WO2004013931A2 - Economical method and device for easily pointing a satellite or terrestrial television antenna - Google Patents

Economical method and device for easily pointing a satellite or terrestrial television antenna Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2004013931A2
WO2004013931A2 PCT/FR2003/002380 FR0302380W WO2004013931A2 WO 2004013931 A2 WO2004013931 A2 WO 2004013931A2 FR 0302380 W FR0302380 W FR 0302380W WO 2004013931 A2 WO2004013931 A2 WO 2004013931A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
antenna
decoder
sun
transmitter
satellite
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR2003/002380
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2004013931A3 (en
Inventor
Philippe Guenebaud
Jean-Marc Vernet
Original Assignee
Philippe Guenebaud
Jean-Marc Vernet
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Philippe Guenebaud, Jean-Marc Vernet filed Critical Philippe Guenebaud
Priority to AU2003273486A priority Critical patent/AU2003273486A1/en
Publication of WO2004013931A2 publication Critical patent/WO2004013931A2/en
Publication of WO2004013931A3 publication Critical patent/WO2004013931A3/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q3/00—Arrangements for changing or varying the orientation or the shape of the directional pattern of the waves radiated from an antenna or antenna system
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01S—RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES
    • G01S3/00—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received
    • G01S3/02—Direction-finders for determining the direction from which infrasonic, sonic, ultrasonic, or electromagnetic waves, or particle emission, not having a directional significance, are being received using radio waves
    • G01S3/14—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction
    • G01S3/38—Systems for determining direction or deviation from predetermined direction using adjustment of real or effective orientation of directivity characteristic of an antenna or an antenna system to give a desired condition of signal derived from that antenna or antenna system, e.g. to give a maximum or minimum signal

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an economical method and device for easily orienting a satellite or terrestrial television antenna.
  • the generic term “antenna” will denote in the text below both a parabola and a VHF or UHF receiving antenna, and 'the term “transmitter” will denote a satellite or a UHF or VHF terrestrial transmitter.
  • an antenna on the desired transmitter is not easy without a pointing aid. Indeed, if the antenna is electrically connected to a decoder, itself connected to a television, which make it possible to "visualize” the received HF signal, and therefore to have an idea of the pointing level, these latter devices cannot generally not be installed, even temporarily, near said antenna, conventionally installed on a roof. And portable equipment making it possible to ensure at the level of the antenna that the correct transmitter is correctly pointed is, by its price, reserved for professional installers: it must indeed integrate a demodulator, particularly expensive in digital technology.
  • This pointing process therefore allows very precise adjustment of said azimuth, without the risk of making a mistake in the satellite, or of being slightly offset, which could generate interference due to neighboring satellites.
  • the less critical elevation adjustment simply uses the mechanism fitted to the antenna.
  • the method has three weaknesses, however.
  • a workaround provided for in the aforementioned patent is to point the sun at any time - as soon as the sun appears for example -, and use the pointing as an azimuth reference; the antenna is then rotated by a given angle, to point the target satellite.
  • the problem posed is therefore to develop an antenna pointing method which is at the same time precise, economical, not very restrictive, independent of the time and insensitive to weather conditions.
  • a solution to this multifaceted problem is the antenna pointing method according to the invention, as well as any specific device allowing the implementation of such a method.
  • Concerning the problem of clouds hampering the implementation of the method described in the patent application FR02 02993 mentioned above, an analysis of solar radiation reveals that the latter also emits electromagnetic signals in the invisible domain, and this, even at frequencies also lower than the satellite, or radio frequency bands -UHF, even VHF or even lower.
  • the powers involved are considerably lower than the available light power, and require good-quality HF detection equipment, a priori more expensive than a simple light detector, but these electromagnetic waves are at the same time not very attenuated and little diffracted by the clouds, therefore favor a localization of the sun whatever the weather conditions.
  • a direct setting at a time fixed in advance using said HF signal detector will therefore be possible in any season, at all latitudes.
  • the same HF signal detector can be used to precisely point the sun as a reference and then to refine the final relative position from the antenna towards the targeted transmitter, after manual rotation.
  • an HF detector costs more than a light detector.
  • a decoder always contains a good quality tuner and demodulator, according to the method according to the invention, we can get around this last problem by using, as far as possible, the HF power detector that the tuner can constitute (possibly coupled a demodulator capable of measuring the power at its input) and the qualitative HF signal analyzer that the demodulator can constitute (especially if it can demodulate both digital and analog modulations).
  • the latter could be directly integrated into the HF head of the parabola; this device would include an electromagnetic radiation detector operating at frequencies fanned by the sun but outside the usual bandwidth of satellites, and would therefore make it possible to discriminate the source of the radiation.
  • domestic decoder in the present text, and in particular the claims, is meant any digital or analog satellite decoder, any digital terrestrial television decoder, any internal or external computer peripheral capable of receiving satellite or terrestrial broadcasts or any radio set.
  • television (not used as a simple monitor, but also as a decoder).
  • decoder in the present text is meant any device for receiving television, radio or data stream signals, including, without limitation, any household decoder as defined above, as well as more generally any device comprising a tuner and a demodulator.
  • the electromagnetic radiation of the sun becomes a powerful means of orientation requiring no specific expensive equipment.
  • the method according to the invention also provides that it is possible to directly measure the electromagnetic energy concentrated near the focus of said parabola, without necessarily using the HF head. In this particular way of pointing the sun, one can use a much wider range of frequencies to point the sun. Obviously, it will be possible, still according to the method according to the invention, to use solar electromagnetic radiation at other frequencies to point any antenna (in the broad sense defined at the beginning of the text) towards the sun, in order to lock onto the azimuth and / or the elevation of the latter. According to the method according to the invention, the check-in time can be determined in advance, in order to directly recover the azimuth or the exact elevation of the target transmitter, or recorded at any time, in order to recover a reference- precise azimuth, elevation, or both.
  • the user can in these cases there, still according to the method according to the invention, target the chosen transmitter by moving its antenna by a known angle in azimuth, in elevation or both; it may possibly, still according to the invention, use the transmitters being “on the way” from the sun to the chosen transmitter to locate itself in its movement, when for example the elevation does not vary too much, counting the detected transmitters during the rotation in azimuth of its antenna for example.
  • it will be able to use electromagnetic radiation, this time from the targeted transmitter, to calibrate with precision on the chosen transmitter.
  • the pointing method may use any device, connected directly or indirectly to the antenna, physically located near or far from it, but sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation picked up by said antenna (before or after the HF head for a satellite antenna), and using for example, but not limited to, a GUNN diode, a PIN diode (HF signal rectification), a fast blocker sampler, a mixer (allowing to lower the working frequency), a true power detector (up to a few MHz), etc.
  • a GUNN diode a PIN diode (HF signal rectification), a fast blocker sampler, a mixer (allowing to lower the working frequency), a true power detector (up to a few MHz), etc.
  • the device according to the invention comprising a bandpass filter making it possible to retain only the frequencies not emitted by the targeted transmitters, the local transmitters, or even the sources of electromagnetic noise. This will easily discriminate the radiation caused by the sun from others.
  • the device according to the invention intended for adjusting a satellite dish could amplify a frequency band located at the top of the satellite frequency band at the output of the HF head (beyond 2150 MHz).
  • a decoder calibrated for example on one of the frequencies used by the chosen transmitter, which will endeavor to demodulate the electromagnetic "signal" received (which may if necessary be noise of 'solar origin): if said signal is reasonably strong, but incomprehensible, the demodulator can signal it, and the installer deduces that it is pointing at the sun, especially if it is trying to aim at it, and said receiver can demodulate both digital and analog modulations. The installer will then know how to reorient his antenna around the transmitter sought; since the decoder can then detect a signal and demodulate it, it can report this fact, and the installer will then know that it is pointing at the desired transmitter.
  • This particular pointing method using a decoder is a possible implementation of the method according to the invention, particularly suitable for times when the sun is made invisible by adverse weather conditions.
  • it will be possible to use the capacity of the decoder to clearly identify the transmitter for example, according to the invention, without limitation, by extracting the program name from the DVB tables originating from the demodulated MPEG2 frame).
  • the information transmitted to the installer will enable him to ensure according to the invention that his setting is definitely the right one.
  • the tuner of the decoder can be set on a frequency where it is certain not to find a transmitter (in the direction of the sun), so as not to measure that the electromagnetic power of a solar "signal"; it is noted that if the power measurement is not directly accessible to the software integrated in the decoder, said software will be able to recover the state of the gain controller (AGC in " English " ) which will give a good idea of said power received, especially if it is also coupled to a quadratic measurement of the amplitude of the signals entered into the demodulator (current with digital demodulators).
  • AGC gain controller
  • Any device implementing this method will be explicitly a device according to the invention.
  • the method according to the invention provides that the user can have at the place of installation of the antenna sound, visual or vibrating information.
  • Said information may, according to the invention, be any information making it possible to correctly point the sun and / or the targeted transmitter, including, but not limited to, any information concerning the power or the quality of the received signal, the rate of 'error measured by the decoder, the result of a statistical analysis of the HF signals received, the presumed source of the detected radiation (sun or transmitter), even the name of the demodulated program package or better, the name of the satellite actually pointed.
  • Said information can, according to the invention, be presented in the form of any variable power or frequency signals, all sound signals (by means of a sound generator), all visual signals (by means of a row LED or a flashing LED for example), all partial or complete displays, alphanumeric or not (by means of a liquid crystal screen for example), all kinds of mechanical vibrations of intensity or frequency more or less strong (by means of an electromagnetic vibrator for example).
  • said device may include all or part of the means for measuring and / or qualifying the signals HF, necessary to implement a particular form of the method according to the invention, in particular, but not limited to, all the means seen previously usable for the implementation of the method according to one invention.
  • said device which has become “peripheral” of the decoder may include a mono or bidirectional communication means with the decoder (decoder towards device only or in both directions), allowing to recover the measurements made by the latter, or even to control it remotely so that it performs measurements useful for pointing, first of the sun, then of the target satellite; said means of communication may, according to the invention, and without limitation, use: the coaxial cable existing between the antenna and the decoder (for example, and without limitation, by signals modulating 22kHz), a microwave link independent, for example by means of and without limitation, of a “PCMCIA” type transmission card inserted in the decoder, an ultra-sonic link (for example, always without limitation, RS232 type signals modulated to 40kHz), - a simple video cable drawn between the decoder and the said satellite, which could then be only a simple television monitor of small size.
  • the coaxial cable existing between the antenna and the decoder for example, and without limitation, by signals modulating 22kHz
  • a decoder forming part of the device according to the invention will have hardware and software means (residents or provided by a plug-in device of the PCMCIA type, smart card, memory card, the list not being exhaustive) to communicate to said peripheral (remote unit) all or part of the information allowing the pointing of the antenna towards a radiation source particular electromagnetic: the measurements made concerning the power of the received signal, its ability to be demodulated, the error rate obtained, or even the name of the satellite actually targeted, the list not being exhaustive.
