Antenna of high-low orbit integrated satellite communication terminal, high-low orbit integrated satellite communication terminal
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- CHINA SATENT NETWORK APPLICATION RESEARCH INSTITUTE CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-09-15
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
Smart Images
Figure CN224458581U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of satellite communications, and specifically to an antenna for a high-low orbit fusion satellite communication terminal and a high-low orbit fusion satellite communication terminal. Background Technology
[0002] High-orbit satellite communication antennas are mostly implemented using servo planar array antennas or reflector antennas, and a large scanning range is achieved by using servo mechanisms.
[0003] Although these two antenna architectures have the advantages of being easy to manufacture and low cost, they are not suitable for mobile communication scenarios such as airborne or missile-borne applications.
[0004] Existing servo planar array antennas or reflector antennas cannot meet the requirements for rapid satellite switching in low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication, nor can they adapt to applications in high-Earth orbit mobile communication scenarios.
[0005] This application proposal will address the issues of rapid satellite switching in low Earth orbit and mobile communication applications in high Earth orbit. Utility Model Content
[0006] Providing a mechanism to alleviate, reduce or eliminate at least one of the above problems would be beneficial.
[0007] In a first aspect, an antenna for a high-low orbit fusion satellite communication terminal is provided, comprising:
[0008] Frustum-shaped antenna substrate;
[0009] A high-orbit satellite communication module includes multiple high-orbit phased array antenna elements, which are distributed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
[0010] A low-orbit satellite communication module includes multiple low-orbit phased array antenna elements, which are distributed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
[0011] A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module includes a GNSS antenna, which is disposed at the center of the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
[0012] In a second aspect, a high-low orbit integrated satellite communication terminal is provided, including the antenna described in the first aspect.
[0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of this disclosure, the antenna of a high-Earth orbit (HEO) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) fusion satellite communication terminal includes a frustum-shaped antenna substrate, a HEO satellite communication module, a LEO satellite communication module, and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module. The HEO satellite communication module includes multiple HEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. The LEO satellite communication module includes multiple LEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. Through the HEO and LEO fusion terminal antenna, the antenna as a whole is frustum-shaped. The top features a HEO satellite communication antenna array and a single-point positioning GNSS antenna, while the sides feature a LEO satellite communication antenna array, thus improving the antenna's satellite switching speed.
[0014] It should be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description
[0015] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of this disclosure will become more apparent from the more detailed description of some embodiments thereof in the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0016] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the internal structure of the antenna of a high-Earth orbit and low-Earth orbit fusion satellite communication terminal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;
[0017] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the external structure of the antenna of a high-Earth orbit and low-Earth orbit fusion satellite communication terminal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;
[0018] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of an antenna array disposed on a frustum-shaped antenna substrate in an antenna of a high-Earth orbit fusion satellite communication terminal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.
[0019] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the antenna of a high-Earth orbit and low-Earth orbit fusion satellite communication terminal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown for use in a satellite communication system structure. Detailed Implementation
[0020] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this disclosure, and do not impose any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in ways other than those described below.
[0021] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.
[0022] References to "an embodiment," "embodiment," "exemplary embodiment," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but not every embodiment needs to include specific features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a specific feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an exemplary embodiment, whether explicitly described or not, those skilled in the art will recognize that such a feature, structure, or characteristic affects its connection to other embodiments.
[0023] It should be understood that while the terms “first” and “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. The term “and / or” as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.
[0024] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “a group of elements” or “a collection of elements” as used herein are intended to include one or more elements. It should also be understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “possessing,” “including,” and / or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.
[0025] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one or more of the following:
[0026] (a) Implemented only in hardware circuitry (e.g., implemented only in analog and / or digital circuitry)
[0027] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable):
[0028] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware; and
[0029] (ii) Any part of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory that work together to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions, and
[0030] (c) Hardware circuitry and / or processors, such as microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when the software is not required to operate.
[0031] The definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit" also includes implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or processors in general) or a portion thereof and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term "circuit" also includes, for example, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing network devices, if applicable to a particular claim element.
[0032] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), New Radio (NR), Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), and future sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to satellite communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, future types of communication technologies and systems will naturally exist, and this disclosure can be implemented using these technologies and systems. The scope of this disclosure should not be considered limited to the aforementioned systems.
