Abstract:
A method of receiving a satellite signal using a satellite dish connected to a receiver, the method includes a peak identification stage including automatically sweeping the satellite dish to identify peaks of satellite signals received by the receiver having a center frequency matching the center frequency of the satellite signal, a peak evaluation stage including automatically evaluating one or more said peaks by determining the bandwidth thereof and choosing the peak having a bandwidth matching the bandwidth of the satellite signal, and a signal strength maximizing stage including automatically sweeping the satellite dish until the signal strength of a satellite signal having said bandwidth is maximized.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. Nos. 61/861,522 and 61/861,550 both filed Aug. 2, 2013 under 35 U.S.C. §§119, 120, 363, 365, and 37 C.F.R. §1.55 and §1.78 and is incorporated herein by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This invention relates to an antenna system. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Antenna positioning systems typically point an antenna towards a satellite in geosynchronous orbit above the earth to acquire the signals emitted from the transponder of the satellite. Antenna positioning systems typically include, inter alia, a dish or reflector and a feed or feed horn. The reflector receives the signals broadcast from the satellite transponder and focuses them on a focal point where the feed is located. 
         [0004]    Some antenna reflectors focus the signals on a focal point located at the center axis of the reflector. Other antenna reflectors focus the signals on a focal point which is offset from the center axis of the reflector. The purpose of the offset design is to move the antenna feed out of the path of the incoming signal from the satellite to reduce the shadowing found in satellite systems with center axis feeds. 
         [0005]    Some satellites may transmit signals in a circular band or in a linear polarization plane. In order to acquire signals transmitted in the linear polarization plane, the skew angle, or skew offset, of the reflector must be adjusted. 
         [0006]    Some conventional antenna positioning systems with a centrally located focal point and feed rely on manually rotating the antenna to adjust the skew angle. Conventional antenna positioning systems with an offset focal point and offset feed similarly rotate the reflector and feed about the offset axis to adjust the skew angle. Such offset positioning systems may include features to automatically adjust the skew angle. However, the offset antenna positioning systems may require various components associated with transmitting and receiving signals to be located in or on the offset feed. The offset feed also requires a longer RF path which will induce losses. The offset design also results in a larger moment arm and therefore requires a larger and more powerful drive motor to rotate the antenna reflector. 
         [0007]    Commercial and military satellites have both beacon and transponder broadcasts. Each satellite typically has multiple transponders that are used for data transfer. These transponders often have overlapping areas of reception on the surface of the earth. Users of satellite antenna systems need to orient the receiving antenna dish to the correct azimuth and elevation to receive an optimal signal from the desired satellite. For satellite signals broadcast in a linear polarization plane, the correct skew angle must also be set. Users need to differentiate between the desired signal from all other signals that can be received at a single location. 
         [0008]    Conventional satellite antenna systems, for acquiring broadcast transponder signals from a satellite, may use the GPS location of the satellite antenna, the coordinates of the satellite, and a compass to orient the receiver dish to the correct azimuth. An inclinometer may be used to orient the reflector or dish to the correct elevation, and a skew adjustment is done manually or automatically by inputting the values from a preset table of values for a particular satellite and transponder. Such steps may have inherent errors due to the mechanical placement of the various components. 
         [0009]    After the antenna dish is pointed to the desired satellite, conventional systems rely on a terminal and software to identify the received signals. Using the manually input information, the user identifies multiple signals, each of varying strength, which the terminal is receiving. Software may then be used to identify which of the broadcasted transponder signals the antenna positioning system is receiving and the result may be displayed on a terminal. If the signal strength is inadequate, the user must manually adjust the antenna orientation to maximize the signal. This alignment can be performed either by mechanical adjustments or motorized adjustments via a terminal application. The antenna is moved again until the data appears to be consistently streamed via the software application. However, such a technique requires significant user analysis and intervention. The manual acquisition of the satellite signal is also cumbersome, time consuming and inefficient. The existing process also relies on a single, fixed satellite configuration, however satellite configurations may change. 
