Patent Publication Number: US-10784559-B2

Title: Rail-type portable satellite communication antenna

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/CN2016/097323, having a filing date of Aug. 30, 2016, based off Chinese application No. 201610693626.4 having a filing date of Aug. 19, 2016, the entire contents of both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
     The following relates to a field of satellite communication antennas, in particular to a rail-type portable satellite communication antenna. 
     BACKGROUND 
     VSAT is also called small terminal, small data station or Very Small Aperture Terminal, and can support various services. The terminal has a compact structure with a small sized antenna, and also features low energy consumption, low cost, and easy installation. However, due to factors of gravity, rotary inertia, and wind load, etc., such conventional portable satellite communication antenna requires high accuracy of rotary clearance of transmission mechanism and strict manufacturing process. 
     This is because, rotary clearance of transmission mechanism should be smaller than one eighth (⅛) of half-power beamwidth, e.g. an antenna with 1 meter diameter at Ku-band has a half-power beamwidth (3 dB beamwidth) of 1.6° at the receiving end and a half-power beamwidth (3 dB beamwidth) of 1.4° at the transmitting end, therefore rotary clearance of transmission mechanism should be smaller than 0.175° (1.4*1.8), which requires harmonic gear or other mechanical structure with higher accuracy. 
     To solve above mentioned problems, a conventional satellite antenna disclosed in Chinese patent CN 101950844 B is shown in  FIG. 1 , an antenna reflector  104  is mounted on a foldable fulcrum bar  103 , and various regulation of the antenna reflector  104  is completed by all of an orientation regulator  102 , a horizontal regulator  105 , and a pitch regulator  107  to meet the high precision requirements for the transmission mechanism. A bottom of the antenna is secured by an antenna base  101 , a foldable feed source module  111  is mounted on a feed source fulcrum bar  108 . This antenna is configured as a structure of “reflector-regulator-supporter”, i.e. “large-small-large” structural mode, which is not steady enough. 
     Alternatively,  FIG. 2  shows another conventional satellite antenna, such as potable satellite antenna AKD3000D12 made by AKD COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD, which shows the connection between an antenna reflector  204 , an orientation regulator  203 , an antenna base  201 , a supporting leg  202 , and a feed source module  205 , all of those also constitute a “large-small-large” structural mode. This structure is different from that in  FIG. 1  as the feed source module  205  is mounted on the antenna base  201 , which increases the overall stability but inevitably increases the overall weight causing inconvenience to carry. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     An aspect relates to a rail-type portable satellite communication antenna with communication module that ensures high precision of mechanical transmission for tracking signals, and the antenna also features light weight, compact size, easy to carry and manufacture. 
     For the above purposes, the technical solution is as follows. 
     A rail-type portable satellite communication antenna, comprising an antenna communication module, a supporting module, a rail base, and a driving module for driving the supporting module to rotate horizontally and to regulate its pitch angle; the rail base, the supporting module and driving module are located at bottom of the antenna communication module, and the driving module is located on the end surface of the supporting module, and the supporting module is connected slidably to the rail base. 
     Further, the supporting module comprises a horizontal rotary bracket, a pitch supporter, and a pitch driving mechanism; the pitch supporter, at its top end, is connected to a bottom of the antenna communication module angularly and the bottom end of the pitch supporter is connected to a connection point in the horizontal rotary bracket; the horizontal rotary bracket is shaped as polygon, the driving modules are connected in the polygon at each corner; a first limit wheel is configured at each connection point of the horizontal rotary bracket, and is also engaged with the rail base; the top end of the pitch driving mechanism is connected to the bottom of the antenna communication module and the bottom end of the pitch driving mechanism is connected to the horizontal rotary bracket. 
     Further, several grooves or holes are equally spaced on the rail base, to engage with the driving module. 
     Further, teeth are configured on the surface of the rail base, to engage with the driving module. 
     Further, the rail base is ring-shaped. 