[0033] As used herein, the term "satellite network device" refers to a node located on a satellite or ground segment within a satellite communication network. Terminal devices access the network and receive services through this node. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a satellite network device can refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP) that serves as a satellite payload, such as a Node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also known as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a Radio Header (RH), a Remote Radio Header (RRH), or a relay node. An example of a relay node can be an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node. The Distributed Unit (DU) portion of an IAB node can perform the functions of a "satellite network device" and therefore can operate as a network device. In the following description, the terms "satellite network device," "BS," and "node" are used interchangeably.
[0034] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not a limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). This terminal device may include, but is not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop installed devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless subscriber equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronics devices, relay nodes, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The mobile terminal (MT) portion of an IAB node can perform the functions of a "terminal device" and therefore can operate as a terminal device. In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably.
[0035] While the functions described herein may be implemented in fixed and / or wireless network nodes in various exemplary embodiments, in other exemplary embodiments, they may be implemented in user equipment devices (such as cellular phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, mobile IoT devices, or fixed IoT devices). For example, the user equipment device may suitably have the corresponding capabilities described in relation to fixed and / or wireless network nodes. The user equipment device may be user equipment and / or control devices, such as chipsets or processors, configured to control the user equipment when it is installed therein. Examples of these functions include boot server functions and / or home subscriber servers, which may be implemented in the user equipment device by providing the user equipment device with software configured to cause the user equipment device to perform from the perspective of these functions / nodes.
[0036] For low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications, such as narrowband satellite communications, when high communication rates are required, such as tens to hundreds of kbps or even 1 Mbps, a single satellite communication antenna cannot support this. In such cases, multiple antennas or array antennas are needed, typically using servo planar array antennas. However, for LEO satellite communications, satellites move at high speeds, and individual satellites pass overhead quickly. To achieve uninterrupted communication, rapid satellite switching is required. Servo planar arrays or reflector antennas have limitations in their satellite switching speed and cannot achieve rapid satellite switching.
[0037] This disclosure discloses an antenna for a high-Earth orbit (HEO) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) fusion satellite communication terminal capable of supporting rapid satellite switching. The antenna includes a frustum-shaped antenna substrate, a HEO satellite communication module, a LEO satellite communication module, and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module. The HEO satellite communication module includes multiple HEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. The LEO satellite communication module includes multiple LEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. Through this HEO and LEO fusion terminal antenna, the overall antenna is frustum-shaped. The top features a HEO satellite communication antenna array and a single-point positioning GNSS antenna, while the sides feature a LEO satellite communication antenna array, thus improving the antenna's satellite switching speed.
[0038] Figure 1This illustration shows an internal structure diagram of the antenna of a high-Earth orbit (HEO) and low-Earth orbit (LEO) fusion satellite communication terminal according to some embodiments of this disclosure. The antenna of the HEO and LEO fusion satellite communication terminal in this embodiment includes: a frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010; a HEO satellite communication module 1020, including multiple HEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate; a LEO satellite communication module 1030, including multiple LEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate; and a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module 1040, including a GNSS antenna disposed at the center of the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. Specifically, the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010 is used, and the HEO satellite communication module 1020 specifically includes multiple HEO phased array antenna elements distributed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. The low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication module 1030 specifically includes multiple LEO phased array antenna elements, which are distributed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. Furthermore, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module 1040 also includes a GNSS antenna, which is disposed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010, preferably at the center of the upper surface. Specifically, the high-Earth orbit (HEO) satellite communication antenna array adopts a ring-shaped phased array layout, which can be modified according to actual needs. When the communication rate requirement is low, a single ring array is sufficient; when the communication rate requirement is high, a double ring array is used to increase the number of antennas and channels. The LEO satellite communication antenna array is arranged around the frustum, similar to a spherical phased array, requiring the channel shutdown and beamforming to be determined according to the scanning angle, resulting in a large scanning range.
[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, a frustum-shaped phased array antenna is adopted, with the top of the frustum being an S-band high-orbit satellite communication antenna array and the perimeter of the frustum being an L-band low-orbit satellite communication antenna array. This antenna is an L+S dual-mode phased array antenna, which is compatible with both high and low orbits and has the advantages of stable communication and strong practicality.