  • the housing of said device will be connected in series between the antenna and the decoder, along the coaxial cable, in a vampire on the cable (with or without contact, by electrical or electromagnetic connection for example).
  • all or part of the device according to the invention can be integrated with or into the HF head (also called LNB) in any form whatsoever (for example, in the form of components, of a card or of 'a sub-block, the list not being exhaustive).
  • the device according to the invention may, in different embodiments according to the invention, be provided to connect between the HF head and the decoder by suitable electrical plugs, or will have a means of directly recovering electromagnetic signals, allowing it to be placed simply in front of or in place of the HF head, it being understood that in these particular cases, an electrical connection to the coaxial cable may not be necessary, according to the invention.
  • the latter will be supplied by the supply voltage, if any, present on the coaxial cable, coming from the decoder (for example 13V-18V supplying and controlling the LNBs present on the parables).
  • the decoder for example 13V-18V supplying and controlling the LNBs present on the parables.
  • the decoder according to the invention may also communicate acoustic information to the installer by the television speakers.
  • a relay box located near the antenna they will be adjusted for the occasion to a level strong enough to be heard from the top of the roof.
  • certain signals could be spoken (for example, "you are perfectly on satellite X!).
  • This mode makes it possible to point the sun (21) at any time of the day to make it the reference in Azimuth and in elevation and to move its antenna (1) towards the position of the transmitter (13) relative to the position of this reference.
  • Step 1 becoming aware of the values of the position that the sun (21) will have at the chosen time of day.
  • Step 2 effective pointing maneuver of the sun (21) at said agreed time.
  • a real indication of the azimuth and elevation values of the sun may allow the installer (23) to orient the antenna (1) approximately in the direction indicated in order to facilitate attachment of the correct position. Without this, in practice, it is very difficult to vary the two azimuth and elevation parameters simultaneously, especially in visual absence of the target: in cloudy weather for example, the sun (21) is invisible to the naked eye.
  • Step 3 signal indicating that the correct position has been locked. After processing the information coming from the electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21), the device according to the invention (5) will indicate visually, acoustically or by vibration the correct position of the antenna (1). Step 4: identification of the current position.
  • the installer (23) can then mechanically locate the azimuth and the elevation of his antenna (1) in this reference position before moving it to the final position, in order to keep the initial reference position.
  • the installer (23) will stick an adhesive strip graduated in degrees (depending on the diameter of the mast), which can be supplied with the device according to the invention, on the mast.
  • the graduation may not be in degrees but simply in millimeters, and the means of calculation used capable of converting according to the diameter of the mast.
  • Step 5 reading of the relative position of the transmitter (13).
  • the device according to the invention (5) in a particular embodiment, will indicate the deviation in azimuth and the deviation in elevation of the transmitter (13) compared to the current coordinates of the antenna (1).
  • Step 6 moving the antenna (1) to the final position.
  • the installer (23) then unlocks the clamping devices located on the mast (8) and on the attachment system (7), and manually moves the antenna (1) by the angles indicated by the device according to the invention ( 5) above. Note that the aforementioned graduated band will help the azimuth approach.
  • Step 7 signal indicating that the correct final position has been locked.
  • the final position is the targeted transmitter (13) which also produces electromagnetic radiation (12) which will be picked up and interpreted by the device according to the invention (5) in order to indicate visually, audibly or by vibration the correct position of the transmitter (13).
  • Said mode consists in pointing the sun (21) at the exact time of its passage over the vertical of the targeted transmitter (13).
  • Step 1 reading the time of passage of the sun (21) in azimuth of the transmitter (13).
  • the installer ( 23) may, depending on its place and date, recover this information.
  • This means can, in a particular implementation of the method according to the invention, and in a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, be integrated into the decoder (9) in the form of a computer program, which can take the form of an "applet”.
  • Stage 2 reading of the position in azimuth and in elevation, that will have the sun (21) at the time of pointing.
  • Step 3 wait for the time of passage of the sun (21) in azimuth of the satellite (13).
  • Step 4 at said precise time, effective sun pointing maneuver (21).
  • Step 5 signal indicating the correct position by hanging the sun (21).
  • the device according to the invention (5) After processing the information coming from the electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21), the device according to the invention (5) will indicate visually, acoustically or by vibration the correct position of the antenna (1).
  • Step 6 final locking of the azimuth.
  • Step 7 mechanical identification of the elevation reference.
  • Step 8 reading of the relative position of the transmitter (13) in elevation.
  • the device according to the invention (5) in a particular mode, will indicate the difference in elevation of the transmitter (13) compared to the current elevation of the antenna (1). If the antenna (1) does not make it possible to make a precise measurement of the elevation of the sun (21), for example sun too high, - an absolute adjustment will be - sufficient.
  • Step 9 movement maneuver to the final position
  • the installer (23) unlocks the clamping device of the fastening system (7), and if necessary manually moves the antenna (1) by the angle indicated by the device according to the invention (5).
  • Step 10 signal indicating that the correct position has been hooked to the transmitter (13).
  • the final position is the targeted transmitter (13) which also produces electromagnetic radiation (12) which will be received and interpreted by the device according to the invention (5) in order to indicate visually, audibly or by vibration the correct position of the transmitter (13).
  • a complete system for receiving audiovisual broadcasts by satellite comprises certain high frequency reception equipment, consisting of a plate (2) of paraboloid shape, positioned then fixed on a mast (8), the all carrying an arm (3) with an HF head (4) at its end, at the focal point of the Parabola (1), for capturing and above all concentrating the weak electromagnetic waves (12) coming from a targeted geostationary satellite (13) .
  • This subassembly is commonly called satellite dish (1) and its mounting is carried out outdoors in order to have sufficient clearance in the direction of the targeted transmitter (13).
  • the reception system is completed by an analog or digital or mixed reception terminal, called a decoder (9), to which are connected on one side, the dish (1) via the coaxial cable (6), on the other the television set (10).
  • This decoder (9) can transform the HF signals into image and sound signals (in this particular case, it would rather be a domestic decoder) and it is of course installed inside the house. It contains many on-board HF signal analysis systems but it is generally far from the place of installation of the antenna (1), often positioned on a roof, a chimney, a high wall, etc. ..
  • This decoder (9) is generally not movable, especially since it necessarily requires the use of a television set (10), to which it is permanently electrically connected.
  • this decoder (9), if equipped, is capable of sending and receiving information (11) using standard 22KHz signal modulation methods, initially intended to control the HF heads or the motorized antennas, via said coaxial cable (6).
  • Said decoder (9) feeds the satellite dish with a supply and control voltage of 13 or 18 Volts, depending on the desired polarization.
  • part of the device according to the invention (5) is then placed between the HF head (4) and the cable (6) connecting the decoder (9), for the purpose of exchanging information ( 11) with the decoder (9) and recover the energy necessary for its operation.
  • This part of said device then becomes a peripheral of the decoder (9).
  • the second part of said device here consists of the decoder (9) provided that it integrates the hardware and software means to communicate with the aforementioned peripheral.
  • FIG. 3 describes a particular embodiment of an autonomous device according to the invention, which is provided with a unit for measuring solar radiation (35), with a unit for measuring satellite radiation (34), a power supply unit (39), a processing unit (37), an input unit (36) and an audible, visual or vibrating signaling unit (38).
  • Said autonomous device can be placed, if necessary, directly on the HF head (4) in order to recover the waves reflected by the parabola (1) outside the bandwidth of the HF head (4), making it possible to easily discriminate the source of the electromagnetic power received (satellite or sun).
  • the unit (35) may consist of a simple wire antenna, a bandpass filter followed by a simple amplitude detector with amplification.
  • the signal from this unit will be deemed to be a measure of the electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21).
  • the unit (34), recovering the signals coming from the HF head (4) will be less economical (hence the advantage of deporting this function in the decoder (9) which is equipped with a tuner-demodulator which can fulfill the same function) because it consists for example of an amplitude detector based on a PIN diode followed by a conventional amplification chain.
  • the main function of the processing unit (37) is to direct the appropriate information collected towards the signaling unit (38) according to the commands from the input unit (36).
  • Figure 4 describes a particular embodiment of a decoder device (5), simple and very low cost, according to the invention.
  • the decoder (9) being able for example to send bursts at 22Khz, all the more close together for example that the received signal is strong, and possibly a continuous signal at 22Khz when the signal is demodulated
  • said simple peripheral (5) could include a demodulator (42), composed for example, after high-pass filtering to eliminate the DC component, and amplification of the signal, of a simple rectification-filtering circuit, for example of a diode, of a resistance and of a capacitor in parallel.
  • the signal controls a simple transistor activating a buzzer (41) supplied by the DC voltage present on the coaxial cable (6).
  • electromagnetic radiation from the sun is used far from its visible spectrum, and in particular at wavelengths much greater than those of said spectrum; said receiving antenna is used to collect and amplify said electromagnetic radiation of solar origin, including if necessary the frequency components of this radiation which are not within the expected operating ranges of said antenna; we use the fact that said radiation will be all the better captured that said antenna will be well oriented towards the sun, which will point said antenna very precisely on the sun; electromagnetic radiation from said target transmitter can be used to adjust the antenna setting; - one can use the tuner and if necessary the demodulator of the decoder to detect or measure the solar electromagnetic power picked up by the antenna; we can use the decoder demodulator, whether analog or digital or both, to ensure that the received signals cannot be demodulated, and therefore probably originate from the sun; we can use the decoder to measure the power and the quality of the signals received (measurement of error rate), or even extract from said signals any information allowing to know which transmitter we are targeting, which allows us to point very
  • the latter can: include visual and / or sound and / or vibrating means enabling it to provide, near the place of installation of the antenna (1), any information helping to differentiate between solar electromagnetic radiation (22) and radiation from a satellite (12), it being understood for example, and in a nonlimiting manner, that a simple measurement of error rate originating from a demodulator , combined with a measurement of the received signal strength can help make this difference; be directly integrated with or in the HF head (called LNB) in any form whatsoever (for example, in the form of components, of a card or of a sub-block); - be made up of a decoder (9) having electronic and software means (resident or provided by a plug-in device of the PCMCIA type, chip card, memory card, the list not being exhaustive) to remotely control a device ( 5) deported, equipped with means of sound, visual or vibrating information; be a means of viewing, hearing or feeling (by vibration) the information making it possible to adjust the antenna (1), at the place

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Radar, Positioning & Navigation (AREA)
  • Remote Sensing (AREA)
  • Variable-Direction Aerials And Aerial Arrays (AREA)
  • Radio Relay Systems (AREA)

Abstract

The aim of the invention is to develop a method for antenna pointing which is accurate, economical, low-dependent on time of day and insensitive to atmospheric conditions. The inventive method consists in using an antenna (1) for capturing and amplifying electromagnetic solar radiation which is received by processing (9) and signalling (5) devices, thereby making it possible to obtain an absolute azimuth and elevation reference. Afterwards, electromagnetic radiation (12) of a directional transmitter is used in order to delicately adjust the antenna (1). The signalling device (5) makes it possible to obtain all useful information (11) sent by a decoder (9) through a coaxial cable (6) near the installation of the antenna (1).

