Patent Description:
The disclosure relates generally to communications systems. More particularly, in various aspects, the disclosure relates to on-the-move satellite communications devices.

A satellite terminal on Earth must stay pointed towards the desired satellite in order to maintain a communications link. Terminals that are operated on-the-move must therefore be continuously repointed by mechanical, electrical or other means as they change position relative to the satellite. Terminal integration in vehicles such as cars, boats and airplanes typically makes use of fairly large, flat surfaces on the vehicles for the terminal outdoor unit (antenna, radome, LNB and pointing platform) whilst integrating the indoor unit (amplifier, modem, power supply) inside the vehicle. The indoor unit is therefore protected and typically bulky, heavy and not for outdoor use.

A personal on-the-move terminal may be carried by a user, and arranged such that the user has both hands free. Existing products are available at low frequencies (L-band) where the antenna is omni or semi-omni directional and supports links in the Kbps range. Such antennas are typically rigidly mounted to the top of a pole that is attached to a backpack. One significant problem with these systems is the low data rates that prevent them from supporting data intensive applications such as live streaming of video. Another significant problem is the positioning of the antenna which, in order to safeguard the health of the person carrying the antenna, has to be mounted such that the radiation is directed upwards when the person is standing up. This can result in a dangerous situation where, if the person carrying the terminal lies down, the antenna will direct its energy horizontally, and hence will miss the targeted satellite, but can radiate into another person lying beside the first person. Related art is shown in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Accordingly, there is a need for a less cumbersome, less bulky, less hazardous, and more maneuverable on-the-move satellite terminal.

The application, in various aspects, addresses the deficiencies associated with enabling less cumbersome, safer, more maneuverable, and more reliable satellite communications using a portable and/or on-the-move satellite terminal.

The systems, apparatuses, and methods described herein support data streams with rates higher than <NUM> Mbps on an uplink and downlink, while limiting the antenna system and/or satellite terminal to a manageable size as personal gear that can be carried by a user. In various implementations, the terminal, by using higher frequencies, using a directional antenna that is extendable away from a carrying user, and using a stabilized platform mounted on the user in a similar way as a backpack enables a less cumbersome, less bulky, less hazardous, and more maneuverable on-the-move personal and/or portable satellite terminal.

In one aspect, a satellite communications apparatus includes an antenna assembly having: a directional antenna arranged to receive signals from and transmit signals to a satellite, an electronic motor arranged to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of the directional antenna; and a sensor arranged to detect the position and orientation of the directional antenna. The apparatus also includes an RF interface, in communication with the antenna, arranged to receive the received signals from the directional antenna. The apparatus includes a controller, in communication with the RF interface, that is arranged to: i) measure a gain associated with the received signals during a first time interval, ii) receive the detected position and orientation of the directional antenna during the first time interval, and iii) send a control signal to the electronic motor to adjust the position and orientation of the directional antenna to limit a decrease in the measured gain to less than a threshold.

The gain may include a power gain and/or amplitude gain. The threshold may be equal to or about one of <NUM> dB, <NUM> dB, <NUM> dB, <NUM> dB, <NUM> dB, 4dB, and <NUM> dB. In one implementation, the electronic motor includes a servomotor. In some configurations, the antenna assembly includes a stabilized platform. The antenna assembly may be configured to provide pointing accuracy of one of about +/- <NUM> degree, +/- <NUM> degrees, +/- <NUM> degrees, +/- <NUM> degrees, and +/- <NUM> degrees.

The apparatus is configured to be carried by a user. The directional antenna may be extendable away from the user. The directional antenna is extendable to a distance sufficient to reduce RF radiation exposure to the user below a radiation limit. The controller is configured to adjust the power output from the RF interface and/or the position and orientation of the directional antenna based on a presence of a person in proximity to the directional antenna. The time interval may be equal to or about one of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>,. <NUM> seconds, <NUM> second, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> seconds, <NUM> minute, <NUM> minutes, <NUM> minutes, and <NUM> hour. The duration of the time interval may be based at least in part on a detected rate of movement of the terminal. For instance, if the terminal is stationary, a time interval of a longer duration may be selected. If the terminal is moving, a time interval having a shorter duration may be selected to ensure the satellite pointing accuracy is maintained.

