Carrier Power Calibration for Transmission Path Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems require manual adjustment of carrier power for varying attenuation and non-linearities in transmission paths, which is inefficient and time-consuming, especially in satellite-based systems where components like modulators, cables, and switches cause changes.
Innovation Solution
An Automatic Carrier Power Setting (ACPS) system that uses calibration data to automatically adjust carrier power based on collected measurements, allowing for programmable reconfiguration of carriers without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment of carrier power is performed, then carrier power can be tuned to account for varying attenuation, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-calibration by automatically measuring the actual carrier power at the remote unit and adjusting the transmit power accordingly, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise power tuning
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback loop where the remote unit measures the received carrier power and sends measurement data back to the head end, which then automatically adjusts the transmit power to compensate for attenuation variations
2Reliability
If manual carrier balancing exercise is performed after each carrier plan change, then carrier power can be optimized, but operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static manual configuration to dynamic automatic adjustment, where carrier power settings are continuously optimized based on real-time measurements without requiring operational interruptions
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs automatic calibration during system initialization and after any configuration changes, preparing the carrier power settings in advance before operational use, eliminating the need for post-change manual balancing
3Measurement precision
If carrier power is adjusted for each component change in transmission path, then transmission accuracy is maintained, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects component changes and performs recalibration without manual intervention, maintaining transmission accuracy while hiding the complexity of multiple adjustment steps from the operator
Solution Approach 2:
The remote unit continuously monitors carrier power and provides feedback to the head end, enabling automatic detection of transmission path changes and triggering appropriate recalibration actions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system and method for compensating for attenuation of carrier power by a transmission path. The method includes defining a path from a gateway to a measurement tap, where the path may include an output port of the gateway and path components used to reach the measurement tap; sweeping, in bands, an RF spectrum served by the RFT by sending a signal at a respective band and a band power from the output port over the path; measuring, at the measurement tap, a power metric for each of the bands; capturing, for each of the bands, power level (PL) data including a frequency start of the respective band, a frequency end of the respective band, the respective band power and the respective power metric at the measurement tap; and setting a carrier power level (CPL) of a carrier having a frequency start and a frequency end, where the CPL is based on the PL data associated with one more of the bands included in the frequency start and the frequency end, where the path components may include one or more connecting cables, one or more switches, and one or more equipment in the path.