Beam Steering Controller for Satellite Link Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
In satellite communication systems, ground equipment faces challenges in quickly establishing and maintaining communication links with satellites due to limited information about the network, especially at startup, and the need to adapt to changing satellite positions and orientations.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a device with a beam steering controller, antenna assembly, and modem that determines beam pointing directions to switch or maintain communication links with satellites, even when initial orientations and satellite positions are unknown, using a combination of satellite discovery, closed-loop tracking, orientation estimation, and orientation tracking components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If ground equipment uses traditional satellite acquisition methods requiring network information, then communication reliability can be maintained, but the equipment cannot quickly establish links at startup when network information is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by autonomously determining beam pointing directions through orientation estimation and tracking components before successful satellite link establishment. This allows the ground equipment to proactively acquire satellite information and establish communication links without waiting for satellite-provided network information, resolving the startup delay problem while maintaining link reliability through continuous orientation tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the beam steering controller continuously monitors signal quality and adjusts beam pointing directions based on received signal characteristics. This closed-loop feedback ensures that even when establishing links autonomously without prior network information, the system can optimize and maintain reliable communication by adapting to actual satellite positions and signal conditions
2Device complexity
If ground equipment has limited information about the network at startup, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to quickly and reliably establish communication links deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The ground equipment performs self-service by using its own orientation data and signal reception capabilities to autonomously determine beam pointing directions. The orientation estimation component uses locally available information about the ground equipment's orientation and signal characteristics to calculate appropriate beam directions, eliminating the need for complex external network information while enabling rapid satellite acquisition and maintaining high link establishment speed
3Reliability
If ground equipment must adapt to changing satellite positions and orientations, then communication reliability is maintained, but the speed of link establishment and reconfiguration decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamics by continuously updating beam pointing directions through the orientation tracking component that monitors changes in ground equipment orientation and satellite positions in real-time. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain communication reliability despite changing conditions while achieving fast reconfiguration speeds through efficient real-time calculation and processing of orientation changes
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment, a method includes determining a first beam pointing vector associated with an antenna assembly by searching for a satellite from a plurality of satellites. The method includes maintaining a communication link with the satellite by determining a plurality of beam pointing vectors that converge to a signal quality value. The method includes obtaining, from the satellite, satellite ephemeris information of the satellite and one or more of remaining satellites of the plurality of satellites. The method includes determining an estimated orientation of the antenna assembly based on the plurality of beam pointing vectors.