Description

(procédé et dispositif économiques pεπ cϋεmi d'orienter fe iement sue SBteHES de télévision satellite ou-teestre- t(economic process and device pεπ cϋεmi to orient fe iement sue SBteHES of satellite television or terrestrial- t
La présente invention concerne un procédé et un dispositif économiques permettant d'orienter facilement une antenne de télévision satellite ou terrestre.The present invention relates to an economical method and device for easily orienting a satellite or terrestrial television antenna.
Par souci de simplification, le terme générique « antenne » désignera dans le texte ci-dessous aussi bien une parabole qu'une antenne de réception VHF ou UHF, et 'le terme « émetteur » désignera un satellite ou un émetteur terrestre UHF ou VHF.For the sake of simplification, the generic term “antenna” will denote in the text below both a parabola and a VHF or UHF receiving antenna, and 'the term “transmitter” will denote a satellite or a UHF or VHF terrestrial transmitter.
Le réglage d'une antenne sur l'émetteur souhaité n'est pas chose aisée sans dispositif d'aide au pointage. En effet, si l'antenne est électriquement reliée à un décodeur, lui-même relié à une télévision, qui permettent de « visualiser » le signal HF reçu, et donc d'avoir une idée du niveau de pointage, ces derniers équipements ne peuvent généralement pas être installés, même temporairement, à proximité de ladite antenne, classiquement installée sur un toit. Et un équipement portable permettant de s'assurer au niveau de l'antenne que l'on pointe correctement le bon émetteur est, de par son prix, réservé aux installateurs professionnels : il doit en effet intégrer un démodulateur, particulièrement onéreux en technologie numérique .Setting an antenna on the desired transmitter is not easy without a pointing aid. Indeed, if the antenna is electrically connected to a decoder, itself connected to a television, which make it possible to "visualize" the received HF signal, and therefore to have an idea of the pointing level, these latter devices cannot generally not be installed, even temporarily, near said antenna, conventionally installed on a roof. And portable equipment making it possible to ensure at the level of the antenna that the correct transmitter is correctly pointed is, by its price, reserved for professional installers: it must indeed integrate a demodulator, particularly expensive in digital technology.
Certes, il existe des appareils grand public et bon marché pour l'aide au pointage précis d'un satellite choisi, qui s'utilisent sur la parabole même et sans assistance.Admittedly, there are inexpensive and consumer devices for assisting with the precise pointing of a chosen satellite, which can be used on the dish itself and without assistance.
On connaît par exemple l'existence d'appareils capables de mesurer la puissance globale en sortie de la tête HF. Ils se branchent sur la prise Type F à la sortie de ladite tête HF, appelée aussi LNB en anglais, et émettent un signal dépendant du niveau de puissance HF reçu.We know for example the existence of devices capable of measuring the overall power at the output of the HF head. They connect to the Type F socket at the output of said HF head, also called LNB in English, and emit a signal depending on the HF power level received.
Ces appareils permettent bien de pointer un satellite, mais pas forcément le bon : la « distance » possible en azimut entr'e deux satellites peut en effet être de l'ordre du degré.These devices make it possible to point a satellite, but not necessarily the right one: the possible "distance" in azimuth between two satellites can indeed be of the order of a degree.
On connaît en outre la demande de brevet FR02 02993, d'un des présents inventeurs, qui enseigne un procédé de pointage utilisant la réflexion des rayons lumineux du soleil sur le plateau de la parabole, vers la tête HF. Les principes sous-jacents sont que le soleil passe à une heure bien précise de la journée à la verticale du satellite recherché, et que les défauts de géométrie de la parabole (en azimut notamment) produisent la même erreur de visée avec les rayons lumineux qu'avec les ondes électromagnétiques.We also know patent application FR02 02993, from one of the present inventors, who teaches a pointing method using the reflection of the light rays of the sun on the plate of the satellite dish, towards the HF head. The underlying principles are that the sun passes at a very precise hour of the day vertically from the desired satellite, and that the geometry defects of the parabola (in particular in azimuth) produce the same aiming error with the light rays as 'with electromagnetic waves.
Ce procédé de pointage permet donc un réglage très précis dudit azimut, sans risque de se tromper de satellite, ni d'être légèrement décalé, ce qui pourrait générer des interférences dues aux satellites voisins. Le réglage de l'élévation, moins critique (pas d'autres satellites à la verticale) utilise simplement le mécanisme qui équipe l' antenne .This pointing process therefore allows very precise adjustment of said azimuth, without the risk of making a mistake in the satellite, or of being slightly offset, which could generate interference due to neighboring satellites. The less critical elevation adjustment (no other vertical satellites) simply uses the mechanism fitted to the antenna.
Ledit procédé présente cependant trois faiblesses.The method has three weaknesses, however.
Tout d'abord il nécessite de voir suffisamment le soleil : il suffit donc que celui-ci soit caché par un nuage à l'heure fatidique pour que le réglage soit impossible, donc reporté à un jour ultérieur !First of all it requires seeing enough of the sun: it is therefore enough that it is hidden by a cloud at the fateful hour for the adjustment to be impossible, therefore postponed to a later day!
Une solution de contournement prévue dans le brevet susmentionné consiste à pointer le soleil à une heure quelconque - dès que le soleil apparaît par exemple-, et utiliser le pointage comme référence d'azimut ; on tourne ensuite l'antenne d'un angle donné, pour pointer le satellite visé.A workaround provided for in the aforementioned patent is to point the sun at any time - as soon as the sun appears for example -, and use the pointing as an azimuth reference; the antenna is then rotated by a given angle, to point the target satellite.
On arrive alors à la deuxième, faiblesse du procédé : Tourner à la main un collier serré à un mât vertical engendre une erreur non maîtrisable sur l'azimut final, sans pouvoir ajuster l'antenne par la suite. Ce problème n'en serait pas un si on disposait à ce nouvel azimut d'un moyen de contrôle du pointage, ce qui n'est malheureusement pas prévu dans le brevet, et cela augmenterait le prix du dispositif final. Troisième faiblesse, même s'il fait beau temps, il peut sembler contraignant d'avoir à attendre une heure particulière pour régler sa parabole, et si on souhaite la régler à une heure différente, on retombe dans le problème précédent. - j -We then arrive at the second, weakness of the process: Turning by hand a collar tightened to a vertical mast generates an uncontrollable error on the final azimuth, without being able to adjust the antenna subsequently. This problem would not be one if we had at this new azimuth a means of controlling the pointing, which is unfortunately not provided for in the patent, and that would increase the price of the final device. Third weakness, even if the weather is good, it may seem constraining to have to wait for a particular hour to regulate its parable, and if one wishes to regulate it at a different hour, one falls back into the preceding problem. - j -
Cela dit, le procédé de pointage enseigné dans le brevet FR0202993 est une bonne description de l'état de l'art actuel, concernant le pointage facile de satellites utilisant la position du soleil à un moment donné comme référence d'azimut et d'élévation. La connaissance dudit procédé est utile à la bonne compréhension de l'invention décrite dans ce texte.That said, the pointing method taught in patent FR0202993 is a good description of the current state of the art, concerning the easy pointing of satellites using the position of the sun at a given moment as reference of azimuth and elevation . Knowledge of said process is useful for a good understanding of the invention described in this text.
Le problème posé est donc de mettre au point un procédé de pointage d'antenne qui soit à la fois précis, économique, peu contraignant, indépendant de l'heure et insensible aux conditions météorologiques.The problem posed is therefore to develop an antenna pointing method which is at the same time precise, economical, not very restrictive, independent of the time and insensitive to weather conditions.
Une solution à ce problème aux multiples facettes est le procédé de pointage d'antenne selon l'invention, ainsi que tout dispositif spécifique permettant la mise en œuvre d'un tel procédé. Concernant le problème des nuages gênant la mise en œuvre du procédé décrit dans la demande de brevet FR02 02993 susmentionnée, une analyse du rayonnement solaire révèle que ce dernier émet aussi des signaux électromagnétiques dans le domaine invisible, et, ce, même à des fréquences aussi basses que les bandes de fréquences satellites, ou hertziennes -UHF, voire VHF ou encore plus bas.' Certes, les puissances en jeu sont considérablement plus faibles que la puissance lumineuse disponible, et nécessitent un matériel de détection HF de bonne facture, à priori plus onéreux qu'un simple détecteur de lumière, mais ces ondes électromagnétiques sont à la fois peu atténuées et peu diffractées par les nuages, donc favorisent une localisation du soleil quelles que soient les conditions météorologiques.A solution to this multifaceted problem is the antenna pointing method according to the invention, as well as any specific device allowing the implementation of such a method. Concerning the problem of clouds hampering the implementation of the method described in the patent application FR02 02993 mentioned above, an analysis of solar radiation reveals that the latter also emits electromagnetic signals in the invisible domain, and this, even at frequencies also lower than the satellite, or radio frequency bands -UHF, even VHF or even lower. ' Admittedly, the powers involved are considerably lower than the available light power, and require good-quality HF detection equipment, a priori more expensive than a simple light detector, but these electromagnetic waves are at the same time not very attenuated and little diffracted by the clouds, therefore favor a localization of the sun whatever the weather conditions.
Un réglage direct à une heure fixée à l'avance en utilisant ledit détecteur de signaux HF sera donc possible en toute saison, sous toutes latitudes .A direct setting at a time fixed in advance using said HF signal detector will therefore be possible in any season, at all latitudes.
Dans le cas d'un réglage indirect (pointage du soleil à une heure quelconque et ajustage postérieur de l'azimut) le même détecteur de signaux HF pourra servir à pointer précisément le soleil comme référence puis à affiner la position relative finale de l'antenne en direction de l'émetteur visé, après rotation manuelle.In the case of an indirect adjustment (pointing the sun at any time and subsequent adjustment of the azimuth) the same HF signal detector can be used to precisely point the sun as a reference and then to refine the final relative position from the antenna towards the targeted transmitter, after manual rotation.
Reste qu'un détecteur HF coûte plus cher qu'un détecteur de lumière. Comme un décodeur contient toujours un tuner et un démodulateur de bonne qualité, selon le procédé selon l'invention, on pourra contourner ce dernier problème en utilisant, autant que faire se peut, le détecteur de puissance HF que peut constituer le tuner (éventuellement couplé à un démodulateur capable de mesurer la puissance à son entrée) et l'analyseur qualitatif de signaux HF que peut constituer le démodulateur (surtout s'il peut démoduler à la fois les modulations numériques et analogiques) ..Still, an HF detector costs more than a light detector. As a decoder always contains a good quality tuner and demodulator, according to the method according to the invention, we can get around this last problem by using, as far as possible, the HF power detector that the tuner can constitute (possibly coupled a demodulator capable of measuring the power at its input) and the qualitative HF signal analyzer that the demodulator can constitute (especially if it can demodulate both digital and analog modulations).
Sinon, toujours selon l'invention, on pourra choisir de détecter la puissance électromagnétique à des fréquences plus basses ou plus hautes que celles pour laquelle l'antenne est conçue : le soleil émet effectivement dans une très large bande de fréquences. Cette méthode selon l'invention permet de réaliser un dispositif électronique à faible coût (particulièrement pour les fréquences plus basses) ; certes il sera probablement plus sujet aux perturbations électromagnétiques diverses, mais ces perturbations seront évitables si le temps est dégagé ou, au pire, permet de voir l'horizon : on pourra alors à coup sûr chercher le soleil ...dans le ciel. Dans un mode particulier de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention, ce dernier pourrait être directement intégré dans la tête HF de la parabole ; ce dispositif comprendrait un détecteur de rayonnement électromagnétique fonctionnant à des fréquences fayonnées par le soleil mais en dehors de la bandé passante habituelle des satellites, et permettrait donc de discriminer la source du rayonnement.Otherwise, still according to the invention, it will be possible to choose to detect the electromagnetic power at frequencies lower or higher than those for which the antenna is designed: the sun effectively emits in a very wide frequency band. This method according to the invention makes it possible to produce an electronic device at low cost (particularly for lower frequencies); certainly it will probably be more subject to various electromagnetic disturbances, but these disturbances will be avoidable if the weather is clear or, at worst, allows to see the horizon: we can then certainly look for the sun ... in the sky. In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the latter could be directly integrated into the HF head of the parabola; this device would include an electromagnetic radiation detector operating at frequencies fanned by the sun but outside the usual bandwidth of satellites, and would therefore make it possible to discriminate the source of the radiation.
On entend par décodeur domestique, dans le présent texte, et notamment les revendications, tout décodeur satellite numérique ou analogique, tout décodeur de télévision numérique terrestre, tout périphérique interne ou externe d' ordinateur capable de recevoir des émissions satellites ou terrestres ou tout poste de télévision (utilisé non pas en simple moniteur, mais aussi en tant que décodeur) . On entend par décodeur dans le présent texte, tout appareil de réception de signaux télévisuels, radiophoniques ou de flux de données, y compris, de façon non exhaustive, tout décodeur domestique tel que défini ci-dessus, ainsi que de façon plus générale tout dispositif comportant un tuner et un démodulateur.By domestic decoder, in the present text, and in particular the claims, is meant any digital or analog satellite decoder, any digital terrestrial television decoder, any internal or external computer peripheral capable of receiving satellite or terrestrial broadcasts or any radio set. television (not used as a simple monitor, but also as a decoder). By decoder in the present text is meant any device for receiving television, radio or data stream signals, including, without limitation, any household decoder as defined above, as well as more generally any device comprising a tuner and a demodulator.
On note que, selon l'invention, le rayonnement électromagnétique du soleil, vu par certains opérateurs satellite comme une source de bruit gênante, devient un moyen puissant d'orientation ne nécessitant aucun matériel coûteux spécifique. Dans un mode particulier du procédé de pointage d'émetteurs selon l'invention, on pourra par exemple se servir du rayonnement solaire dans les fréquences proches de 10GHz, qui, concentrées par une parabole satellite, génèrent à l'entrée -et donc à la sortie- de la tête HF un niveau de puissance largement supérieur au bruit de cette dernière ; on pourra alors, selon le procédé selon l'invention, pointer dans un premier temps le soleil à une heure donnée -en mesurant par exemple un maximum de bruit en sortie de la tête HF, aux alentours de 2GHz- et donc régler facilement l'azimut d'une antenne satellite. Le procédé selon l'invention prévoit aussi qu'on puisse mesurer directement l'énergie électromagnétique concentrée à proximité du foyer de ladite parabole, sans forcément utiliser la tête HF. Dans cette façon particulière de pointer le soleil, on peut utiliser une gamme beaucoup plus large de fréquences pour pointer le soleil. Bien évidemment, on pourra, toujours selon le procédé selon invention, utiliser le rayonnement électromagnétique solaire à d'autres fréquences pour pointer toute antenne (au sens large défini en début de texte) vers le soleil, afin de se caler sur l'azimut et/ou l'élévation de ce dernier. Selon le procédé selon l'invention, l'heure du pointage pourra être déterminée à l'avance, afin de récupérer directement l'azimut ou l'élévation exacte de l'émetteur visé, ou relevée à une heure quelconque, afin de récupérer une référence- précise d'azimut, d'élévation, ou des deux. L'utilisateur pourra dans ces cas là, toujours selon le procédé selon l'invention, viser l'émetteur choisi en déplaçant son antenne d'un angle connu en azimut, en élévation ou les deux ; il pourra éventuellement, toujours selon l'invention, utiliser les émetteurs se trouvant « sur le chemin » du soleil vers l'émetteur choisi pour se repérer dans son déplacement, quand par exemple l'élévation ne varie pas trop, en comptant les émetteurs détectés lors de la rotation en azimut de son antenne par exemple. Pour finir, toujours selon le procédé selon l'invention, il pourra utiliser le rayonnement électromagnétique, cette fois de l'émetteur visé, pour se caler avec précision sur l'émetteur choisi . Selon l'invention, le procédé de pointage pourra utiliser tout dispositif, relié directement ou indirectement à l'antenne, physiquement situé à proximité ou loin de celle-ci, mais sensible au rayonnement électromagnétique capté par ladite antenne (avant ou après la tête HF pour une antenne satellite) , et utilisant par exemple, mais de façon non limitative, une diode GUNN, une diode PIN (redressement du signal HF) , un échantillonneur bloqueur rapide, un mixer (permettant d'abaisser la fréquence de travail), un détecteur de puissance vraie (jusqu'à quelques MHz), etc.It is noted that, according to the invention, the electromagnetic radiation of the sun, seen by certain satellite operators as an annoying source of noise, becomes a powerful means of orientation requiring no specific expensive equipment. In a particular mode of the method for pointing transmitters according to the invention, it is possible for example to use solar radiation in frequencies close to 10 GHz, which, concentrated by a satellite dish, generate at the input -and therefore at the output- from the HF head a power level much higher than the noise of the latter; we can then, according to the method according to the invention, firstly point the sun at a given time - by measuring for example a maximum noise output from the HF head, around 2GHz - and therefore easily adjust the azimuth of a satellite antenna. The method according to the invention also provides that it is possible to directly measure the electromagnetic energy concentrated near the focus of said parabola, without necessarily using the HF head. In this particular way of pointing the sun, one can use a much wider range of frequencies to point the sun. Obviously, it will be possible, still according to the method according to the invention, to use solar electromagnetic radiation at other frequencies to point any antenna (in the broad sense defined at the beginning of the text) towards the sun, in order to lock onto the azimuth and / or the elevation of the latter. According to the method according to the invention, the check-in time can be determined in advance, in order to directly recover the azimuth or the exact elevation of the target transmitter, or recorded at any time, in order to recover a reference- precise azimuth, elevation, or both. The user can in these cases there, still according to the method according to the invention, target the chosen transmitter by moving its antenna by a known angle in azimuth, in elevation or both; it may possibly, still according to the invention, use the transmitters being “on the way” from the sun to the chosen transmitter to locate itself in its movement, when for example the elevation does not vary too much, counting the detected transmitters during the rotation in azimuth of its antenna for example. Finally, still according to the method according to the invention, it will be able to use electromagnetic radiation, this time from the targeted transmitter, to calibrate with precision on the chosen transmitter. According to the invention, the pointing method may use any device, connected directly or indirectly to the antenna, physically located near or far from it, but sensitive to the electromagnetic radiation picked up by said antenna (before or after the HF head for a satellite antenna), and using for example, but not limited to, a GUNN diode, a PIN diode (HF signal rectification), a fast blocker sampler, a mixer (allowing to lower the working frequency), a true power detector (up to a few MHz), etc.
Toujours selon l'invention, on pourra utiliser un dispositif selon l'invention comportant un filtre passe-bande permettant de ne retenir que les fréquences non émises par les émetteurs visés, les émetteurs locaux, voire les sources de bruit électromagnétiques. Ceci permettra de discriminer facilement les rayonnements causés par le soleil des autres. Par exemple, mais de façon non limitative, le dispositif selon l'invention destiné au réglage d'une parabole pourrait amplifier une bande de fréquences se situant en haut de la bande de fréquences satellites en sortie de la tête HF (au-delà de 2150 MHz) .Still according to the invention, it is possible to use a device according to the invention comprising a bandpass filter making it possible to retain only the frequencies not emitted by the targeted transmitters, the local transmitters, or even the sources of electromagnetic noise. This will easily discriminate the radiation caused by the sun from others. For example, but not limited to, the device according to the invention intended for adjusting a satellite dish could amplify a frequency band located at the top of the satellite frequency band at the output of the HF head (beyond 2150 MHz).
Selon le procédé selon l'invention, on pourra aussi utiliser un décodeur calé par exemple sur une des fréquences utilisées par l'émetteur choisi, qui s'efforcera de démoduler le « signal » électromagnétique reçu (qui pourra le cas échéant être du bruit d'origine solaire): si ledit signal est raisonnablement fort, mais incompréhensible, le démodulateur pourra le signaler, et l'installateur en déduire qu'il pointe le soleil, surtout s'il s'efforce à ce moment de le viser, et que ledit démodulateur peut démoduler aussi bien les modulations numériques qu'analogiques. L'installateur saura alors comment réorienter son antenne aux alentours de l'émetteur recherché ; le décodeur pouvant alors détecter un signal et le démoduler, il pourra signaler ce fait, et l'installateur saura alors qu'il pointe bien l'émetteur recherché. Ce procédé particulier de pointage utilisant un décodeur est une mise en œuvre possible du procédé selon l'invention, particulièrement adaptée aux moments où le soleil est rendu invisible par des conditions météorologiques adverses. Selon l'invention, on pourra utiliser la capacité du décodeur à identifier clairement l'émetteur (par exemple, selon l'invention, de façon non limitative, par extraction du nom du programme des tables DVB issues de la trame MPEG2 démodulée). L'information transmise à l'installateur lui permettra de s'assurer selon l'invention que son réglage est définitivement le bon.According to the method according to the invention, it is also possible to use a decoder calibrated for example on one of the frequencies used by the chosen transmitter, which will endeavor to demodulate the electromagnetic "signal" received (which may if necessary be noise of 'solar origin): if said signal is reasonably strong, but incomprehensible, the demodulator can signal it, and the installer deduces that it is pointing at the sun, especially if it is trying to aim at it, and said receiver can demodulate both digital and analog modulations. The installer will then know how to reorient his antenna around the transmitter sought; since the decoder can then detect a signal and demodulate it, it can report this fact, and the installer will then know that it is pointing at the desired transmitter. This particular pointing method using a decoder is a possible implementation of the method according to the invention, particularly suitable for times when the sun is made invisible by adverse weather conditions. According to the invention, it will be possible to use the capacity of the decoder to clearly identify the transmitter (for example, according to the invention, without limitation, by extracting the program name from the DVB tables originating from the demodulated MPEG2 frame). The information transmitted to the installer will enable him to ensure according to the invention that his setting is definitely the right one.