     Further, the rail base is a rollable ring, or a segments-composable ring or a rollably-segments-composable ring. 
     Further, the driving module comprises a driving motor, a bearing wheel, and a driving gear; the driving motor and the driving gear are connected in a transmission manner; the bearing wheel is configured on the top of the rail base to bear the weight of the communication module; the driving gear is located on one side of the rail base, and is engaged with the grooves, holes or teeth; the first limit wheel is located on the other side of the rail base in order to limit the movement of the driving gear along the grooves, holes or teeth on the rail base. 
     Further, the driving module comprises a bearing wheel, a second limit wheel, a locking element and human machine interaction interface; the bearing wheel is configured on the top of the rail base to bear the weight of the communication module; the first limit wheel is arranged on one side of the rail base; the second limit wheel is located on the other side of the rail base in order to limit the movement of the driving module along the rail base; the locking element is located at the same side where the second limit wheel is located; the human machine interaction interface is located at the same side where the antenna communication module or the supporting module is located. 
     Further, the antenna communication module comprises a feed source device, a feed source bar, an antenna reflector and an equipment box; the equipment box is mounted on the bottom of the antenna reflector or on the horizontal rotary bracket; the feed source device is mounted on one side of the antenna reflector by the feed source bar; the supporting module further comprises a feed source supporter, whose top end supports the feed source bar and whose bottom end extends through the antenna reflector and connects the back side of the antenna reflector. 
     Further, the antenna communication module is a planar waveguide horn array antenna. 
     Comparing to the prior art, the advantage of the present disclosure is as follows: 
     The rail-type portable satellite communication antenna according to the present disclosure makes both the current regulating device and supporting device in one, that is, the “large-small-large” structural mode is abandoned, and the rail base and the supporting device are used to complete the adjusting and supporting function. Meanwhile the driving assembly are used to provide driving force during the adjustment to complete the horizontal rotation and the pitch tilt adjustment of the antenna. 
     Through the above designed structure, the supporting part used in the prior art disappear, so that the overall weight is greatly reduced, and at the same time, the entire device can be split and folded, so that the space occupied when stowed is small. In addition, for the precision requirements in the transmission process, the precision can be less than 0.2°. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with references to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like members, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a structural view of a conventional satellite antenna in the background; 
         FIG. 2  depicts a structural view of another conventional satellite antenna in the background; 
         FIG. 3  depicts a structural view of a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 4  depicts a bottom, structural view of a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 5 ( a )  depicts a structural view of a rail base of a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 5 ( b )  depicts a structural view of segments of disassembled rail base of the rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 5( c )  depicts a structural view of a rail base of the rail-type potable satellite antenna when the rail base was disassembled and stowed, according to the Embodiment 1; 
         FIG. 6( a )  depicts an enlarged view of A section in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6( b )  depicts an enlarged view of A section in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6( c )  depicts an enlarged view of A section in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  depicts an enlarged view of B section in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  depicts a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 1, where an equipment box mounted on a horizontal rotary bracket; 
         FIG. 9  depicts a structural view of a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 2; 
         FIG. 10  depicts an enlarged, bottom view of C section in  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  depicts a cross-section view of  FIG. 10 , in the direction of the arrow; 
         FIG. 12  depicts a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 3; 
         FIG. 13  depicts a rail-type potable satellite antenna according to the Embodiment 4. 
