Beam Signal Simulation for Scalable Satellite Link Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for testing transmission and receiving systems in mega-constellations, particularly those involving regenerative satellites, are limited by the lack of hardware availability, real-world environments, and the inability to simulate interconnections between nodes, which restricts the number of beams that can be tested and fails to account for environmental and deployment factors.
Innovation Solution
A constellation simulator that includes node simulators and modem simulators to simulate beam signals using real-time protocol packets, enabling simulation of beam frames with headers and channel data, and a test agent to configure and inject errors, allowing for software-in-the-loop testing of entire satellite communication systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hardware-based testing chambers are created for existing systems, then real-world signal testing can be performed, but the number of beams that can be tested is limited to the very limited capacity of the hardware
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a software-based simulation system that copies and replicates beam signal characteristics without requiring physical hardware chambers. The simulation generates virtual beam signals that replicate real-world RF signal behavior, allowing unlimited numbers of beams to be tested simultaneously through software processing rather than hardware constraints
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical hardware testing system with a software-based simulation system. Instead of using physical signal generators and measurement chambers, the system uses software modules to generate, transmit, and process beam signals virtually, substituting the mechanical limitations of hardware with the computational capabilities of software
2Reliability
If specialized hardware chambers are used for testing, then real signal generation is possible, but the system cannot test during development of hardware that does not yet exist
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables preliminary testing of software components and communication protocols before the actual hardware is built. The simulation system allows developers to test and validate signal processing algorithms, error correction codes, and communication protocols in advance, so that when the hardware is manufactured, the software is already optimized and validated
Solution Approach 2:
The simulation system creates virtual copies of hardware behavior and signal characteristics, allowing testing of software components against simulated hardware scenarios. This enables parallel development where software can be developed and tested independently of the physical hardware timeline
3Ease of manufacture
If existing signal generators are used, then basic signals can be generated, but the system does not account for environmental and deployment factors that real world signals experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by allowing the simulation system to dynamically adjust signal characteristics to match real-world conditions. The system can modify parameters such as signal attenuation, interference patterns, multipath effects, and channel variations to accurately replicate specific environmental scenarios and deployment conditions
4Reliability
If hardware-based testing is used, then real signal transmission can be tested, but the cost to appropriately scale these capabilities is substantial and often prohibitive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive hardware testing infrastructure with a software-based simulation platform. The system replaces signal generators, measurement chambers, and physical transmission paths with software modules that run on standard computing hardware, dramatically reducing the cost and complexity of the testing system while maintaining testing validity
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a constellation and beam simulator for testing transmission and receiving systems using simulated beams. The simulators include a first node of the plurality of nodes. The first node includes a component simulator configured to simulate the components specific to the corresponding node, and a first modem simulator for communicatively connecting to a second modem simulator over a first simulated link via first beam real-time protocol (RTP) packets. The first modem simulator includes one or more of a first simulated beam generator and receiver. The first simulated beam generator includes a first beam packetization module configured to packetize a first beam frame into the first beam RTP packets each first beam RTP packet comprising an RTP header. The RTP header includes a timestamp representing a start time of a first beam timeframe and a marker indicating the index of the each first RTP packet in the first beam frame.