The Advantages of Using a Data Quality Estimate for Antenna Tracking

Abstract

An Antenna Control Unit (ACU) has historically used the AGC signal from receivers to select the best signal to use for antenna tracking. Using the AGC, the biggest signal, likely the signal with the best Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR), is selected as the tracking reference. But often, due to signal impairments and interfering signals, the biggest signal is not always the best signal. This can cause a breakdown in antenna tracking. A similar problem is solved for a Correlating Best Source Selector (BSS) by using a Data Quality Estimate (DQE) as the metric for best source selection. The DQE not only includes SNR but also includes the effects of signal distortion and interference. A modern ACU uses the DQE to provide superior antenna tracking performance. This paper discusses the improvements in antenna tracking performance using a DQE versus the AGC. Specific conditions include the tracking of the signal with the best DQ, and the avoidance of tracking a reflected or an interfering signal.