In another aspect, a method for satellite communications includes: providing an antenna assembly; configuring a directional antenna to receive signals from and transmit signals to a satellite; adjusting an electronic motor to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of the directional antenna; detecting the position and orientation of the directional antenna; receiving the received signals from the directional antenna; measuring a gain associated with the received signals during a first time interval; receiving the detected position and orientation of the directional antenna during the first time interval; and sending a control signal to the electronic motor to adjust the position and orientation of the directional antenna to limit a decrease in the measured gain to less than a threshold.

A further aspect includes a non-transient computer readable medium containing program instructions for causing a computer to perform the method of: configuring a directional antenna to receive signals from and transmit signals to a satellite; adjusting an electronic motor to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of the directional antenna; detecting the position and orientation of the directional antenna; receiving the received signals from the directional antenna; measuring a gain associated with the received signals during a first time interval; receiving the detected position and orientation of the directional antenna during the first time interval; and sending a control signal to the electronic motor to adjust the position and orientation of the directional antenna to limit a decrease in the measured gain to less than a threshold.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the disclosure will be appreciated more fully from the following further description thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings. The skilled person in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not included to limit the scope of the applicant's teaching in any way.

In the proposed disclosure, it is possible to support data streams with rates higher than <NUM> Mbps on an uplink and downlink, while restricting the antenna system to a manageable size, for personal gear, by use of higher frequencies, a directional antenna and a stabilized platform that is mounted on a person in a similar way as a backpack and, in one version, forms an integral part of a normal backpack.

<FIG> includes a diagram of a communications system <NUM> between one or more satellites <NUM> and <NUM> and a portable and/or on-the-move satellite communications terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may be carried by a user <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may include a satellite antenna assembly <NUM> arrange to transmit and/or receive data from the one or more satellites <NUM> and <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may include a second wireless transceiver <NUM> arranged to provide wireless communications between the terminal <NUM> and one or more wireless communications devices such as, for example, a computer tablet <NUM>, a mobile telephone <NUM>, and/or a personal computer <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may be integrated with a backpack and/or configured to be carried like a backpack by the user <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may be detachably-connectable to a land, sea, or air vehicle such as, for example, truck <NUM>.

When ready to transmit, the user <NUM> slides up an antenna using, for example, an outer mount plate and harness of the antenna assembly <NUM>. In a stowed position, the antenna of antenna assembly <NUM> slides down behind the back of the user <NUM> for protection and reduced visibility. When the antenna is in the elevated position, which may extend above the carrying person's or user's head, the terminal <NUM> will start a search algorithm to identify the satellite <NUM> or <NUM> which has been chosen in the control unit and/or processor of the terminal <NUM>. When the satellite <NUM> or <NUM> has been identified, a stabilized pointing mechanism of antenna assembly <NUM> will lock onto the target satellite signal and maintain this pointing, also when the user <NUM> and/or terminal <NUM> are in motion.

<FIG> includes a functional block diagram of a satellite terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may include a satellite antenna <NUM>, an antenna motor <NUM>, a wireless device transceiver <NUM>, a satellite transceiver <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, a computer and/or processor <NUM>, and a power supply <NUM>.

The terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be powered via replaceable batteries configured to be swapped out for fresh and/or more fully charged ones during operation. The terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be powered by connecting to an AC power source that, in some configurations, will then charge one or more batteries of power supply <NUM>, and enable transmission of data signals to and/from the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

The wireless device transceiver <NUM> and/or <NUM> may support one or more wireless communications interfaces and/or protocols such as, without limitation, <NUM> and/or Wifi, CDMA, GSM, GPRS, LTE, Bluetooth, and any other standard wireless communications interface, For example, the wireless device transceiver <NUM> may include a Wifi module that enables smartphones, tablets, computers and other Wifi units to connect to the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> and communicate via the satellite <NUM> and/or <NUM> to other units and or gateways with Internet connectivity. The terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> may also include a converter unit that takes signals from handheld communication radios and transmits them via the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM>. For example, the wireless device transceiver <NUM> may send and receive data to/from a mobile telephone <NUM> while also performing a conversion and/or transcoding of the data with the satellite transceiver and/or RF interface <NUM> to enable the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> to send and receive data to/from satellite <NUM> and/or <NUM>. This advantageously allows for an expansion of a local radio network via the satellite link to other networks that employ the same system but are located beyond line of sight.

