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Aug.

- 13, 1963
Filed Dec. 1, 1960

C- C. CUTLER

3,100,892
2 Sheets-Sheet 1

ANTENNA FOR ACTIVE SATELLITE REPEATERS

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INVENTOR
By C. C. CUTLER

A T TORNE V

Aug. 13, 1963


Filed Dec. 1, 1960

c. c. CUTLER
ANTENNA FOR ACTIVE SATELLITE REfEATERS
I

3,100,892
2 Sheets-Sheet 2

gpay

INVENTOF?

C. C. CUTLER

ATTORNEY

United States Patent 0 "


t l
. 3,ltltl,392

C6

351%,92
Fatented Aug. 13, 1963
2

ANTENNA FOR ACTEVE SATELLITE REPEATER Cassius C. Cutler, Gillette, N..l., assiguor to Bell Tele

FIG. 4 is a side view of the satellite vehicle of FIG. 3, also partly broken away to illustrate additional interior
details. ,

phone Laboratories, Incorporated, New York, Nil?, a


corporation of New York

The basic problem encountered in the design of a


satellite vehicle for use as the active repeater of a com

Filed Dec. 1, 1960, Sex. No. 73,121 8 (Ilaims. (Cl. 343~1tl>


This invention relates to satellite vehicles and more

munication system is that of ?xing the spatial orienta


tion of the vehicle in such a way that radio frequency
signals from a terminal station may be received and re radiated to a second station with maximum ef?ciency.

vehicle includes radio transmitting and receiving equip

particularly to a satellite vehicle having integral facilities 10 A related problem, however, is found in the requirements to suit it for use the active repeater station of a radio for simplicity and light weight which are imposed upon relay system. ' the vehicle if high reliability and long life are to be ex Beginning even before the ?rst successful launching pected. According to the invention, .these problems are of a satellite vehicle in predetermined orbit about the met by employing the simplest form of orientation avail earth, there has been a constant stream of proposals for 15 able to ?x or control the orientation of the vehicle in the use of such vehicles as stations in long distance radio space and then providing simple antenna structures com communication systems. In the simplest form of such patible With the other requirements upon the vehicle systems, the vehicle, as exempli?ed for example by the which both provide an antenna pat-tern consistent with the one hundred foot diameter metalized balloon used in form of orientation available and accomplish this without the successful Echo 1 experiments, constitutes little more adding undue complexity to the structural arrangements than a passive repeater whereby radio signals from one of the vehicle. terminal station are intercepted and reflected toreach One embodiment, according to the invention, is illus a second terminal station. While extremely sensitive re trated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. Here, the ceivers have permitted the successful operation of such satellite vehicle is essentially spherical in form and may passive repeater systems, greater transmission e?iciency 25 be thought of as comprising ?rst and second substantially is available when the satellite vehicle performs the func hemispherical shells 1i) and 12, assembled with an in tion of an active repeater, that is, when the satellite termediate bulkhead 14 to form a sphere. Bulkhead
114 is shown as lying in a diametral plane normal to an indicated spin axis for the vehicle. If the mass of the

ment arranged to provide a substantial increase in the

level of received signals prior to their reradiation. While many suggestions have been made for highly sophisticated active repeater satellites, limitations as to

vehicle is appropriatelydistributed, the indicated spin


axis will correspond to the axis of greatest moment of inertia of the vehicle and the vehicle will tend, if launched spinning about this axis, to continue spinning about this axis through gyroscopic action. If, as is possible with

the payload capability of available launch vehicles and

as to the degree of reliability attainable with complicated arrangements make it imperative that a lightweight and 35 available launching vehicles, the satellite is launched highly functional active repeater satellite be developed. spinning about the axis of greatest moment of inertia and Such a repeater must meet the minimum requirements with this axis normal .to the plane of the desired orbit, of providing with high reliability a radio receiver and the vehicle will tend to continue in orbit with the spin a radio transmitter with associated antennas capable of axis always normal to this plane. Launching systems 40 being carried into'orbit without undue dil?culty and then for accomplishing these requirements are already avail

