Multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for low earth orbit satellite gateway

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metasurface antenna using a metamaterial and, specifically, to a metasurface antenna applied to a ground gateway which is a connection medium between a low earth orbit satellite and a data center on the earth. The metasurface antenna comprises: a reflective metasurface configured to reflect each of signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band; and a feed antenna which applies an electromagnetic wave to the reflective metasurface, wherein the feed antenna is disposed to be spaced apart from an upper portion of the reflective metasurface by a preconfigured distance, and is formed to be movable on the upper portion of the reflective metasurface.

Description

Multiband reflective metasurface antenna for low-orbit satellite gateway

[0001] The present invention relates to a metasurface antenna using a metamaterial, and more particularly, to a metasurface antenna applied to a ground gateway, which is a connection medium between a low-orbit satellite and a data center on Earth.

[0002]

[0003] Currently, global space development is transitioning from the old space era, which was led by the government, to the new space era, which signifies the era of private sector-led space development. Space development, which was previously focused on military purposes between major powers, is evolving into a space industry where the private sector, with its challenging and innovative spirit, is pioneering new markets and generating economic benefits.

[0004] In particular, major private companies, centered around SpaceX in the United States, are attempting to overcome the barriers to entry into space development through cost reductions such as reusable rockets and small satellites.

[0005] Meanwhile, with the recent commercialization of 6th generation mobile communications (6G) approaching, interest is gathering on low-orbit satellite communications, which are being discussed as essential. To achieve this, a gateway antenna is needed to perform the function of connecting low-orbit satellites and ground networks, as well as to control low-orbit satellites.

[0006] In the case of the gateway antenna currently being installed, a dish-shaped parabolic antenna with a parabolic reflector is generally applied, unlike the user antenna which is composed of a flat beam steering antenna.

[0007] These parabolic antennas have the problem that the operating rate of the satellite antenna is affected by various external factors such as wind, and there are many restrictions on installation conditions because a reflector of at least 4 meters must be applied.

[0008]

[0009] A dual-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention aims to solve the following problems in order to solve the above-described problems.

[0010] The present invention provides a dual-band reflective metasurface antenna that can improve installation and accessibility through a compact and lightweight structure of an antenna for a gateway.

[0011] Additionally, a dual-band reflective metasurface antenna is provided that can overcome installation restrictions due to external factors such as wind.

[0012] The problems solved by the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field from the description below.

[0013]

[0014] A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention relates to a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway installed in a gateway for communication with a low-orbit satellite, comprising: a reflective metasurface configured to reflect signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band, respectively; and a feeding unit that applies an electromagnetic wave to the reflective metasurface; wherein the feeding unit is spaced apart from the upper portion of the reflective metasurface by a preset distance, and is formed to be movable on the upper portion of the reflective metasurface.

[0015] It is preferable that the first frequency band is an X-band frequency band, and the second frequency band is an S-band frequency band.

[0016] It is preferable that the above reflective metasurface includes: a first reflective metasurface for the first frequency band; and a second reflective metasurface for the second frequency band, the second reflective metasurface being disposed below the first reflective metasurface.

[0017] It is preferable that the above first reflective metasurface has a reflection coefficient of 0.9 or more in the X-band frequency band and a transmission coefficient of 0.9 or more in the S-band frequency band.

[0018] It is preferable that the above second reflective metasurface has a reflection coefficient of 0.9 or more in the S band frequency band and a change in reflection phase of 360 degrees.

[0019] It is preferable that the above-mentioned power supply unit moves along a first orbit on a plane spaced apart from the upper portion of the metasurface by a preset height to steer the electromagnetic wave reflected from the metasurface.

[0020] It is preferable that the above-mentioned power supply unit moves along a second orbit on an arc with the center of the metasurface as its origin to steer the electromagnetic wave reflected from the metasurface.

[0021]

[0022] A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to another embodiment of the present invention relates to a metamaterial antenna having a multi-band multi-pairing function installed in a gateway for communication with a low-orbit satellite, the antenna comprising: a first metasurface configured to reflect a signal of a first frequency band and transmit a signal of a second frequency band; a second metasurface arranged spaced apart from a lower portion of the first metasurface and configured to reflect a signal of the second frequency band; a first feeding unit configured to apply an electromagnetic wave of the first frequency band to the first metasurface; and a second feeding unit configured to apply an electromagnetic wave of the second frequency band to at least one of the first metasurface and the second metasurface.