     
    
    
     In the figures and in the detailed part of the description, the following reference numerals have been used:
           101  antenna base     102  orientation regulator     103  antenna reflector foldable fulcrum bar     104  antenna reflector     105  horizontal regulator     106  pitch supporter     107  pitch regulator     108  feed source fulcrum bar     109  pitch angle indication     110  radio frequency unit     111  foldable feed source module     201  antenna base     202  supporting leg     203  orientation regulator     204  antenna reflector     205  feed source module     301  rail base     302  horizontal rotary bracket     303  pitch supporter     304  pitch driving mechanism     305  first limit wheel     306 ( a ) groove     306 ( b ) hole     306 ( c ) teeth     307  driving motor     308  bearing wheel     309  driving gear     310  second limit wheel     311  feed source device     312  antenna reflector     313  equipment box     314  feed source supporter     315  feed source bar     316  locking element     318  antenna communication module as planar waveguide horn array antenna       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments is merely explanation and interpretation of the present disclosure, and is not intended to limit the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
     The rail-type portable satellite communication antenna according to the present disclosure employs a rail base, which not only acts as a bracket but also cooperates with the driving module to complete operations of horizontal rotation, thereby making both the regulator and supporter in the prior art in one while regulating horizontal rotation and pitch angle in high precise. This causes a smaller size of the antenna after disassembled, and its lighter weight. 
     In order to understand the structure of the rail-type portable satellite communication antenna according to the present disclosure, the following will be specifically described with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 13 . 
     Embodiment 1 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the rail-type portable satellite communication antenna according to the present disclosure comprises an antenna communication module, a rail base  301 , a support module and a driving module. The driving module can drive the support module to rotate horizontally and/or regulate its pitch angle. The driving module and the support module are both located at bottom of the antenna communication module, and the driving module is located on end surface of the support module, and the support module is connected slidably to a rail base  301 . 
     The support module comprises a horizontal rotary bracket  302 , a pitch supporter  303  and a pitch driving mechanism  304 . The rail base  301  is ring-shaped, which can be in the states in  FIGS. 5( a ), 5( b ) and 5( c ) . In  FIG. 5( a ) , the rail base  301  is either a continuous ring or a ring with a breakpoint; In  FIG. 5( b ) , the rail base  301  is detached into multiple segments; In  FIG. 5( c ) , the multiple segments are rolled up respectively and gather into one roll, which is easy to carry. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6( a ) , several grooves  306 ( a ) are equally spaced on the rail base  301  to ensure a precisely horizontal movement of the support module, as a first limit wheel  305  can move along the grooves  306 ( a ). Alternatively, the grooves  306 ( a ) can be holes  306 ( b ) as specifically shown in  FIG. 6( b ) . It should be noted that, the grooves  306 ( a ) or holes  306 ( b ) or any structures having the same function would be within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
     Moreover, teeth  306 ( c ) are configured on the surface of the rail base  301 , to engage with the support module for its precisely horizontal rotation. Similarly, any gear transmission mechanisms having the same function of the teeth  306  would be within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Similarly, any other structures which accomplish a horizontal slide, such as friction driving structure, belt transmission or screw driving structure, are also within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
     The top end of the pitch supporter  303  is connected to the bottom of the antenna communication module and the bottom end of the pitch supporter  303  is connected to a connection point in the horizontal rotary bracket  302 . The pitch supporter  303  is at an angle to the horizontal rotary bracket  302  for better support to the antenna communication module. 
     The horizontal rotary bracket  302  is shaped as polygon and is shown as a triangle in the figures, providing stability, the driving modules are connected in the polygon at each corner. The horizontal rotary brackets  302  is not limited to triangle as shown in the figures, it can be adjusted according to actual requirement. A first limit wheel  305  clamping at the rail base  301  is provided at each connection point of the horizontal rotary brackets  302 . The top end of the pitch driving mechanism  304  is connected to the bottom of the antenna communication module and the bottom end of the pitch driving mechanism  304  is connected to the horizontal rotary bracket  302 . 
     The driving module comprises a driving motor  307 , a bearing wheel  308 , and a driving gear  309 ; the driving motor  307  and the driving gear  309  are connected in a transmission manner; the bearing wheel  308  is configured on the top of the rail base  301  to bear the weight of the communication module; the driving gear  309  is configured at one side of the rail base  301 , to engage with the grooves  306 ( a ) and the first limit wheel  305  is located at the other side of the rail base  301 , to limit the movement of the driving gear  309  along the grooves  306 ( a ). 