         [0010]    Conventional antenna positioning systems also typically include a modem to form a signal lock after the operator has positioned the antenna to maximize the energy per bit of signal. However, using a modem may require additional components, complexity, and expense to the antenna positioning system. Also, a modem provisioned for one satellite broadcast signal may not operate correctly for other satellite broadcast signals. Other conventional antenna positioning systems may rely on a reference satellite to calculate the position of the desired satellite. However, the configuration of the reference satellite may change resulting in the need to recalibrate the system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    Thus, there is a need for an antenna positioning system with centrally located feed and a need to automatically adjust the skew angle of the reflector to acquire satellite signals broadcast in a linear polarization plane. Featured is a transportable K U  band antenna system with fully automated satellite signal acquisition. 
         [0012]    In one aspect a method of receiving a satellite signal using a satellite dish connected to a receiver is featured. The method includes a peak identification stage including automatically sweeping the satellite dish to identify peaks of satellite signals received by the receiver having a center frequency matching the center frequency of the satellite signal, a peak evaluation stage including automatically evaluating one or more said peaks by determining the bandwidth thereof and choosing the peak having a bandwidth matching the bandwidth of the satellite signal. A signal strength maximizing stage including automatically sweeping the satellite dish until the signal strength of a satellite signal having said bandwidth is maximized. 
         [0013]    In one example, the peak evaluation stage may include off-tuning the receiver until a satellite signal strength is reduced by a predetermined amount to calculate the satellite signal bandwidth. The peak evaluation stage may include determining the center frequency of a chosen peak and determining if it matches the center frequency of the satellite signal. The peak identification stage may include elevating the satellite dish to an elevation matching the location of the satellite and then automatically sweeping the antenna dish in azimuth at said elevation. The peak identification stage may include adjusting the skew of the satellite dish to maximize signal reception. Elevating the satellite dish may include elevating the satellite dish based on the position of the satellite, the location of the satellite dish, and the orientation of the satellite dish. The peak identification stage may include automatic azimuth sweeps of the satellite dish at different elevations. The signal strength maximizing stage may include both azimuth and elevation sweeps of the antenna dish. The signal strength maximizing stage may include course azimuth and elevation sweeps followed by fine azimuth and elevation sweeps. The peak evaluation stage may be performed for each sweep increment in the azimuth and elevation sweeps. The method may include a first physical positioning of the satellite dish as a function of the position of the satellite, the position of the satellite dish, and the azimuth of the satellite dish. The first physical positioning stage may include providing an indicator informing the user how to physically position the satellite dish. 
         [0014]    In another aspect, a satellite antenna system is featured. The system includes a satellite dish maneuverable via an elevation drive and a azimuth drive, a receiver for receiving satellite signals, and a controller subsystem responsive to the receiver and configured to identify peaks of satellite signal by controlling the azimuth drive to sweep the antenna dish, evaluate one or more of the peaks by off-tuning said receiver to determine the bandwidth of one or more received peak satellite signals, and maximize signal strength by controlling said azimuth and/or elevation drive to sweep said antenna dish until satellite signal strength is maximized. 
