Dynamic Beam Blanking for Direct-to-Cell Satellite Bandwidth Sharing

Solution Overview

Problem

Current implementations of direct to cell mobile satellite communications utilize static frequency bandwidth that may not be sufficient for adequate bandwidth, leading to noise and interference in communications between user devices and aerospace access points.

Innovation Solution

Implementing dynamic beam blanking and spectrum reservation by controlling the use and non-use of antenna beams based on traffic, using a network to direct neighboring beams to meet the bandwidth requirements of primary beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If static frequency bandwidth is assigned to neighboring beams, then device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but bandwidth sufficiency deteriorates and communication reliability worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam blanking where the network controller dynamically controls the activation state of neighboring beams based on real-time traffic conditions. When a primary beam experiences high usage threshold, the system dynamically blanks neighboring beams and redirects their users to alternative beams, thereby adapting the system configuration to current demand and ensuring sufficient bandwidth for active communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of antenna beams dynamically. The network controller monitors usage thresholds and adjusts the beam configuration by blanking specific beams and redirecting traffic. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize bandwidth allocation in real-time, transforming from a static to a dynamic parameter regime to maintain communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If static frequency bandwidth is assigned to neighboring beams, then device complexity is reduced, but bandwidth sufficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidbandwidth

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam blanking where the network controller dynamically controls the activation state of neighboring beams based on real-time traffic conditions. When a primary beam experiences high usage threshold, the system dynamically blanks neighboring beams and redirects their users to alternative beams, thereby adapting the system configuration to current demand and ensuring sufficient bandwidth for active communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of antenna beams dynamically. The network controller monitors usage thresholds and adjusts the beam configuration by blanking specific beams and redirecting traffic. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize bandwidth allocation in real-time, transforming from a static to a dynamic parameter regime to maintain communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If static frequency bandwidth is assigned to neighboring beams, then ease of operation is improved, but noise and interference increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of operationVSAvoidnoise and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic beam blanking where the network controller dynamically controls the activation state of neighboring beams based on real-time traffic conditions. When a primary beam experiences high usage threshold, the system dynamically blanks neighboring beams and redirects their users to alternative beams, thereby adapting the system configuration to current demand and ensuring sufficient bandwidth for active communications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters of antenna beams dynamically. The network controller monitors usage thresholds and adjusts the beam configuration by blanking specific beams and redirecting traffic. This parameter change approach allows the system to optimize bandwidth allocation in real-time, transforming from a static to a dynamic parameter regime to maintain communication reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260074778A1Dynamic beam blanking and spectrum reservation for direct to cellmobile satellite communications

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 T MOBILE INNOVATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of dynamic beam blanking in a network including an aerospace access point is provided. Multiple antenna beams may be provided in addition to a primary antenna beam. First a determination of an antenna beamwidth of a primary antenna beam is made. The antenna beamwidth is based on a usage threshold of the primary antenna beam. When the antenna beamwidth is above the usage threshold at least one dynamic antenna beam blanking commend is generated for at least one first neighboring co-channel antenna beam used by at least one second user device. The second user device is then directed to at least one second neighboring co-channel antenna beam that is not affected by the dynamic antenna beam blanking command. The blanked first neighboring co-channel antenna beam is then added to the primary antenna beam.