Satellite-broadcast receiving mobile antenna apparatus

• Main Authors: MAKOTO OCHIAI, MASAHIRO UEMATSU, MOTONOBU MORIYA
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 08.05.1996
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS; BASIC ELECTRIC ELEMENTS; ELECTRICITY

The tracking control apparatus (20) for a mobile-type satellite-broadcast receiving antenna which is installed on mobile body detects the level of a radio wave received by the antenna (AT), and repeatedly rotating, on the basis of this detected received signal level, the antenna over a certain angle at higher rotation velocity as increment of the received signal level per unit angle associated with the preceding rotation becomes larger, thereby controlling the rotation angle of the antenna (100). Within a period in which the received signal level is larger than a threshold, the rotation angle of the antenna is held at the current value and the received signal level is monitored (200). When the received signal level is reduced to be less than the threshold, the angular velocity of the mobile body and its integrated value are detected (7, 8), and if either one of the values is significant, the angular error in the turning operation of the mobile body is regarded as having increased, and the antenna is controlled for its rotation angle (100). If both the values are not significant, the increase of the angular error is considered as having been suddenly caused by an obstacle, and the control apparatus waits for the received signal level to be restored to a proper value (300).