Toujours selon le procédé selon l'invention, quand l'installateur pointera le soleil, on pourra caler le tuner du décodeur sur une fréquence où on est certain de ne pas trouver d'émetteur (en direction du soleil), de façon à ne mesurer que la puissance électromagnétique d'un « signal » solaire; on note que si la mesure de puissance n'est pas directement accessible au logiciel intégré dans le décodeur, ledit logiciel pourra récupérer l'état du contrôleur de gain (AGC en "anglais) qui donnera une bonne idée de ladite puissance reçue, surtout si elle est en plus couplée à une mesure quadratique de l'amplitude des signaux entrés dans le démodulateur (courant avec des démodulateurs numériques) . Une fois le soleil repéré grâce au tuner, on pourra, toujours selon le procédé selon l'invention, caler le tuner sur la (ou une des) fréquence (s) de l'émetteur visé, et déplacer l'antenne dans le bon sens jusqu'à trouver l'émetteur.Still according to the method according to the invention, when the installer points the sun, the tuner of the decoder can be set on a frequency where it is certain not to find a transmitter (in the direction of the sun), so as not to measure that the electromagnetic power of a solar "signal"; it is noted that if the power measurement is not directly accessible to the software integrated in the decoder, said software will be able to recover the state of the gain controller (AGC in " English " ) which will give a good idea of said power received, especially if it is also coupled to a quadratic measurement of the amplitude of the signals entered into the demodulator (current with digital demodulators). Once the sun has been spotted thanks to the tuner, we can, still according to the method according to the invention, tuner to the (or one of) frequency (s) of the targeted transmitter, and move the antenna in the right direction until you find the transmitter.
Au besoin, selon le procédé selon l'invention, on réduira les constantes de temps desdits AGC au minimum (compatible avec une stabilité indispensable de. la boucle d'asservissement) pour permettre un déplacement rapide de l'antenne ; les AGC ne sont effectivement au départ pas conçus pour ce type de. fonctionnement dynamique. Dans le cas où plusieurs émetteurs utilisant la même fréquence se trouvent « sur le chemin », comme vu précédemment, on les comptera, toujours selon l'invention, pour être sûr de pointer en final le bon émetteur. On pourra encore, pour viser le soleil, toujours selon le procédé selon l'invention, effectuer une analyse statistique du signal électromagnétique reçu par l'antenne, par exemple, mais de façon non limitative, en analysant la répartition spectrale, qui permettra de conclure qu'un émetteur d'origine humaine influe sur les signaux reçus, ou non, et donc de conclure que la puissance électromagnétique reçue est respectivement due en partie à une source humaine ou au soleil seulement. Tout dispositif mettant en œuvre ce procédé sera explicitement un dispositif selon 1' invention. Le procédé selon l'invention prévoit que l'utilisateur peut disposer au niveau du lieu d'installation de l'antenne d'informations sonores, visuelles, ou vibrantes.If necessary, according to the method according to the invention will reduce the time constants of said at least AGC (compatible with a necessary stability of the control loop.) To allow rapid displacement of the antenna; MCOs are not initially designed for this type of . dynamic operation. In the case where several transmitters using the same frequency are "on the way", as seen previously, they will be counted, still according to the invention, to be sure of finally pointing the right transmitter. We can also, to target the sun, still according to the method according to the invention, perform a statistical analysis of the electromagnetic signal received by the antenna, for example, but in a nonlimiting manner, by analyzing the spectral distribution, which will allow us to conclude whether a transmitter of human origin influences the signals received, or not, and therefore to conclude that the electromagnetic power received is respectively partly due to a human source or to the sun only. Any device implementing this method will be explicitly a device according to the invention. The method according to the invention provides that the user can have at the place of installation of the antenna sound, visual or vibrating information.
Lesdites informations peuvent, selon l'invention, être toutes informations permettant de pointer correctement le soleil et/ou l'émetteur visé, y compris, mais de façon non limitative, toutes informations concernant la puissance ou la qualité du signal reçu, le taux d'erreur mesuré par le décodeur, le résultat d'une analyse statistique des signaux HF reçus, la source présumée du rayonnement détecté (soleil ou émetteur) , voire le nom du bouquet de programme démodulé ou mieux, le nom du satellite réellement pointé.Said information may, according to the invention, be any information making it possible to correctly point the sun and / or the targeted transmitter, including, but not limited to, any information concerning the power or the quality of the received signal, the rate of 'error measured by the decoder, the result of a statistical analysis of the HF signals received, the presumed source of the detected radiation (sun or transmitter), even the name of the demodulated program package or better, the name of the satellite actually pointed.
Lesdites informations peuvent, selon l'invention, être présentées sous la forme de tous signaux de puissance ou de fréquence variable, tous signaux sonores (par le moyen d'un générateur de sons), tous signaux visuels (par le moyen d'une rangée de LED ou d'une LED clignotante par exemple), tous affichages partiels ou complets, alphanumériques ou non (par le moyen d'un écran à cristaux liquides par exemple), toutes sortes de vibrations mécaniques d' intensité ou de fréquence plus ou moins fortes (par le moyen d'un vibreur électromagnétique par exemple). Dans des modes particuliers de réalisation d'un dispositif spécifique selon l'invention permettant de fournir au niveau du lieu d'installation de l'antenne lesdites informations, ledit dispositif pourra comporter tout ou partie des moyens de mesure et/ou de qualification des signaux HF, nécessaires à mettre en œuvre une forme particulière du procédé selon l'invention, en particulier, mais de façon non limitative, tous les moyens vus précédemment utilisables pour la mise en œuvre du procédé selon 1' invention. Dans des modes particuliers de réalisation d'un dispositif spécifique selon l'invention permettant de fournir au niveau du lieu d'installation de l'antenne lesdites informations, ledit dispositif devenu « périphérique » du décodeur, pourra comporter un moyen de communication mono ou bidirectionnel avec le décodeur (décodeur vers dispositif seulement ou dans les deux sens) , permettant de récupérer les mesures faites par ce dernier, voire de le piloter à distance pour qu'il effectue les mesures utiles au pointage, d'abord du soleil, ensuite du satellite visé ; ledit moyen de communication pourra, selon l'invention, et de façon non limitative, utiliser : le câble coaxial existant entre l'antenne et le décodeur (par exemple, et de manière non limitative, par signaux modulant du 22kHz) , une liaison hertzienne indépendante, au moyen par exemple, et de manière non limitative, d'une carte de transmission de type « PCMCIA » insérée dans le décodeur, une liaison ultra-sonique (par exemple, toujours de manière non limitative, signaux de type RS232 modulés à 40kHz) , - un simple câble vidéo tiré entre le décodeur et' ledit satellite, qui pourrait alors n'être qu'un simple moniteur de télévision de petite taille.Said information can, according to the invention, be presented in the form of any variable power or frequency signals, all sound signals (by means of a sound generator), all visual signals (by means of a row LED or a flashing LED for example), all partial or complete displays, alphanumeric or not (by means of a liquid crystal screen for example), all kinds of mechanical vibrations of intensity or frequency more or less strong (by means of an electromagnetic vibrator for example). In particular embodiments of a specific device according to the invention making it possible to provide said information at the place of installation of the antenna, said device may include all or part of the means for measuring and / or qualifying the signals HF, necessary to implement a particular form of the method according to the invention, in particular, but not limited to, all the means seen previously usable for the implementation of the method according to one invention. In particular embodiments of a specific device according to the invention making it possible to supply said information at the place of installation of the antenna, said device which has become “peripheral” of the decoder, may include a mono or bidirectional communication means with the decoder (decoder towards device only or in both directions), allowing to recover the measurements made by the latter, or even to control it remotely so that it performs measurements useful for pointing, first of the sun, then of the target satellite; said means of communication may, according to the invention, and without limitation, use: the coaxial cable existing between the antenna and the decoder (for example, and without limitation, by signals modulating 22kHz), a microwave link independent, for example by means of and without limitation, of a “PCMCIA” type transmission card inserted in the decoder, an ultra-sonic link (for example, always without limitation, RS232 type signals modulated to 40kHz), - a simple video cable drawn between the decoder and the said satellite, which could then be only a simple television monitor of small size.
Concrètement, un décodeur faisant partie du dispositif selon l'invention disposera des moyens matériels et logiciels (résidants ou apportés par un dispositif enfichable de type PCMCIA, carte à puce, carte mémoire, la liste n'étant pas limitative) de communiquer audit périphérique (boîtier distant) tout ou partie des informations permettant le pointage de l'antenne vers une source de rayonnement électromagnétique particulière: les mesures faites concernant la puissance du signal reçu, sa capacité à être démodulé, le taux d'erreur obtenu, voire le nom du satellite effectivement visé, la liste n'étant pas limitative.Concretely, a decoder forming part of the device according to the invention will have hardware and software means (residents or provided by a plug-in device of the PCMCIA type, smart card, memory card, the list not being exhaustive) to communicate to said peripheral (remote unit) all or part of the information allowing the pointing of the antenna towards a radiation source particular electromagnetic: the measurements made concerning the power of the received signal, its ability to be demodulated, the error rate obtained, or even the name of the satellite actually targeted, the list not being exhaustive.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation d'un dispositif spécifique selon l'invention, le boîtier dudit dispositif sera connecté en série entre l'antenne et le décodeur, le long du câble coaxial, en vampire sur le câble (avec ou sans contact, par connexion électrique ou électromagnétique par exemple) . Le cas échéant, tout ou partie du dispositif selon l'invention, peut être intégré avec ou dans la tête HF (appelée également LNB) sous quelque forme que ce soit (par exemple, sous la forme de composants, d'une carte ou d'un sous-bloc, la liste n'étant pas limitative) .In a particular embodiment of a specific device according to the invention, the housing of said device will be connected in series between the antenna and the decoder, along the coaxial cable, in a vampire on the cable (with or without contact, by electrical or electromagnetic connection for example). Where appropriate, all or part of the device according to the invention can be integrated with or into the HF head (also called LNB) in any form whatsoever (for example, in the form of components, of a card or of 'a sub-block, the list not being exhaustive).
Dans le cas particulier où l'antenne sera une parabole, le dispositif selon l'invention pourra, dans différents modes de réalisation selon l'invention, être prévu pour se connecter entre la tête HF et le décodeur par des fiches électriques adaptées, ou disposera d'un moyen de récupérer directement des signaux électromagnétiques, lui permettant d'être placé simplement devant ou à la place de la tête HF, étant entendu que dans ces cas particuliers, une connexion électrique au câble coaxial ne sera peut-être pas nécessaire, selon l'invention.In the particular case where the antenna will be a parabola, the device according to the invention may, in different embodiments according to the invention, be provided to connect between the HF head and the decoder by suitable electrical plugs, or will have a means of directly recovering electromagnetic signals, allowing it to be placed simply in front of or in place of the HF head, it being understood that in these particular cases, an electrical connection to the coaxial cable may not be necessary, according to the invention.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation dudit dispositif selon l'invention, ce dernier sera alimenté par la tension d'alimentation le cas échéant présente sur le câble coaxial, en provenance du décodeur (par exemple 13V-18V alimentant et commandant les LNB présentes sur les paraboles) .In a particular embodiment of said device according to the invention, the latter will be supplied by the supply voltage, if any, present on the coaxial cable, coming from the decoder (for example 13V-18V supplying and controlling the LNBs present on the parables).