         [0015]    In one example, off-tuning said receiver may include off-tuning the receiver until the satellite signal strength is reduced by a predetermined amount to calculate the received satellite signal bandwidth. The controller subsystem may be configured to elevate the satellite dish to an elevation matching the location of the satellite prior to identifying peaks of satellite signals. The system may include a skew drive and the controller subsystem is configured to control the skew drive to maximize signal reception. The system may include a GPS subsystem for determining the location of the satellite dish and one or more sensors for determining the orientation of the satellite dish. The controller subsystem may be configured to identify peaks of the satellite signals by controlling the azimuth drive to sweep the antenna dish at different elevations. The controller subsystem may be configured to off-tune said receiver to determine the bandwidth of one or more received satellite signals while controlling the azimuth and/or elevation drives to sweep the antenna dish until satellite signal strength is maximized. 
         [0016]    In another aspect, a method of receiving a satellite signal is featured. The method includes using a dish connected to a receiver to identify satellite signal peaks as the dish is automatically moved to different elevations and/or azimuth orientations, evaluating one or more said peaks to determine the bandwidth and center frequency thereof by automatically moving the dish to receive said identified satellite signal peaks, and automatically sweeping said satellite dish in elevation and/or azimuth until signal strength is maximized while evaluating the bandwidth of a received satellite signal. 
         [0017]    The subject invention, however, in other embodiments, need not achieve all these objectives and the claims hereof should not be limited to structures or methods capable of achieving these objectives. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    Other objects, features, and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of a preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing the front of a prior art antenna; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view showing the rear of the antenna of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a schematic view showing the primary components associated with an example of a portable antenna in accordance with the invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is another schematic view of the antenna shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing how the antenna reflector, skew drive, and transceiver can be decoupled from and coupled to the antenna support subsystem; 
           [0024]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing the skew drive for the portable antenna; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing the primary components associated with the antenna skew drive of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is a schematic exploded view showing the primary components associated an example of an antenna elevation drive; 
           [0027]      FIG. 9  is a schematic exploded view showing the primary components associated with the antenna azimuth drive; 
           [0028]      FIG. 10  is a block diagram showing the various subsystems used to adjust the skew angle, azimuth, and elevation of the reflector; 
           [0029]      FIG. 11  is a block diagram depicting  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B, and  11 C; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 11A-11C  are flow charts depicting the primary steps associated with methods of and systems for tracking a satellite signal in accordance with an example of the subject invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a view of one representation of a received satellite signal on the frequency domain; 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a block diagram showing the primary components associated with an example of an antenna system which automatically locks onto and tracks a satellite signal; 
           [0033]      FIG. 14  is a block diagram depicting  FIGS. 14A ,  154 B, and  14 C; and 
           [0034]      FIGS. 14A-14C  are flow charts depicting the primary steps associated with the computer instructions of the controller subsystem shown in  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0035]    Aside from the preferred embodiment or embodiments disclosed below, this invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Thus, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. If only one embodiment is described herein, the claims hereof are not to be limited to that embodiment. Moreover, the claims hereof are not to be read restrictively unless there is clear and convincing evidence manifesting a certain exclusion, restriction, or disclaimer. 