[0023] It is preferable that the first frequency band is an X-band frequency band, and the second frequency band is an S-band frequency band.

[0024] It is preferable that at least one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit is spaced apart from the first metasurface by a preset distance, but is formed so as to be movable on the first metasurface.

[0025] It is preferable that at least one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit moves along a first orbit on a plane spaced apart from the upper portion of the first metasurface by a preset height to steer an electromagnetic wave reflected from the first metasurface or the second metasurface.

[0026] It is preferable that at least one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit moves along a second orbit on an arc having the center of at least one of the first metasurface and the second metasurface as its origin to steer an electromagnetic wave reflected from the first metasurface or the second metasurface.

[0027]

[0028] A dual-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment and another embodiment of the present invention can be expected to have the effect of overcoming installation restrictions due to external factors such as wind and internal factors such as large size / heavy weight by applying a flat-plate beam steering antenna structure without applying a parabolic-shaped reflector.

[0029] Additionally, it is expected that dual-band communication will be possible for both satellite control communications and data downloading from satellites.

[0030] The effects of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the relevant technical field from the description below.

[0031]

[0032] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a reflective metasurface among the configurations of a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams illustrating implementation examples of movement of a feed antenna of a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0036]

[0037] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0038] Furthermore, when describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted if they are deemed to obscure the gist of the present invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that the attached drawings are intended solely to facilitate understanding of the spirit of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the spirit of the present invention.

[0039]

[0040] Hereinafter, a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0041] Metamaterials are artificial materials based on three-dimensional conductive or dielectric structures that can implement negative or zero refractive indices or very large refractive indices that do not exist in nature.

[0042] Using these metamaterials, it is possible to freely control the propagation path, phase, and polarization of electromagnetic waves, enabling the development of new types of electronic devices that did not previously exist, such as transparent cloaks and zero-order resonance small antennas.

[0043] However, existing metamaterials based on three-dimensional structures have the disadvantages of being large in volume and having high insertion loss. As an alternative to overcome the limitations of these metamaterials, research on metasurfaces based on two-dimensional conductive patterns has been actively conducted recently.

[0044] Electromagnetic waves incident on a metasurface induce high-frequency currents on a two-dimensional conductive pattern, and the induced currents interact in a way that re-radiates the electromagnetic waves, enabling free control of the size, phase, and polarization of the electromagnetic waves. Based on this, various applications such as transparent and reflective metasurface antennas, metasurface absorbers, and holograms have been reported.

[0045]

[0046] A dual-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to one embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a reflective metasurface (100) and a feeding unit (200) as illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0047] The reflective metasurface (100) is configured to reflect signals of the first frequency band and the second frequency band, respectively, and the power supply unit (200) is configured to apply electromagnetic waves to the reflective metasurface (100).

[0048] Here, it is preferable that the first frequency band is an X-band frequency band and the second frequency band is an S-band frequency band.

[0049] At this time, the reflective metasurface (100) can be divided into a first reflective metasurface (100) for the first frequency band, as illustrated in FIG. 2, and a second reflective metasurface (120) disposed below the first reflective metasurface (110) for the second frequency band.

[0050] At this time, it is preferable that the first reflective metasurface (110) has a reflection coefficient of 0.9 or more in the X-band frequency band and a transmission coefficient of 0.9 or more in the S-band frequency band, and it is preferable that the second reflective metasurface (120) has a reflection coefficient of 0.9 or more in the S-band frequency band and a change in reflection phase is applied at 360 degrees.

[0051] In addition, the embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 can be considered for changing the position of the power supply unit (200) for beam steering.

[0052] Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the power supply unit (200) can move along a first orbit (A) on a plane spaced apart from the upper portion of the metasurface (100) by a preset height to steer electromagnetic waves reflected from the metasurface (100).

[0053] In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, it may be possible for the power supply unit (200) to move along a second orbit (B) on an arc with the center of the metasurface (100) as its origin to steer the electromagnetic wave reflected from the metasurface (100).

