US5568158A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic variable polarization antenna feed apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1994-03-17
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Granted: 1996-10-22
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Expires: 2014-03-17
Abstract
Abstract Electronically adaptable polarization antenna feed apparatus for receiving any sense of linear polarization or for receiving either sense of circular polarization. The circuit makes use of variable gain amplifiers and/or variable attenuators in each of two orthogonally polarized paths. The signal to noise ratio of a desired polarization sense is maximized by adjusting the amplitude or gain in each path to a desired ratio. If desired, polarization components from the two probes may be combined so that orthogonal polarization senses from two frequency reuse signals be used simultaneously. The apparatus may be used with linearly polarized signals and with circularly polarized signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry J. Gould
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:34
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01Q; H01Q21/00; H01Q21/24; H01Q21/245; H04; H04B; H04B7/00; H04B7/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
249 words
Electronically adaptable polarization feed apparatus for receiving polarized radio frequency (RF) signals for providing a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal comprising, in combination: antenna means for receiving polarized RF signals, and having a first port for receiving components of a first polarization sense of an RF signal and a second port for receiving components of a second polarization sense of the RF signal, and in which the second polarization sense is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization sense; first amplifier means connected to the first port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the first polarization sense; first variable attenuating means connected to the first amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the first polarization sense; second amplifier means connected to the second port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the second polarization sense; second variable attenuating means connected to the second amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the second polarization sense; switchable one hundred eighty degree phase shift means for providing a desired phase relationship between the components of the first polarization sense and the components of the second polarizations sense; a single combiner for combining the components of the first and second polarization senses from the first and second attenuating means; and means for adjusting the first and second variable attenuating means and for switching the phase shift means to provide a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
249 words
Electronically adaptable polarization feed apparatus for receiving polarized radio frequency (RF) signals for providing a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal comprising, in combination: antenna means for receiving polarized RF signals, and having a first port for receiving components of a first polarization sense of an RF signal and a second port for receiving components of a second polarization sense of the RF signal, and in which the second polarization sense is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization sense; first amplifier means connected to the first port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the first polarization sense; first variable attenuating means connected to the first amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the first polarization sense; second amplifier means connected to the second port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the second polarization sense; second variable attenuating means connected to the second amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the second polarization sense; switchable one hundred eighty degree phase shift means for providing a desired phase relationship between the components of the first polarization sense and the components of the second polarizations sense; a single combiner for combining the components of the first and second polarization senses from the first and second attenuating means; and means for adjusting the first and second variable attenuating means and for switching the phase shift means to provide a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the phase shift means includes a zero degree and a one-hundred-eighty degree phase position for the reception of linearly polarized signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the phase shift means includes a plus ninety and a minus ninety degree phase position for the reception of circularly polarized signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the first and second variable attenuating means includes variable resistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the first and second variable attenuating means includes variable gain amplifiers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the phase shift means includes a hybrid coupler and pin diodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which the antenna means includes waveguide means having a back wall and a first probe extending through the back wall and a second probe orthogonal to the first probe and extending through the back wall.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the waveguide means further includes a circular waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the waveguide means further includes a square waveguide.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
246 words
Electronically adaptable polarization feed apparatus for receiving polarized radio frequency (RF) signals for providing a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal comprising, in combination: antenna means for receiving polarized RF signals, and having a first port for receiving components of a first polarization sense of an RF signal and a second port for receiving components of a second polarization sense of the RF signal, and in which the second polarization sense is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization sense; first amplifier means connected to the first port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the first polarization sense; first variable attenuating means connected to the first amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the first polarization sense; second amplifier means connected to the second port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the second polarization sense; second variable attenuating means connected to the second amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the second polarization sense; a switchable one hundred eighty degree phase shifter and a switchable ninety degree phase shifter for the selectable reception of linearly polarized signals and circularly polarized signals, respectively; combining means for combining the components of the first and second polarization senses from the first and second attenuating means; and means for adjusting the first and second variable attenuating means and for switching the selected phase shifter to provide a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
246 words
Electronically adaptable polarization feed apparatus for receiving polarized radio frequency (RF) signals for providing a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal comprising, in combination: antenna means for receiving polarized RF signals, and having a first port for receiving components of a first polarization sense of an RF signal and a second port for receiving components of a second polarization sense of the RF signal, and in which the second polarization sense is substantially orthogonal to the first polarization sense; first amplifier means connected to the first port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the first polarization sense; first variable attenuating means connected to the first amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the first polarization sense; second amplifier means connected to the second port of the antenna means for amplifying the components of the second polarization sense; second variable attenuating means connected to the second amplifier means for attenuating only the amplified components of the second polarization sense; a switchable one hundred eighty degree phase shifter and a switchable ninety degree phase shifter for the selectable reception of linearly polarized signals and circularly polarized signals, respectively; combining means for combining the components of the first and second polarization senses from the first and second attenuating means; and means for adjusting the first and second variable attenuating means and for switching the selected phase shifter to provide a maximum signal to noise ratio of the received RF signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 in which the phase shifters include a hybrid coupler and pin diodes.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-04-22 | 2000-10-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-04-22 | 2004-10-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-22 | 2008-04-22 | 2008-10-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |