antenna tracking system in satellite communication

　　The Antenna Tracking System (ATS) in satellite communications is a key technology that ensures that the antenna of a ground station or an antenna on a mobile platform can continuously and accurately point to the satellite, thereby maintaining a stable communication link. Such systems are widely used in fixed earth stations, mobile platforms such as vehicles/ships/aircraft, and portable terminal devices. The following are some key concepts and technologies about antenna tracking systems:

　　1. Working principle

　　Automatic tracking: ATS automatically adjusts the direction of the antenna through built-in sensors and control algorithms to maintain the best alignment with the satellite. This usually involves adjustments in three dimensions: azimuth, elevation, and polarization.

　　Manual/semi-automatic mode: Some systems allow operators to manually enter parameters through the interface or the system automatically completes fine adjustments after preliminary positioning.

　　2. Key technologies

　　Signal strength monitoring: Use the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) or other similar indicators to determine whether the antenna is correctly aligned with the satellite, and make adjustments accordingly.

　　Beacon tracking: Some ATS rely on specific frequency beacon signals emitted by satellites for precise positioning. This method can improve tracking accuracy, especially when the Doppler effect is significant.

　　Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU): Integrated IMU can help compensate for the effects of carrier motion, such as sway, pitch and roll, to ensure good communication quality even in dynamic environments.

　　GPS-assisted tracking: Use the location information provided by GPS to help initialize antenna pointing and provide reference correction during long-term operation.

　　3. Application Fields

　　Fixed Earth Station: Used in broadcasting, data transmission and other fields, requiring high accuracy and stability.

　　Mobile Platform: Including maritime communications, aviation communications, emergency response vehicles, etc., which require the ability to quickly capture and track satellites while adapting to complex environmental changes.

　　Portable Terminal: Suitable for field operations, military operations and other scenarios, emphasizing portability and ease of use.

　　4. Major suppliers

　　There are many well-known antenna tracking system suppliers in the market, which provide various types of solutions to meet the needs of different users:

　　Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd.

　　Intellian Technologies Inc.

　　Cobham Satcom

　　Ku-band Solutions (KuS)

　　Addvalue Technologies

　　HNS (Hughes Network Systems)

　　iDirect Technologies (part of ST Engineering)

　　These companies not only provide hardware equipment, but also provide software and service support to ensure that users can get a complete turnkey solution. When selecting ATS, the system's performance indicators, reliability, cost-effectiveness, and the supplier's technical support and service capabilities should be considered according to specific application requirements.

　　5. Development trend

　　With the advancement of technology, ATS is moving towards a more intelligent, miniaturized, and low-power direction, while also exploring how to better integrate AI and machine learning algorithms to achieve more accurate and efficient antenna control. In addition, for future low-orbit satellite constellations (LEO), ATS also needs to have the ability to quickly capture and frequently switch satellites, which puts higher requirements on the response speed of the tracking system.