Patent ID: 7436370
Filing Date: 2008-10-14
Classification: H01Q

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling the polarization of a phased array antenna having a plurality of individual radiator elements, each of which is capable of radiating and receiving signals in one of two orthogonal, switch-selected polarizations, to yield a desired polarization in said antenna with any desired slant angle, comprising the steps of: determining a desired polarization slant angle for said phased array antenna for communication with an orbiting satellite from a terrestrial location; employing a polarization assignment algorithm to calculate a population ratio of said plurality of radiator elements between two orthogonal polarizations to ascertain a determined polarization state, from said two orthogonal polarizations, for each said plurality of radiator elements, to achieve said population ratio; and switching each respective said radiator element, to said determined polarization state, to yield said population ratio, whereby the desired slant angle is achieved in said phased array antenna.