serving an unattended repeater station for long periods

interior arrangements; and

of time. lifting the satellite vehicle into the desired orbit and in It is accordingly the object of the present invention to a desired orientation and thereupon imparting an initial simplify and at the same time increase the reliability of spin of the vehicle either by auxiliary rockets or similar satellite vehicles usable as repeater stations in long dis 45 means. tance communication systems. It is seen, therefore, that the arrangements of FIG. 1 In accordance with the invention, there is provided thus far described serve to provide for a satellite vehicle a satellite vehicle capable of being spin oriented to of controlled orientation. It remains to provide transmit maintain a chosen axis in predetermined relationship to ting and receiving equipment which is compatible with 50 "the plane of the orbit in which the vehicle is launched this vehicle and which does not add to the complexity of and in which it is intended to travel thereafter. Con either the vehicle or the launching system. This can be tained within the vehicle are radio transmitting and re-. accomplished, according to the invention, through the use ceiving facilities. Also located within the vehicle are of parallel-plate or slot antennas utilizing bulkhead 14 elements which cooperate to furnish two parallel-plate as an element common to both the transmitting and re radiating regions which intersect the surface of the ve ceiving antennas. Thus, and as best shown in FIG. 2, of hicle as peripheral slots substantially parallel in planes the drawings, bulkhead 14. may comprise a conducting normal to the spin axis. These radiating regions are member or at least comprise a structural member having coupled respectively to the transmitter and the receiver opposed parallel-conducting surfaces. Hemispherical and means are provided for eliminating or at least re shells 10 and 12 are closed by diametral plates 16 and 13, ducing to an acceptable value any cross-coupling of 60 respectively, 10f which the surfaces opposed to the bulk signals between the transmitting and receiving facilities. head are also made conducting. Thus, bulkhead 14 and The above and other features of the invention will 3 plate 16 de?ne a parallel-plate radiating region 20, while be considered in detail in the following speci?cation bulkhead l4 and plate 18 de?ne a second radiating re taken in connection with the drawings in which: gion 22. As is indicated in the drawings, these parallel FIG. 1 is a front view of an active repeater satellite 65 plate radiating regions intersect the exterior surface of the according to the invention; satellite vehicle in essentially equatorial slots (with ref FIG. 2 is a View corresponding to that of FIG. 1 but erence to the indicated spin axis). Support members broken away to show interior arrangements of the satel may be provided to join the hemispherical shells l0 and l2 lite vehicle; and bulkhead 14 or, and as shown, peripheral rings 6 and 70 , FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of the 8 of dielectric material bridge the slots and join the shells invention partly broken away to illustrate certain of the and bulkhead so that the vehicle has a substantially con
, tinuous external surface.

able and, in general, perform the necessary function by

3,100,892
As shown in FIG. 3, the bulkhead is conveniently As indicated in FIG. 2, radio transmitting and receiv formed of a framework constituting a pair of right circu ing equipments 24 and 26, respectively, are mounted with lar cones joined base-to-base with the bases lying in the in the body of the satellite vehicle and are symmetrically plane normal to the indicated spin axis and with their disposed with respect to the spin axis thereof. These may ventices on that spin axis. The framework of the bulk constitute conventional microwave frequency radio equip head is covered with a conducting surface 46 which may ments and typically make extensive useof solidsstate de be either a sheet material or screening having a mesh vices, such as transistors and diodes, in order to reduce appropriate to the wavelength of radio frequencies to power requirements. Such power requirements are typi be handled by the antennas. In some cases the latter may cally met through the use of solar cells, indicated in FIG. be preferred because it offers less interference to the 1 as distributed over the surface of hemispherical shells internal transfer of heat between the various surfaces of 10 and 12. Included within the transmitting and receiving the vehicle. Hollow shells v48 and 50 are secured to the equipments 24 and 26 are lightweight rechargeable bat periphery of bulkhead 38 to provide a substantially teries of su?icient capacity to operate the radio transmit spherical exterior covering for the satellite vehicle. With ting and receiving equipments, these batteries being ar ranged for charging by the solar cell-s in accordance with 15 in these shells, as shown for example in connection with shell 50, interior partitions 52, 54, and 56 serve as a now well-known practice. framework .to support a second conical conducting sheet -It will be recognized that as the vehicle spins, each of the parallel-plate radiating or antenna regions 20 and 22 or screen 58 which cooperates with conical surface 60 of bulkhead 38 to form a parallel-plate radiating region will produce a radiation pattern which is essentially toroi dal in nature, with the plane ofgreatest radiation lying 20 62. A similar structural arrangement within exterior shell '48 provides a second parallel-plate radiating region normal to the spin axis and with nulls lying along that axis. Thus, choice of the orbit in which the vehicle is indicated by the dashed lines 64 in FIG. 3 of the drawings. launched will serve to position the radiation patterns of As discussed above, the necessary radio transmitting the transmitting and receiving antennas appropriately for and receiving equipment, together with appropriate jbat7
transmission to and. from spaced terminal stations on 25 teries, is located within bulkhead 138' and disposed about . earth. Further, it is evident that this antenna arrange the periphery thereof. As in the arrangement of FIG. 1, ment avoids all problems of shadowing of the antennas by solar cells mounted on the exterior shells 48 and 50 thebody of the vehicle. Such shadowing has been a seri serve as a source of power to recharge the batteries and ous disadvantage in the use {of dipole or whip antennas maintain the satellite repeater in operation. Also, as in used hereto?ore and mounted on the exterior of the satel the arrangements of FIGS. 1 and 2, couplings, compris lite vehicle. In addition to freedom from the shadow ing for example a wave guide 66 and a coaxial line 68, are 7 ing problem, the con?guration of the invention offers the provided to interconnect the transmitter on one hand and advantage that no mechanism'is required on the satellite thereceiver on the other to the two parallel-plate radiating vehicle to erect and support external antenna elements regions so that these elements may be coupled for the