The antenna assembly <NUM> may include a higher frequency and directional antenna <NUM> that enables higher throughput data rates. Also, when the antenna assembly <NUM> uses a stabilized platform, it is possible to keep the antenna <NUM> and/or terminal <NUM> pointed towards the target satellite <NUM> or <NUM> even when the person or user <NUM> is lying down. Another advantage of having the stabilized platform is that it can also be used on different kinds of vehicles such as, without limitation, bikes, motorcycles, ski mobiles, jet skis, and so on. The terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be detachably connectable to a vehicle by means of a quick mount, e.g. a magnetic strap-on functionality or a quick mount click on to a roof bar system. In some implementations, the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> is mounted on the roof of a vehicle such as a car (e.g. lying flat on the roof) and so on. In certain configurations, the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> includes an integrated tri-pod assembly and/or functionality that can also be used to position terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> down on ground or another surface where the unit can be used for communications on-the-pause. The power supply <NUM> and/or satellite transceiver <NUM> may be flexibly designed to scale for different power levels by including a more or less powerful transceiver <NUM> amplifier and accompanying power supply <NUM>.

<FIG> includes a functional block diagram of a computer system <NUM> and/or control unit associated with a satellite terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> according to the present disclosure. The exemplary terminal computer system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, an interconnect bus <NUM>, a display <NUM>, a keyboard/keypad <NUM>, mass storage <NUM>, and an input/output interface <NUM>. The processor <NUM> may include a single microprocessor or a plurality of microprocessors for configuring computer system <NUM> as a multi-processor system. The memory <NUM> illustratively includes a main memory and a read-only memory. The system <NUM> also includes the mass storage device <NUM> having, for example, various disk drives, solid state drives, tape drives, and so on. The main memory <NUM> may also include dynamic random access memory (DRAM) and high-speed cache memory. In operation and use, the main memory <NUM> stores at least portions of instructions for execution by the processor <NUM> when processing data (e.g., terminal location and/or one or more satellite positions and/or orientations) and executing control instructions (i.e., control software) stored in main memory <NUM>.

In some aspects, the system <NUM> may also include one or more input/output interfaces for communications, shown by way of example, as interface <NUM> for data communications via a network <NUM>, e.g., a satellite communications network. The data interface <NUM> may include one or more modems, one or more electronic transceivers, a satellite communications interface, and/or any other suitable data communications device. The data interface <NUM> may provide a relatively high-speed link to a network, such as an intranet, internet, or the Internet, either directly or through another external interface. The data interface <NUM> may include an interface to a remote control device. The data interface <NUM> may include one or more wireless interfaces to one or more portable computing devices (e.g., mobile phone, iPad, computer tablet, and so on) to facilitate communications between the one or more computing devices and a satellite network.

In some implementations, the data interface <NUM> includes a Wifi hotspot, cellular base station interface, Bluetooth terminal, and/or wireless data link to a satellite network that may enable communications between such computing devices and other data networks such as the Internet. The communications link to the wireless and/or satellite network may include, for example, any suitable link such as an optical, wired, or wireless (e.g., via satellite or <NUM> Wi-Fi or cellular network) link. In some aspects, the computer system <NUM> may include an operating system and/or computer applications and/or software capable of web-based communications via a network connected to the terminal. In some aspects, the system <NUM> also includes suitable input/output ports or may use the Interconnect Bus <NUM> for interconnection with a local display <NUM> and user interface <NUM> (e.g., keyboard, mouse, touchscreen) or the like serving as a local user interface for programming and/or data entry, retrieval, video display, and/or manipulation purposes. Alternatively and/or additionally, remote operations personnel may interact with the system <NUM> for controlling and/or programming the system from remote servers and/or devices (not shown in the Figure) via one or more wireless networks connected to the terminal.

In some aspects, the system includes a processor <NUM>, such as a communications controller, coupled to one or more sensors <NUM>. The one or more sensors <NUM> may enable the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> to detect and/or track the position of one or more satellites <NUM> and/or <NUM> for communications. The sensors <NUM> may include one or more RF radiation sensors configured to measure RF radiation levels in proximity to the terminal <NUM> and/or one or more antennae <NUM> of the terminal <NUM>. The sensors <NUM> may include one or more proximity sensors arranged to detect the location of a person or user <NUM> in proximity of an antenna <NUM>. In response to measured or estimated radiation levels, the processor and/or controller <NUM> may adjust an orientation and/or power output of one or more antennae <NUM> in relation to a position of a user <NUM> and/or person carrying and/or in close proximity to the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM>. Data corresponding to terminal location, interfacing satellite positions, rate of movement, and so on associated with the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> may be stored in the memory <NUM> or mass storage <NUM>, and may be retrieved by the processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may execute instructions stored in these memory devices to perform any of the methods described in this application, e.g., tracking of satellites, extending or retracting antennae, and/or repositioning of one or more antennae <NUM> of the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> to optimize beam orientation.