     The antenna communication module comprises a feed source device  311 , a feed source bar  315 , an antenna reflector  312  and an equipment box  313 ; the equipment box  313  is mounted on a bottom of the antenna reflector  312  or on the horizontal rotary bracket  302 , and the feed source device  311  is mounted on one side of the antenna reflector  312  via the feed source bar  315 . The support module also comprises a feed source supporter  314 , whose top end supports the feed source bar  315  and whose bottom end extends through the antenna reflector  312  and connects the back side of the antenna reflector  312 . 
     The equipment box  313  is located at the bottom of the antenna reflector  312  or on the horizontal rotary bracket  302  but is not limited to these two positions. It is possible to arrange the equipment box  313  at any suitable positions that does not affect the normal operation of the entire device, and such suitable positions also fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , the equipment box  313  is located on the horizontal rotary bracket  302 . This arrangement makes the entire antenna more steady than the Embodiment 1, 2, or 3 due to its center of gravity going down. Moreover, the equipment box  313  can cover the entire horizontal rotary bracket  302  and function as the horizontal rotary bracket  302 , this manner also falls within the scope of protection of the present disclosure. 
     Embodiment 2 
     Referring to  FIG. 9 , the Embodiment 2 employs manual regulating mode, i.e. having the driving module being modified and human machine interaction interface, which differs from the Embodiment 1. The driving module comprises a bearing wheel  308 , a second limit wheel  310 , a locking element  316  and human machine interaction interface. The bearing wheel  308  is configured on the top of the rail base  301  to bear the weight of the communication module; the second limit wheel  310  is arranged on one side of the rail base  301  and the first limit wheel  305  is located on the other side of the rail base  30 , to limit the movement of the driving module along the rail base  301 ; the locking element  316  is located at the same side with the second limit wheel  310  for locking the second limit wheel  310  after the antenna is aligned to the target satellite, thereby the second limit wheel  310  will not move under external forces and the accuracy of signal received is ensure. The human machine interaction interface is located at the same side with the antenna communication module or the supporting module, and the users can observe thereon whether the antenna is aligned to the target satellite to anticipate the timing to lock the horizontal structure. 
     It should be noted that, the second limit wheel  310  is shown in the form of gear, as shown in  FIG. 10 , but the second limit wheel  310  is not limited to a gear, any suitable shape element having same function, such as wheel structures with a thread or a certain coefficient of friction on its outer wall, is possible. 
     The entire weight in this embodiment is further reduced for omitting the driving motor, and the portability is enhanced. 
     Embodiment 3 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , this embodiment employs the antenna reflector  312  which was installed in forward direction, which differs from the Embodiment 1 &amp; 2 where the antenna reflector  312  was installed in backward direction. The difference therebetween can be observed in  FIGS. 3-4  of the embodiment 1, and  FIG. 12  of this embodiment. 
     It is two different ways to utilize the antenna for the antenna reflector  312  being installed in forward direction or backward direction. Both ways have the same antenna gain and capacity to receive signals, but have differences that, antenna reflector  312  being installed in forward direction is used in an environment with a broad view ahead, while antenna reflector  312  being installed in backward direction is used in an environment with a broad view above, preventing from gathering dust or snow thereon, and has better wind-resistant and saves space. 
     Embodiment 4 
     This embodiment is different from the embodiment 1-3, in that planar waveguide horn array antenna is used in the antenna communication module, which is specifically shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     Therefore, the installing direction can vary according requirement in actual application, which broaden the usable range. 
     Although the present invention has been disclosed in the form of preferred embodiments and variations thereon, it will be understood that numerous additional modifications and variations could be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     For the sake of clarity, it is to be understood that the use of ‘a’ or ‘an’ throughout this application does not exclude a plurality, and ‘comprising’ does not exclude other steps or elements.