[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, such as Figure 3 As shown, the high-orbit satellite communication module 1020 has multiple high-orbit phased array antenna elements disposed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010, specifically including M high-orbit satellite communication array antenna elements. M can be a positive integer greater than or equal to 10.
[0041] It should be understood that the M high-orbit satellite communication array elements can be arranged in a centrally symmetrical manner about the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna base 4. The high-orbit satellite communication module 1020 can operate, for example, in the S-band, covering both the transmit and receive bands, with a single antenna shared for both. The spacing between the M array elements is approximately 0.5λ0, where λ0 is the wavelength corresponding to the center operating frequency of the high-orbit satellite communication module 1020.
[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, the low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communication module 1030 is disposed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010, and the plurality of LEO phased array antenna elements include N element antennas. N can be a positive integer greater than or equal to 8. The LEO satellite communication antenna array 3 operates, for example, in the L-band, covering both the transmit and receive bands, with a single antenna shared for both transmission and reception. The LEO satellite communication antenna occupies the side of the frustum and is arranged in a quasi-spherical array, which not only has good low sidelobe characteristics but also excellent low elevation angle performance, thus meeting the low elevation angle performance requirements of LEO satellite systems for terminals.
[0043] Preferably, the number of low-orbit phased array antenna elements in the low-orbit satellite communication module 1030 can be changed according to the actual scenario requirements and increased or decreased according to the communication rate requirements.
[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module 1040 is positioned on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010, for example, at the exact center of the upper surface, and simultaneously at the center of the arrangement pattern of multiple high-orbit phased array antenna elements. The antenna of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010 can be positioned using a single-point positioning method, and an inertial navigation module can be placed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010. Below the GNSS antenna, inside the frustum structure, are connected the GNSS active channel and the inertial navigation module, providing attitude and position information for high-orbit and low-orbit satellite communication.
[0045] In some embodiments, the plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements are arranged in at least one circle along the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
[0046] like Figure 2 As shown, Figure 2 An example of the high-orbit satellite communication module 1020 is shown. The number and arrangement of the array antennas in the high-orbit satellite communication module 1020 can be changed according to the actual scenario requirements. A single ring array arrangement can be selected (e.g., M = 10 or other). Alternatively, a two-ring ring array arrangement can be used (e.g., M = 6 inner rings + 6 outer rings or M = 6 inner rings + 10 outer rings or other). The number can be increased or decreased according to the communication rate requirements, and a rectangular array can also be arranged (e.g., M = 4×4 or other).
[0047] In some embodiments, the plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements are arranged in a manner that is centrally symmetrical about the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, a centrally symmetrical structure is adopted, and the multiple high-orbit phased array antenna elements are deployed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
[0049] In some embodiments, the plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements are transmit-receive common aperture antenna elements, and / or, the plurality of low-orbit phased array antenna elements are transmit-receive common aperture antenna elements.
[0050] Based on a frustum structure, the high- and low-orbit integrated terminal antenna adopts the same aperture in the antenna array for both high- and low-orbit satellite communication. The high-orbit satellite communication antenna occupies the top of the frustum and is arranged in a planar circular array, which has good low sidelobe characteristics. Under the premise of the same performance and the same aperture, it has the advantage of the smallest number of channels. Compared with the traditional planar square array with the same aperture, its number of channels can be reduced by about 15%, which has the advantage of low cost.
[0051] In some embodiments, the high-low orbit fusion terminal antenna located on the frustum-shaped antenna substrate 1010 is implemented using a circular phased array with a common transmit and receive aperture for high orbit satellite communication, which satisfies a scanning range with an off-axis angle of at least ±60°, and naturally possesses low sidelobe characteristics due to its circular arrangement.
[0052] In some embodiments, the high-low orbit fusion terminal antenna based on the truncated cone structure is implemented using a truncated cone phased array with the same aperture for transmitting and receiving in low orbit satellite communication. It is distributed around the truncated cone and can achieve 360° azimuth and ±90° elevation scanning, covering the upper half of the airspace.
[0053] In some embodiments, the GNSS antenna is a single-point positioning antenna.
[0054] Specifically, it adopts a single-point positioning method, using only one global navigation satellite antenna to achieve attitude and positioning, which has the advantage of low cost.
[0055] In some embodiments, the high-orbit satellite communication module 1020 further includes: a high-orbit antenna transceiver assembly disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements; a frequency conversion module disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the high-orbit antenna transceiver assembly; and a high-orbit antenna beam control module disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the frequency conversion module.