         [0036]    As discussed in the Background section above, conventional antenna positioning systems with a feed located at the center axis of the reflector usually rely on manually rotating the reflector to adjust the skew angle. Other conventional antenna positioning systems rely on rotating the reflector and feed horn about a focal point which is offset or off-axis from the center axis reflector to adjust the skew angle to acquire satellite signals broadcast in a linear polarization plane. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,839,348, incorporated by reference herein, includes parabolic reflector  10 ,  FIGS. 1-2  and offset feed horn  12  which receives satellite signals broadcast in the K U  band. The focal point of reflector  10  is offset from center axis  14  to direct the satellite signals to offset feed  12 . In order the adjust the skew angle, the &#39;348 patent teaches skew adjusting unit  20 ,  FIG. 2 , with skew sprocket  22  mounted to reflector  10  and skew servo motor  24  which drives skew sprocket  22  about axis  28 , which is offset from center axis  14  to rotate parabolic reflector  10 . Elevation adjustment is via sprocket  23 ,  FIG. 1 , and chain  25  about another sprocket driven by a motor. 
         [0037]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,284,112, incorporated by reference herein, similarly discloses an antenna with offset feed and an offset focal point which is rotated about an offset axis point to adjust the skew of antenna system. 
         [0038]    As discussed in the Background section above, conventional antenna positioning systems such as the &#39;348 patent and the &#39;112 patent require various components associated with transmitting and receiving signals to be located on the offset feed, e.g., LNB  33 ,  FIG. 1 , orthomode transducer (OMT), and wave guide  35  located on offset feed  12 . The offset focal point also has a large moment arm and therefore requires a larger and more powerful drive motor  24 ,  FIG. 2 . 
         [0039]    Featured here is an antenna positioning system with automated skew positioning. One embodiment of this invention includes antenna subsystem  52 ,  FIGS. 3-5  which includes reflector  54  and feed  56  located at center axis  58  of reflector  54 . Feed  56  can be releasably affixed to plate  76 . Antenna subsystem  52  is configured to receive signals from a satellite transponder broadcast in a linear polarization plane and to focus the signals on feed  56  located at center axis  58  of reflector  54 . In one example, the antenna is configured as a 1.0 meter K U  band system. 
         [0040]    In this particular example, the portable antenna system includes base unit  64 ,  FIGS. 3-5  supported by tripod  66  with telescoping legs. Post  68  is rotatably coupled to base unit  64  and driven by an azimuth adjustment motor inside base unit  64 . The distal end of post  68  supports a tube shaped housing  70  ( FIG. 8 ) with bracket  72 ,  FIG. 4  rotatably coupled thereto. Skew drive  60  is mounted to the top of bracket  72  in this example and includes forward output drive shaft  74  coupled to the center of the rear of reflector  54  via flange  75  and plate  76  fastened to the rear of reflector  54 . Preferably, skew drive  60  also includes rearward output drive shaft  78  coupled to transceiver  80  via flange  79 . When skew drive  60  is operated under the control of a computer subsystem preferably associated with base  64 , shafts  74  and  78  rotate at the same rate and in the same direction to adjust the skew angle of reflector  54 . In this particular example, a polarizer is built into transceiver  80  and so shaft  78  rotates transceiver  80  and its polarizer the same as reflector  54  is rotated to automatically acquire satellite transponder signals broadcast in a linear polarization plane. Skew angle algorithms for the computer subsystem are known in the art. The computer subsystem may feature or include a microcontroller, a processor, an application specific integrated circuit, and/or a field programmable gate array, or the like and associated signal conditioning circuitry for carrying out the instructions of the algorithms and controlling the skew, azimuth, and elevation motors. 
         [0041]    In one preferred design, an elevation motor (e.g., a harmonic drive) is configured to rotate bracket  72  relative to post  68  to vary and adjust the elevation or inclination of reflector  54 . Also, an azimuth motor is configured to rotate post  68  to vary and adjust the azimuth of reflector  54 . The computer subsystem associated with base unit  64  controls the elevation motor and azimuth motor to adjust the elevation and azimuth of reflector  54  automatically. Known elevation and azimuth control algorithms can be used but preferably the algorithms described herein are used. 
         [0042]    Preferably skew drive  60 ,  FIG. 6  includes handle  90  for easy handling of the skew drive during assembly and disassembly of the system in the field. The feed  56  can be decoupled. The individual reflector petals  92   a ,  92   b ,  92   c , and the like (see  FIG. 3 ) can be decoupled from each other for storage via clips such as the clips shown at  94 . The skew drive  60  can be decoupled from bracket  72  and the reflector petals can be removed from plate  76 . The legs of tripod  66  can be collapsed and tripod  66  can be decoupled from base unit  64  for compact transport of the antenna system components in a single shipping container or transit case. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , the skew drive includes skew motor  160  which rotates worm gear shaft  162  which drives gear  164 . Gear  164  drives (rotates) both the forward and rearward outputs of the skew drive including shaft  74  (connected to flange  75 ) and shaft  78  (attached to flange  79 ). Thus, gear  164  is coupled to flanges  75  and  79  to simultaneously rotate the dish (coupled to flange  75  through plate  76 ) and transceiver  80  (coupled to flange  79 ). 
