Alignment Unit with a Fixed Ring Array Fitted Between a Mast and a Positioner for the Mutual Alignment of Directional Antennas, and Associated System and Method

Abstract

The invention relates to an alignment unit (1) fitted between a mast (2) and a two-axis positioner (3) that points a communication antenna (4). Around an intermediate body (10) that does not turn with the pan rotation of the positioner (3), the alignment unit (1) has a ring array (11) made up of antenna columns (12) and separate from the communication antenna (4). The matching alignment unit (1) at the far end emits a direction-finding signal (30) from its ring array (11). By stepping a window (13) electronically around the ring array (11), the alignment unit (1) finds the direction of arrival of this signal relative to the reference direction of the intermediate body (10) without turning the positioner (3), and gives the positioner (3) the angle command that turns the communication antenna (4) to this direction. The two ends are thus pointed at each other without satellite positioning, a compass or mechanical scanning.

The official text is Turkish; the English title and abstract are our translation.