The system may include a display <NUM> for displaying information, a memory <NUM> (e.g., ROM, RAM, flash, etc.) for storing at least a portion of the aforementioned data, and a mass storage device <NUM> (e.g., solid-state drive) for storing at least a portion of the aforementioned data. Any set of the aforementioned components may be coupled to a wireless communications network (satellite, <NUM> and/or Wifi, Bluetooth, cellular, and so on) via the input/output (I/O) interface <NUM>. Each of the aforementioned components may communicate via interconnect bus <NUM>. The system <NUM> may not include all of the components described in <FIG> depending on the functions of the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM>.

<FIG> show a first view <NUM> and a second view <NUM> of a portable satellite terminal <NUM> and <NUM> respectively positioned on a person's back. The terminal <NUM> includes a terminal housing and/or body arranged to house one or more system components such as described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>. The terminal <NUM> also includes an extendable and/or retractable antenna <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> includes a terminal housing and/or body includes a terminal housing and/or body arranged to house one or more system components such as described with respect to <FIG> and <FIG>. The terminal <NUM> also includes an extendable and/or retractable antenna <NUM>. <FIG> show the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> in the retracted position and/or storage position while the terminal is being carried on the back of user <NUM>. In one implementation, the terminal <NUM> and/or <NUM> includes an integrated backpack harness to enable user <NUM> to carry the terminal <NUM> or <NUM>. In certain implementations, the antenna <NUM> and body <NUM> (which may house the satellite transceiver and/or modem <NUM>, computer <NUM>, sensors <NUM>, wireless device transceiver and/or modem <NUM>, motor <NUM>, power supply <NUM>, and other control electronics) are elevated as one unit. In other embodiments, one or more of the components of terminal <NUM> are elevated, while other components remain in a housing that is not elevated. In some configurations, the terminal <NUM> includes multiple motors <NUM> to enable horizontal and/or vertical pointing and/or tilting of the satellite antenna <NUM>. The motor(s) <NUM> may include an electromechanical motor such as a servomotor.

<FIG> is a view <NUM> of the portable satellite terminal <NUM> or <NUM> of <FIG> while resting on a surface. As illustrated in <FIG>, the harness <NUM> and a support end block element <NUM> may function as an integrated tri-pod to enable the terminal <NUM> or <NUM> to rest in a stable manner on a surface.

<FIG> is a focused view <NUM> of the support end block element <NUM> and/or <NUM> of the portable satellite terminal of <FIG>. As discussed above, the support end block element <NUM> together with the harness <NUM> and/or foldable struts from the back structure may form a tri-pod that allows operations on-the-pause. The support end block element <NUM> may provide cushioning for a terminal. The element <NUM> may provide robust and discrete support for a terminal at rest on a surface.

<FIG> is a view of the portable satellite terminal <NUM> with its antenna <NUM> extended and/or elevated while appropriately pointed towards a target satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> includes a lift and/or carry handle <NUM> arranged to enable user <NUM> to carry the terminal <NUM> via the handle <NUM> instead of via harness <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may also enable user <NUM> to move the terminal <NUM> more conveniently or lift the terminal <NUM> and place the terminal <NUM> on the user's back via the harness <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may enable easy user <NUM> handling and/or access to terminal <NUM>, for example, when mounting and dismounting it. The handle <NUM> may be configured ergonomically to enable more efficient gripping via a bare or gloved hand. The handle <NUM> may be arranged to provide sufficient clearance for a gloved hand. The handle <NUM> may include material such as, without limitation, rubber, metal, and/or plastic. The handle <NUM> may include wear resistant and/or hard wearing material for on-the-move or outdoor use.

The terminal <NUM> may include a tower <NUM> that may provide physical separation between the antenna <NUM> and other components of the terminal <NUM>. The terminal <NUM> may include a motor such as motor <NUM> to enable the antenna <NUM> to be positioned to point toward a selected satellite such as satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. The antenna <NUM> may include a housing for a satellite antenna and one or more motors, e.g., servomotors, that are arranged to tilt the antenna <NUM> in at least one of a horizontal and vertical direction to enable the terminal <NUM>, via a controller such as computer <NUM>, to point the antenna <NUM> toward a selected satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. The tower <NUM> may include one or more air outlets to enable air cooling of terminal <NUM> components.