         [0044]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , elevation motor  120  is fixed inside post  68  distal housing  70 . In  FIG. 8 , plate  182  is bolted to the rotating bracket ( 72 ,  FIG. 5 ) and is driven by motor  120 . In this way, elevation motor  120  rotates the bracket relative to housing  70  of post  68 . Ring  180  rotates relative to housing  70  and is fixed to the other side of the bracket and to coupling  122 ,  FIG. 3  which receives signals from transceiver  80  to be routed to the base unit. 
         [0045]    For the azimuth drive, various designs can be used.  FIG. 9  shows a simplified version where azimuth motor  190  rotates post  68  relative to base unit  64 ,  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    Computer subsystem  200 ,  FIG. 10  (e.g., one or more microcontrollers, drivers, and/or microprocessors) is preferably located in base unit  64 ,  FIG. 1  and is configured to determine the correct skew angle, azimuth, and elevation using algorithms  214 ,  212 , and  210  to align the antenna reflector and to determine the best reflector and transceiver skew angle associated with satellite transponder signals broadcast in a linear polarization plane. Computer subsystem  200  then controls azimuth motor  190  and elevation motor  120  to point the reflector in the correct azimuth and elevation directions. Computer subsystem  200  may also automatically control skew drive  60  to rotate the reflector, the feed, and the transceiver an appropriate number of degrees, setting the skew angle of the reflector so as to accurately and efficiently acquire any linearly polarized signals. 
         [0047]    In one example, the adjustment algorithms primarily rely on the RF strength of the signals broadcast from the transponder of a satellite to acquire the antenna. Once the user selects a desired satellite and inputs the required information, computer subsystem  200  calculates and programs transceiver  80  to the appropriate frequency. The adjustment algorithms then use the latitudinal and longitudinal position via GPS (not shown) to determine where the reflector should be aimed initially using azimuth motor  190  and elevation motor  120  in order to acquire the transponder signals broadcast by the satellite. Algorithm  214  automatically adjusts the skew angle of reflector to acquire the satellite transponder signals broadcast in a linear polarization plane. 
         [0048]    Note that skew drive  60 ,  FIGS. 3-4  rotates the antenna  52  about its center axis. Thus, the antenna has a centrally located feed and efficiently rotates the antenna about center axis  52  to automatically adjust the skew angle. Such a design reduces the moment arm required to rotate reflector  54 , feed, and transceiver as compared to the offset or off-axis antenna positioning systems discussed above. This allows the drive system to use a less powerful and less expensive motor. The centrally located feed also eliminates the problems associated with an offset feed as discussed above. 
         [0049]    In one specific preferred design, which can also be used to acquire satellite signals using other antenna system, the satellite signal processing/controller subsystem operates as follows. 
         [0050]    There is shown in  FIGS. 11-11C  one embodiment of the automated, modem-less method for tracking satellite transponder signals of this invention. The method includes providing an antenna system including at least a reflector and a feed, or other satellite antenna, e.g., flat panel slot array, box horn array, and the like, collectively referred to herein as an antenna, a computer subsystem, a transceiver, an elevation motor, an azimuth motor, and preferably a skew motor if needed, step  300 . The method also includes determining the position of the satellite antenna system, step  302 . The direction the satellite dish is pointing is then determined, step  304 . The orbital location of the satellite and the center frequency, symbol rate and/or broadcast bandwidth of the transponder broadcast signal is then input, step  316 . The skew angle of the transponder broadcast signal is then calculated, step  318 . The skew angle of the antenna dish is then set to maximize reception of the transponder broadcast signals, step  320 . The correct elevation and azimuth direction to point the antenna dish is then calculated based on the inputted orbital location of the