Dans une mise en œuvre particulière du procédé selon l'invention, le décodeur selon l'invention pourra aussi communiquer des informations acoustiques à l'installateur par les haut-parleurs de la télévision. En l'absence de boîtier relais situé à proximité de l'antenne, ils seront réglés pour l'occasion à un niveau suffisamment fort pour être éventuellement entendus du haut du toit. Selon l'invention, certains signaux pourraient être parlés (par exemple, « vous êtes parfaitement sur le satellite X!») .In a particular implementation of the method according to the invention, the decoder according to the invention may also communicate acoustic information to the installer by the television speakers. In the absence of a relay box located near the antenna, they will be adjusted for the occasion to a level strong enough to be heard from the top of the roof. According to the invention, certain signals could be spoken (for example, "you are perfectly on satellite X!").
Un mode particulier du procédé de pointage d'émetteurs selon l'invention, dit mode indirect, est illustré, à titre d'exemple non limitatif, par la description suivante faisant référence aux Figures 1 et 2.A particular mode of the transmitter pointing method according to the invention, known as indirect mode, is illustrated, by way of nonlimiting example, by the following description referring to Figures 1 and 2.
Ce mode permet de pointer le soleil (21) à n'importe quelle heure de la journée pour en faire la référence en Azimut et en élévation et de déplacer son antenne (1) vers la position de l'émetteur (13) relativement à la position de cette référence. Etape 1 : prise de connaissance des valeurs de la position qu'aura le soleil (21) à l'heure de pointage décidée.This mode makes it possible to point the sun (21) at any time of the day to make it the reference in Azimuth and in elevation and to move its antenna (1) towards the position of the transmitter (13) relative to the position of this reference. Step 1: becoming aware of the values of the position that the sun (21) will have at the chosen time of day.
Lorsque l'on pointe le soleil (21) à une heure quelconque, il est préférable de connaître son azimut et son élévation, au point de réception. En effet, ces données, relatives au Nord et à l'horizon, caractérisent complètement la position d'un objet dans l'espace et deviennent alors la position de référence.When the sun (21) is pointed at any time, it is preferable to know its azimuth and its elevation, at the reception point. Indeed, these data, relating to the North and the horizon, completely characterize the position of an object in space and then become the reference position.
Etape 2 : manœuvre de pointage effectif du soleil (21) a ladite heure décidée.Step 2: effective pointing maneuver of the sun (21) at said agreed time.
Grâce aux moyens de calcul contenus dans un mode de réalisation particulier du dispositif selon l'invention (5), une indication réelle des valeurs d'azimut et d'élévation du soleil, dépendant du lieu, de la date et de l'heure, pourra permettre à l'installateur (23) d'orienter approximativement l'antenne (1) vers la direction indiquée afin de faciliter l'accrochage de la bonne position. Sans cela, dans la pratique, il est très difficile de faire varier les deux paramètres d'azimut et d'élévation simultanément, surtout en absence visuelle de la cible : par temps couvert par exemple, le soleil (21) est invisible à l'œil nu.Thanks to the calculation means contained in a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention (5), a real indication of the azimuth and elevation values of the sun, depending on the place, the date and the time, may allow the installer (23) to orient the antenna (1) approximately in the direction indicated in order to facilitate attachment of the correct position. Without this, in practice, it is very difficult to vary the two azimuth and elevation parameters simultaneously, especially in visual absence of the target: in cloudy weather for example, the sun (21) is invisible to the naked eye.
Etape 3 : signal indiquant l'accrochage de la bonne position. Après traitement des informations provenant du rayonnement électromagnétique (22) du soleil (21) , le dispositif selon l'invention (5) indiquera de manière visuelle, sonore ou par vibration la bonne position de l'antenne (1) . Etape 4 : repérage de la position actuelle.Step 3: signal indicating that the correct position has been locked. After processing the information coming from the electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21), the device according to the invention (5) will indicate visually, acoustically or by vibration the correct position of the antenna (1). Step 4: identification of the current position.
L'installateur (23) peut alors repérer mécaniquement l'azimut et l'élévation de son antenne (1) dans cette position de référence avant de déplacer celle ci vers la position finale, afin de garder la position de référence initiale. Dans un mode particulier du procédé selon l'invention, l'installateur (23) collera une bande adhésive graduée en degré (en fonction du diamètre du mât) , pouvant être fournie avec le dispositif selon l'invention, sur le mât. La graduation peut ne pas être en degré mais simplement en millimètre, et le moyen de calcul utilisé capable de faire la conversion en fonction du diamètre du mât .The installer (23) can then mechanically locate the azimuth and the elevation of his antenna (1) in this reference position before moving it to the final position, in order to keep the initial reference position. In a particular mode of the process according to the invention, the installer (23) will stick an adhesive strip graduated in degrees (depending on the diameter of the mast), which can be supplied with the device according to the invention, on the mast. The graduation may not be in degrees but simply in millimeters, and the means of calculation used capable of converting according to the diameter of the mast.
Etape 5 : lecture de la position relative de l'émetteur (13) .Step 5: reading of the relative position of the transmitter (13).
Le dispositif selon l'invention (5) dans un mode de réalisation particulier, indiquera l'écart en azimut et l'écart en élévation de l'émetteur (13) par rapport aux coordonnées actuelles de l' antenne (1) .The device according to the invention (5) in a particular embodiment, will indicate the deviation in azimuth and the deviation in elevation of the transmitter (13) compared to the current coordinates of the antenna (1).
Etape 6 : déplacement de l'antenne (1) vers la position finale.Step 6: moving the antenna (1) to the final position.
L'installateur (23) déverrouille alors les dispositifs de serrage situés sur le mât (8) et sur le système d'attache (7), et déplace manuellement l'antenne (1) des angles indiqués par le dispositif selon l'invention (5) susmentionné. On note que la bande graduée susmentionnée aidera l'approche en azimut.The installer (23) then unlocks the clamping devices located on the mast (8) and on the attachment system (7), and manually moves the antenna (1) by the angles indicated by the device according to the invention ( 5) above. Note that the aforementioned graduated band will help the azimuth approach.
Etape 7 : signal indiquant l'accrochage de la bonne position finale.Step 7: signal indicating that the correct final position has been locked.
La position finale est l'émetteur visé (13) qui produit aussi un rayonnement électromagnétique (12) qui va être capté et être interprété par le dispositif selon l'invention (5) afin d'indiquer de manière visuelle, sonore ou par vibration la bonne position de 1' émetteur (13) .The final position is the targeted transmitter (13) which also produces electromagnetic radiation (12) which will be picked up and interpreted by the device according to the invention (5) in order to indicate visually, audibly or by vibration the correct position of the transmitter (13).
Il est à noter que plus l'heure de pointage est proche de celle où le soleil (21) passe à la verticale de l'émetteur visé (13), plus le réglage sera facile, car l'écart en azimut particulièrement 'sera faible et générera moins d' erreur de déplacement par rapport à la référence.It should be noted that the closer the pointing time is to that when the sun (21) passes vertically over the targeted transmitter (13), the easier the adjustment will be, since the azimuth difference in particular will be small. and will generate less displacement error compared to the reference.
C'est pourquoi, un autre mode particulier du procédé de pointage d'émetteurs selon l'invention, dit mode direct, est proposé, toujours à titre d'exemple non limitatif ; il est décrit ci-dessous .This is why another particular mode of the method for pointing transmitters according to the invention, known as direct mode, is proposed, again by way of nonlimiting example; it is described below.
Ledit mode consiste à pointer le soleil (21) à l'heure exacte de son passage à la verticale de l'émetteur visé (13).Said mode consists in pointing the sun (21) at the exact time of its passage over the vertical of the targeted transmitter (13).
Etape 1 : lecture de l'heure de passage du soleil (21) en azimut de l'émetteur (13).Step 1: reading the time of passage of the sun (21) in azimuth of the transmitter (13).
A l'aide d'un moyen de détermination de l'heure de passage du soleil (21) en azimut de l'émetteur visé (13), comme celui décrit dans le brevet FR0202993 d'un des présents inventeurs, l'installateur (23) peut, selon son lieu et la date, récupérer cette information. Ce moyen peut, dans une mise en œuvre particulière du procédé selon l'invention, et dans un mode particulier de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention, être intégré dans le décodeur (9) sous la forme d'un programme informatique, pouvant prendre la forme d'une « applet ». Etape 2 : lecture de la position en azimut et en élévation, qu'aura le soleil (21) à l'heure de pointage.Using a means of determining the time of passage of the sun (21) in azimuth of the targeted transmitter (13), such as that described in patent FR0202993 of one of the present inventors, the installer ( 23) may, depending on its place and date, recover this information. This means can, in a particular implementation of the method according to the invention, and in a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, be integrated into the decoder (9) in the form of a computer program, which can take the form of an "applet". Stage 2: reading of the position in azimuth and in elevation, that will have the sun (21) at the time of pointing.
Ceci, toujours dans le but de permettre à l'installateur (23) d'orienter approximativement l'antenne (1) vers la direction indiquée en cas d'absence visuelle de la cible. Etape 3 : attente de l'heure- de passage du soleil (21) en azimut du satellite (13) .This, always with the aim of allowing the installer (23) to orient the antenna (1) approximately in the direction indicated in the event of visual absence of the target. Step 3: wait for the time of passage of the sun (21) in azimuth of the satellite (13).
Etape 4 : à ladite heure précise, manœuvre de pointage effectif du soleil (21) . Etape 5 : signal indiquant la bonne position par accrochage du soleil (21) .Step 4: at said precise time, effective sun pointing maneuver (21). Step 5: signal indicating the correct position by hanging the sun (21).
Après traitement des informations provenant du rayonnement électromagnétique (22) du soleil (21) , le dispositif selon l'invention (5) indiquera de manière visuelle, sonore ou par vibration la bonne position de l'antenne (1) .After processing the information coming from the electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21), the device according to the invention (5) will indicate visually, acoustically or by vibration the correct position of the antenna (1).
Etape 6 : verrouillage définitif de l'azimut.Step 6: final locking of the azimuth.
L'installateur (23) verrouille le dispositif de serrage situé sur le mât (8) . Etape 7 : repérage mécanique de la référence d'élévation.The installer (23) locks the clamping device located on the mast (8). Step 7: mechanical identification of the elevation reference.
L'installateur (23) peut alors repérer mécaniquement l'élévation de son antenne (1) dans cette position de référence, avant de 'déplacer celle ci vers la position finale, afin de garder •la position de référence initiale. Etape 8 : lecture de la position relative de l'émetteur (13) en élévation.The installer (23) may then mechanically track the elevation of the antenna (1) in this reference position, before 'the latter move to the final position in order to keep • the initial reference position. Step 8: reading of the relative position of the transmitter (13) in elevation.