after the vehicle is placed in orbit. The ideal spherical 35 transmission of radio frequency energy in opposite and

vehicle shape is maintained prior to, during, and after


launch.

largely non-interfering polarizations.

Although not

shown, it will be understood that one-quarter wave slots

Crosstalk or interference between the transmitting and receiving channels is avoided in the arrangement shown in FIG. 1 by coupling the transmitter 24 to radiating re 40 gion 2!} for energy in one polarization and receiver 26 and radiating region 22 for energy in another polariza

may also be provided in the arrangments of FIGS. '3


and 4 in the same manner as those shown and discussed

tion. Conveniently, for example, the coupling between


receiver 26 and region 22 may constitute a circular wave

in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. v1' and 2. In the arrangement of FIGS. 3 and 4, asin that of FIGS. 1 and '2, the beam width ofthe antennas, and thus

extends across radiating region 21} to terminate on bulk


' head, 14.

guide 28 by which energy is launched in or extracted 45 regions. _ . from the radiating region in the circular electric mode. What is claimed is: ' , In this'rnode, the electric vector is parallel to the plates de 1. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater me ?ning the radiating region. Atthe same time, the con long distance communication system comprising a vehicle nection between transmitter 24 and region. 2t) may be by body, a pair of parallel-plate radiating regions located way \of a coaxial line 30, the outer conductor of which 50 within said body and communicating with the exterior terminates on plate 16 and the inner conductor of which thereof by way-of slots extending about the periphery of

the directivity of the repeater station,.may be variedby changing the spacing of the plates de?ning the radiating

body associated respectively with the ?rst and second of electric vector normal to plate 16 and bulkhead 14 so said radiatingregions, and means for reducing cross 55 that the polarization of these waves is at right angles to coupling between radio signals in said ?rst and" second
that occurring in radiating region 22. .

Waves are thus coupled .to region 291 with the

said body, transmitting and receiving means within said '

The coupling between transmitting and receiving an


tennas may be further reduced and the antenna patterns for the two polarizations made more closely the same

regions.

'

'

'

'

'

'

2. A satellite vehicle for use as an'active repeater in

a long distance communication system comprising a sub stantially spherical body adapted to be launched spinning through the use of peripheral one-quarter Wave slots, such 60 in orbit, a pair of parallel-plate radiating regions located as 32, 34, :and 36 provided on bulkhead 14 and adjacent within said body and intersecting the surface thereof in to the radiating slots on the peripheries of hemispherical parallel substantially equatorial slots, and transmitting and

receiving means within said body associated respectively A modi?cation of the satellite vehicle of FIGS. 1 and 2 with the ?rst and second of said radiating regions and? 65 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Here, coupled therewith for transmission of radio wave energy -bulkhead 38 serves not only to de?ne the transmitting and
receiving antenna regions but also serves as a container
in opposite polarizations. ' V

shells 10 and_12, respectively.