satellite, step  322 . The antenna dish is then automatically pointed to the calculated correct azimuth and elevation direction, step  324 , using the azimuth and elevation drives. An azimuth sweep at the calculated elevation is then performed to locate RF power peaks associated with the transponder broadcast signals at the inputted center frequency, step  326 . If no RF power peaks are located, step  326  is repeated until RF peaks associated with the transponder broadcast signals are located. The RF power peak closest to the calculated azimuth position is then evaluated, step  328 . The signal strength of the evaluated power peak at the inputted center frequency is then determined, step  330 ,  FIG. 11B . The transceiver is then off-tuned by a predetermined amount, e.g., about 40%, and then tuned closer to the starting frequency in small steps until a predetermined reduction in signal strength of the transponder broadcast signal is reached, e.g., about a 15% reduction in comparison to the signal strength of the evaluated power peak, Step  332 . The channel bandwidth and carrier edges of the evaluated power peak are calculated, step  334 , e.g., by subtracting the predetermined reduction in the signal strength from the signal strength of the evaluated power peak and multiplying that result by 2. 
         [0051]      FIG. 12  shows one example of evaluated power peak  436  with center frequency  438  and carrier edges  440  and  442 . The calculated channel bandwidth of the evaluated power peak is compared to the inputted symbol rate or channel bandwidth to determine if the calculated channel bandwidth is within a predetermined percentage of the input symbol rate or channel bandwidth, step  344 ,  FIG. 11B , e.g., more that about 80% but less than about 150% of the input symbol rate or channel bandwidth. A determination is made whether the channel bandwidth of the evaluated peak is within the predetermined percentage, step  346 . If yes, indicated at step  348 , a determination is made whether the transponder broadcast signal is centered on the center frequency by measuring the signal strength at the carrier edges of the evaluated peak and evaluating it to whether the carrier edges are within a predetermined percentage of each other, e.g., about 2%, step  352 . If no, indicated at step  350 , the next power peak is evaluated, step  356 , and steps  330 - 346  are performed again. A determination is made if the transponder broadcast signals are centered on the center frequency, step  360 . If yes, indicated at step  362 , an antenna sweep in the azimuth direction is performed until maximum signal strength is achieved while maintaining the predetermined percentage between the carrier edges, step  364 . If no, indicated at step  366 , steps  330  to  352  are repeated. The antenna is then moved in elevation until maximum signal strength is achieved while maintaining the predetermined percentage difference between the carrier edges, step  368 ,  FIG. 11C . Moving the antenna or reflector in the azimuth and elevation direction in steps  364  and  368  may include rough and fine steps, discussed below. 
         [0052]    The result is an automated, modem-less method for tracking satellite transponder signals without the need for significant user intervention. 
         [0053]    Ground reception of satellite broadcasts typically requires a number of data points to locate and lock onto an orbiting satellite. The following information is preferably provided to the automatic acquisition terminal controller subsystem  600 ,  FIG. 13  in order for a terminal to acquire the specific signal from a specific satellite. 
         [0054]    The GPS location of the satellite dish is provided via on-board GPS unit  602 . The compass orientation of satellite dish is provided via compass unit  604 . The physical orientation of dish placement (i.e., a level surface, an inclined surface) is provided using a three axis accelerometer  606 . The Clarke Belt Position (Orbital Position) of the satellite is input using I/O section  608  or it can be retrieved from memory. The Transponder Center Frequency for the desired satellite can be entered, or is retrieved from memory. The Occupied Channel Bandwidth or Channel Symbol Rate of the satellite signal can be entered or retrieved from memory  604 . The Antenna Beam Width is typically stored in memory based on the size of the dish. 
         [0055]    In the first stage, the antenna is physically positioned on the ground or other surface. The automated, modem-less method for tracking satellite transponder signals of one or more embodiments of this invention is preferably part of an antenna positioning system which uses the stored Clarke Belt position of a satellite in conjunction with the compass and GPS data the terminal receives from its onboard software to determine the proper azimuth, elevation, and skew for the satellite in question. 
