Antenna Socket Authorization Control for Satellite One-Cable Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

In satellite receiving systems, the challenge is to prevent unintended changes to user bands assigned to receiving devices, as incorrect configuration can lead to frequency changes affecting other devices, especially in one-cable systems where all frequency bands cannot be transmitted simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The antenna socket includes a trunk line input, a branch for connecting receiving devices, a memory for authorization configuration data, and a control unit that checks and transmits control signals only if they match the stored user ID, preventing unauthorized frequency changes. It also features a second memory for buffering control signals and a communication unit for central configuration, ensuring only authorized frequencies are used.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If receiving devices are allowed to freely change frequency bands in a one-cable system, then system flexibility and adaptability are improved, but system reliability deteriorates due to potential unauthorized changes affecting other devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency band selection flexibilityVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna socket acts as an intermediary device between the receiving device and the one-cable system. It includes a control unit that intercepts control signals from the receiving device, checks them against stored authorization configuration data (user band ID), and only forwards authorized signals to the frequency converter. This mediator role allows the system to maintain flexibility for authorized devices while ensuring reliability by blocking unauthorized frequency changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If authorization checking is implemented at the antenna socket, then system reliability is improved by preventing unauthorized frequency changes, but device complexity increases due to additional control and memory components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidantenna socket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authorization control function is segmented and integrated into the antenna socket, separating it from the receiving device. The antenna socket contains a control unit and memory components that handle authorization checking independently. This segmentation allows the receiving device to remain simple while the antenna socket assumes the complexity of authorization management, preventing unauthorized frequency changes without overcomplicating the end-user equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If control signals are buffered in memory, then system reliability is improved by ensuring proper signal transmission timing, but loss of time occurs due to buffering delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission accuracyVSAvoidsignal transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The control signals are buffered in a memory component of the antenna socket in advance of their actual transmission to the frequency converter. This preliminary buffering allows the antenna socket to prepare and queue control signals, ensuring they are transmitted at the appropriate time when the system is ready to receive them. The buffering prevents signal loss and ensures reliable transmission timing, with the delay being minimal and necessary for proper system operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2154884B1Antenna socket
Publication Date: 2012.06.13 JULTEC TECH
  • EP2154884B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2154884B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The antenna socket (30) has an electric main input, an electric main output and a branch circuit for connection of receivers (40-47) for operation in a satellite receiver system with a subscriber controlled satellite intermediate frequency converter (20). A non-volatile memory stores connection related authorizations in form of configuration data. Control signals of the receivers are received, buffered, evaluated and transferred or blocked in a common antenna downlead (60) depending on the connection related authorizations stored in the memory.