Patent ID: 8723724
Filing Date: 2014-05-13
Classification: H04B

Abstract:
1. A method of orienting a satellite antenna, the method comprising: transmitting a plurality of downlink spot beam signals over a plurality of spot beams from a satellite, each of the spot beams associated with a specific coverage area; transmitting a wide beam downlink signal over a wide area beam from the satellite, the wide area beam associated with a coverage area that includes each of the spot beams; receiving an uplink beacon signal at the satellite; generating azimuth and elevation antenna pointing error signals using a measurement of the uplink beacon signal; generating azimuth and elevation antenna pointing bias signals using a plurality of spot beam signal strength measurements made at a plurality of ground measurement terminals, the spot beam signal strength measurements made relative to the wide beam downlink signal; and positioning the satellite antenna based at least in part on the azimuth and elevation antenna pointing error signals and the azimuth and elevation antenna pointing bias signals.