<FIG> is a focused view <NUM> of a padded lift and/or carry handle <NUM> of the portable satellite terminal <NUM>. The handle <NUM> may be connected to and/or integrated with a slide element, rail element, and/or linear unit <NUM> that enables the antenna <NUM> to be elevated and/or extended (or retracted).

<FIG> is a focused view <NUM> of an air inlet <NUM> of the portable satellite terminal <NUM> to provide ventilation for components of terminal <NUM>.

In operation, terminal <NUM> may be configured for personal carry use, which is the most challenging method of use. In other instances, two other use cases (on-the-pause and vehicle mounted on-the-move) may enable variants of mounting methods and a built-in tri-pod functionality. For personal carry operations, the terminal and/or unit <NUM> may be configured to be light weight and simple to use. Typically, for existing gimbal technology available off-the-shelf, simple and light weight stabilized platforms are not sufficiently accurate, providing a miss-pointing on the order of <NUM>-<NUM> degrees from the target direction (i.e., a target satellite). As a result, the antenna pointing for existing systems must, by necessity, be stable enough to maintain the link signal-to-noise ratio within a sufficient margin.

<FIG> is a chart <NUM> illustrating the beam characteristics of a parabolic antenna. Antenna <NUM> may include a parabolic antenna and/or a flat panel antenna. The chart <NUM> shows satellite signal amplitude <NUM> versus angle <NUM> in degrees. In some implementations, the terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> is configured with a maximum link degradation of approximately <NUM> dB. <FIG> shows as an example a simple model of the antenna beam based on a parabolic reflector system. At <NUM>, with a <NUM> diameter and an antenna efficiency of <NUM>%, the antenna gain has dropped by <NUM> dB at <NUM> degree miss-pointing, which indicates that any antenna system with similar performance may be a viable antenna for the present system. For integration, space limitations, and geometric reasons, a flat panel antenna of approximately the same aperture size (~<NUM>) may be the most advantageous antenna for use and/or integration.

An antenna, for example, with beam characteristics of a parabolic antenna model at <NUM>, an antenna diameter of <NUM>, and an aperture efficiency of <NUM>% that is mounted on a stabilized platform with a pointing accuracy of +/- <NUM> degrees will, after initial pointing towards the satellite, keep the link signal-to-noise ratio within the desired <NUM> dB.

When its antenna <NUM> is in a stowed, non-elevated position, the terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be visible on the user's back or completely contained in a backpack. The antenna <NUM>, tower <NUM>, and body <NUM> may be arranged to provide a stabilized platform for the antenna <NUM>. An antenna assembly may include the stabilized platform or a portion thereof. The stabilized platform and/or antenna assembly may be attached to a linear unit <NUM> integrated in the harness and may be elevated from behind the user's back using either an automatic elevator motor mechanism or by a manual elevator mechanism including, for example, a quick release for emergency stow. The automatic elevator and/or retractor mechanism may be controlled via a smartphone application or a dedicated remote control either through, without limitation, Wifi, Bluetooth, a mobile network, or via a cable, and/or via transceiver <NUM>.

In its elevated position, the antenna <NUM> and/or antenna assembly that transmits the radio frequency power towards the satellite <NUM> or <NUM> extends above the user's head to give a free line of sight towards the satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. In this instance, user <NUM> is able to walk, run, jump or crawl without losing signal lock as long as the antenna assembly and/or stabilized platform is elevated and maintains the pointing direction.

In certain operations, the terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> is programmed with control software arranged to continuously track a satellite signal and maintain the pointing direction such that the satellite signal maintains a signal gain according to the model of <FIG>. The control software may use data obtained from one or more sensors <NUM> to maintain sufficient pointing directions towards the satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. The terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may use one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers. The computer <NUM> and/or dedicated electronics within a terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may be equipped with a feedback mechanism that, once the terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> gets a signal lock, continuously optimizes the received signal-to-noise ratio via, for example, a conical scan or similar algorithm. The software may also include a safety and/or radiation hazard analysis function or loop to ensure that the radiation emitted from the antenna <NUM> will not expose the user <NUM> or anyone in proximity of the terminal to elevated or dangerous radio radiation levels.

