Aircraft Antenna Switching for Adjacent Satellite Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing satellite communication systems face excessive interference with non-target satellites due to the wide beamwidth axis of airborne antennas, limiting service availability to users within the coverage area of target satellites.
Innovation Solution
An antenna system with a primary mechanically steerable antenna and a secondary antenna array, featuring an asymmetric beam pattern, is used to switch communication paths based on interference thresholds, ensuring continuous service by minimizing interference with non-target satellites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mobile antenna terminal uses a narrow beamwidth axis to communicate with a target satellite, then communication reliability is improved, but service availability deteriorates at certain geographic locations due to interference with non-target satellites
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between the primary antenna (narrow beamwidth) and secondary antenna (wide beamwidth) based on the aircraft's geographic location and satellite geometry. The antenna selection system adjusts which antenna is active to maintain communication reliability while expanding service availability to locations where the narrow beam would cause interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna system is segmented into two distinct antennas with different beamwidth characteristics. The primary antenna provides narrow beam communication for reliability, while the secondary antenna provides wide beam coverage for service availability. The system divides the operational space into regions where each antenna type is optimal.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an asymmetric antenna beam pattern with wide beamwidth axis is used, then service availability is improved, but interference with non-target satellites increases beyond threshold levels
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna selection system acts as an intermediary that chooses between the primary and secondary antennas based on interference thresholds. When the wide beamwidth axis would cause excessive interference, the system switches to the narrow beamwidth antenna, thereby mediating between service availability and interference constraints.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operational parameter (antenna beamwidth) based on geographic location and satellite geometry. By switching between narrow and wide beamwidth modes, the system adapts the antenna parameters to satisfy interference requirements while maintaining service availability where possible.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If communication is restricted to certain geographic locations to avoid interference, then interference requirements are satisfied, but productivity deteriorates due to service unavailability
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically determines which antenna to use based on real-time geographic location and satellite geometry. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to provide service in locations where a static narrow-beam system would fail, thereby improving productivity while still satisfying interference requirements through intelligent antenna selection.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, an antenna system is described. The antenna system includes a primary antenna on an aircraft. The primary antenna is mechanically steerable and has an asymmetric antenna beam pattern with a narrow beamwidth axis and a wide beamwidth axis at boresight. The antenna system also includes a secondary antenna on the aircraft, the secondary antenna including an array of antenna elements. The antenna system also includes an antenna selection system to control communication of a signal between the aircraft and a target satellite via the primary antenna and the secondary antenna. The antenna selection system switches communication of the signal from the primary antenna to the secondary antenna when an amount of interference with an adjacent satellite reaches a threshold due to the wide beamwidth axis of the asymmetric antenna beam pattern.