzle among the solenoid valves that control the supply of compressed air to the nozzle, inject compressed air from this nozzle, and rotate or swing the antenna support frame in an appropriate direction. An on-vehicle antenna device for tracking geostationary satellites, which inputs input to a controller that always directs the antenna toward a geostationary satellite in the sky.