<FIG> is a flow diagram of a process and/or control loop <NUM> for controlling a portable satellite terminal such as terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>. On initial power up of terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>, various components of the terminal will be initialized such as, for example, computer <NUM>, modems <NUM> and <NUM>, one or more sensors <NUM>, and one or more motors <NUM>. (Step <NUM>). During initialization, control software may be booted up and checked by computer <NUM>, the operation and/or position of servomotors may be checked, the received signals of modems <NUM> and <NUM> may be checked, and so on. After initialization, the terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>, via a controller and/or computer <NUM>, will select a satellite <NUM> or <NUM> and configure transmission parameters for a communications link with the selected satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. (Step <NUM>). In some implementations, user <NUM> may indicate, via a user interface, to the terminal <NUM> which satellite <NUM> or <NUM> to select. In some implementations, the terminal <NUM> may automatically select satellite <NUM> or <NUM> based on the terminal location that may be determine via GPS and/or another location detection technique. The terminal <NUM> may search for a satellite signal of sufficient strength to select satellite <NUM> or <NUM>.

Once a satellite <NUM> or <NUM> is selected, the controller and/or computer <NUM> calculates an optimal pointing configuration of satellite antenna <NUM>. (Step <NUM>). In one implementation, the controller <NUM>, in communication with the RF interface, modem, and/or satellite transceiver <NUM> is, arranged to: i) measure a gain associated with received satellite signals during a first time interval, ii) receive a detected position and orientation of the directional antenna <NUM>, via one or more position or orientation sensors, during the first time interval, and iii) send a control signal to one or more electronic motors <NUM> to adjust the position and orientation of the directional antenna <NUM> and/or antenna assembly to maximize a received bean signal strength and/or to limit a decrease in the measured gain to less than a threshold. In some implementation, the position and orientation of the directional antenna <NUM> is adjusted by adjusting, via one or more servomotors, a tilt of the antenna <NUM> in both or either horizontal and vertical directions. The first time interval may depend on a detected rate of movement of the terminal <NUM>. For example, a sensor <NUM> including an accelerometer may detect whether the terminal is stationary or moving. If stationary, the controller <NUM> would not have to check for a change in position of a satellite, at least as often as if the terminal <NUM> were moving. Hence, the first time interval duration can be longer for stationary or slower moving terminals than faster moving terminals that should check the satellite position more frequently.

The controller <NUM> may then check, via one or more proximity sensors located in, near to, or on the terminal <NUM>, whether user <NUM> or another person is within proximity of the beam path of the antenna <NUM>. Depending on the detected position of user <NUM> and/or another person, and based on an expected power output of transceiver <NUM>, controller <NUM> determines whether the RF radiation exposure level is safe to user <NUM> and/or another person. (Step <NUM>). If the expected exposure level is at or above an RF radiation threshold or limit based on the detected position of user <NUM> or another person, controller <NUM> may calculate whether a change in the position and/or orientation of antenna <NUM> and/or a change in power output of antenna <NUM> will result in an exposure level below the RF radiation limit.

If a safe level can be achieved by changing the power output or pointing of antenna <NUM>, then the antenna position and/or orientation, and/or power output will be changed accordingly. In certain implementations, any change in pointing and/or power output will also satisfy the gain requirements of a model such as required, for example, in <FIG>. If the expected exposure level is safe, then no change in position and/or orientation, and/or change in power output is required. (Step <NUM>). Steps <NUM> and <NUM> may be repeated one or more times until a safe antenna <NUM> pointing and/or power output level is realized.

If a safe amount of radiation exposure cannot be achieved after one or more attempts, controller <NUM> may change the satellite link to another satellite. (Step <NUM>). The steps of <NUM> through <NUM> may then be repeated with respect to the newly selected satellite. If the satellite is not changed, then controller <NUM> may keep transceiver <NUM> in a receiver (RX) mode only to maintain reception of satellite data while preventing potentially hazardous radiation from beam transmissions.

Once the requirements of optimal pointing and/or radiation hazard safety are satisfied, controller <NUM> executes satellite beam transmission via satellite transceiver <NUM>. (Step <NUM>). The controller <NUM> may continuously monitor the received satellite signal to maintain the gain within an acceptable range such as, for example, based on the model of <FIG>. If controller <NUM> detects a shift in the relative position of a satellite such as satellite <NUM> by, for example, detecting a reduction in amplitude of the receive satellite data signal, controller <NUM> may return to Step <NUM> or <NUM> to establish a new communications link with the previous satellite <NUM> or a new satellite <NUM>. (Step <NUM>).

