Antenna Coverage Mapping via Satellite Relay and Spread Spectrum
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for testing antenna radiation diagrams in satellite communication systems cause interference with surrounding radiocommunication systems and struggle to accurately measure antenna gains without disrupting operational satellite services.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the transmission of a test signal with a pseudo-random digital sequence from a ground station to a satellite, which retransmits the signal to a second ground station, allowing for power measurements and adaptive transmission adjustments to minimize interference and improve reception conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high power levels are transmitted for antenna coverage tests, then measurement accuracy is improved, but interference with surrounding radiocommunication systems increases
Solution Approach 1:
A satellite acts as an intermediary to relay test signals between two ground stations. The test signal is transmitted from a first ground station to the satellite, which then retransmits it to a second ground station. This allows coverage testing without requiring high power transmissions that would interfere with surrounding systems, as the satellite provides signal amplification and relay capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses spread spectrum modulation with pseudo-random digital sequences to change the signal parameters. By spreading the spectrum of the test signal across a wide bandwidth using code division multiplexing, the power spectral density is reduced, allowing accurate measurements without transmitting high peak power levels that would cause interference to other radiocommunication systems.
2Reliability
If tests are conducted with operational satellite, then service interruption is avoided, but measurement reliability decreases due to limited power levels
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite serves as a mediator that enables continuous operation during testing. By using the satellite's existing amplification and relay functions, the system can perform coverage measurements without requiring high power transmissions from ground stations, thus maintaining service continuity while achieving reliable measurements through the satellite's signal processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements a feedback mechanism where the second ground station receives the test signal from the satellite, measures the received power, and compares it with reference thresholds. Based on these measurements, the system can adaptively adjust transmission parameters and generate coding instructions to improve reception conditions, ensuring reliable measurements even with limited power levels during operational satellite use.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If spread spectrum modulation is used, then interference is reduced, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of spread spectrum signal processing. By implementing spread spectrum modulation at the ground station and utilizing the satellite's relay capability, the system reduces interference to third-party systems through spectral spreading, while the satellite infrastructure supports the enhanced processing requirements without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate antenna power testing with reduced interference, allowing for the generation of reliable coverage maps without disrupting satellite operations and improving signal processing gain in reception.
Implementation Method 1
said test signal being modulated by spread spectrum in a channel of a predetermined width by a pseudo-random digital sequence encoding at least one sequence of data bits
Implementation Method 2
Demodulation of each test signal to measure the received power of each test signal; A comparison of each power with a first predefined power reference threshold
Implementation Method 3
a satellite comprising a repeater for retransmitting the test signal to a second earth station
Data Source
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AI summary
The method for measuring the antenna gains of a transmitter (E1) for the generation of at least one radiation pattern of said antenna, said method comprises: ▪ A plurality of transmissions of a test signal (Stest) to a satellite (SAT) for retransmission of the test signal to a second ground station (ST2), the transmissions being carried out in different orientations (θi,i∈[1 ;N]), said test signal (Sest) being modulated by spread spectrum using a pseudo-random digital sequence (PN); ▪ A reception of each test signal (Sest); ▪ A demodulation of each test signal (Sest) allowing measurement of the power of each received test signal (Sest); ▪ A comparison of each power with a first threshold; ▪ A generation of a coding instruction (CONS_COD) aimed at encoding a given number (N_SEQ) of data bit sequences (SEQBIT) by at least one pseudo-random sequence (PN).