Le dispositif selon l'invention (5), dans un mode particulier, indiquera l'écart en élévation de l'émetteur (13) par rapport à l'élévation actuelle de l'antenne (1). Si l'antenne (1) ne permet pas de faire une mesure précise de l'élévation du soleil (21) , par exemple soleil trop haut,- un réglage absolu sera - suffisant.The device according to the invention (5), in a particular mode, will indicate the difference in elevation of the transmitter (13) compared to the current elevation of the antenna (1). If the antenna (1) does not make it possible to make a precise measurement of the elevation of the sun (21), for example sun too high, - an absolute adjustment will be - sufficient.
Etape 9 : manœuvre de déplacement vers la position finaleStep 9: movement maneuver to the final position
L'installateur (23) déverrouille le dispositif de serrage du système d'attache (7), et le cas échéant déplace manuellement l'antenne (1) de l'angle indiqué par le dispositif selon l' invention (5) .The installer (23) unlocks the clamping device of the fastening system (7), and if necessary manually moves the antenna (1) by the angle indicated by the device according to the invention (5).
Etape 10 : signal indiquant l'accrochage de la bonne position sur l'émetteur (13). La position finale est l'émetteur visé (13) qui produit aussi un rayonnement électromagnétique (12) qui va être capté et être interprété par le dispositif selon l'invention (5) afin, d' indiquer de manière visuelle, sonore ou par vibration la bonne position de 1' émetteur (13) .Step 10: signal indicating that the correct position has been hooked to the transmitter (13). The final position is the targeted transmitter (13) which also produces electromagnetic radiation (12) which will be received and interpreted by the device according to the invention (5) in order to indicate visually, audibly or by vibration the correct position of the transmitter (13).
Un environnement particulier du dispositif de pointage d'émetteurs selon l'invention, est illustré, à titre d'exemple, non limitatif, dans le descriptif suivant.A particular environment of the transmitter pointing device according to the invention is illustrated, by way of example, without limitation, in the following description.
Un système complet de réception d'émissions audiovisuelles par satellite, décrit sur la Figure 1, comporte un certain équipement de réception hautes fréquences, constitué d'un plateau (2) de forme paraboloïde, positionné puis fixé sur un mât (8), le tout portant un bras (3) avec à son extrémité une tête HF (4) , au point focal de la Parabole (1) , pour capter et surtout concentrer les faibles ondes électromagnétiques (12) issues d'un satellite géostationnaire visé (13) . Ce sous-ensemble est appelé communément parabole (1) et son montage se réalise en extérieur afin d'avoir un dégagement suffisant dans la direction de l'émetteur visé (13) .A complete system for receiving audiovisual broadcasts by satellite, described in FIG. 1, comprises certain high frequency reception equipment, consisting of a plate (2) of paraboloid shape, positioned then fixed on a mast (8), the all carrying an arm (3) with an HF head (4) at its end, at the focal point of the Parabola (1), for capturing and above all concentrating the weak electromagnetic waves (12) coming from a targeted geostationary satellite (13) . This subassembly is commonly called satellite dish (1) and its mounting is carried out outdoors in order to have sufficient clearance in the direction of the targeted transmitter (13).
Le système de réception se complète d'un terminal de réception analogique ou numérique ou mixte, appelé décodeur (9) , auquel sont connectés d'un côté, la parabole (1) via le câble coaxial (6), de l'autre le poste de télévision (10). Ce décodeur (9) peut transformer les signaux HF en signaux d'images et de sons (dans ce cas particulier, il s'agirait plutôt d'un décodeur domestique) et il est bien sûr installé à l'intérieur de l'habitation. Il contient bien des systèmes embarqués d'analyse du signal HF mais il est en général, loin du lieu d'installation de l'antenne (1), souvent positionnée, elle, sur un toit, une cheminée, un mur en hauteur, etc.. Ce décodeur (9) n'est en général pas déplaçable, d'autant plus qu'il nécessite obligatoirement l'utilisation d'un poste de télévision (10), auquel il est en permanence électriquement connecté. De plus, ce décodeur (9), s'il en est équipé, est capable d'envoyer et de recevoir des informations (11) grâce à des procédés courants de modulation de signal à 22KHz, initialement destinées à piloter les têtes HF ou les antennes motorisées, via ledit câble coaxial (6) . Ledit décodeur (9) alimente la parabole avec une tension d'alimentation et de commande de 13 ou 18 Volts, dépendante de la polarisation désirée.The reception system is completed by an analog or digital or mixed reception terminal, called a decoder (9), to which are connected on one side, the dish (1) via the coaxial cable (6), on the other the television set (10). This decoder (9) can transform the HF signals into image and sound signals (in this particular case, it would rather be a domestic decoder) and it is of course installed inside the house. It contains many on-board HF signal analysis systems but it is generally far from the place of installation of the antenna (1), often positioned on a roof, a chimney, a high wall, etc. .. This decoder (9) is generally not movable, especially since it necessarily requires the use of a television set (10), to which it is permanently electrically connected. In addition, this decoder (9), if equipped, is capable of sending and receiving information (11) using standard 22KHz signal modulation methods, initially intended to control the HF heads or the motorized antennas, via said coaxial cable (6). Said decoder (9) feeds the satellite dish with a supply and control voltage of 13 or 18 Volts, depending on the desired polarization.
Dans un mode particulier de réalisation, une partie du dispositif selon l'invention (5) est alors placée entre la tête HF (4) et le câble (6) reliant le décodeur (9), dans le but d'échanger des informations (11) avec le décodeur (9) et de récupérer l'énergie nécessaire à son fonctionnement. Cette partie dudit dispositif devient alors un périphérique du décodeur (9) . La deuxième partie dudit dispositif est constituée ici du décodeur (9) à condition qu'il intègre les moyens matériels et logiciels pour communiquer avec le périphérique susmentionné.In a particular embodiment, part of the device according to the invention (5) is then placed between the HF head (4) and the cable (6) connecting the decoder (9), for the purpose of exchanging information ( 11) with the decoder (9) and recover the energy necessary for its operation. This part of said device then becomes a peripheral of the decoder (9). The second part of said device here consists of the decoder (9) provided that it integrates the hardware and software means to communicate with the aforementioned peripheral.
La Figure 3 décrit un mode particulier de réalisation d'un dispositif autonome selon l'invention, qui est muni d'une unité de mesure du rayonnement solaire (35), d'une unité de mesure du rayonnement satellite (34), d'une unité d'alimentation (39), d'une unité de traitement (37), d'une unité de saisie (36) et d'une unité de signalisation sonore, visuelle ou vibrante (38) . Ledit dispositif autonome peut être placé, le cas échéant, directement sur la tête HF (4) afin de récupérer les ondes réfléchies par la parabole (1) en dehors de la bande passante de la tête HF (4) , permettant de discriminer facilement la source de la puissance électromagnétique reçue (satellite ou soleil). L'unité (35) pourra être constituée d'une simple antenne filaire, d'un filtre passe- bande suivi d'un simple détecteur d'amplitude avec amplification. Le signal issu de cette unité sera réputé être une mesure du rayonnement électromagnétique (22) du soleil (21). L'unité (34), récupérant les signaux issus de la tête HF (4) sera moins économique (d'où l'intérêt de déporter cette fonction dans le décodeur (9) qui est équipé d'un tuner-démodulateur pouvant remplir la même fonction) car constituée par exemple d'un détecteur d'amplitude à base de diode PIN suivi d'une chaîne d'amplification classique. L'unité de traitement (37) a pour fonction principale d'orienter les informations adéquates collectées vers l'unité de signalisation (38) en fonction des commandes issues de l'unité de saisie (36). La Figure 4 décrit un mode particulier de réalisation d'un périphérique (5) de décodeur (9) , simple et très bas coût, selon l'invention. Le décodeur (9) pouvant par exemple envoyer des salves à 22Khz, d'autant plus rapprochées par exemple que le signal reçu est puissant, et éventuellement un signal continu à 22Khz quand le signal est démodulé, ledit périphérique simple (5) pourra comporter un démodulateur (42) , composé par exemple, après filtrage passe-haut pour éliminer la composante continue, et amplification du signal, d'un simple circuit de redressement- filtrage, par exemple d'une diode, d'une résistance et d'un condensateur en parallèle. Le signal commande un simple transistor activant un buzzer (41) alimenté par la tension continue présente sur le câble coaxial (6) .FIG. 3 describes a particular embodiment of an autonomous device according to the invention, which is provided with a unit for measuring solar radiation (35), with a unit for measuring satellite radiation (34), a power supply unit (39), a processing unit (37), an input unit (36) and an audible, visual or vibrating signaling unit (38). Said autonomous device can be placed, if necessary, directly on the HF head (4) in order to recover the waves reflected by the parabola (1) outside the bandwidth of the HF head (4), making it possible to easily discriminate the source of the electromagnetic power received (satellite or sun). The unit (35) may consist of a simple wire antenna, a bandpass filter followed by a simple amplitude detector with amplification. The signal from this unit will be deemed to be a measure of the electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21). The unit (34), recovering the signals coming from the HF head (4) will be less economical (hence the advantage of deporting this function in the decoder (9) which is equipped with a tuner-demodulator which can fulfill the same function) because it consists for example of an amplitude detector based on a PIN diode followed by a conventional amplification chain. The main function of the processing unit (37) is to direct the appropriate information collected towards the signaling unit (38) according to the commands from the input unit (36). Figure 4 describes a particular embodiment of a decoder device (5), simple and very low cost, according to the invention. The decoder (9) being able for example to send bursts at 22Khz, all the more close together for example that the received signal is strong, and possibly a continuous signal at 22Khz when the signal is demodulated, said simple peripheral (5) could include a demodulator (42), composed for example, after high-pass filtering to eliminate the DC component, and amplification of the signal, of a simple rectification-filtering circuit, for example of a diode, of a resistance and of a capacitor in parallel. The signal controls a simple transistor activating a buzzer (41) supplied by the DC voltage present on the coaxial cable (6).