If the controller <NUM> detects a shift in transmission or shift in motion of the terminal <NUM>, user <NUM>, or another person, the controller <NUM> may initiate a radiation hazard check according to Step <NUM> and/or <NUM> (Step <NUM>).

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that methods involved in the systems and methods herein may be embodied in a computer program product that includes a non-transitory computer usable and/or readable medium. For example, such a computer usable medium may consist of a read only memory device, such as a CD ROM disk, conventional ROM devices, or a random access memory, a hard drive device or a computer diskette, a flash memory, a DVD, or any like digital memory medium, having a computer readable program code stored thereon.

The terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may include an inertial navigation system, an accelerometer, an altimeter, a gimbling system to fixate one or more components of the terminal (e.g., one or more antennae), a global positioning system (GPS), or any other suitable location and/or navigation system.

The fully contained terminal and/or system (indoor and outdoor unit) may be carried on the user's back, either as a standalone system or integrated in a backpack. The terminal may also be positioned on the ground or another surface while maintaining communications with one or more satellites.

In certain implementations, the terminal and/or system has a directional antenna that is mounted on a stabilized gimbal platform. In one configurations, the system has ability to function on the back of a person, as an on-the-pause satcom terminal and/or also as a unique on-the-move terminal with a smart built-in tri-pod and vehicle mount system such as, for example, a magnetic quick and/or mechanical click on system for an automobile roof mount. When carried on the back, it may allow for communications while on a bike, motorbike, snowmobile, water jet ski, motor boat, and/or similar vehicles.

From antenna <NUM> and radio frequency amplifier or transceiver <NUM>, terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> may keep track of the personal radiation hazard aspects which depends on the power levels emitted in the different directions and the current geometry which may be tracked from inbuilt sensors <NUM> in, on, near, or about terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM>.

The stabilized platform, which may include components <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, may be attached to a linear unit <NUM> and elevated from behind the user's back using an electric motor or mechanical drive mechanism that is controlled either manually or by a wireless or wired remote control. The platform may also be elevated manually.

In its elevated position, the platform and/or antenna assembly may perform an automatic scan of the visible sky to find the desired satellite <NUM> or <NUM>. The user <NUM> may also manually (via the remote control or a user interface) control the pointing of the antenna <NUM> in order to find the satellite <NUM> or <NUM>, or fine-tune the pointing.

The antenna <NUM> pointing may be maintained through the use of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers. The system and/or terminal <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be equipped with a feedback mechanism that, once the system gets a signal lock, optimizes the received signal-to-noise ratio via a conical scan or similar algorithm. While the system is in an elevated position, the user may walk, run, jump or crawl without losing signal lock.

The wireless device transceiver <NUM> may include a Wifi module or similar that sets up a network bubble around the main user <NUM>, allowing wireless devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or <NUM> within the wireless bubble or coverage area to access the satellite services. In a military context, the system and/or terminal may be connected to a handheld radio such that a group of soldiers via the satellite link can expand their radio network to, and communicate with, other groups that also carry the same system but are located beyond line of sight.

Claim 1:
A satellite communications apparatus comprising:
an antenna assembly (<NUM>) including:
a directional antenna (<NUM>) arranged to receive signals from and transmit signals to a satellite;
an electronic motor (<NUM>) arranged to adjust at least one of a position and orientation of the directional antenna;
a sensor (<NUM>) arranged to detect the position and orientation of the directional antenna;
an RF interface, in communication with the antenna, arranged to receive the received signals from the directional antenna;
a controller (<NUM>), in communication with the RF interface, arranged to: i) measure a gain associated with the received signals during a first time interval, ii) receive the detected position and orientation of the directional antenna (<NUM>) during the first time interval, and iii) send a control signal to the electronic motor (<NUM>) to adjust the position and orientation of the directional antenna (<NUM>) to limit a decrease in the measured gain to less than a threshold,
wherein the satellite communications apparatus is configured to be carried by a user during operation, and
wherein the controller (<NUM>) is configured to adjust at least one of the power output from the RF interface and the position and orientation of the directional antenna (<NUM>) based on a presence of a person in proximity to the directional antenna (<NUM>).