'

long distance communication system comprising a sub equipment. Such equipment, indicated for example in 70 stantially spherical vehicle body having, ?rst and second
FIG. 4 at 40, 42, and 44, is located aboutthe periphery of the bulkhead and serves to enhance the ?ywheel eifect

for all of the transmitting and receiving electronic equip ment and the necessary batteries for the operation of such

3. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater in a

hemispherical body portions, a bulkhead separating said body portions, a pair oflparallel-plate radiating regions,
each de?ned by a surfacehof said bulkhead and located

of bulkhead 38 in ?xing the axis of greatest moment of inertia normal to the plane about which both the bulk
head and the vehicle as a whole are symmetrical.

within said body on opposite, sides of said bulkheadand


75 intersecting the exterior surface of the vehicle in slots,

3,100,892

and transmitting and receiving means mounted about the periphery of said bulkhead and associated for the trans mission of radio frequency energy with the ?rst and second of said regions, the distribution of weight upon said bulk head being arranged to promote rotation of the entire
vehicle about an axis normal to said bulkhead at its center and serving as the axis of greatest moment of inertia

6
parallel-plate regions for the radiation of radio frequency
energy, and quarter-wave slots extending about the pe Iriphery of said body on either side of each of said radiat ing slots to prevent interaction between signals present in said ?rst and second parallel-plate regions.
7. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater in a

for spin stabilization of said vehicle.


4. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater in a

long distance communication system comprising ?rst and second body portions, each having a plane conducting
face, a ?at conducting plate having an area at least su?i

long distance communication system comprising ?rst and 10 cient to overlie either of said plane faces, means for second hemispherical body portions, each having a dia supporting said ?rst and second body portions and said metral surface which is conducting, a conducting bulkhead ?at plate in cooperative relation with said plane faces and interposed between said body portions and in coopera said plate opposed to form two parallel-plate radiating
tion with the conducting diametral surfaces of said body

portions de?ning a pair of parallel-plate radiating regions, 15 transmitting and receiving means mounted respectively
transmitting and receiving means mounted in said vehicle, and means respectively interconnecting said transmittng
on said ?rst and second body portions, and coupling means
and receiving means with the ?rst and second of said radi-.
5. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater in a 20

regions having said ?at plate common to both regions,

ating regions.

interconnecting said transmitting and receiving means and the radiating regions associated with the respective body
portions for transmission of radio wave energy in oppo

site polarizations.
8. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater in a long distance communication system comprising an es

long distance communication system comprising ?rst and second body portions, each de?ned by a hemispherical
shell and a conical conducting surface having its vertex on the axis of generation of said shell and its base nor

sentially spherical body having ?rst and second body por

tions divided by a diametral bulkhead, the opposite sides mal to said axis, a conducting bulkhead interposed be 25 of said bulkhead and conducting surfaces of said body tween said body portions and comprising a pair of conical portions parallel therewith, de?ning parallel-plate radiat surfaces joined base-to-base with the bases normal to said ing regions intersecting the surface of said vehicle in
axis and having the same vertex angles as said conduct

parallel slots, and transmitting and receiving equipments ergy, said transmitting and receiving equipments being
mounted upon said bulkhead about the periphery thereof to promote spinning of the entire vehicle about an axis normal to said bulkhead at the center thereof and acting

ing surfaces of said body portions and lying on the same coupled respectively to the ?rst and second of said paral axis, said bulkhead in cooperation with said conducting 30 lel-plate regions for the transmission of radio wave en

surfaces of said body portions de?ning a pair of parallel plate radiating regions, transmitting and receiving means

cle body, a pair of parallelaplate radiating regions located Hansen _______________ __ July 8, 1952 within said body and intersecting the exterior surface 40 2,602,895 OTHER REFERENCES thereof in parallel slots extending about the periphery of said body, transmitting and receiving means Within said I.R.E. Transactions on Antennas and Propagation, vol. body coupled respectively to the ?rst and second of said Ap.4, No. 1, January 1956, 86.

mounted within said bulkhead, and means respectively coupling the ?rst and second of said radiating regions to, said transmitting and receiving means for the transmis 35 as the axis of the greatest moment of inertia. sion of radio wave energy of different polarizations. References Cited in the ?le of this patent 6. A satellite vehicle for use as an active repeater in a long distance communication system comprising a vehi UNITED STATES PATENTS

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