US 12,469,964 B2
Antenna with low-cost steerable subreflector
Luis Costa, Carlsbad, CA (US)
Assigned to Viasat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed by Viasat, Inc., Carlsbad, CA (US)
Filed on Apr. 13, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/300,216.
Application 18/300,216 is a continuation of application No. 17/793,646, granted, now 11,658,408, previously published as PCT/US2020/015393, filed on Jan. 28, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2024/0021984 A1, Jan. 18, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. H01Q 3/20 (2006.01); H01Q 1/12 (2006.01); H01Q 19/19 (2006.01)
CPC H01Q 3/20 (2013.01) [H01Q 1/12 (2013.01); H01Q 19/19 (2013.01); H01Q 19/192 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of antenna pointing of an antenna that produces a beam, is disposed on a stationary support pier, and comprises a reflector, a subreflector, and a tilt assembly, the method comprising:
receiving, from an auto-peak device, a control signal to control the tilt assembly to tilt the subreflector in a plurality of tilt positions, relative to the reflector, to move the beam while a corresponding signal strength of a signal communicated via the antenna at each of the plurality of tilt positions is measured; and
tilting the subreflector to at least one tilt position of the plurality of tilt positions in response to the control signal,
wherein the tilt assembly comprises:
the subreflector;
the reflector;
a base structure connected to a support beam that further connects to the reflector;
a pivot assembly configured to couple the subreflector to the base structure such that the subreflector is configured to pivot in one or more directions about a pivot point at the pivot assembly relative to the base structure;
one or more actuators configured to tilt the subreflector in one or more tilt positions relative to the reflector and to cause the subreflector to pivot about the pivot point; and
a counter-force device configured to maintain a force on the subreflector and dampen movement of the subreflector in response to the one or more actuators,
wherein the one or more actuators are configured to tilt the subreflector to the one or more tilt positions in response to the control signal.