[0054]

[0055] A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to another embodiment of the present invention is configured to include a first metasurface (100), a second metasurface (200), a first feeding unit (300), and a second feeding unit (400), as illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0056] The first metasurface (100) is configured to reflect a signal of a first frequency band and transmit a signal of a second frequency band, and the second metasurface (200) is arranged spaced apart from the lower portion of the first metasurface (100) and is configured to reflect a signal of the second frequency band.

[0057] Here, it is preferable that the first frequency band is an X-band frequency band and the second frequency band is an S-band frequency band.

[0058] The first power supply unit (300) performs the function of applying an electromagnetic wave of a first frequency band to the first metasurface (100), and the second power supply unit (400) performs the function of applying an electromagnetic wave of a second frequency band to at least one of the first metasurface (100) and the second metasurface (200).

[0059] In addition, for beam steering, at least one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit may be spaced apart from the first metasurface (100) by a preset distance, but may be formed to be movable on the first metasurface (100).

[0060] In the case of such a beam steering structure, at least one of the first feeding unit (300) and the second feeding unit (400) can move along a first orbit on a plane spaced apart from the upper portion of the first metasurface (100) by a preset height to steer an electromagnetic wave reflected from the first metasurface (100) or the 22nd metasurface (200).

[0061] In addition, it is also possible for at least one of the first power supply unit (100) and the second power supply unit (200) to move along a second orbit on an arc with the center of at least one of the first metasurface (100) and the second metasurface (200) as the origin to steer an electromagnetic wave reflected from the first metasurface (100) or the second metasurface (200).

[0062]

[0063] Meanwhile, the multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway according to the various embodiments of the present invention described above is an antenna capable of dual-band communication using two stacked metasurfaces, but is not limited thereto and may be configured by stacking three or more metasurfaces, thereby enabling communication in three or more frequency bands.

[0064] While the present invention has been described in detail using preferred embodiments, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, and should be interpreted in accordance with the appended claims. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. In a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway installed in a gateway for communication with a low-orbit satellite, A reflective metasurface configured to reflect signals of a first frequency band and a second frequency band, respectively; and A feeding antenna that applies electromagnetic waves to the above reflective metasurface; Including, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that the above-mentioned feed antenna is spaced apart from the upper portion of the reflective metasurface by a preset distance, and is formed so as to be movable on the upper portion of the reflective metasurface.

2. In claim 1, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that the first frequency band is an X-band frequency band and the second frequency band is an S-band frequency band.

3. In claim 1, the reflective metasurface, a first reflective metasurface for the first frequency band; and A second reflective metasurface for the second frequency band, disposed below the first reflective metasurface; A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized by including:

4. In claim 1, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that the above-mentioned feeding antenna moves along a first orbit on a plane spaced apart from the upper portion of the metasurface by a preset height to steer electromagnetic waves reflected from the metasurface.

5. In claim 1, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that the above-mentioned feed antenna moves along a second orbit on an arc with the center of the metasurface as its origin and steers electromagnetic waves reflected from the metasurface.

6. In a multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway installed in a gateway for communication with a low-orbit satellite, A first metasurface configured to reflect a signal of a first frequency band and transmit a signal of a second frequency band; A second metasurface arranged spaced apart from the lower portion of the first metasurface and configured to reflect a signal of the second frequency band; A first power supply unit that applies an electromagnetic wave of a first frequency band to the first metasurface; and A second power supply unit that applies an electromagnetic wave of the second frequency band to at least one of the first metasurface and the second metasurface; A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway including:

7. In claim 6, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that the first frequency band is an X-band frequency band and the second frequency band is an S-band frequency band.

8. In claim 6, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that at least one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit is spaced apart from the first metasurface by a preset distance, and is formed to be movable on the first metasurface.

9. In claim 6, A multi-band reflective metasurface antenna for a low-orbit satellite gateway, characterized in that at least one of the first power supply unit and the second power supply unit moves along a first orbit on a plane spaced apart from the upper portion of the first metasurface by a preset height to steer an electromagnetic wave reflected from the first metasurface or the second metasurface.

10. In claim 6, A metamaterial antenna having a multi-band multi-pairing function, characterized in that at least one of the first feeding unit and the second feeding unit moves along a second orbit on an arc with the center of at least one of the first metasurface and the second metasurface as its origin to steer an electromagnetic wave reflected from the first metasurface or the second metasurface.

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