Method for automatically positioning a satellite dish antenna to satellites in a geosynchronous belt

摘要

A TVRO satellite dish antenna system mounted on the roof of a parked vehicle automatically determines its location and bearing relative to two geosynchronous satellites and then uses this information to accurately calculate the azimuths and elevations of any other geosynchronous satellites. A magnetic compass generates a magnetic bearing signal for the system. An estimated latitude and longitude for the vehicle are provide by the user based on the approximate geographic location of the vehicle. The estimated positions for a first geosynchronous satellite and a second geosynchronous satellite relative to the satellite dish antenna are calculated from this information. The satellite dish antenna is moved to an initial search position corresponding to the estimated position of the first satellite and then moved in a search pattern until the receiver detects a signal peak for a selected channel. The actual azimuth and elevation of the first satellite are calculated based on the position of the satellite dish antenna upon detecting the signal peak. These steps are repeated for the second satellite. Revised bearing, latitude, and longitude coordinates for the satellite dish antenna are calculated based on the actual azimuths and elevations of the first and second satellites. Finally, the azimuth and elevation of any remaining geosynchronous satellite can be calculated based on the revised bearing, latitude, and longitude coordinates for the satellite dish antenna.