Richard S Sims

US Patent:

6956526, Oct 18, 2005

Filed:

Oct 18, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/967416

Inventors:

Jack Lundstedt, Jr. - Monrovia MD, US
John Schmid - Gaithersburg MD, US
Richard Sims - Walkersville MD, US
Peter Hou - Germantown MD, US
Patrick Marrone - Harpers Ferry WV, US
Lawrence Cronise - Spencerville MD, US

Assignee:

The DIRECTV Group Inc. - El Segundo CA

International Classification:

H01Q003/00

US Classification:

342359

Abstract:

A method of pointing an antenna at a transmitter comprising the steps of: (a) varying the azimuth of the antenna dish a predetermined number of degrees in a first direction from a predetermined azimuth angle; (b) measuring a first signal strength of an incoming signal received by the antenna dish; (c) varying the azimuth of the antenna dish the same predetermined number of degrees in a second direction from the predetermined azimuth angle, where the second direction is opposite to the first direction; (d) measuring a second signal strength of the incoming signal received by the antenna dish; and (e) comparing the first signal strength to the second signal strength, and if the first signal strength substantially equals the second signal strength, the current predetermined azimuth angle represents the optimal angle of azimuth for the antenna dish. However, if the first signal strength does not substantially equal the second signal strength, the process further comprises the steps of: (f) adjusting the predetermined azimuth angle, and (g) repeating steps (a)–(e). The same process is then repeated for the elevation adjustment.