Selon différents modes de mise en œuvre du procédé selon l'invention : on utilise le rayonnement électromagnétique du soleil loin de son spectre visible, et en particulier à des longueurs d'onde beaucoup plus grandes que celles dudit spectre ; on utilise ladite antenne de réception pour capter et amplifier ledit rayonnement électromagnétique d'origine solaire, y compris si nécessaire les composantes fréquentielles de ce rayonnement qui ne sont pas dans les plages prévues de fonctionnement de ladite antenne ; on utilise le fait que ledit rayonnement sera d'autant mieux capté que ladite antenne sera bien orientée vers le soleil, ce qui permettra de pointer très précisément ladite antenne sur le soleil ; on peut se servir du rayonnement électromagnétique dudit émetteur visé pour ajuster le réglage de l'antenne ; - on peut se servir du tuner et le 'cas échéant du démodulateur du décodeur pour détecter ou mesurer la puissance électromagnétique solaire captée par l'antenne ; on peut se servir du démodulateur du décodeur, qu'il soit analogique ou numérique ou les deux, pour s'assurer que les signaux reçus ne peuvent être démodulés, et proviennent donc probablement du soleil ; on peut se servir du décodeur pour mesurer la puissance et la qualité des signaux reçus (mesure de taux d'erreurs), voire extraire desdits signaux toute information permettant de savoir quel émetteur on est en train de viser, ce qui permet de pointer finalement très précisément l'antenne sur le bon émetteur ; on peut se servir, à l'endroit où on installe l'antenne, d'un moyen de visualiser, d'entendre ou de sentir (par vibrations) des informations permettant de régler l'antenne, éventuellement envoyées par le décodeur.According to different embodiments of the method according to the invention: electromagnetic radiation from the sun is used far from its visible spectrum, and in particular at wavelengths much greater than those of said spectrum; said receiving antenna is used to collect and amplify said electromagnetic radiation of solar origin, including if necessary the frequency components of this radiation which are not within the expected operating ranges of said antenna; we use the fact that said radiation will be all the better captured that said antenna will be well oriented towards the sun, which will point said antenna very precisely on the sun; electromagnetic radiation from said target transmitter can be used to adjust the antenna setting; - one can use the tuner and if necessary the demodulator of the decoder to detect or measure the solar electromagnetic power picked up by the antenna; we can use the decoder demodulator, whether analog or digital or both, to ensure that the received signals cannot be demodulated, and therefore probably originate from the sun; we can use the decoder to measure the power and the quality of the signals received (measurement of error rate), or even extract from said signals any information allowing to know which transmitter we are targeting, which allows us to point very precisely the antenna on the right transmitter; one can use, at the place where the antenna is installed, a means of viewing, hearing or feeling (by vibration) information making it possible to adjust the antenna, possibly sent by the decoder.
Selon différents modes de réalisation du dispositif selon l'invention, ce dernier peut : comporter des moyens visuels et/ou sonores et/ou vibrants lui permettant de fournir, à proximité du lieu d'installation de l'antenne (1), toute information aidant à faire la différence entre le rayonnement électromagnétique solaire (22) et le rayonnement d'un satellite (12), étant entendu par exemple, et de façon non limitative, qu'une simple mesure de taux d'erreurs issue d'un démodulateur, associée à une mesure de la puissance du signal reçu peut aider à faire cette différence ; être directement intégré avec ou dans la tête HF (dite LNB) sous quelque forme que ce soit (par exemple, sous la forme de composants, d'une carte ou d'un sous-bloc) ; - être constitué d'un décodeur (9) disposant des moyens électroniques et logiciels (résidants ou apportés par un dispositif enfichable de type PCMCIA, carte à puce, carte mémoire, la liste n'étant pas limitative) pour piloter à distance un dispositif (5) déporté, équipé de moyens d'information sonore, visuelle ou vibrante ; être un moyen de visualiser, d'entendre ou de sentir (par vibrations) les informations permettant de régler l'antenne (1), à l'endroit où on l'installe, et piloté par un décodeur (9) selon la revendication 9. According to different embodiments of the device according to the invention, the latter can: include visual and / or sound and / or vibrating means enabling it to provide, near the place of installation of the antenna (1), any information helping to differentiate between solar electromagnetic radiation (22) and radiation from a satellite (12), it being understood for example, and in a nonlimiting manner, that a simple measurement of error rate originating from a demodulator , combined with a measurement of the received signal strength can help make this difference; be directly integrated with or in the HF head (called LNB) in any form whatsoever (for example, in the form of components, of a card or of a sub-block); - be made up of a decoder (9) having electronic and software means (resident or provided by a plug-in device of the PCMCIA type, chip card, memory card, the list not being exhaustive) to remotely control a device ( 5) deported, equipped with means of sound, visual or vibrating information; be a means of viewing, hearing or feeling (by vibration) the information making it possible to adjust the antenna (1), at the place where it is installed, and controlled by a decoder (9) according to claim 9 .

Claims

Revendications claims
1) Procédé permettant d'orienter facilement une antenne (1) de télévision satellite (13) ou terrestre, prévoyant de viser tout d'abord le soleil (21) à un moment quelconque pour disposer d'une référence absolue d'azimut et/ou d'élévation de ladite antenne (1), puis de changer si nécessaire l'azimut et/ou l'élévation de ladite antenne (1) de façon relative, afin de pointer finalement l'émetteur visé (13), caractérisé en ce que : - on utilise le rayonnement électromagnétique (22) du soleil (21) loin de son spectre visible, et en particulier à des longueurs d'onde beaucoup plus grandes que celles dudit spectre, on utilise ladite antenne de réception (1) pour capter et amplifier ledit rayonnement électromagnétique (22) d'origine solaire, y compris si nécessaire les composantes fréquentielles de ce rayonnement qui ne sont pas dans les plages prévues de fonctionnement de ladite antenne (1) , on utilise le fait que ledit rayonnement (22) sera d'autant mieux capté que ladite antenne (1) sera bien orientée vers le soleil (21) , ce qui permettra de pointer très précisément ladite antenne (1) sur le soleil (21) .1) Method for easily orienting a satellite (13) or terrestrial television antenna (1), providing first of all to aim at the sun (21) at any time in order to have an absolute azimuth reference and / or elevation of said antenna (1), then if necessary change the azimuth and / or elevation of said antenna (1) in a relative manner, in order to finally point at the targeted transmitter (13), characterized in that that: - electromagnetic radiation (22) from the sun (21) is used far from its visible spectrum, and in particular at wavelengths much greater than those of said spectrum, said receiving antenna (1) is used to pick up and amplifying said electromagnetic radiation (22) of solar origin, including if necessary the frequency components of this radiation which are not within the expected operating ranges of said antenna (1), the fact that said radiation (22) is used will be all the better captured q ue said antenna (1) will be oriented towards the sun (21), which will point very precisely said antenna (1) on the sun (21).
2) Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce qu'on se sert du rayonnement électromagnétique (12) dudit émetteur visé (13) pour ajuster le réglage de l'antenne (1) . 3) Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 caractérisé en ce qu'on se sert du tuner et le cas échéant du démodulateur du décodeur (9) pour détecter ou mesurer la puissance électromagnétique solaire captée par l'antenne (1) .2) Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one uses the electromagnetic radiation (12) of said targeted transmitter (13) to adjust the setting of the antenna (1). 3) Method according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that one uses the tuner and if necessary the demodulator of the decoder (9) to detect or measure the solar electromagnetic power picked up by the antenna (1).
4) Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2 ou 3 caractérisé en ce qu'on se sert du démodulateur du décodeur (9), qu'il soit analogique ou numérique ou les deux, pour s'assurer que les signaux reçus ne peuvent être démodulés, et proviennent donc probablement du soleil (21) . 5) Procédé selon l'une au moins des revendications précédentes caractérisé en ce qu'on se sert du décodeur (9) pour mesurer la puissance et la qualité des signaux reçus (mesure de taux d'erreurs), voire extraire desdits signaux toute information permettant de savoir quel émetteur (13) on est en train de viser, ce qui permet de pointer finalement très précisément l'antenne (1) sur le bon émetteur (13) .4) Method according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 characterized in that one uses the decoder demodulator (9), whether analog or digital or both, to ensure that the received signals can not be demodulated , and therefore probably come from the sun (21). 5) Method according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the decoder (9) is used to measure the power and the quality of the signals received (measurement of error rate), or even extract from said signals any information allowing to know which transmitter (13) one is aiming at, which makes it possible to point the antenna (1) very precisely in the end at the correct transmitter (13).
6) Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'on se sert, à l'endroit où on installe l'antenne (1), d'un moyen de visualiser, d'entendre ou de sentir (par vibrations) des informations permettant de régler l'antenne (1) , éventuellement envoyées par le décodeur (9).6) Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one uses, at the place where the antenna is installed (1), a means of viewing, hearing or feeling (by vibrations) information enabling the antenna (1) to be adjusted, possibly sent by the decoder (9).
7) Dispositif autre qu'un décodeur domestique, permettant de mettre en œuvre le procédé selon l'une des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des moyens visuels et/ou sonores et/ou vibrants lui permettant de fournir, à proximité du lieu d'installation de l'antenne (1), toute information aidant à faire la différence entre le rayonnement électromagnétique solaire (22) et le rayonnement d'un satellite (12), étant entendu par exemple, et de façon non limitative, qu'une simple mesure de taux d'erreurs issue d'un démodulateur, associée à une mesure de la puissance du signal reçu peut aider à faire cette différence, et entre donc dans le champ d'application de cette revendication. 8) Dispositif permettant de mettre en œuvre le procédé selon l'une au moins des revendications 1 à 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il est directement intégré avec ou dans la tête HF (4) (dite LNB) sous quelque forme que ce soit (par exemple, sous la forme de composants, d'une carte ou d'un sous-bloc). 9) Dispositif permettant de mettre en œuvre le procédé selon la revendication 6, et utilisant éventuellement un dispositif selon la revendication 7, caractérisé en ce qu'il est constitué d'un décodeur (9) disposant des moyens électroniques et logiciels (résidants ou apportés par un dispositif enfichable de type PCMCIA, carte à puce, carte mémoire, la liste n'étant pas limitative) pour piloter à distance un dispositif (5) déporté, équipé de moyens d'information sonore, visuelle ou vibrante.7) Device other than a household decoder, making it possible to implement the method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises visual and / or sound and / or vibrating means enabling it to provide, close the place of installation of the antenna (1), any information helping to differentiate between the solar electromagnetic radiation (22) and the radiation of a satellite (12), being understood for example, and in a nonlimiting manner, that a simple measurement of the error rate from a demodulator, associated with a measurement of the power of the received signal can help to make this difference, and therefore falls within the scope of this claim. 8) Device for implementing the method according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is directly integrated with or into the HF head (4) (called LNB) in any form whatsoever (for example, in the form of components, a card or a sub-block). 9) Device for implementing the method according to claim 6, and optionally using a device according to claim 7, characterized in that it consists of a decoder (9) having electronic and software means (residents or brought by a plug-in device of the PCMCIA type, smart card, memory card, the list not being restrictive) to remotely control a remote device (5), equipped with means of sound, visual or vibrating information.
10) Dispositif permettant de mettre en œuvre le procédé selon la revendication 6, caractérisé en ce qu'il est un moyen de visualiser, d'entendre ou de sentir (par vibrations) les informations permettant de régler l'antenne (1), à l'endroit où on l'installe, et piloté par un décodeur (9) selon la revendication 9. 10) Device for implementing the method according to claim 6, characterized in that it is a means of viewing, hearing or feeling (by vibration) the information for adjusting the antenna (1), the place where it is installed, and controlled by a decoder (9) according to claim 9.
PCT/FR2003/002380 2002-07-29 2003-07-28 Economical method and device for easily pointing a satellite or terrestrial television antenna WO2004013931A2 (en)

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WO2004013931A3 (en) 2004-04-01

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