SATCOM Equipment
Datayq1,
The beam steering unit is for the high gain antenna system. The beam steering unit receives digital beam steering signals from the satellite data unit. The satellite data unit provides known satellite positions and steering signals to create a beam point.
The antenna then uses the signals to make a narrow beam to the satellite.
The beam steering unit changes the beam steering signals into phase shift data which is sent to the high gain antenna. The high gain antenna then uses this data to aim the RF signal at the satellite.
When the SATCOM finds an active satellite it will lock onto it and attempt a log on. From lock-on the system will simply follow the satellite. If the beam is interrupted, then the system will reacquire the satellite and lock-on again, therefore another log on attempt.
We know that the satellite was indeed acquired by the hand shake communications every hour from Inmarsat.