[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, the high-orbit satellite communication module 1020 also includes a high-orbit antenna transceiver assembly, a frequency conversion module, and a high-orbit antenna beam control module.
[0057] The high-orbit communication module includes a high-orbit satellite communication antenna array, TR components, frequency conversion module, beam control module, and baseband module.
[0058] In some embodiments, the low-orbit satellite communication module 1030 further includes: a low-orbit antenna transceiver assembly disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the plurality of low-orbit phased array antenna elements; and a low-orbit antenna beam control module disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the low-orbit antenna transceiver assembly.
[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the low-orbit satellite communication module 1030 also includes a low-orbit antenna transceiver assembly and a low-orbit antenna beam control module.
[0060] Specifically, the low-Earth orbit (LEO) communication module includes a LEO satellite communication antenna array, a TR component, a beam control module, and a baseband module.
[0061] In some embodiments, the GNSS module 1040 further includes: a GNSS active channel disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the GNSS antenna; and an inertial navigation module disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the GNSS active channel.
[0062] like Figure 4 As shown, the GNSS module 1040 also includes a GNSS active channel and an inertial navigation module.
[0063] The Global Navigation Satellite (GNSS) module includes a GNSS antenna, a GNSS active channel, and an inertial navigation module, which can provide location service information for high-orbit and low-orbit communication modules.
[0064] In some embodiments, a baseband module disposed inside a frustum-shaped antenna substrate is also included, the baseband module being connected to the high-orbit satellite communication module, the low-orbit satellite communication module and the GNSS module.
[0065] like Figure 4 As shown, the baseband module is connected to the high-orbit satellite communication module, the low-orbit satellite communication module, and the GNSS module, respectively.
[0066] The high-low orbit fusion satellite communication terminal in this application embodiment is applicable to mobile communication scenarios in areas covered by high-orbit satellites and low-orbit satellites. The entire antenna is frustum-shaped, resembling a turtle's back, and can be mounted on a drone.
[0067] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological behavior, it should be understood that this disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or behaviors described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms for implementing the claims.
[0068] It should be fully understood that the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices generally considered to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to the user.
Claims
1. A high-low orbit fusion satellite communication terminal antenna, characterized in that, include: Frustum-shaped antenna substrate; A high-orbit satellite communication module includes multiple high-orbit phased array antenna elements, which are distributed on the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. A low-orbit satellite communication module includes multiple low-orbit phased array antenna elements, which are distributed on the side surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate. A Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) module, including a GNSS antenna disposed at the center of the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
2. The antenna of claim 1, wherein The plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements are arranged in at least one circle along the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
3. The antenna of claim 1, wherein The plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements are arranged in a manner that is centrally symmetrical about the upper surface of the frustum-shaped antenna substrate.
4. The antenna of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements are transmit-receive common aperture antenna elements, and / or the plurality of low-orbit phased array antenna elements are transmit-receive common aperture antenna elements.
5. The antenna of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The GNSS antenna is a single-point positioning antenna.
6. The antenna of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The high-orbit satellite communication module also includes: A high-orbit antenna transceiver assembly is disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the plurality of high-orbit phased array antenna elements; The frequency conversion module is disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna base and is connected to the high-orbit antenna transceiver assembly. The high-orbit antenna beam control module is located inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and is connected to the frequency conversion module.
7. The antenna of any one of claims 1-3, wherein The low-orbit satellite communication module also includes: A low-orbit antenna transceiver assembly is disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and connected to the plurality of low-orbit phased array antenna elements; The low-orbit antenna beam control module is located inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate and is connected to the low-orbit antenna transceiver assembly.
8. The antenna of any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The GNSS module also includes: A GNSS active channel is disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna base and connected to the GNSS antenna; The inertial navigation module is located inside the frustum-shaped antenna base and is connected to the GNSS active channel.
9. The antenna according to claim 8, wherein, It also includes a baseband module disposed inside the frustum-shaped antenna substrate, the baseband module being connected to the high-orbit satellite communication module, the low-orbit satellite communication module and the GNSS module. 10.A high-low orbit fusion satellite communication terminal, characterized in that, Includes the antenna as described in any one of claims 1-9.