Portable satellite terminal

Abstract

A portable satellite antenna terminal, comprising a body and a unit within the body for controlling the terminal and terminal functions. Also provided is an antenna mounted to the body for movement relative thereto. The antenna is able to be stowed within the body when not in use. The antenna may be a flat panel antenna and is moveable relative to the body from a stowed position to an in-use position.

1 . A portable satellite terminal comprising a global positioning satellite receiver and a high stability clock, the global positioning satellite receiver being used to provide a timing reference for the high stability clock for enabling the high stability clock to generate a precise clock signal. 
     
     
         2 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a body; a unit within the body for controlling the terminal and terminal functions; an antenna mounted to the body for movement relative to the body between a stowed position and an in-use position, the antenna being able to be stowed within the body when not in use; and when the antenna is in the in-use position it is adjustable relative to the body for elevation and azimuth. 
     
     
         3 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the antenna is stowed in its in-use condition and does not require folding to be stowed within the body and a cover, the cover being pivotally attached to the body. 
     
     
         4 . A potable terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the antenna is stowed in its in-use condition and does not require disassembly to be stowed within the body and a cover. 
     
     
         5 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein before being stowed within the body the antenna is at least one of: folded and dismantled. 
     
     
         6 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 1 , further including one or more selected from the group consisting of: a bubble level, a compass, and at least one height-adjustable leg. 
     
     
         7 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a microprocessor and a display, the microprocessor being for calculating a required elevation and azimuth and for displaying the required elevation and azimuth on the display. 
     
     
         8 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the antenna is a flat panel active antenna. 
     
     
         9 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the antenna is a flat, active, high-gain antenna and is mounted on an antenna plate, the antenna plate being mounted on a rod that is rotatable for adjustment of the elevation. 
     
     
         10 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the rod is mounted on a support plate rotatably mounted relative to the body for azimuth adjustment. 
     
     
         11 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein there is at least one antenna swing arm connected to the antenna plate and operatively connected to the rod. 
     
     
         12 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the support plate is mounted on a mounting block, the mounting block being mounted on the body, for enabling the rotational movement of the support plate for azimuth adjustment. 
     
     
         13 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the body also acts as a stabilizer for the antenna when the antenna is in the in-use position. 
     
     
         14 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the unit is removable from the body and has a casing that is one of: splashproof and waterproof. 
     
     
         15 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the unit includes one or more selected form the group consisting of: a digital modem, an analogue modulator, an analogue demodulator, a physical communication interface, a handset, a display, a keypad, a battery, and a fan. 
     
     
         16 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the digital modem is a spread spectrum modem. 
     
     
         17 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 1 , further including an RF transceiver, a microcontroller, and data terminal equipment. 
     
     
         18 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein when the antenna is stowed within the body and the cover is in a closed position, the terminal is of a weight of less than 25 kg and the cover has a top surface area of less than 2 square meters. 
     
     
         19 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  1 , wherein the power of the radio frequency signal transmitted by the portable satellite terminal is selected from the group consisting of: 0.25 to 18 watts at the antenna input, in the range 0.5 watt to 8 watts at the antenna input, and 5 watts at the antenna input. 
     
     
         20 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable satellite terminal is able to accommodate the C-band and Ku-band frequency ranges. 
     
     
         21 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the weight is selected from the group consisting of: in the range 0.8 kg to 20 kg, in the range 2.5 kg to 8 kg, and 6 kg. 
     
     
         22 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the top surface area is selected from the group consisting of: in the range 0.06 to 0.3 square meters, in the range 0.45 m×0.6 m to 1.21 m×1.66 m, and 0.4 m×0.55 m. 
     
     
         23 . A portable satellite terminal as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the portable satellite terminal is of a height selected form the group consisting of: in the range 0.08 m to 0.18 m, and 0.16 m.