Multiple beam deployable space antenna system

Claim 2

A multiple beam space antenna system for facilitating communications between a satellite (100) and a plurality of earth stations (1), said multiple beam space antenna system comprising: a plurality of antenna means (50-56) disposed in a semi-spherical configuration about a surface of said satellite (100), each of said plurality of antenna means positioned so that each antenna means establishes said communications with a substantially distinct area (1,a,b) of the earth; each of said antenna means (50-56) for receiving a plurality of communications from said earth stations in a corresponding area and for transmitting a plurality of communications to said earth stations in said corresponding area; and each of said antenna means (100) being connected to a processor of said satellite for enabling the processor to receive and transmit messages from a number of earth stations.

Claim 3

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of antenna means includes: an antenna means (A); a first plurality of antenna means (B) disposed circularly about said said antenna means; a second plurality of antenna means (C) disposed circularly about said first plurality of antenna means; and a third plurality of antenna means (D) disposed circularly about said second plurality of antenna means.

Claim 4

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said antenna means and each of said first, second and third pluralities of antenna means project beams (1,a,b) on a planet-like body such that said projected beams of said antenna means (A), said first plurality (B), said second plurality (C) and said third plurality of antenna means (D) are contiguous beams and form a large area for receiving and transmitting a plurality of signals between earth stations and said satellite.

Claim 5

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said projected beams of said antenna means, said first plurality of antenna means, said second plurality of antenna means and said third plurality of antenna means form substantially concentric circular areas (A,B,C,D) for facilitating communications between said satellite and said plurality of earth stations.

Claim 6

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 4, wherein: said antenna means (A) includes horn antenna means (80); said first plurality of antenna means (B) includes a first plurality of horn antenna means (80); said second plurality of antenna means (C) includes a second plurality of horn antenna means (80); and said third plurality of antenna means (D) includes a third plurality of horn antenna means (80).

Claim 7

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 5, wherein there is further included inflatable means (83) for supporting each of said horn antenna means, said inflatable means for support and each of said cone means being inflated to produce said spherical configuration of said pluralities of said horn antenna means.

Claim 8

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 6, wherein there is further included lens means (FIG. 7C,7D) positioned between said plurality of horn antenna means and said projections of said beams (1,a,b) on said planet-like body, said lens means operating to focus said beams of said plurality of horn antennas.

Claim 9

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said horn antenna means includes: truncated cone means (81) including a truncated portion for projecting said beams upon said planet-like bodies; coating means (82) applied to said inner surface of said truncated cone means; waveguide means (87) positioned centrally to said truncated portion of said truncated cone means, said waveguide means for translating electronic signals to RF signals and for translating RF signals to electronic signals; circuit means (84-85) connected to said waveguide means, said circuit means operating to interface signals between said processor of said satellite and said waveguide means; and connection means (86) connected between said circuit means and said processor of said satellite, said connection means operating to transmit signals between said circuit means and said processor.

Claim 10

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said circuit means includes: low level amplifier means (91) connected to said processor, said low level amplifier means for converting optic signals to electronic signals; power amplifier means (92) connected to said low level amplifier means; circulator means (93) connected to said power amplifier, said circulator means having three input and output ports and operating to transmit signals from an input port to an output port in a clockwise direction only; and said waveguide means (87) being connected to said circulator means (93).

Claim 11

A multiple beam space antenna system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said circuit means further includes: diplexer means (94) connected to said circulator means (93), said diplexer means (94) operating to pass only received signals; low noise amplifier means (95) connected to said diplex means; filter means (96) connected to said low noise amplifier means; and amplitude modulation means (97) connected between said filter means and said processor of said satellite.

Claim 12

A multiple beam space antenna system for facilitating communications between a satellite (100) and a plurality of earth stations (1), said multiple beam space antenna system comprising: a plurality of antenna means (50-56) disposed in a semi-spherical configuration about a surface of said satellite (100), each of said plurality of antenna means positioned so that each antenna means establishes said communication with a substantially distinct area of the earth; said plurality of antenna means (50-56) including a plurality of horn antenna means (80) having waveguide means (87) for transmitting and receiving RF signals and circuit means (84-85) for interfacing between said waveguide means (87) and a processor of said satellite (100); inflatable support means (83) for positioning each of said plurality of horn means in said spherical configuration; each of said antenna means (50-56) for receiving a plurality of communications from said earth stations (1) in a corresponding area (1) and for transmitting a plurality of communications to said earth stations in said corresponding area; and each of said antenna means (50-56) being connected to said processor of said satellite for enabling the processor to receive and transmit messages.

Claim 13

A multiple beam space antenna system for facilitating communications between a satellite (100) and a plurality of earth stations (1), said multiple beam space antenna system comprising: a plurality of antenna means (50-56) disposed in a semi-spherical configuration about a surface of said satellite (100), each of said plurality of antenna means positioned so that each antenna means establishes said communication with a substantially distinct area of the earth; said plurality of antenna means (50-56) including a plurality of horn antenna means (80) having waveguide means (87) for transmitting and receiving RF signals and circuit means (84-85) for interfacing between said waveguide means (87) and a processor of said satellite (100); inflatable support means (83) for positioning each of said plurality of horn means in said spherical configuration; each of said antenna means (50-56) for receiving a plurality of communications from said earth stations (1) in a corresponding area (1) and for transmitting a plurality of communications to said earth stations in said corresponding area; and each of said antenna means (50-56) being connected to said processor of said satellite for enabling the processor to receive and transmit messages.