         [0056]    When powered ON, step  502 ,  FIG. 14A , the base unit display  65 ,  FIG. 3  displays a rough pointing icon in its onboard display. The display will show an ‘X’ and two brackets [ ], step  512 ,  FIG. 14A . A User physically rotates the antenna unit until the X character shifts inside the bracket pair, called the “box”, step  514 . Once the X is inside the box, [X], the unit is set to the azimuth and ready to acquire a signal. We call this method for orienting satellite antennas “X in the Box” pointing. At step  504  in  FIG. 14A , the controller knows where it is, knows where the satellite is, and knows how the unit must be moved to aim the dish at the satellite using data from GPS subsystem  602 , compass  604 , and accelerometer  606 ,  FIG. 13 . Other possible steps associated with the physical set up of the antenna include verifying the correct chosen satellite profile and symbol rate, step  506  and using menu drive commands to make edits, or select a different profile, steps  508  and  510 . 
         [0057]    Having the antenna oriented to the approximately correct location of the satellite allows the terminal to perform the necessary steps to maximize the broadcast signal reception. The receiving antenna needs to orient in such a manner so the reception of a given signal is optimized for maximum data reception. The acquisition and maximization of the signal is performed in multiple stages. First, the proper skew angle of the antenna dish is set to correspond to the main lobe of the broadcast signal from the satellite, step  516 . Using the stored satellite and transponder data, the controller controls the skew drive  60 ,  FIG. 13  to maximize signal reception. 
         [0058]    In the second stage, power peaks are identified. Using the stored Clarke Belt position of the satellite, GPS, and orientation of the satellite antenna, the controller calculates the signal to be located and then rotates the antenna dish to the correct elevation, step  518  by controlling elevation motor  120 ,  FIG. 13 . Once at the correct acquisition angle, the antenna performs an azimuth sweep at the set elevation, step  520 ,  FIG. 14B  by controlling the azimuth motor  190 ,  FIG. 13 . 
         [0059]    The controller initially looks for RF power (from transceiver  80 ,  FIG. 13 ) at the specified satellite transponder center frequency during its azimuth sweeps. If the signal is not found during the first sweep, additional sweeps are performed at incrementing and decrementing elevations step  522  until either the signal is found or the search times out. 
         [0060]    When a power peak ( 438 ,  FIG. 12 ) is detected at the specified transponder center frequency, the controller completes that azimuth sweep to determine if there are additional peaks at that elevation. Once the successful sweep is completed and peaks are found and stored, the controller drives the antenna back through the successful azimuth sweep to evaluate the power peaks. 
         [0061]    In the third stage, the power peaks are evaluated. The power peak evaluation is preferably conducted in three steps. This evaluation process algorithm for automated, modem-less method for tracking satellite transponder signals may be embedded in firmware. The first step in the power peak evaluation is to determine the Channel Bandwidth of a received peak signal at the particular center frequency. The Channel Bandwidth is determined by taking an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) reading at the center frequency of the signal, and then off-tuning receiver  80 ,  FIG. 13  by about 40% of the Channel Symbol Rate and recording another reading. This off-tuned reading is compared to the initial reading and, if it is less than a 15% reduction in signal strength, the process is repeated. The controller will continue to off-tune the receiver from the center frequency in smaller steps until an approximate 15% reduction in signal strength is achieved. The frequency at the point the 15% reduction (e.g., 3 dB) is achieved is subtracted from the center frequency and multiplied by 2. In general, determining includes maximizing a function of the center frequency, the amplitude of the 3 dB right side of the signal, and the amplitude of the 3 dB left side of the signal. The resulting value is used as the Channel Bandwidth of the carrier in question, step  524 ,  FIG. 14C . 
         [0062]    For enablement purposes only, the following code portions are provided which can be executed on one or more microcontrollers, drivers, microprocessors, one or more processor, a computing device, or computer to carry out the primary steps and/or functions of systems and the methods thereof discussed above with reference to one or more  FIGS. 1-14C  and recited in the claims hereof. Other equivalent algorithms and code can be designed by a software engineer and/or programmer skilled in the art using the information provided herein. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   //Function to find a given satellite 
               
               
                   Start 
               
               
                     Determine edges of search window 
               
               
                     Move to horizontal edge 
               
               
                     Move to vertical center 
               
               
                     While( signal not found and vertical edge not reached ) 
               
               
                       Move slowly to opposite horizontal edge 
               
               
                       While ( moving ) 
               
               
                         Record signal strength and position 
               
               
                       End While 
               
               
                       Evaluate recorded data, looking for signals with the correct 
               
               
                       profile 
               
               
                       If ( potential signal found ) 
               
               
                         Move to signal location 
               
               
                         Evaluate signal further, looking at channel bandwidth 
               
               
                 and center frequency 
               
               
                         If ( proper signal verified ) 
               
               
                           Return success and move on to peak signal 
               
               
                         End If 
               
               
                       End If 
               
               
                       Make another sweep attempt at a new vertical position 
               
               
                     End While 
               
               
                     //At this point the search has failed 
               
               
                     Return failure 
               
               
                   End Function 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0063]    The second step in the power peak evaluation is to compare this calculated Channel Bandwidth of the carrier in question to the Channel Symbol Rate or Occupied Channel Bandwidth inputted to the terminal, step  526 ,  FIG. 14C . If the Channel Bandwidth of the carrier in question is within a specified percentage of Channel Symbol Rate, the terminal moves to the last stage, course and fine tuning. If the signal does not meet this requirement, the power peak evaluation is aborted and the terminal moves the antenna to evaluate the next peak in the successful azimuth sweep, step  528 . If no alternative peak was previously identified, the terminal resumes the azimuth search routine, step  520 . The last step in the power peak evaluation stage is to verify that the signal in question is centered on the center channel. The controller tunes the receiver and takes readings at the center frequency and edges of the determined channel bandwidth. If the edges of the determined channel bandwidth of the signal in question are within a about 2% of each other, step  528 , the terminal will begin the peaking process. If the signal is not centered, an alternative peak is evaluated, step  528 . This process ensures that as between two signals with a similar bandwidth, the correct signal is chosen. 
         [0064]    The signal strength maximizing stage is preferably conducted in four steps using the antenna beam width and the found channel bandwidth to maximize RSSI signal strength. The first step is a rough azimuth peak, step  530 ,  FIG. 14C  utilizing the found and stored channel bandwidth as a qualifier for each peaking step measurement as the azimuth of the antenna dish is varied. If the channel bandwidth edges are not within a specified percentage of each other, the peaking step is discarded. This allows the antenna to peak on only the carrier in question and prevents the antenna from peaking onto adjacent satellite signals. The controller will move the antenna dish in an azimuth sweep by increasingly smaller increments based on a percentage of the antenna beam width. The rough azimuth peak will maximize the signal to about 0.25 degrees of accuracy in azimuth. 
         [0065]    The second step is a rough elevation peak, step  532  utilizing the found channel bandwidth as a qualifier for each peaking step measurement. If the channel bandwidth edges are not within a specified percentage of each other, the peaking step is discarded. This allows the terminal to peak on only the carrier in question and prevents the antenna from peaking onto adjacent satellite signals. The controller will move the antenna dish in an elevation sweep by increasingly smaller increments based on a percentage of the antenna beam width. The rough elevation peak will maximize the signal to about 0.25 degrees of accuracy in elevation. 
         [0066]    The third step is a fine azimuth peak utilizing the found channel bandwidth as a qualifier for each peaking step measurement. If the channel bandwidth edges are not within a specified percentage of each other, the peaking step is discarded. This allows the antenna to peak on only the carrier in question and prevents the antenna from peaking onto adjacent satellite signals. The controller will move the antenna dish in an azimuth sweep by increasingly smaller increments, step  534  based on a percentage of the antenna beam width. The fine azimuth peak will maximize the signal to about 0.025 degrees of accuracy in azimuth. 
         [0067]    The fourth step is a fine elevation peak sweep, step  536  utilizing the found channel bandwidth as a qualifier for each peaking step measurement. If the channel bandwidth edges are not within a specified percentage of each other, the peaking step is discarded. This allows the antenna to peak on only the carrier in question and prevents the antenna from peaking onto adjacent satellite signals. The controller will move the antenna in an elevation sweep by increasingly smaller increments based on a percentage of the antenna beam width. The fine elevation peak will maximize the signal to about 0.025 degrees of accuracy in elevation. 
         [0068]    Once the azimuth and elevation are peaked at about the 0.025-degree of accuracy the antenna system has located and locked onto the specified transponder and signal from the specified satellite, step  540 . This terminal then stores and uses this data to maintain automatic signal lock during the communication time between the satellite antenna system and the satellite. In the event that the signal is lost due to environmental or other conditions, the controller will use the prior, stored data and peaking steps to re-acquire the signal from the satellite transponder. In a maintenance mode, every time period X (e.g., ½ hour), power peaking and/or other stages described above can be performed to lock into a signal in case the satellite gets bumped or otherwise moves. For satellite antenna systems without an automated skew adjustment, the skew angle adjustment steps described above are not employed. 
         [0069]    Although specific features of the invention are shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the invention. The words “including”, “comprising”, “having”, and “with” as used herein are to be interpreted broadly and comprehensively and are not limited to any physical interconnection. Moreover, any embodiments disclosed in the subject application are not to be taken as the only possible embodiments. 
         [0070]    In addition, any amendment presented during the prosecution of the patent application for this patent is not a disclaimer of any claim element presented in the application as filed: those skilled in the art cannot reasonably be expected to draft a claim that would literally encompass all possible equivalents, many equivalents will be unforeseeable at the time of the amendment and are beyond a fair interpretation of what is to be surrendered (if anything), the rationale underlying the amendment may bear no more than a tangential relation to many equivalents, and/or there are many other reasons the applicant cannot be expected to describe certain insubstantial substitutes for any claim element amended. 
         [0071]    Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims.